Wagering requirements, in plain numbers
In short
- Wagering is how many times you must bet a bonus before you can withdraw it.
- Deposit + bonus wagering roughly doubles the bets needed for a 100% match.
- Game weighting and the max bet rule matter as much as the multiple itself.
- On average, wagering costs money: the higher it is, the less of the bonus survives.
A casino bonus looks like a gift and works like a loan you repay with bets. The repayment terms are called wagering, playthrough or rollover, and they decide whether a bonus is worth claiming.
The basic sum
Wagering is written as a multiple, such as 35x. Multiply the bonus by it and you get the total amount you must bet before the bonus turns into cash you can withdraw.
| Bonus | Wagering | Total bets needed |
|---|---|---|
| 100 | 20x | 2,000 |
| 100 | 35x | 3,500 |
| 100 | 50x | 5,000 |
Winnings feed back in. If you bet 1 and win 2, that 2 goes back into your balance and can be bet again. You don’t need thousands of your own money, but every single bet in that total carries the casino’s edge.
Bonus only, or deposit + bonus
This is the line that hides the biggest difference. Some casinos apply wagering to the bonus alone. Others apply it to your deposit and the bonus together.
Take a 100% match on a deposit of 100, so a bonus of 100:
- 35x the bonus: 100 × 35 = 3,500 in bets.
- 35x deposit + bonus: 200 × 35 = 7,000 in bets.
Same multiple, twice the work. Our cards always say which one applies, and the wagering calculator has a switch for it.
What the wagering costs you
Every casino game returns a little less than it takes over time. A slot with 96% RTP keeps about 4 of every 100 bet, on average. Over 3,500 in bets that is about 140, more than the 100 bonus you set out to clear.
That doesn’t make every bonus a loss. Results swing wildly in single sessions, and some players finish well ahead. But on average:
- At 20x or less, a good chunk of the bonus usually survives.
- Around 35x to 40x, the expected cost roughly matches the bonus. Treat it as extra playtime.
- At 50x and above, you are mostly paying for entertainment.
Wager-free bonuses skip the whole calculation: whatever you win is yours to withdraw, subject to other terms such as a cap.
Game weighting
Not every bet counts in full. Casinos set a contribution for each game type:
- Slots: usually 100%.
- Table games and live casino: often 5% to 20%, sometimes 0%.
- Excluded games: some high-RTP slots and jackpot games count for nothing.
At 10% contribution, 3,500 in required bets becomes 35,000. Clearing a bonus on blackjack is rarely realistic.
The max bet rule
While a bonus is active, most casinos cap each bet, often at a small fixed amount. Break it once and the casino can void the bonus and all winnings from it. This rule catches more players than any other term. Check it on the card under “Full terms” before your first spin.
Time limits
Wagering comes with a deadline, from a few days to a month or more. A short window on a big requirement forces large bets, which bump into the max bet rule. If the numbers don’t fit your normal play, skip the bonus or claim a smaller one.
How to judge a bonus in a minute
- Find the wagering multiple and what it applies to.
- Multiply it out: that is your total bets.
- Check that the games you like count 100%.
- Check the max bet and the time limit fit how you play.
- Compare with a wager-free or cashback offer. Less glamorous, often worth more.
Every offer on LocoBonus lists these terms on the card, and the score rewards light wagering above everything else. Start with the list for Canada, Finland, Ireland or Austria.
Questions players ask
What does 40x wagering mean?
You have to place bets worth 40 times the bonus before the bonus and its winnings can be withdrawn. A 100 bonus at 40x means 4,000 in total bets. Winnings from those bets count, so you don't need 4,000 of your own money, but every bet carries the house edge.
Is lower wagering always better?
Almost always, but check what it applies to. 30x on deposit + bonus is heavier than 40x on the bonus alone for a 100% match. Also check the time limit: low wagering with only a few days to finish can still be hard.
Do table games count toward wagering?
Usually only partly. Slots tend to count 100%, while blackjack, roulette and live games often count 10% or less, or are excluded. At 10%, every bet counts for a tenth, so the total bets needed are ten times higher.
What happens if I withdraw before finishing the wagering?
At most casinos the bonus and anything won with it are cancelled. Your own remaining deposit is usually paid out. Some casinos lock the deposit too until wagering is done, so read the terms first.