Wagering requirements suck! Although not a single gambler in the world will tell you they like wagering requirements, there is no escaping them. Today's blog will explain wagering requirements and what they imply. And, if you're wondering how to beat wagering requirements, we may have some tips that can benefit you next time you encounter them.
How do Online Casino Wagering Requirements Work?
It's a million-dollar online casino question, especially among aspiring players. At first, it may seem hard to understand. You may also see the phrase 'playthrough requirement' or even a 'rollover requirement', but they mean the same, so before we explain what a wagering requirement is, don't let these synonyms confuse you.
A wager is just another term for a bet.
Now, when it comes to wagering requirements, these will most commonly be associated with online casino bonuses. See our guide to online casino bonuses to learn more about different casino offers. Once you make a deposit and accept a bonus it will most certainly come with wagering requirements. In other words, both your deposit and bonus will be subject to certain terms and conditions and you will not be able to make a withdrawal until you have fulfilled the wagering requirements.
Now, this is where it can get tricky. Wagering requirements are represented by the number of times you have to wager your bonus, and they may also come with a minimum withdrawal limit. The number of times you have to wager a bonus will differ in every casino. Some casinos offer low wagering requirements, while others ramp them up.
Different casinos have different wagering requirements and withdrawal limits. To learn more about cashing out amounts and times, we suggest you take a look at our guide to withdrawal limits for an overview of the topic.
What Are Wagering Requirements?
Simply put, online casino wagering is a bet you make on any game, whether on video slots, table games or video poker games. You are essentially making a wager when you make a bet with money that didn't come from free play. What does wager mean, you ask? It is just another word for a bet. Every time you hit spin or press bet, you are, in essence, wagering. Now there is a lot more to this, but don't worry because now you're warmed up, we can go into even more details to answer your initial question on what wagering requirement stands for.
Most Common Conditions for Wagering Requirements
These additional terms and conditions are usually associated with wagering requirements, particularly in sports betting:
Minimum Odds: To be considered, a wager must have odds of -300 to -250 or greater. Therefore, a line with odds of 200 would count toward the wagering minimum, but a line with odds of 350 would not.
Only Winnings Paid: If you place a real-money wager and win, you will be paid your wager plus your winnings. However, if you bet using bonus credits, the wager is lost, and you earn your winnings. As a result, the total payment for a $10 bonus credit wager on a +100 line would be $10.
It goes without saying that this applies to any payment method, be it fiat money or a cryptocurrency.
Time Limit: Most initial sports deals end after seven to ninety days. The sportsbook will cancel any leftover bonus credits if the wagering criteria are not satisfied within that time limit.
The terms and limitations for any promotion vary depending on the online sportsbook. Before agreeing to any deals, make sure you have read them.
If you are playing slots your time limit will vary depending on the casino. This often ranges from five to thirty days, but in some cases could extend to sixty days.
If you are receiving casino spins as part of a bonus package, especially if these are given to you in increments, check the wagering! You may find you need to complete this wagering within 24 hours, before the next set of spins are credited.
It is not uncommon for a casino to request the wagering in less than five days, but the golden rule is to always check this information before you accept the bonus.
Max Bet
Max bet stands for maximum bet, in other words, a limit set by an online casino that governs how much you can bet on online casino games. This restriction typically appears on slots, but it also applies to all other games. Most casinos will apply a max bet with every bonus, the average max bet would be around €5 but can range from €1 to €20, depending on the casino and your country.
Some casinos offer max bet protection. If you were to place a bet that breaches their terms and conditions whilst wagering, the casino will launch a pop up box to let you know you’re not allowed to make the bet, or if you do you will risk forfeiting your bonus.
Wagering Requirement Weighting
In a nutshell, game weighting refers to the proportion of bets that will count towards achieving wagering requirements in a given game.
For example, slot machines often contribute 100 per cent to wagering requirements; in other words, every dollar wagered contributes to achieving the wagering criteria. In contrast, card games such as blackjack may be assigned a weight of 70 per cent, meaning that for every 10 chips used in play, only seven will count towards wagering requirements.
