Wagering Requirements
What are wagering requirements?
Wagering requirements, also known as playthrough requirements, are something every online casino player should know about. In short, a wagering requirement is how many times you need to wager your casino bonus before you can withdraw any winnings. Let’s take a look at an example:
Say you claim a £100 bonus with a 35x wagering requirement- you’ll have to wager your £100 bonus 35 times. So, you’ll need to bet £3,500 before you can withdraw any bonus returns.
As you can imagine, this can make turning your bonus into cold, hard cash easier said than done. Some casinos also state that the playthrough requirement applies to your qualifying deposit as well as your bonus. Taking the above example, if you deposited £100 to get your £100 bonus, you’d now have to wager £7,000 worth of bets before you could cash in.
The industry standard for casino wagering requirements is 35 to 45 times the bonus amount, but it can be much higher- especially for no deposit bonus deals. Some bonuses have 60x wagering, and there are even offers out there that require you to wager your bonus 100 times before you can cash in.
Casino wagering requirements apply to pretty much every casino bonus, unless you bag a rare no wagering bonus. For free spins bonuses, the wagering will apply to any winnings you make from your free spins. No deposit bonuses and regular promotions like reload bonuses also tend to come with wagering requirements, so you should always check the small print before signing up.
Wagering contribution
Wagering requirements aren’t the only term you’ll find in the small print. Most UK casinos state that wagers on different games contribute a different percentage to the wagering requirements.
Generally, 100% of bets on slots contribute to the wagering requirements, which is good news for slots fans. However, when it comes to the likes of blackjack, roulette and poker, often only 10%-20% of wagers contribute, and some games don’t contribute at all. So, if the wagering contribution for blackjack is 10%, just 50p of every £5 you bet would go towards completing the playthrough requirement. These restrictions to wagering contribution also apply to live dealer games like live roulette and live blackjack.
Bet size
Most online casinos also limit the size of bets you can place when completing the wagering requirement. These limits can be as low £2, which means they might not suit high rollers. This doesn’t necessarily make it harder to complete the wagering, but it’s certainly something to bear in mind if you like to put big money on the table.
Win limits
If you manage to complete the wagering requirement and come out with some profit, then you’re probably going to want to head straight to the cashier and bank your returns. Not too fast, though- you need to check out the win limits first. Pretty much every online casino will let you pocket some returns, but some sites limit this to just £5. Other sites have much higher limits, but it’s best to check to avoid any unwanted surprises.
Time limits
All casino wagering requirements will have to be completed within a specified timeframe, otherwise your bonus and any associated winnings will removed for your balance. Some casinos give you a whole month to complete the wagering, but at other sites you may just a single day. If you’ve got a bonus with a large wagering requirement, you could have a job on your hands to get it done within the allotted time.
Do all bonuses have wagering requirements?
Now for the good news: while the vast majority of bonuses come with a playthrough requirements, a few casinos have deals with either reduced wagering or no wagering whatsoever. Here’s a closer look at these types of deals:
Low wagering bonuses
Not all bonuses come with large playthrough requirements- some top online casinos offer special low wagering requirements bonuses. We’d generally consider anything under 30x to be low wagering, but some sites offer 20x and even 15x wagering. Of course, even completing a 15x low wagering requirement can be difficult, but it does mean you have a better chance of banking some bonus returns.
No wagering bonuses
Some very generous sites go one step further and offer bonuses with no wagering requirements whatsoever. With these bonuses any winnings you land can be withdrawn straight away, so they’re one of the most attractive offers out there.
It’s fair to say that no wagering bonuses aren’t the most common of offers, and they will be also smaller in value than regular casino bonuses. Another thing to keep in mind is that casinos may have tighter restrictions on terms like win limits to make up for the lack of wagering. But with the chance to enjoy free playtime and bag some wager-free winnings, no wagering bonuses are definitely worth a look.
Why claim casino bonuses?
Granted, casino wagering requirements make it difficult to turn bonuses into real cash, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun using your bonus on some top casino games. Whether you’re a fan of slots, roulette or blackjack, bonuses give you the chance to enjoy playtime on great titles from the likes of NetEnt without dipping into your bankroll. They’re also ideal for beginners, as you can get to grips with things and learn the rules while still enjoying the thrill of real money games.
It’s not impossible to bag some returns, either. If luck’s on your side then you could come out the other end with some winnings intact. We believe it’s best to think of casino bonuses as a way to enjoy playing your favourite games for free, and any winnings as just a handy little extra.
All clued in on wagering requirements?
Congratulations if you’ve made it this far, you’re officially a wagering requirements genius. Now you understand everything about wagering requirements, you’ll be able to claim casino bonuses in confidence. Want to find the best casino bonuses? Check out our hand-picked list of the best online casinos features and use our expert casino reviews to help you compare the deals on offer.
Frequently asked questions
Will a gambling strategy help me complete wagering requirements?
No. Unfortunately there’s no way around casino wagering requirements, other than to wager. A gambling strategy might help you manage your bankroll, but it won’t necessarily mean you complete wagering requirements any faster.
If I claim a free spins bonus, do I have to play slots to complete the wagering requirements?
Not usually. Most casinos allow you to play a variety of games to clear the wagering, so you can move onto roulette or blackjack to meet the requirements for your free spins reward. You should, however pay close attention to the terms and conditions. Wagering contribution terms could mean that wagers on selected games contribute a lower percentage, and some don’t contribute at all.
Can I withdraw my winnings after I’ve completed the wagering requirement?
Yes. If you manage to complete the wagering with some bonus funds intact, you’ll be able to head to the cashier and make a withdrawal request. Our recommended top UK casino sites support a range of banking options, including PayPal, so withdrawing is a breeze. Just remember that you’ll only be able to cash in the maximum amount allowed under the bonus win limits.
What happens if I use all my bonus funds before completing the wagering requirement?
At some UK online casinos, you may be able to make a deposit to continue trying to complete the wagering. However, at other sites your bonus could become void if your balance hits 0, so be sure to check this beforehand.
Which bonuses have the highest wagering requirements?
Generally, no deposit bonuses have the highest wagering requirements as the casino is essentially giving you bonus cash for nothing. However, wagering requirements vary from site to site, so it’s entirely possible that matched deposit deals and free spins bonuses could outdo the wagering requirements for no deposit offers.