What Are Wagering Requirements? A Guide to Clearing Your Casino Bonus

Posted by () on September 8, 2025 - 10:14am EST

You just scored a sweet $500 welcome bonus, but there's a catch - you need to bet $12,500 before you can cash out.

Sound confusing? You're not alone.

Casino playthrough requirements are one of the most misunderstood parts of online casino bonuses, and they can make or break your gambling experience.

Let's break down everything you need to know about bonus wagering explained so you can actually enjoy those bonuses instead of getting frustrated by them.

What Are Wagering Requirements?

Wagering requirements (also called playthrough requirements) are conditions that online casinos attach to bonuses. They tell you how much money you need to bet before you can withdraw any winnings from bonus funds.

For example, if you get a $100 bonus with a 25x wagering requirement, you'll need to bet $2,500 ($100 x 25) before you can cash out. The casino isn't being mean - they just want to make sure you actually play games instead of grabbing the bonus and running.

Think of it like a loyalty test. Casinos give you free money, but they want to see that you're a real player, not someone trying to game the system.

How to Calculate Wagering Requirements

Learning how to calculate wagering requirements is crucial for any bonus player. The math is pretty simple once you know the formula:

Bonus Amount × Wagering Requirement = Total Amount to Bet

Here are some real examples:

$200 bonus with 30x requirement = $6,000 total playthrough
$50 bonus with 40x requirement = $2,000 total playthrough
$1,000 bonus with 20x requirement = $20,000 total playthrough

Some casinos also include your deposit in the calculation. So if you deposit $100 and get a $100 bonus (total $200) with 25x wagering, you'd need to bet $5,000 instead of just $2,500.

Always check the casino bonus terms and conditions to see whether the requirement applies to just the bonus or the bonus plus deposit. This makes a huge difference in how much you actually need to bet.

What Is Game Contribution Percentage?

Understanding game contribution percentage is essential for clearing bonuses efficiently. Not all games count equally toward your wagering requirements. Online gambling websites use game contribution percentages to control which games you can use to clear bonuses.

Here's how it typically works:

Slots: 100% contribution. Every $1 you bet on slots counts as $1 toward your requirement. This is why most players use slots to clear bonuses.

Blackjack: 10-25% contribution. If blackjack has a 10% contribution, you'd need to bet $10 to get $1 of playthrough credit. Since blackjack has a low house edge, casinos limit how much it counts.

Roulette: 5-50% contribution. European roulette usually contributes less than American roulette. Some casinos exclude roulette entirely from bonus play.

Baccarat: 10% contribution or excluded. Like blackjack, baccarat's low house edge means limited contribution.

Video poker: 5-25% contribution. High RTP video poker games typically have very low contribution rates.

Let's say you have a $100 bonus with 30x wagering ($3,000 total). If you play:

Slots: Need to bet $3,000
Blackjack (10% contribution): Need to bet $30,000
Roulette (25% contribution): Need to bet $12,000

This is why slots are by far the most popular choice for clearing bonuses and getting fast casino payouts.

Can You Withdraw Real Money Before Clearing Bonus Requirements?

This depends on the casino and bonus type. Most casinos separate your real money and bonus money into different balances.

Typical rules:

You can usually withdraw your original deposit anytime
You can often withdraw real money winnings (from your deposit)
Bonus money and bonus winnings stay locked until requirements are met
Some casinos void your bonus if you withdraw before clearing it

Important: Always read the specific terms. Some casinos require you to clear wagering requirements before making any withdrawal, even of your own money. Others let you withdraw, but will cancel your bonus.

The safest approach is to treat your deposit and bonus as one bankroll until you've cleared the requirements. This way, you won't accidentally forfeit a valuable bonus.

Sticky vs Non-Sticky Bonus: What's the Difference?

The sticky vs non-sticky bonus debate is crucial for understanding which offers provide real value. Understanding bonus types can save you a lot of frustration:

Non-Sticky (Cashable) Bonuses:

You can withdraw the bonus money itself after meeting requirements
Example: $100 bonus becomes real money once you clear 25x wagering
These are more valuable because you keep everything

Sticky (Non-Cashable) Bonuses:

The bonus amount gets removed when you cash out
You keep only the winnings above the bonus amount
Example: $100 sticky bonus with $150 in winnings = you get $50

Which is better? Non-sticky bonuses are almost always better because you get to keep the actual bonus money. However, sticky bonuses often have lower wagering requirements or higher bonus amounts to compensate.

Here's a quick comparison:

Non-sticky: $100 bonus, 35x wagering, keep $100 + winnings
Sticky: $200 bonus, 25x wagering, keep only winnings above $200

Both can be good deals depending on the numbers involved.

How to Beat Wagering Requirements: Best Strategies

Knowing how to beat wagering requirements can mean the difference between cashing out big and losing your bonus. Here's the best bonus wagering strategy for success:

Choose High RTP Slots. Look for slots with 96%+ RTP to stretch your bonus further. Games like Blood Suckers (98% RTP) or Mega Joker (99% RTP) give you the best odds of maintaining your balance.
Bet Consistently. Don't go all-in on big bets hoping for a quick win. Steady, moderate bets give you more spins and better chances of hitting features that boost your balance.
Track Your Progress. Safe online casinos will show your wagering progress in your account. Check it regularly so you know how much playthrough you have left.
Avoid High-Risk Strategies. Strategies like betting red/black on roulette might seem safe, but many casinos have rules against "low-risk betting" that can void your bonus.
Set a Loss Limit. Decide how much of your own money you're willing to risk in addition to the bonus. If you hit that limit before clearing requirements, it might be time to walk away.
Read the Game Rules. Some slots have features that don't count toward wagering (like bonus buys). Make sure you understand which bets actually help clear your requirements.
Play During the Time Limit. Most bonuses expire after 7-30 days. Don't wait until the last minute - you might run out of time before clearing the requirements.

Common Wagering Requirement Pitfalls

Maximum Bet Limits: Many bonuses cap your bet size at $5-10 per spin. Betting more can void your bonus entirely, even if it was an accident.

Restricted Games Progressive jackpot slots are often excluded from bonus play. Always check the restricted games list before you start playing.

Country Restrictions: Some games might not count toward wagering depending on your location due to licensing restrictions.

Technical Issues: If a game malfunctions during bonus play, contact customer support immediately. You don't want to lose progress due to a technical problem.

Are Wagering Requirements Worth It?

The answer depends on several factors:

Good deals typically have:

Low wagering requirements (25x or lower)
High game contribution rates (100% for slots)
Reasonable time limits (14+ days)
No maximum win caps

Even better: Look for a no-wagering casino bonus. Some casinos now offer no wagering casino bonus deals where you can withdraw winnings immediately. These are rare but incredibly valuable when you find them.

Avoid bonuses with:

50x+ wagering requirements
Low game contributions (under 50% for slots)
Tight time limits (under 7 days)
Lots of restricted games

The bottom line: A $100 bonus with 20x wagering is often better than a $500 bonus with 50x wagering. Always do the math before claiming any bonus.

Making Smart Bonus Decisions

Casino playthrough requirements don't have to be a mystery. Once you understand how to calculate wagering requirements and implement the right strategies, you can make informed decisions about which bonuses are actually worth your time.

Remember that bonuses are meant to extend your playing time and give you more chances to win, not guarantee profits. Treat them as entertainment value rather than free money, and you'll have a much better experience.

The key is finding bonuses with fair terms at reputable casinos. When you do that, wagering requirements become just another part of the game - not an impossible obstacle standing between you and your winnings.