Free Bet Vs. Betting Credits
Online sportsbooks offer two types of bonuses: free bets and betting credits. The only exception is that betting credits are subject to the other wagering conditions specified above. If you had $100 in betting credits, you could put 100 bets of $1 each.
However, free bets have fixed wager amounts. If you receive a $25 free bet, the size of the wager will be $25. You cannot receive a $25 free bet and put three separate wagers of $10, $5, and $5. You must use the entire quantity at once.
Where to Find Wagering Requirements?
Online casinos are legally obliged to clearly display all terms and conditions. They may be boring to read, but you wouldn't buy something from a shop without knowing what it is first, would you?
These are in place to shield the casino, and you should always find information regarding their wagering here. If you cannot find them, you should contact the casino's customer support team before accepting the bonus.
How to Beat Wagering Requirements
Now that you know what is wagering, you're probably wondering how you will beat them. If you are entirely new to this, wagering almost £1200 off just a £20 deposit may seem like an almost impossible task. But it's actually not.
Have no illusions; it is not easy by any means. No casino would ever make wagering easy. But, know it most certainly is not impossible. First and foremost:
- Find the right casino
- Find the right bonus for you
Find the Right Casino
Choosing the best online casino is critical, perhaps much more so than you may realise. After examining thousands of online casinos, we can assure you that the difference between a world-class online casino and a bad one is as extreme as you can imagine.
Here are a few steps to keep in mind:
Step 1: Consider your needs
Casinos differ dramatically. Choosing a casino site can be as tricky as choosing a car. Ferrari 458 and Toyota Auris are not comparable, and neither are any two given casinos.
So, think of the following: Which games do you prefer? Thousands of slots and a few table games or dozens of blackjack variants?
Fancy bonuses? No deposit or cashback bonuses with no wagering requirements?
Who are you, and what do you want from online gaming? Do you play occasionally? Or maybe you check in every Friday evening to unwind and top off your weekend fund? If you're the second type, a casino loyalty program may be more significant to you than someone who plays sporadically.
After answering these questions, you'll know what kind of casino you want. At least you'll know what you won't accept, which will help you find the ideal online casino.
With thousands of online casinos, there's no need to settle. We bet there's a casino that meets all your needs.
Step 2: Conduct quality research
How long have you been playing at casinos? Do you understand SSL encryption and know where to look for casinos with legitimate gaming licences? How about the distinction between casinos that offer games from RTG and those that provide games from NetEnt?
Whether you immediately knew the answers to those questions or were at a loss for words, reading professional reviews can greatly assist in picking the best online casino.
Here are some things to consider when researching a casino you consider joining:
- Safety and security
- Device compatibility
- Bonus terms and conditions
- Payouts and banking
- Customer service
Step 3: Explore the casino website
After reading reviews of a casino, visit the site. As the expression goes, you should try an apple to know how it tastes.
You should:
Browse and explore. Website design matters, especially if it's a casino website. See how the site works by clicking the menus, registering, and loading games. Is it fast, consistent, smooth, slow, clunky, and full of broken links?
Start playing. Many casinos provide free games. If possible, try them! Trying out free games gives you a taste of the experience, the most significant component of an online casino.
Check promotions. Check out the bonuses, promotions, tournaments, and corresponding terms and conditions. The site needs a promotions tab. This will show you if the casino is fair and serious about rewarding loyal customers.
Ask questions. Test the customer service. You may verify a casino's customer service rating by asking them questions. If the service requires registration, you can do so next. Sign up, and - if the casino fulfills your idea of a good casino - register. The ease of registration can tell you a lot about a casino.
Register at multiple online casinos. You don't have to stay at the first casino you try, nor are you limited to trying your luck at just one. Try multiple and see what works.
Be aware: Most casinos have dormant account terms that impose a monthly fee if you haven't played in x months. So, make sure you play all your deposits at the beginning. If your account balance is zero, dormant account fees will not be assessed.
Find the Right Bonus for You
We cannot stress this enough. If you're accepting a bonus with ridiculous terms and massive wagering requirements, chances are you won't ever meet them. Here are some more tips and tricks:
Make sure you have equipped yourself with the wagering conditions as we've already mentioned, including checking game contributions and which games count 100% towards wagering. Playing a game that contributes 50% of your wagering will take you even longer to complete the requirements. There may also be some individual video slots that will count 0% towards your wagering requirements.
