Casino wagering requirements are a really important aspect of the online gambling industry that players need to be familiar with. You’ll almost always find that bonus offers such as welcome bonuses, deposit bonuses, and free spins come with these requirements attached. To ensure a fair and enjoyable experience, it is crucial for players to understand what wagering requirements are, how they work, and how to avoid them if desired.
What are Casino Wagering Requirements?
Wagering requirements, also known as playthrough or rollover requirements, are a minimum spend that players must meet in order to withdraw bonus funds and any associated winnings. 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. In other words, wagering requirements are a means to prevent bonus abuse.
Typically, wagering requirements are based on a multiplier of the bonus amount, the deposit amount, or both. For example, a casino might have a 30x wagering requirement on a bonus, which means that a player must wager the bonus amount 30 times before they can withdraw any winnings generated from it.
How Do Wagering Requirements Work?
Here’s a worked example to help you understand exactly how wagering requirements work:
- A player signs up at an online casino that offers a 100% deposit bonus up to $100 with a 30x wagering requirement. The player deposits $100, receiving a $100 bonus, totaling $200 in their account.
- The wagering requirement is 30 times the bonus amount, so $100 x 30 = $3,000. (Note that if it was 30x (deposit+bonus) it would instead be $6,000)
- The player must therefore place wagers totaling $3,000 before they can withdraw any winnings generated from the bonus. The $3000 would come from the original bonus plus winnings.
- If the player runs out of funds before wagering the $3000 the remaining wagering requirement would be voided as there’s no bonus or winnings left to withdraw
It’s not quite that straightforward though as there’s something called game weighting which means that different types of game fill the wagering requirement at different rates. Slot games usually contribute 100%, but some might only contribute 50% or even not at all. Table games typically contribute at a very low rate or not at all. Players should check the casino’s terms and conditions to find out exactly which games are included.
How To Avoid Casino Wagering Requirements
If you don’t like the idea of wagering requirements (and who would?) there are a number of things you can do to avoid them or at least minimise their impact::
- Choose Casinos with Low Wagering Requirements
While most casinos have wagering requirements, what they actually are can vary dramatically. You can minimise their impact by playing at casinos whose wagering requirements are at the lower end of the scale, ranging from 10x to 25x. Sometimes this will mean the bonus on offer is smaller but this is not always the case.
- Opt Out of Bonuses
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 players who want to have more control over withdrawing their winnings. When signing up at an online casino, players can choose not to accept the bonus or contact the casino’s customer support to remove the bonus from their account. This way, players can enjoy the games without the constraints of wagering requirements.
- Play Games with High Contribution Percentages
As previously mentioned, different games contribute differently to the wagering requirements. To maximize the chances of meeting the requirements faster, focus on games with a higher contribution percentage. Most slot games contribute 100% towards wagering requirements, whereas table games like blackjack and roulette may not contribute at all and may even cause your bonus to be revoked if you play them . Check the casino’s terms and conditions to find out exactly which games meet the requirements.
- 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, players can take advantage of bonuses and promotions without any playthrough requirements, allowing them to withdraw their winnings immediately. While these casinos may not be as common, they do exist (albeit not in every part of the world) and it’s worth spending some time searching for them if you want to avoid wagering requirements entirely. The flipside is that no wagering casinos 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.
- 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 have wagering requirements in the small print.
- Read the Terms and Conditions
As a general rule, always read the terms and conditions of any online casino promotion or bonus. Understanding the specific rules and requirements will help you make informed decisions about whether to accept the bonus or opt out. Moreover, being familiar with the casino’s rules will prevent any misunderstandings and ensure a smoother gaming experience.
Conclusion
Casino wagering requirements are an integral part of the online gambling landscape, designed to protect casinos from bonus abuse while ensuring a fair playing field for all players. Although it can be difficult to avoid wagering requirements entirely, players can take several steps to minimize their impact on gameplay and make the most of their online gambling experience. By choosing casinos with low wagering requirements, opting out of bonuses, playing games with high contribution percentages, seeking out no wagering casinos or free spins offers and always reading the terms and conditions, players can maximize their chances of success and enjoy a more enjoyable online casino experience.
- Comprehensive Guide to the Board Game Go (weiqi, baduk) - January 23, 2024
- Are Creative Suites Changing Gaming - October 30, 2023
- Crowning the Kings of Solitaire: GameRules Recognizes Solitaired and MobilityWare as top Solitaire Games - October 20, 2023