How Casino Wagering Requirements Work (2026): The Number That Decides a Bonus
Written with AI assistance and reviewed by LokeNessiSport Editorial · Last updated: June 2026
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What a wagering requirement is
A wagering requirement (WR, or "playthrough") is how many times you must bet a bonus before you can withdraw anything from it. "40x wagering" on a €50 bonus means you must place €2,000 in bets first.
How to do the maths
Bonus × WR = the total you must wager.
- €100 bonus at 35x = €3,500.
- €100 bonus at 50x = €5,000.
At a 96% RTP slot, wagering €5,000 costs roughly €200 in expected losses — often more than the bonus itself. That is why a high requirement turns a "free" bonus into a net cost.
Game weighting matters
Not every game counts the same. Typically: slots 100%, table games 5–20%, live dealer 0–10%. If table games count 10%, €100 wagered only reduces your requirement by €10. Always read the weighting table — playing the "wrong" games can make a 40x bonus effectively impossible to clear.
The other traps
- Max bet during wagering — usually €5. Exceed it, even on auto-spin, and the bonus and its winnings can be voided.
- Max-win cap — a 10x cap means a €50 bonus can never pay out more than €500, however lucky you get.
- Time limit — 3 to 30 days. A 50x requirement on a 3-day clock is close to impossible for a casual player.
How to judge whether a bonus is worth it
Low WR (≤35x), no or high win cap, a generous time window, and slots that count 100% = potentially worth claiming. High WR (45–50x) plus a 10x cap plus a short clock = treat it as entertainment, not value — or skip it entirely and play with cash. The casinos in our hub mostly sit at the steep end, which is exactly why we tell you to read the terms first.
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Bet on Thunderpick18+ only · Gambling can be addictive · BeGambleAware.orgFrequently Asked Questions
Does a deposit-match bonus mean free money?
Rarely. The wagering requirement usually costs more in expected losses than the bonus is worth, especially at 40–50x.
What happens if I bet over the max bet during wagering?
Most casinos void the bonus and any winnings from it — even if it was an accidental auto-spin above the limit.
Can I withdraw a bonus immediately?
No. You must complete the full wagering requirement first; only then do bonus winnings become withdrawable, up to any max-win cap.