Wagering requirements explained
A wagering requirement is the amount you must bet before bonus money can be withdrawn. A 100 € bonus at 35x means 3,500 € of bets, and at typical slot RTP you will lose more than the bonus is worth on the way.
What a wagering requirement is
When a casino gives you bonus money, it does not want you to withdraw it immediately. So it attaches a condition: you must place bets totalling a multiple of the bonus before the bonus and any winnings from it become withdrawable. That multiple is the wagering requirement, written as 30x, 35x, 40x and so on.
The requirement is met by turnover, not by winning or losing. Every euro you bet counts (subject to the contribution rules below), whether the bet wins or loses.
Worked example 1: bonus-only wagering
You deposit 100 € and receive a 100 % match bonus of 100 € with 35x wagering on the bonus.
- Required turnover: 100 € × 35 = 3,500 €.
- You have 200 € to play with.
- You must place bets totalling 3,500 € before withdrawing the bonus part.
If you play a slot at 10 € per spin, that is 350 spins. Some of them win, some lose, and your balance goes up and down while the turnover counter climbs.
Worked example 2: deposit plus bonus wagering
Same deposit and bonus, but the terms say 35x on deposit and bonus.
- Required turnover: (100 € + 100 €) × 35 = 7,000 €.
The bonus looks identical in the advert but the requirement has doubled. Always check which base the multiple applies to. Phrases to look for: "35x bonus", "35x (D+B)", "35x deposit and bonus amount".
Expected loss while wagering
Slots have a house edge equal to 100 % minus the RTP. A slot at 96 % RTP keeps 4 % of turnover on average.
- Example 1: 3,500 € turnover × 4 % = 140 € expected loss.
- Example 2: 7,000 € turnover × 4 % = 280 € expected loss.
In example 1, the bonus was worth 100 € and the average cost of clearing it is 140 €. In example 2, the average cost is 280 €. On average, therefore, both bonuses lose money for the player, and the second loses more. Individual results vary enormously because slots are volatile, which is why some players clear a bonus with a profit and many bust out before reaching the requirement.
The formula: expected loss = required turnover × (1 − RTP). Compare that with the bonus amount to see whether the offer has positive or negative expected value for you. Almost all standard welcome bonuses are negative once wagering is included. That does not make them useless, but it means the honest way to think about a bonus is as extra playing time, not extra money.
Game contribution rates
Not every bet counts in full. A typical contribution table:
| Game type | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Video slots | 100 % |
| Selected high-RTP slots | 0–50 % |
| Roulette | 5–20 % |
| Blackjack, baccarat | 0–10 % |
| Video poker | 0–10 % |
| Live dealer games | 0–10 % |
A 100 € bet on blackjack at 10 % contribution counts as 10 € towards wagering. To clear 3,500 € of wagering on blackjack at 10 % you would need 35,000 € of bets. Because blackjack has a lower house edge than slots, the expected loss might still be modest, but many casinos exclude table games precisely to prevent this, and playing an excluded game with an active bonus can void it.
Some casinos also exclude specific slots, usually those with very high RTP or bonus-buy features. The exclusion list is normally in the bonus terms or the game's information panel.
Maximum bet rules
Almost all bonus terms limit the stake while a bonus is active, typically to 5 € per spin or per hand, sometimes less. Some also limit bets to a percentage of the bonus. The rule exists to stop players placing a few large bets to clear the requirement quickly with high variance.
The consequences of breaching the maximum bet are severe: the casino can void the bonus and all winnings from it, and some terms allow confiscation of the entire balance above the original deposit. The limit applies to the total stake per spin, including any feature that multiplies the stake. Check the figure and stay under it.
Time limits
Bonuses expire. Common limits are 7, 14 or 30 days from activation, and free spins often expire within 24 to 72 hours. If the requirement is not met by the deadline, the bonus and associated winnings are removed. Before accepting a bonus, estimate whether you will realistically bet the required turnover in the time allowed. 3,500 € of turnover at 1 € per spin is 3,500 spins.
Maximum cashout
Some bonuses, especially no-deposit bonuses and free spins, cap how much you can withdraw from bonus winnings, for example "maximum cashout 100 €" or "5x the bonus amount". If you win 2,000 € from a 10 € no-deposit bonus with a 100 € cap, you keep 100 €. This cap usually does not apply to standard deposit bonuses, but check.
Sticky versus non-sticky bonuses
Non-sticky (parachute) bonus. Your deposit and the bonus are kept separate. You play with your real money first. If you win and withdraw before touching the bonus, the bonus is simply forfeited and no wagering applies. Only if you lose your deposit does the bonus balance come into play, and wagering then applies to the bonus alone. This structure is much more favourable to the player.
Sticky bonus. Deposit and bonus are pooled into a single balance from the start, and wagering must be completed before any withdrawal, even of your own deposit. If you win 500 € on the first spin, you cannot withdraw until the full requirement is met. Some sticky bonuses also cannot themselves be withdrawn at all: only winnings above the bonus amount are paid.
The terms rarely use the words "sticky" or "non-sticky". Look instead for wording such as "real money balance is used first" (non-sticky) or "deposit and bonus funds are combined" (sticky), and for whether you can withdraw your deposit while the bonus is active.
How to evaluate a bonus in five steps
- Find the wagering multiple and what it applies to (bonus, or deposit plus bonus).
- Calculate required turnover.
- Multiply by the house edge of the game you will play to estimate expected loss. Compare with the bonus amount.
- Check maximum bet, time limit, game contribution and maximum cashout.
- Check whether the bonus is sticky or non-sticky and whether you can cancel it.
If the terms are incomplete, assume the missing terms are unfavourable. And remember that you can usually decline a bonus at the deposit stage, or ask support to remove it before you play, if you would rather have unrestricted access to your own money.
For how bonuses fit into choosing a casino more generally, see How to choose an online casino.
Frequently asked questions
What does 35x wagering mean?
You must place bets totalling 35 times the bonus amount before you can withdraw. With a 100 € bonus that is 3,500 € in bets. If the multiple applies to deposit plus bonus, a 100 € deposit with a 100 € bonus means 7,000 € in bets.
Do all games count towards wagering?
No. Slots usually count 100 %, while table games, live casino and video poker often count 10 % or less, and some games are excluded altogether. A 100 € bet on blackjack at 10 % contribution reduces the requirement by only 10 €.
Can I lose the bonus by betting too much?
Yes. Most terms set a maximum bet, commonly 5 € per spin, while a bonus is active. Exceeding it, even once, can lead to the bonus and any winnings being voided.
Is a bonus with lower wagering always better?
Usually, but check what the multiple applies to and the game contribution. A 20x bonus on deposit plus bonus is worse than a 35x bonus on the bonus alone. Also check the maximum cashout.
Should I just decline the bonus?
If you intend to play table games, withdraw quickly or bet more than the maximum bet allows, yes. Bonuses suit players who were going to play slots for a while anyway and treat the bonus as extra playing time rather than extra money.