If you ever took a deeper look at online casinos or read through the bonus terms of a gambling site, you’ve probably come across the term ‘wagering requirements.’ They might sound a bit daunting at first, but to make the most out of a specific bonus, you need to understand what they are, how they work, and how they change your gaming experience.
What are wagering requirements?
At their core, wagering requirements (sometimes called rollover or playthrough requirements) are how many times you need to bet or wager the bonus money before you can cash out. Online casinos use wagering requirements to make sure that players don’t just sign in, claim a bonus, and immediately cash out without actually playing.
For example, the best online casinos for players in Bangladesh offer many bonuses. Each one has its own requirements. According to casino expert Joe Yarnold, online gambling in Bangladesh is more popular every day, especially since Bangladesh doesn’t have any land-based casinos.
Why do casinos have wagering requirements?
You probably noticed that casinos offer bonuses to attract new players and keep the existing ones, but they also need to protect themselves from people who might take advantage of these offers. Without wagering requirements, people could claim bonuses, withdraw them at once, and leave the casino without playing a single game. So, as you can see, these requirements serve as a safety net for the casino, making sure that bonuses are used for their intended purpose–to keep you engaged and betting.
How wagering requirements work
They are usually expressed as a multiple of the bonus amount, deposit amount, or a combination of both. Here are the three main types of wagering requirements you’ll see:
- Bonus only–In this case, the wagering requirement applies only to the bonus money you receive. For instance, if you get a $5 bonus with a 10x wagering requirement, you’ll need to wager $50 (5×10) before you can transfer your winnings.
- Bonus and Deposit–Some casinos apply the wagering requirement to both your deposit and the bonus. So, if you deposit $10 and get a $10 bonus, and the wagering requirement is 30x, you’ll need to wager $600 (20×30) before cashing out.
- Winnings from free spins–When you get free spins as part of the bonus, any winnings from those spins might come with a wagering requirement. For instance, if you win $5 from free spins with a 25x wagering requirement, you’d need to wager $125 (5×25) before cashing out.
Common terms and conditions associated with wagering requirements
Wagering requirements don’t exist in a vacuum–they come with a few additional rules that you’ll need to keep in mind.
Game contribution
Not all games can give an equal share toward meeting wagering requirements. For instance, slot games often contribute 100%, which means that every dollar you wager on slots counts toward the playthrough.
But some table games like roulette and blackjack might contribute only 10% or even less. So, if you’re trying to clear a $2.000 wagering requirement and you play blackjack, your $100 bet might only reduce the requirement by $10.
Time limits
Casinos usually set time limits on how long you need to meet the wagering requirements. So you can have a few days to several months, depending on the casino and the bonus.
If you fail to meet the requirements during the time limit, the bonus and any winnings earned from it will likely be forfeited.
Maximum bet limits
To make things more interesting, some casinos set a cap on how much you can bet per spin or game while working toward your wagering requirement. This is done to prevent players from making huge bets to clear their requirements faster.
For instance, if there’s a $5 maximum bet rule and you place a $20 bet, only $5 of that will count toward your wagering requirement, and you could also be penalized for breaking the rules.
Bonus abuse prevention
As we learned so far, casinos implement wagering requirements to prevent bonus abuse–but they also use other measures to catch players trying to game the system. This can be in the form of limited numbers of bonuses a single household can claim or monitoring for suspicious behavior like playing only games with a low house edge.
If you by any chance violate these rules, you could lose your bonus and possibly get banned from the platform.
How to calculate wagering requirements
Imagine you get a $100 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement (bonus only). The calculation is: $100 (bonus) x 30 (wagering requirement) = $3.000
This means you need to wager $3.000 before you can withdraw any winnings tied to that bonus. If you prefer to play games that only contribute 50%, such as blackjack, you’ll need to wager twice as much ($6,000) to meet the requirements.
Now, let’s say you receive a $100 bonus, but the wagering requirement applies to both your deposit and the bonus. If you deposit $100, the total amount subject to the requirement is $200. The calculation is: $200 (bonus + deposit) x 30 (wagering requirement) = $6.000
In this case, you would need to wager $6,000 before withdrawing any winnings.
Tips for managing wagering requirements
Do you feel intimidated so far? Well, you shouldn’t be–wagering requirements are easy to deal with if you have a smart strategy. So what can you do?
Always read the fine print, meaning you need to carefully go through the terms and conditions before accepting a bonus. Look for information on the wagering requirement, game contribution percentages, and any maximum bet limit.
If you’re looking to clear your wagering requirement efficiently, focus on games that contribute 100%, like slots. But keep in mind that some slots may have exclusions or limitations, so double-check before placing a bet.
Since wagering requirements can take time to clear, it’s important to manage your bankroll carefully. It’ll be prudent to not bet too aggressively in an attempt to meet the requirements faster because this could lead to running out of funds before you’ve cleared the playthrough.
When we talk about bonuses, you should know that not all of them are created equal. Some online casinos offer lower wagering requirements than others. A 20x playthrough requirement is easier to manage than a 40x one. So take your time and do some comparing.
Are wagering requirements worth it?
Wagering requirements can feel like too much to take, but they don’t have to be a dealbreaker. If you enjoy the fun of online casinos, bonuses with reasonable playthrough requirements can still give you value and extend your gameplay.
The key is to fully understand the terms and conditions so that you can take full advantage of the bonuses without getting caught off guard.
