Guide
What are wagering requirements?
Wagering requirements, also called playthrough, are the total amount you must bet before money won with a casino bonus can be withdrawn. They are written as a multiple: a £100 bonus with 35x wagering means £3,500 of bets. The lower the multiple, the easier the bonus is to clear.
By Johnessy · Updated · Figures live from 16,341 recorded bonus opens
Key facts
- Formula: amount to wager = bonus × wagering multiple (or (deposit + bonus) × multiple, if the terms say so).
- Example: £50 bonus at 10x = £500 of bets; at 40x = £2,000.
- Slots usually count 100%; table games and live casino often count less or nothing.
- Most bonuses also have a maximum bet while wagering and an expiry date.
- Free-spin winnings often carry their own wagering requirement.
Terms to check before you claim
Read whether the multiple applies to the bonus alone or to the deposit plus the bonus: 35x on a £100 deposit and £100 bonus is £3,500 if it is the bonus only, but £7,000 if it is both. Check the maximum bet allowed while the bonus is active (often around £5), the games that count, the time limit, and any cap on how much bonus winnings can be withdrawn.
Every casino page on this site lists the wagering multiple and the key terms for its offer, but terms change often. Always confirm the current terms on the casino's own site before depositing.
Why low wagering matters
Every bet placed while clearing a bonus carries the game's house edge, so the more you have to wager, the more of the bonus you are likely to give back before you can withdraw. A 10x requirement is far kinder than 40x on the same bonus.
Frequently asked questions
- What does 35x wagering mean?
- You must bet 35 times the bonus amount (or deposit plus bonus, if the terms say so) before bonus winnings can be withdrawn. A £20 bonus at 35x means £700 of bets.
- What is a good wagering requirement?
- Lower is better. 10x or less is generous; 30x to 40x is common; anything above 50x is hard to clear.
- Do I have to accept a bonus?
- No. Most casinos let you decline a bonus and play with your own deposit, which has no wagering requirement.
- What is a wager-free bonus?
- A bonus, often free spins, whose winnings are paid as cash with no wagering requirement. They are rarer and usually smaller.
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Figures are recorded observations from past live play, not predictions. Gambling is 18+ and can be addictive. Read our responsible gambling guidance and editorial policy.