Online casinos aggressively market their deposit bonuses, making it seem like they are handing out free money.
To prevent instant bankruptcy, casinos protect these bonuses using strict rules known as wagering requirements.
What Exactly is a Wagering Requirement?
This rule specifies the total volume of bets you need to place before the bonus money converts into real cash.
If the terms state 20x on both the deposit ($100) and bonus ($100), you must wager $4,000 in total.
- Low wagering requirements (under 30x) are considered the gold standard in the industry
- Many players prefer to decline bonuses entirely to avoid dealing with these restrictions
- You must clear the playthrough before you can withdraw even your own initial deposit in most cases
Not All Casino Games Count Equally
Casinos are smart; they know which games have the lowest house edge, and they restrict them accordingly.
Live dealer games and high-RTP table games are frequently excluded from bonus wagering entirely (0% contribution).
| Game Type | Weighting % | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Live Casino | 0% | Avoid completely while bonus is active |
| Scratch Cards | 100% | Excellent option for clearing funds |
Always read the fine print carefully, and never accept a bonus if the playthrough multiplier exceeds 50x.