How Do Wagering Requirements Work? (And When a Bonus Isn’t Worth It)
A wagering requirement is the number of times you must bet a bonus before you can withdraw any winnings from it. A $100 bonus with 30x wagering requires $3,000 in total bets. Requirements at US online casinos range from 1x (FanDuel, DraftKings) to 35x and beyond on offshore platforms.
That’s the mechanic. But the number on its own tells you almost nothing. A 10x wagering requirement can be worth more than a 1x one, depending on what you’re allowed to play and how much you can actually win. And a $500 bonus with 40x wagering? In most cases, you’d be better off ignoring it entirely.
Here’s how to tell the difference.
What Is a Wagering Requirement?
A wagering requirement — also called a playthrough requirement or rollover — is a condition attached to almost every casino bonus. Before the casino releases bonus funds for withdrawal, you must wager them a set number of times.
The formula is simple: Bonus Amount × Wagering Multiplier = Total Bets Required.
So a $200 bonus with a 25x wagering requirement means you need to place $5,000 in total bets before a single dollar becomes withdrawable. Whether you win or lose those bets doesn’t matter — what counts is the total amount wagered.
Casinos use wagering requirements for an obvious reason: without them, players could simply claim a bonus, withdraw it immediately, and leave. The requirement ensures you actually use the platform. That’s fair enough in principle. The problem is that some casinos set requirements so high that the bonus has negative expected value before you’ve even started playing.
One thing to check before claiming anything: whether the wagering applies to the bonus amount only or to the bonus plus your deposit. These are very different situations.
- Bonus-only wagering: You deposit $100, receive a $100 bonus, wagering applies to the $100 bonus only. 20x = $2,000 in required bets.
- Bonus + deposit wagering: Same scenario, but 20x applies to $200 combined. Required bets: $4,000. Twice as much, buried in the fine print.
Always read which model applies before you click “Claim.”
How to Calculate Your Wagering Requirement
Three scenarios cover most of what you’ll encounter.
Scenario 1 — Bonus-only wagering You claim a $150 deposit match with 20x bonus-only wagering. $150 × 20 = $3,000 in required bets.
Scenario 2 — Bonus + deposit wagering Same $150 bonus, same 20x — but it applies to your $150 deposit plus the $150 bonus. $300 × 20 = $6,000 in required bets. Double the amount, identical-sounding offer.
Scenario 3 — Free spins wagering You receive 50 free spins on a $1 slot. You win $40. The casino applies 25x wagering to your winnings. $40 × 25 = $1,000 in required bets before you can withdraw that $40.
Here’s a quick reference for common wagering multipliers on a $100 bonus:
| Wagering Multiplier | Total Bets Required (on $100 bonus) |
| 1x | $100 |
| 5x | $500 |
| 10x | $1,000 |
| 15x | $1,500 |
| 20x | $2,000 |
| 30x | $3,000 |
| 40x | $4,000 |
Keep this table in mind every time you see a bonus offer. The headline amount ($500 bonus!) means very little without the multiplier next to it.
Which Games Count Toward Wagering?
This is the part that catches most players off guard — and where bonus terms get genuinely punishing.
Not all games contribute equally to clearing your wagering requirement. Slots almost always count at 100%. Table games, live dealer, and video poker typically count at a fraction of that — meaning every dollar you bet contributes less toward your total.
| Game Type | Typical Wagering Contribution |
| Online slots | 100% |
| Keno / scratch cards | 100% |
| Live dealer games | 5–10% |
| Roulette | 10% |
| Blackjack | 10–20% |
| Video Poker | 10% |
| Craps | Often excluded entirely |
| Sports betting | Often excluded entirely |
Here’s why this matters more than most players realise. If you prefer blackjack and a casino offers 10% contribution for table games, a 30x wagering requirement doesn’t become 30x — it becomes 300x in effective terms. Every $10 hand of blackjack contributes just $1 toward your wagering total.