If you don't check this beforehand, you could spend hours and hours playing games thinking you're wagering, only to learn all your efforts were futile.
Find the Right Game
One of the best ways to help you through the wagering process is to find games you already know to play well. If you are new, don't worry; this will come over time. You'll also notice that certain games can be perfect for wagering! These are games that may not necessarily get you huge wins, but they're games that will keep your balance at a steady rate.
For example, if you've just hit a huge win, finding a game you know can help you maintain that balance and complete a shed load of wagering may be a good idea. These can be games like NetEnt's Starburst Slot. If you feel comfortable, you can also start raising your bets. Just remember what we said earlier. The higher you raise, the faster you can also fall.
Calculate the Wagering Requirement
Your wagering requirements can be calculated using a relatively straightforward method. You only need to plug in your numbers to establish a baseline:
Total Bet = Bonus Amount X Wagering Requirement
Say you put down €50.
You get a 50 euro match bonus, and the wagering requirement is 30 times.
The equation would be (50 euros) X (30) = 1,500 euros.
Bonuses that are more unfavourable would require you to wager your both your bonus and deposit as follows:
Total bet = (Bonus Amount) + (Initial Deposit) X (Wagering Requirement)
The formula would look like this if we were to follow the first example: (€50) + (€50) X (30) = €3,000.
The bonus money winnings can be used to place wagers; if you place them wisely, you could typically surpass the requirements and come out ahead.
If you accept a sticky bonus, you will not be able to withdraw this amount, even after completing the wagering requirement. The bonus amount will be removed from your total cash funds, after wagering, before you can cash out. You can if course withdraw a non-sticky bonus.
Start Playing
Now that you have the math right, you can start playing. Stick to the games that contribute most to the playthrough requirements. Often times, the casino will make all games in the library eligible for the bonus; however, they will not contribute the same to fulfilling those requirements, so make sure you pick the ones that count toward the bonus.
Each Bet Contributes to the Completion
Like we said, you should make sure that each bet you place contributes to completing the wagering requirements. For instance, slots usually contribute 100%, but if live casino games are your weapon of choice, then consult the terms and conditions carefully, as they are often excluded or contribute to a lesser extent, say 10%.
In that case, you should look for bonuses that are designed specifically for a certain type of game.
Wagering Requirements Calculator and Common Wagering Requirements
Now that you know what the actual term means, it's time to explain in a little more detail, and it's all about the math. You may need to have at hand a calculator, but it's usually quite easy to work out, and you may not need a wagering calculation. By the time you finish this, we're confident you'll be able to work out any wagering requirements in a matter of minutes.
Warning: this part may be boring but stay with us.
Working out wagering requirements can be tedious, but jokes aside, it could pay off in the long run if you get it right. If you miscalculate a wagering requirement, it could financially cost you in the long run. You need to understand that if a casino gives you a bonus, it will be strictly regulated.
They will not make it easy for you to turn that bonus money into real cash, which is why they add the wagering requirements. It is possible for you to get a bonus with no wagering requirements but more often or not, this is associated with extra spins, which you may see called bonus spins or super spins; we'll go into more details later.
Okay, so let's get your virtual wagering requirements calculator at the ready as we're about to explain how they work. Let's say you signed up at a casino, made your first deposit, and accepted their welcome bonus with a 30x playthrough requirement. Here is how you work that out:
Example:
Deposit Amount: £20; Bonus Amount: £20; Wagering Requirement: 30x Bonus
All you do is multiple your total bonus amount by the wagering requirements. So, in this example, it would be £20 x 30 = £600
This means you have to wager or make bets that equal to £600. So, for example, if you were betting in £1 increments, you would need to do this 600 times. The less you bet, the longer it will take you to complete the wagering requirements. But be warned! This does not necessarily mean the higher you bet, the quicker you wager because what you should remember is that placing higher bets can also mean you run out of funds quicker too.
