Casino Wagering Requirements Explained and How to Avoid Them

It is always extremely important to check the fine print of a casino bonus before you get started betting. And one of the most important casino bonus factors to consider is the wagering requirements. The wagering requirements dictate how much money you will need to bet in order to unlock the bonus amount.

By the end of this article, you will be an expert in casino wagering requirements and will have the knowledge you need to maximize your next casino bonus. Let’s dive right in!

WHAT ARE CASINO WAGERING REQUIREMENTS?

Wagering requirements, also known as playthrough or rollover requirements, are essentially the minimum amount of money you must spend to withdraw your bonus funds. These requirements are a way for online casinos to protect themselves from players who might otherwise take advantage of the bonus offers without actually engaging in the games.

Since many casinos offer pretty generous casino welcome bonuses, the wagering requirements are a means to prevent bonus abuse.

Wagering requirements are based on a multiplier of the bonus amount, the deposit amount, or both. The amount of the multiplier can range drastically from 1x to more than 30x, which is why I really cannot overstate how important it is to check this before signing on to a bonus. For example, if a casino places a 30x wagering requirement on a $200 bonus, you’ll need to wager at least $6,000 before you can unlock and withdraw the bonus.

HOW DO WAGERING REQUIREMENTS WORK?

Many new casino players don’t fully understand casino wager rules, which doesn’t come as a surprise since online casinos can be pretty sneaky with this information. That said, casino wagering requirements are not as complicated as you might think.

Here’s an example to help you understand exactly how these requirements work:

You sign up at an online casino that offers a 100% deposit bonus of up to $100 with a 30x wagering requirement. You deposit $100, receiving a $100 bonus, totaling $200 in their account.
You cannot simply withdraw the bonus, as you’ll first need to meet the 30x wagering requirement. $100 x 30 = $3,000, so you’ll need to wager $3,000 before unlocking any winnings (Note that if the bonus was “30x deposit+bonus,” it would instead be $6,000)

PLAYTHROUGH CONTRIBUTION RATE

When it comes to casino bonus requirements, all games are NOT created equal. Online casinos use a weighting method to determine what percentage of your bets will contribute to your bonus requirements.

This means you’ll need to choose the type of games you play wisely to ensure they contribute as much as possible to your requirements.

Slot games usually contribute 100%, but depending on the casino, some might only contribute 50% or less. Table games like poker, blackjack, and craps generally have very low rates and in some cases, won‘t contribute at all!

HOW TO AVOID WAGERING REQUIREMENTS?

For higher-value casino bonuses, wagering requirements will be all but a guarantee. However, there are several things you can do to minimize the betting requirement or scrap it all together. Here are some of my top tips.

1. CHOOSE CASINOS WITH LOW WAGERING REQUIREMENTS

This may seem like an obvious one, but one of the best ways to reduce you wagering conditions is to choose a casino bonus with a low requirement. As I mentioned, the wagering multiplier can range from 1x to more than 30x. So, your best bet is to look for casinos with bonuses on the lower end of this spectrum.

2. WEIGH THE VALUE OF THE BONUS

While it can certainly be tempting to sign up for high-roller bonuses with $2,000+ in rewards, these generally have extremely high wagering requirements. Lower dollar amount bonuses are less “flashy”, but they may actually have a better value because you won’t need to risk nearly as much money.

You may even be able to find online casinos with 1x wagering requirements, meaning you only need to gamble the bonus amount to unlock the funds.

3. WHEN IN DOUBT, OPT OUT!

Another way to avoid wagering requirements is to opt out of bonuses altogether. While bonuses can be attractive, they may not always be the best choice for you if you want to have more control over withdrawing your winnings. When playing without a bonus, you won’t be restricted to certain games and will be able to withdraw deposit funds whenever you want. But, if you enroll in a casino bonus, you’ll have to follow more strict terms.

Even if you have already signed up for a bonus, you can always contact the casino’s customer support to remove the bonus from your account.

4. PLAY GAMES WITH HIGH CONTRIBUTION RATES

As previously mentioned, different games contribute different percentages of your bets to the wagering requirements. To maximize the chances of meeting the requirements faster, focus on games with a higher contribution percentage. Generally, online slots will be your best bet in this regard, but always check the terms and conditions of the casino bonus to make sure.

5. LOOK FOR NO WAGERING CASINOS

Some online casinos offer promotions with no wagering requirements attached. These are known as “no wagering casinos” or “wager-free casinos.” In these casinos, you can take advantage of bonuses and promotions without any deposit or betting requirements.

Just to be clear, this type of casino bonus is not as common, but they do exist (albeit not in every part of the world). If you take a bit of time to research, you’ll likely find several online casinos in your region with no-deposit bonuses.

Keep in mind that casinos with no wagering requirements inevitably have less generous welcome offers than regular casinos, so if the size of the bonus is more important to you than avoiding wagering requirements, this solution may not work for you.

6. FREE SPINS

Free spins are another type of promotion that may or may not have wagering requirements attached. Some casinos offer free spins with no wagering requirements, which means that players can use the spins to try their luck at winning without having to worry about meeting any playthrough conditions. Here’s where it’s really important to read the terms and conditions, though, as many free spins promotions are not actually “free” and will have wagering requirements in the small print.

7. READ THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

I know what you may be thinking, “do I really need to read the fine print?”

Here is the deal: When your hard-earned money is in question, you should ALWAYS read the terms and conditions, no matter how grueling and tedious they may be.

Online casinos in most countries are legally required to disclose information such as the wagering requirements, contribution rates, bonus timeframe, and more in the terms, so it is beyond important to read through and ensure you thoroughly understand.

BEST ONLINE CASINOS WITH FAIR WAGERING REQUIREMENTS

Looking for some recommendations for online casino bonuses with small or zero wagering requirements? Here are some of my top picks for casino bonuses in various regions:

UNDERSTAND YOUR WAGER

Casino wagering requirements are undoubtedly one of the biggest things that go over casino users’ heads. To be honest, I don’t blame you if you didn’t understand them before reading this, as casinos love to keep this info buried in the terms and conditions, making it almost impossible to know about the requirements unless you know where to look.

I hope that after reading this, you have a broader understanding of how casino bonuses work and how to find bonuses with low wagering requirements.

FAQ

What Is a 10x Wagering Requirement?

A 10x wagering requirement means that in order to unlock the bonus, you must wager 10x the bonus amount. For example, if the bonus is $100, you’ll need to wager at least $1,000.

What Happens if You Don’t Meet the Wagering Requirements?

If you fail to meet the wagering requirements before the bonus timeframe ends, the deposit bonus will be forfeited. That said, you can always contact customer support and ask for an extension if you think you’ll be able to meet the wagering requirement with a bit more time.

Why Do Casinos Have Wagering Requirements?

The main reason online casinos have wagering requirements on bonuses is to ensure that players don’t abuse them. Without wager requirements, players could simply top up the minimum amount, claim the reward, and cash out without ever having to make a wager.

Author
Recent Posts

Lev

I am a passionate writer who enjoys inspiring others to play games and have fun. I ran a pub crawl for 3 years, running drinking games almost daily with my guests. I also come from a huge game-loving family, so you could say games are in my nature.

I am also a huge fan of travel and music and have started personal blogs about travel and music.