At that rate, clearing a $100 bonus with 30x wagering on blackjack alone would require $30,000 in table game bets. That’s not a bonus. That’s a trap.
The practical lesson: if you play primarily table games, a bonus with 100% game restriction to slots is worth almost nothing to you. Read the game contribution list before claiming.
Other Bonus Terms to Watch
The wagering multiplier gets all the attention, but it’s not the only number that determines a bonus’s real value. Before claiming any offer, run through this checklist:
Time limit. Most bonuses expire within 7 to 30 days of being claimed. If you don’t complete the wagering in that window, the bonus and any associated winnings are forfeited. A 30-day limit sounds generous until you factor in how many sessions it actually takes to wager $4,000.
Maximum bet rule. Nearly every bonus comes with a maximum bet per spin or hand while the bonus is active — typically $5 to $10. Exceed it even once, and many casinos reserve the right to void your bonus and any winnings. This rule exists to stop players from clearing requirements quickly on high-stakes games. It also means bonus play takes longer than you might expect.
Maximum cashout cap. Some bonuses — particularly no deposit offers — cap how much you can withdraw regardless of what you win. A $20 no deposit bonus with a $100 max cashout means that even if you turn it into $500, you walk away with $100. The cap is often buried in the terms.
Excluded games. Beyond contribution percentages, some games are simply excluded from wagering entirely. Progressive jackpot slots are the most common example — casinos don’t want bonus funds funding jackpot bets. Always check the excluded games list, not just the contribution table.
Is This Bonus Actually Worth It?
Here’s the question nobody answers directly: given a specific wagering requirement, what is the bonus actually worth in expected value terms?
The math is straightforward. Every bet you make while clearing wagering costs you money at the rate of the house edge. If you’re playing slots with 4% house edge (96% RTP), you’re losing $4 for every $100 wagered — on average.
Expected Bonus Value = Bonus Amount − (Total Wagering Required × House Edge)
Run the numbers on a few real scenarios:
FanDuel — $1,000 deposit match, 1x wagering Total bets required: $1,000 on 96% RTP slots. Expected loss during wagering: $1,000 × 4% = $40. Expected bonus value: $1,000 − $40 = ~$960. Excellent.
Mid-range casino — $200 bonus, 20x wagering, slots only Total bets required: $4,000. Expected loss: $4,000 × 4% = $160. Expected bonus value: $200 − $160 = ~$40. Marginal, but positive.
Offshore casino — $500 bonus, 40x wagering Total bets required: $20,000. Expected loss: $20,000 × 4% = $800. Expected bonus value: $500 − $800 = −$300. Negative. Walk away.
The third scenario is more common than you’d think, particularly on offshore platforms that advertise massive headline bonuses. The bonus is worth less than zero in expected terms — you’d statistically be better off depositing the money and playing without claiming the offer at all.
As a working rule:
| Wagering Range | Verdict |
| 1x–10x | Strong — worth claiming in most cases |
| 11x–20x | Acceptable — read the full terms |
| 21x–35x | Marginal — do the math before claiming |
| 35x+ | Almost always negative expected value |
Wagering Requirements at Major US Casinos (April 2026)
For reference, here’s where the main licensed US operators sit. These are based on their current welcome bonus terms — always verify directly on the casino’s promotions page, as terms can change.
| Casino | Welcome Bonus Wagering | Notes |
| FanDuel Casino | 1x | Industry-leading. Applies to bonus credits only. |
| DraftKings Casino | 1x | Same structure as FanDuel. |
| BetRivers Casino | 1x | iRush Rewards model — essentially immediate. |
| Golden Nugget | 10x | Applies to deposit + bonus combined. |
| BetMGM Casino | 15x | Slots-focused. Table games contribute less. |
| Caesars Palace Online | 15x slots / 30x video poker / 75x other | Most complex structure among regulated operators. |
The gap between FanDuel at 1x and Caesars at 75x for certain games is not a typo. These are legitimately different products, priced differently for the player. The licensed US market has been pushing wagering requirements down — partly from competitive pressure, partly from regulatory scrutiny. Offshore platforms have no such pressure.
