What Are Wagering Requirements and How To Beat Them

What Are Wagering Requirements and How to Calculate Them

Wagering requirements (also known as turnover or playthrough) are conditions that some online casinos attach to their bonuses. These conditions state that you need to bet a certain amount of money before you can withdraw any winnings from your bonus.

For example, if you claim a £50 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement, you’ll need to place £1,500 worth of bets (£50 x 30) before you can cash out your winnings.

It’s important to remember that wagering refers to the total amount of bets you place, not how much you lose. During this time, any winnings you accumulate contribute to your balance, and you can still withdraw your winnings once the wagering requirement is met.

Here’s a quick formula to help you calculate wagering requirements:

(Bonus Amount) x (Wagering Requirement) = Total Wager

If the wagering requirement applies to both your deposit and bonus, the formula changes slightly:

(Bonus + Deposit) x (Wagering Requirement) = Total Amount to Wager

For example, if you deposit £50 and receive a £50 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement, you’ll need to place £3,000 (£50 + £50 x 30) worth of bets to meet the requirement. Always check the terms, as wagering structures can vary between casinos.

However, the concept is the same if you see a 10x or 20x wagering requirement. A 10x wagering requirement means you need to wager 10 times the bonus amount before withdrawing your winnings, and a 20x wagering requirement means wagering 20 times the bonus amount.

Free spins bonus wagering requirements work a little differently. Since free spins don't come with a cash amount, the multiplier applies only to the winnings you receive from the free spins.

Free bets can also be subject to wagering requirements. Depending on the online casino or betting site, you might have to deposit a certain amount before you collect the bonus or only bet on sports with certain odds.

What Is a Fair Wagering Requirement?

When choosing casino bonuses, it’s important to know what’s considered a reasonable wagering requirement. Generally, a wagering requirement of 20x to 30x is seen as fair. At this level, you have a realistic chance of meeting the requirement without spending too much or risking your balance.

On the other hand, wagering requirements above 40x are high.

For the best results, aim for bonuses with low or no wagering requirements to maximise your chances of cashing out your winnings sooner.

How to Beat Wagering Requirements

Meeting wagering requirements doesn’t have to be daunting if you use the right approach. Here are some proven strategies to help you clear those requirements and turn your bonus funds into real cash:

Choose the Right Games

The games you choose can significantly impact how quickly you meet wagering requirements. Here’s what to consider:

Play Low Volatility Slots

Low volatility slots give you smaller, more frequent wins, which help keep your balance steady as you work through wagering requirements. Games like Starburst or Platinum Goddess are perfect for this strategy, offering consistent payouts that help maintain your bankroll while you complete your playthrough.

Go for High RTP Games

High RTP (Return to Player) games - typically 96% or higher - are ideal for clearing wagering requirements because they return a larger percentage of wagers to players over time.

This means that, on average, you’ll win back more of your money compared to lower RTP games, helping you preserve your bankroll while steadily working through the wagering requirements.

The higher the RTP, the better your long-term chances of keeping your balance intact, giving you more opportunities to meet the required playthrough.

High-RTP games reduce the likelihood of your funds running out before you’ve cleared the bonus, making them a safer choice for consistent progress. While they won’t guarantee short-term wins, these games are your best bet for efficiently working through wagering conditions.

Note: Although high RTP slots improve your long-term odds, each spin is still random, thanks to Random Number Generators (RNG). This means results are unpredictable and not influenced by past spins, so it’s important to manage your expectations.

View our RTP guide to learn more about payout rates of online casino games.

Understand Game Contributions

At some casinos, not all games contribute equally to your wagering requirement, and understanding this is key to clearing the bonus efficiently. Slots typically contribute 100%, meaning every £1 you wager counts fully toward the requirement.

However, table games like blackjack, roulette, or poker often contribute much less - typically only 10-20%. This means if you wager £1 on a table game, only £0.10 or £0.20 will count toward the wagering requirement, making it much slower to clear bonuses.

Live casino games, progressive jackpots, and certain slots may also have reduced contribution rates or even be excluded entirely from meeting wagering requirements, depending on the casino. Always check the bonus terms to see which games will help you meet the requirements faster.

By focusing on games with higher contribution rates, you can maximise your progress and avoid getting stuck on low-contribution games that slow you down.

Tip: If you prefer table games, look for casinos that offer higher contribution rates for them or consider focusing on slots for faster progress.

Use a Mixed Betting Strategy

A combination of high and low volatility games can help you beat wagering requirements by balancing risk and reward. While low volatility games are generally recommended for clearing wagering requirements, mixing in high volatility games can add an extra layer of strategy, though it involves more risk.

Start with High Volatility Games

High volatility slots (also known as high variance), offer the chance to win larger payouts, but those wins come far less frequently. Playing these games early in your bonus session can lead to a big win that boosts your bankroll, giving you more flexibility to meet the wagering requirements.

However, you’ll need to be prepared for longer stretches without wins, making this strategy riskier and potentially conflicting with the usual advice to stick to low-volatility games for more consistent returns.

Switch to Low Volatility Games

Once you’ve secured a big win, it’s a good idea to switch to low volatility games, which pay out smaller but more frequent wins. These lower volatility games help you maintain your balance and slowly chip away at the wagering requirements. This approach reduces the risk of burning through your bonus funds too quickly, allowing you to meet the requirements steadily and safely.

While this mixed approach may seem contradictory - since low volatility games are typically better for consistent progress - it offers a balance between high-risk, high-reward opportunities and safer, steady play.

By alternating between high and low variance games, you can manage risk while steadily progressing through your wagering requirements, giving yourself the best chance of converting your bonus into real cash.

Make Small Bets

Placing small bets stretches your gameplay and gives you more opportunities to win. This approach allows you to steadily work through the wagering requirement without draining your balance too quickly, ensuring you stay in the game longer.

Track Your Progress

Many online casinos offer tools that show how close you are to completing your wagering requirements. Use these progress trackers to monitor where you stand and adjust your gameplay if needed. This helps ensure you don’t fall short of the requirements or miss the bonus deadline.

Watch Expiration Dates

Most bonuses come with expiration dates, often requiring you to meet the wagering requirement within 30 days. Be sure to track these deadlines, as failing to complete the requirements in time could result in losing both the bonus and any winnings tied to it.

Claim No Wagering Bonuses

Some casinos, like PlayOJO or MrQ, offer no wagering bonuses, meaning you can keep your winnings without meeting any playthrough conditions. For instance, no wagering free spins let you cash out your winnings from the spins immediately.

Similarly, no deposit no wagering bonuses allow you to play games without risking your own money and still withdraw your winnings. These types of bonuses are especially valuable as they offer the least hassle for players looking to win without complicated terms.

Opting Out of Wagering Requirements

If you’d rather skip the wagering requirements altogether, you can always choose to opt out of the bonus. This means you won’t need to meet any conditions before withdrawing your winnings, but you’ll also miss out on the bonus funds.

All casinos offer an opt-out option when claiming bonuses, but if it’s not clearly marked, you may need to contact customer support to request it.

Final Thoughts

Wagering requirements are designed to stop you from winning large cash prizes when using casino bonuses. However, with the right strategies, you can increase your chances of clearing the requirements and winning real money.