Wagering Requirements Explained: Can you beat the casino bonus?

Learn about wagering requirements in seconds & find out how to beat them.

Wagering requirements can sometimes feel like a riddle to solver - but we keep it simple

Love them or loathe them, wagering requirements are an unfortunate reality of many casino bonuses. And for many players, we expect it's more of a "loathe them" kind of situation.

Wagering requirements are like that annoying person that tags around with a good mate. You like spending time with this person, but you also have to deal with their infuriating acquaintance. The same goes for the best casino bonuses. That huge cash match is tempting - but are you prepared to deal with the wagering?

Another issue is that lots of new players are introduced to wagering when they first claim a bonus. They are unaware that they will need to meet this invisible playthrough requirement. This leads to confusion, frustration and an unhappy casino gambler.

In this short article, we look at what wagering is and how you can overcome it. We also look at the true MVPs of the casino world: the fabled no wagering requirements bonus deal.

Wagering Requirements Explained

A wagering requirement is the number of times you will need to play through a casino bonus to withdraw it. And this requirement is usually represented as a multiplier. For example, a 100% cash match may have a 20x requirement.

That means you will need to play through that bonus amount 20 times before hitting that withdraw button. Let's say you get a $10 bonus. You will need to make $200 in wagers to withdraw the $10. On paper, it all seems simple - but it gets complicated when you factor in other variables.

Wagering is different with each casino - All casinos are different. And the same goes for their wagering requirements. At one site, you may get a reasonable 20x wagering. Another site may ask you to wager double that.

Wagering depends on the bonus - Different types of bonuses have different requirements. Take a no deposit bonus for example; free offers usually have much higher wagering requirements. On the other hand, a cash match bonus to play Starburst slots may have a reduced requirement.

Wagering depends on the terms as well - Again, this is down to the casino you play at. But depending on the site - you could be asked to wager your deposit as well. Many sites also employ game wagering contributions. This limits the amount of wagering low house edge games like roulette can contribute.

If you're new to the whole concept of wagering, you might be scratching your head wondering why these requirements are even necessary. Truth is - many casinos just can't hand out free money. Most sites would go broke if everyone was out just to get bonus cash and withdraw.

Wagering is in place as it forces players to experience the site whilst getting some extra cash to play. Recently, many top casinos are moving away from the traditional bonus model for something fairer. Which is why no wager slots bonuses are becoming so popular.

How to beat wagering requirements

There is no 100% method for meeting a wagering requirement. Especially for games like online slots - where you are depending on the good graces of RNG. However, we do have some general advice for beating wagering requirements. Follow these slots tips for the best results possible.

Choose your next bonus carefully: Prevention is really the cure when it comes to wagering requirements. At the end of the day, you can browse as many bonuses as you like. And that means you can pick out the best with the lowest requirements.

Meet the wagering on table games: Many online casinos have strict wagering contributions for table games due to their low house edge. But there are some sites that have a more forgiving stance. Sites like LeoVegas Casino, for example, have wagering requirements specific to live dealer games.

Why meet the wagering on table games? Games like blackjack have an almost 99% RTP. And European Roulette is another good example of a game that is more favourable to the player. Slots, however, can quickly leave you out of pocket as they drain your bonus balance.

Avoid bonus and deposit wagering bonuses - If a site asks you to wager both your bonus and deposit, then that doubles up your work. And that's not always worth your time or effort. There are plenty of bonuses that don't ask you to wager your deposit as well - so we recommend sticking with those.

Wagering Requirement Calculator

It's actually simple to work out a wagering requirement. You just need to employ some simple math.

Wagering requirement type one: Wagering on the bonus only

Amount of bonus x Amount of wagering requirement = Total wagering

Let's say you take a $20 bonus with a 20x wagering requirement. To work out the wagering, you just need to multiply the two together.

$20 bonus x 20 times wagering = $400 required wagering

Wagering requirement type two: Wagering on the bonus & deposit

Amount of bonus + Amount deposited x Amount of wagering requirement = Total wagering

Wagering seems to get more complicated when you have to factor in your deposit as well. But it's not too difficult to work out. You just need to add up your total bonus and deposit then multiply by the wagering.

For example, you deposit $20 and get a $20 bonus. And the bonus wagering is 20x. In this instance, the total wagering is:

$20 deposit + $20 bonus x 20 times wagering = $800

No Wagering Requirements Bonus

In recent years, there has been a shift in an attitude towards bonuses. Both from a player standpoint - and the online casinos themselves. More and more sites begin to realise just how convoluted wagering requirements really are. And how much they actually annoy players.

That's why no wager free spins and bonuses are the current online casino vogue. All of the cool kids have bonuses that require no wagering whatsoever. And this is good news for players who have to deal with far less bonus related headaches.

Below you will find a list of our partner sites that require no wagering on their various bonus deals. Take advantage of their generosity and enjoy sweet freedom from the shackles of wagering.