Casino Bonus Wagering Guide – How Wagering Requirements Work (2025)
Casino bonuses look great on paper – 100%, 200%, free spins and more. But behind every bonus, there are wagering requirements that you must complete before you can cash out. This guide explains wagering in simple language, with examples, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.
💰 What Are Wagering Requirements?
Wagering requirements tell you how many times you need to bet the bonus (or bonus + deposit) before any bonus money or winnings can be withdrawn.
They’re usually shown as a multiplier, like 30x, 35x, 40x, etc.
Example: You get a €100 bonus with 30x wagering. This means you must place bets totalling: €100 × 30 = €3,000 before cashing out bonus funds.
📌 Bonus Only vs Bonus + Deposit Wagering
Not all wagering is calculated the same way. Always check whether the requirement applies to:
- Bonus only (better for players), or
- Bonus + deposit (harder to clear)
Example (Bonus Only):
Deposit €100, get €100 bonus, 30x bonus
→ You must wager 30 × €100 = €3,000
Example (Bonus + Deposit):
Deposit €100, get €100 bonus, 30x bonus + deposit
→ You must wager 30 × (€100 + €100) = 30 × €200 = €6,000
Same bonus size – double the wagering requirement. Always look for “bonus only” wagering if possible.
🎮 Game Contribution Percentages
Not all games count equally towards wagering. Most casinos have a contribution table like:
| Game Type | Counts Toward Wagering |
|---|---|
| Most Slots | 100% |
| Classic / low-risk slots | Sometimes 50% or 0% |
| Table games (blackjack, roulette, baccarat) | 5%–25% or excluded |
| Video poker / strategy games | Often 0% or very low |
If a game contributes 50%, only half of your bets count toward wagering. For example, a €10 bet contributes €5 towards the requirement.
⚠️ Max Bet, Time Limits & Other Rules
Bonus terms often include extra rules you must follow:
- Max bet limit: Often €3–€5 per spin/round while wagering.
- Time limit: Example: clear wagering within 7, 14, or 30 days.
- Restricted games: Some slots or table games excluded from bonus play.
- Win caps: Sometimes there’s a maximum withdrawal from bonus winnings.
Breaking these rules can result in the casino voiding your bonus – always read the “Bonus Terms” section.
🎰 Wagering on Free Spins
Free spins are a popular part of welcome packages. The important detail is whether they are:
- Free spins with wagering: Winnings from spins are treated like bonus money (e.g., 30x wagering).
- Wager-free free spins: Winnings go straight to real cash (best kind).
Example:
You win €50 from free spins with 25x wagering → You must wager €50 × 25 = €1,250.
✅ How to Recognize a Good Bonus
A “big” bonus is not always a good bonus. Things to look for:
- Wagering 25x–35x on bonus only = usually fair.
- Bonus + deposit wagering = harder to clear.
- Reasonable max bet (e.g. €5, not €1).
- Clear contribution table and few game restrictions.
- No extreme win caps on standard welcome offers.
Sometimes a smaller bonus with low wagering is better than a huge bonus that is nearly impossible to clear.
💡 Smart Tips for Using Bonuses
- Always read the bonus terms before accepting.
- Focus on bonuses with wagering on bonus only, not bonus + deposit.
- Play slots that contribute 100% if you want to clear wagering faster.
- Don’t take a bonus if you prefer playing table games (many are restricted).
- Consider playing without a bonus if you care more about flexible withdrawals.
🔥 Casinos with Player-Friendly Bonuses
Looking for fair and transparent bonuses? These casinos are a great starting point:
- Omni Slots – Strong welcome package & clear terms
- Spinnalot – Big bonus potential with modern UX
- Whamoo – Flexible bonus choice for different players
- Fruits4Real – Simple, straightforward welcome offer