In fact, if you are a complete novice, we would strongly suggest against jumping straight in with high stakes. Sometimes, just sometimes little and often can work too. The more experience you have with wagering, the more you'll be able to figure out which bets you are comfortable with. It would help if you were not betting outside your financial means. Other popular sets of wagering requirements can include:
- 15x
- 20x
- 35x
- 50x
What Does No Wagering Mean?
When we said your bonus would most certainly come with a wagering requirement attached, that's because it will. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. You may see casinos advertising 'No Wagering' and 'Wager-free bonuses', which are very lucrative. In a perfect world, this is what we would expect to see.
These kinds of wager-free bonuses are usually associated with spins that the casino gives you on a specific game that is free, rather than actual funds in your account. So, you would deposit and use the spins, and whatever you win from those spins would then be wager free.
This means the winnings are paid in cold hard cash and go straight into your withdrawable cash with no strings attached. They are as lucrative as they sound! In terms of finding an actual cash bonus that has no wagering attached, good luck with that! There may be some out there, but we'd highly advise you to research the casino offering them before you play. Plenty of decent, reputable casinos in our directory offer wager-free incentives, so be sure to take advantage of these.
Why Do Wagering Requirements Exist?
What is wagering in casinos, and why are they there? Well, we've already covered a lot of this but still, a lot of players will wonder why the hell these requirements exist. Well, it's simple actually. Casinos also need to ensure that they have these requirements in place to apply to anti-money laundering schemes. This can prevent fraudsters from depositing in a casino and taking it straight out by turning it into 'clean' funds.
To learn more about behaviours considered fraudulent, head over to piece about bonus bagging for more info.
Are Bonus Wagering Requirements Avoidable?
Yes, you can make a straight deposit by accepting no bonus which means no wagering requirements. Some casinos may require you to wager your deposit a few times before withdrawing it, but again this is because of money laundering, and it will be very low, e.g., 1x.
If you want to accept a bonus, you must be prepared for wagering requirements. There are some online casinos that advertise the fact that they will never impose wagering requirements. These casinos are great because they do exactly what they say on the tin. You will likely be getting those casino spins we mentioned earlier. For example, you'll deposit £50 and get 100 spins, wager free. This is one of the only ways you'll dodge those wagering requirements.
What Are Low Wagering Requirements and What Are High Wagering Requirements?
Now, we don't want to confuse matters but you can also stumble across (and this is just as common) wagering requirements that attach to your bonus and deposit. This means you'll need to wager twice as much! Let's use the same example to show you how this would affect your deposit:
Example:
Deposit Amount: £20; Bonus Amount: £20; Wagering Requirement: 30x Bonus
This time you need to calculate your total bonus and deposit amount (£40) by the wagering requirements (30x). So, £40 x 30 = £1200
Yep, that's a pretty hefty wager. You can see the difference it makes, can't you? It may also seem impossible to meet, but it is certainly not. You will never be able to calculate how much you will wager before playing because it's entirely down to lady luck. A wagering requirement that attaches only to your bonus will always work more in your favour. The lower you can get these wagering requirements, the better.
This can vary in terms of which are low and which are high. Anything 30x or under can be classed as a low wagering requirement. Generally, anything over 30x would be considered as high. This is why we always advise you to do your research first. Don't just take the first bonus you see because chances are there are plenty more that may be better suited to you.
What Are Rollover and Playthrough Requirements?
We touched upon this at the beginning, but we just wanted to reiterate it before moving on. Rollover and playthrough requirements are exactly the same as wagering requirements. If you are 'playing through' your bonus it's the same as saying you are wagering your bonus.
What Is a 10X Wagering Requirement?
A 10X wagering requirement means that before you can withdraw your bonus and any subsequent profits, you must bet your bonus amount 10 times over.
Wagering Requirements and Winning
There is no guaranteed way to beat wagering. No single gambler in the world can predict whether or not they will complete their wagering requirement before they take a bonus. Be smart! Use the information we have given you today, do your homework first, and you could already be on the road to success!
Also, to get more information on the future of gambling with crypto, casino bonuses, slots, and much more - follow our podcast page for the latest episodes.
