What Is a Wagering Requirement and How Does It Work?

Published: Oct 7, 2026 02:53

by Nicola Davidson

5 min read

When it comes to casino bonuses, there are often conditions attached to how and when you can withdraw winnings from them. One such condition is the wagering requirement. Casinos commonly attach these to deposit bonuses, no-deposit bonuses, free spin bonuses, and other types of bonuses.

A wagering requirement is the number of times a player needs to wager before they can withdraw bonus money or winnings from a bonus. These are usually represented as a number such as 20x, 30x or 40x. However, simply knowing the number isn’t enough. Please also note which portion it’s applied to.

What is a Wagering Requirement?

It’s the amount of wagering needed before a player can withdraw winnings associated with a bonus.

For example, if a bonus is $50 and has a 30x, and the wagering requirement only applies to the bonus amount, then the player must wager $1,500:

$50 × 30 = $1,500

However, the player doesn’t have to actually lose $1,500. Instead they just have to make bets with a total value of $1,500 while adhering to the conditions of the bonus.

During gameplay the player can win money back into their account and be able to make more wagers. The player’s account can either gain or lose money during this process. Once you meet the wagering requirement, the casino handles the remaining funds according to its bonus and withdrawal conditions.

Because of this it’s important not to judge a bonus solely based on its advertised value. For example, a $100 bonus with a 20x wagering requirement might have very different conditions than a $100 bonus with 50x.

How does a Wagering Requirement work?

The wagering requirement depends on the conditions of a specific bonus. Wagering applies to the bonus amount, bonus winnings or both the deposit and bonus amount.

For example, a casino might offer a 100% bonus up to $100. You would then deposit $100 and receive another $100 as bonus.

If the wagering requirement is applied to the $100 bonus, then you must wager $3,000.

However, if the wagering requirement is applied to both your $100 deposit and $100 bonus, then you must wager:

$200 × 30 = $6,000

This is why it’s important to know exactly what the wagering requirement applies to before you accept an offer.

Free spin bonuses might also work differently. In this case, the casino might apply the wagering requirement to the winnings created by the free spins. If 50 free spins create $25 in winnings and the casino applies a 30x requirement, then you must wager $750 to withdraw those winnings.

Always read the conditions of a specific bonus rather than assume that all casinos apply wagering requirements in the same way.

What affects a Wagering Requirement?

The wagering requirement only constitutes one component of a bonus. Game contribution can also have a big effect.

Many slot games can contribute 100% to the wagering requirement. For example, if you make a $1 qualifying bet on a slot game, the casino will count that entire $1 towards it. Other games may contribute less or not at all.

For example, if a blackjack game contributes 10%, then a $10 bet on blackjack would only count as $1 toward the wagering requirement. Some bonuses might not include blackjack, roulette, baccarat, video poker, live dealer games or specific slot games.

Maximum bet requirements can also play a role. Some casinos may impose a maximum bet while a player has an active bonus. Exceeding this maximum bet can violate the conditions of the bonus even if the game in general may allow larger bets.

Some casinos may also exclude specific bets or betting patterns from bonus offers, as well as specific payment methods. Always check the complete bonus conditions before you start to play.

Why are Bonuses given?

Wagering requirements are used by casinos to control how their bonuses are used. Without them, someone might be able to claim a bonus and then immediately withdraw it without properly using the bonus.

This creates a difference between receiving a bonus and being able to convert an eligible balance into withdrawable funds.

Not all casinos use the same wagering requirements. One operator may offer a smaller bonus with lower wagering while another might advertise a much larger bonus with more demanding ones.

Some bonuses might not have a wagering requirement. Depending on the conditions of the bonus, some of these might allow eligible winnings to enter a player’s account without needing a specific amount of additional wagering. However, there can still be other restrictions such as withdrawal conditions, verification requirements, and game restrictions.

No-deposit bonuses might also have additional conditions. A casino may place a maximum cashout on winnings and require verification of an account. Or restrict the bonus to players from specific countries.

What should you look for before claiming a bonus?

Start by finding the wagering requirement in the bonus conditions. Next, determine what the wagering requirement applies to. Look for wording that tells you whether the wagering applies to the bonus, the deposit plus bonus, or the winnings created by free spins.

Next, check the game contribution rates. If you plan to play slot games, check whether your specific games count toward the wagering requirement. Just because a casino allows slots doesn’t mean that every slot qualifies.

Also check for a maximum bet when wagering. Staying within the maximum bet will help you follow the bonus conditions while working toward it.

Check the expiration date as well. Many bonus offers give you a limited amount of time to fulfill the wagering requirement. If you fail to meet the wagering requirement within this time frame, then the casino may remove the bonus and associated winnings according to their conditions.

Finally, check for any maximum cashout, withdrawal, verification and country restrictions. These conditions can also affect bonuses just as much as the wagering requirement itself.

A wagering requirement doesn’t have to make a bonus confusing. Once you know what it applies to and which games qualify, you can then calculate the required wagering before you start.

For example, 20x on $20 means $400 in qualifying bets, while 40x on the same $20 means $800. This simple calculation will give you a much clearer picture of the conditions behind the advertised bonus.

The most important thing to do is to read the complete bonus conditions before claiming a bonus. Knowing the wagering requirement, game contribution, maximum bets, expiration dates and withdrawal conditions will allow you to know exactly how the bonus works before you start to play.