Most online casino welcome offers and reload deals come with something called a wagering requirement. This tells you how many times you must stake your bonus – and sometimes your deposit as well – before any associated winnings can be withdrawn as cash. Understanding wagering is essential if you want to judge how realistic a promotion really is.
A simple example would be a £50 bonus with 30x wagering on the bonus. This means you need to place £1,500 worth of qualifying bets (30 × £50) before the bonus balance becomes withdrawable, subject to any other terms. If the wagering is 30x deposit + bonus, the total required playthrough will be higher.
Not all games contribute equally. Slots often count 100% towards wagering, while some table and live casino games may contribute at a much lower percentage, or be excluded entirely. The bonus terms should list which games are eligible and how they contribute. Ignoring these details can lead to confusion or even loss of bonus funds.
Many bonuses also apply maximum bet limits while wagering is active. For example, you might be restricted to bets of £5 or less per spin. Exceeding that limit can result in the bonus and any winnings being removed, so it is important to check and respect these rules.
Realistically, wagering requirements make it challenging to turn every bonus into withdrawable cash. The higher the required playthrough, the more likely it is that volatility and house edge will erode your balance over time. Some players choose to focus on bonuses with lower wagering or on offers described as “wager-free” or “non-sticky”, where your deposit and bonus are separated.
Before claiming any promotion, take a few minutes to read the full terms and conditions, paying attention to wagering, game weighting, time limits, and any country or payment restrictions. If a deal seems too good to be true, it often has strict conditions attached. Treat bonuses as a way to extend entertainment rather than a guaranteed profit opportunity, and always stay within a budget you are comfortable with.