More than 99% of bonuses offered in Online Casinos come with a catch, usually in the form of wagering requirements. But what exactly are wagering requirements, how do they work, and why is it so important to understand their purpose and functioning? In this chapter dedicated to wagering requirements, you will find everything you need to know on the subject.
It is always important to check the small print to make sure you are getting the best deal for your playing style and budget. It is a known fact that the biggest bonus is not always the best – in fact, many players agree that low wagering requirements can make a small bonus more lucrative than a much larger one.
Wagering requirements, also known as playthrough requirements, describe how many times you must wager your bonus amount before you can claim the winnings and make a withdrawal. At some casinos, you have to wager your deposit plus the bonus, meaning you have to gamble a lot more before you have the option to withdraw your winnings as cash.
The exact formula for calculating wagering requirements vary between online casinos, and even between different bonuses at the same Casino, but it is fairly common to see the following formula 35x-45x- the bonus + Deposit. Though some bonuses have wagering requirements as high as 60x your bonus. In case you do not manage to complete the playthrough requirements in the specified time period (for bonuses with time restrictions), your bonus funds (and often any associated winnings) will be void.
In reality, It’s more complicated than just wagering your bonus the set number of times and then cashing in – there are other factors to take into account as well. Let’s look at this example:
You have a 100€ bonus and the wagering requirements are 25x. This means you’d have to wager 2,500€ before you can claim any returns. While this may sound simple, there are other factors that can impact how soon you can complete these wagering requirements:
Not all the wagers you make on casino games will count 100% towards completing wagering requirements.
If slots are your thing then this should not be too much of an issue, because most games usually count 100%. However, table games, roulette, and video poker generally only contribute 10%-20%, and some casinos exclude wagers on certain games altogether.
Time limits don’t just apply to claiming and using casino bonuses – you’ll have to complete the wagering requirements within a set period of time. The time limits vary a lot from one casino to the other. Make sure to read up on the Ts & Cs so as to avoid any surprises.
Somewhere in the small print of Pay n Play online casinos, you’ll often find that you can only bet a certain amount per game with your bonus funds. The limit varies, but a common example is 5€. So, if you were playing mobile slots, you would only be able to bet a maximum of 5 € per spin.
This doesn’t increase or decrease your chances of winning, but it does mean that it may take a little longer to meet the requirements
Casinos often cap bonus winnings in case you get lucky and land a big one, so this is something you should be on the lookout for. Most casinos have reasonable caps anyway, such as 500€, so you are still getting a decent deal. It’s always good to have a heads-up, though!
A selection of online casinos offers bonus deals with low wagering requirements, which means you will need to wager your bonus winnings fewer times before you can withdraw them as cash. While some casinos have low wagering bonuses as standard, others offer low wagering requirements as part of their VIP bonus package.
A handful of operators go one step further to offer casino bonuses with no wagering requirements. This means you won’t have to jump through hoops to get your hands on any winnings you earn from your free spins or bonus funds.
No wagering bonuses tend to be smaller, offering just a handful of free spins or a small amount of free cash to match your deposit.
Chapter 1: Responsible Gambling
Chapter 2: Privacy and Policy
Chapter 3: Casino Terms and Conditions
Chapter 4: Stick to your limits
Chapter 6: Glossary