FAQ
What happens if I don’t meet the wagering requirement in time? The bonus funds are forfeited. In most cases, any winnings generated from that bonus are also removed. Your original deposit — the real money you put in — remains in your account and is unaffected. Only the bonus and its associated winnings disappear.
Can I withdraw my deposit while I still have an active bonus? Yes, in most cases — but doing so typically voids the bonus automatically. If you withdraw before completing the wagering, the casino removes the bonus funds and any associated winnings. Some platforms let you opt out of a bonus explicitly, which releases your deposit without penalty. Check the terms for an opt-out option before depositing if you’re unsure.
Do winnings from free spins count toward wagering? It depends on the casino. Some credit free spin winnings directly as withdrawable cash — no wagering required. Others credit them as bonus funds subject to the same playthrough as a deposit bonus. The difference is significant, and it’s always stated in the free spins terms. Never assume.
What is a no-wagering bonus? A no-wagering bonus — sometimes called a wager-free bonus — pays out winnings as real cash with no playthrough requirement attached. They exist, but they’re rare and the bonus amounts tend to be smaller. FanDuel and DraftKings effectively operate this model with their 1x structures. Dedicated no-wagering bonuses are more common in the UK market than in the US.
Is a 40x wagering requirement bad? By most standards, yes. At 40x on a $100 bonus, you need to wager $4,000 before withdrawing. On slots with 4% house edge, your expected loss during wagering is $160 — for a bonus worth $100. The math is negative. There are edge cases where a 40x bonus could still be worth it (very high RTP games, large bonus amounts with high max cashouts), but as a default position: if you see 40x or higher, do the expected value calculation before clicking claim.
Related Terms
RTP (Return to Player): The percentage a game pays back over time. RTP directly affects how much a bonus costs you to clear — a 4% house edge on $4,000 in wagering costs $160. →What is RTP?
House Edge: The casino’s mathematical advantage on any bet — the inverse of RTP. The higher the house edge on the games you’re playing, the more expensive a wagering requirement becomes.
No Deposit Bonus: A bonus credited without requiring a deposit first. Almost always comes with wagering requirements and a max cashout cap. → [Read: Best No Deposit Bonuses]
If you or someone you know is experiencing issues with gambling, free and confidential support is available 24/7: call or text 1-800-GAMBLER.
Frequently Asked Questions
The bonus funds are forfeited. Any winnings generated from that bonus are also removed. Your original deposit — the real money you put in — remains in your account and is unaffected. Only the bonus and its associated winnings disappear.
Yes, in most cases — but doing so typically voids the bonus automatically. If you withdraw before completing the wagering, the casino removes the bonus funds and any associated winnings. Some platforms let you opt out of a bonus explicitly, which releases your deposit without penalty. Check the terms for an opt-out option before depositing if you are unsure.
It depends on the casino. Some credit free spin winnings directly as withdrawable cash with no wagering required. Others credit them as bonus funds subject to the same playthrough as a deposit bonus. The difference is significant and always stated in the free spins terms. Never assume — always check before claiming.
A no-wagering bonus pays out winnings as real cash with no playthrough requirement attached. They exist but are rare, and bonus amounts tend to be smaller. FanDuel and DraftKings effectively operate this model with their 1x structures. Dedicated no-wagering bonuses are more common in the UK market than in the US.
By most standards, yes. At 40x on a $100 bonus you need to wager $4,000 before withdrawing. On slots with 4% house edge, your expected loss during wagering is $160 — for a bonus worth $100. The math is negative. Unless the bonus amount is very large or the RTP exceptionally high, a 40x requirement almost always has negative expected value.
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