Learn what wagering requirements are, how they work, the difference between Deposit + Bonus, Bonus Only, and No Wager promotions, and how to calculate wagering before claiming a casino bonus.
If you've ever claimed a casino bonus, you've probably seen terms like 20x, 35x, or 50x Wager Requirement.
For many new players, these numbers can seem confusing. In reality, wagering requirements are one of the most important conditions attached to almost every casino bonus.
Understanding how wagering works will help you compare promotions, avoid common mistakes, and choose bonuses that are actually worth claiming.
## In This Guide
In this guide you'll learn:
- What wagering requirements are
- Why casinos use wagering requirements
- The different types of wagering
- How to calculate wagering requirements
- What game contribution means
- Common mistakes beginners should avoid
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## What Is a Wager Requirement?
A wager requirement (also known as a playthrough requirement) is the total amount of money you must wager before bonus funds—or winnings generated from them—become eligible for withdrawal.
Think of it as a condition attached to a casino bonus rather than free money that can be withdrawn immediately.
### Example
Bonus: $100
Wager Requirement: 35x
Calculation:
$100 × 35 = $3,500
This means you'll need to place bets totaling $3,500 before completing the wagering requirement.
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## Why Do Casinos Use Wagering Requirements?
Casino bonuses are promotional offers designed to reward players and encourage gameplay.
Without wagering requirements, players could simply claim bonuses and withdraw the money without ever placing a bet.
To prevent abuse of promotional offers, most casinos require players to complete a certain amount of wagering before bonus funds can be withdrawn.
As a general guideline:
- Up to 20x — Low wagering
- 21x–35x — Medium wagering
- Above 35x — High wagering
Lower wagering requirements are generally easier to complete and often provide better overall value.
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## Types of Wagering Requirements
Not every casino bonus works the same way. The most common wagering models are listed below.
### Deposit + Bonus
This is the most common wagering model.
The wagering multiplier applies to both your deposit and your bonus.
#### Example
Deposit: $100
Bonus: $100
Wager Requirement: 35x
Calculation:
($100 + $100) × 35 = $7,000
Since both amounts are included, Deposit + Bonus promotions usually require the highest wagering volume.
---
### Bonus Only
With this model, wagering applies only to the bonus amount.
#### Example
Deposit: $100
Bonus: $100
Wager Requirement: 35x
Calculation:
$100 × 35 = $3,500
Compared to Deposit + Bonus promotions, Bonus Only offers are generally much easier to complete.
---
### No Wager
A No Wager bonus has no wagering requirement.
Once all other bonus conditions have been met, eligible winnings can usually be withdrawn without completing any additional playthrough requirements.
Because they're extremely player-friendly, No Wager promotions are much less common than traditional casino bonuses.
---
## Comparing the Three Types
| Bonus Type | Deposit | Bonus | Wager | Total Required Bets |
|------------|---------|-------|--------|--------------------:|
| Bonus Only | $100 | $100 | 35x | $3,500 |
| Deposit + Bonus | $100 | $100 | 35x | $7,000 |
| No Wager | $100 | $100 | — | $0 |
As you can see, two bonuses with the same value can require dramatically different amounts of wagering.
---
## How to Calculate Wagering Requirements
Fortunately, calculating wagering is straightforward.
### Bonus Only
Formula
Bonus Amount × Wager Multiplier
Example:
Bonus: $50
Wager: 30x
$50 × 30 = $1,500
---
### Deposit + Bonus
Formula
(Deposit + Bonus) × Wager Multiplier
Example:
Deposit: $100
Bonus: $100
Wager: 40x
($100 + $100) × 40 = $8,000
---
## Understanding Game Contribution
Many beginners assume that every wager counts equally toward completing wagering requirements.
However, casinos often assign different game contribution percentages depending on the game being played.
For example:
- Slots — 100%
- Roulette — 10%
- Blackjack — 5%
- Baccarat — 0%
If Roulette contributes only 10%, then a $100 wager will count as only $10 toward your wagering requirement.
Tip: Always check the game contribution table before claiming a casino bonus.
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## What Else Should You Check?
Before claiming any casino bonus, always review the following conditions:
- Wager requirement
- Deposit + Bonus, Bonus Only, or No Wager
- Bonus expiration date
- Maximum withdrawal limit
- Eligible games
- Game contribution percentages
Even two bonuses that appear almost identical can have very different terms and conditions.
---
## Common Beginner Mistakes
Many players focus only on the bonus amount while completely ignoring the wagering conditions.
Here are the most common mistakes:
- Choosing the biggest bonus instead of the easiest wagering.
- Forgetting whether wagering applies to the bonus only or deposit + bonus.
- Ignoring game contribution percentages.
- Playing games that don't contribute toward wagering.
- Missing the bonus expiration date.
- Not reading the complete bonus terms before claiming an offer.
Avoiding these mistakes can save both time and money.
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## Frequently Asked Questions
### What is considered a good wagering requirement?
Generally, anything below 20x is considered very player-friendly, while wagering above 35x is usually considered high.
### Can I withdraw bonus money immediately?
Usually not. Most casino bonuses require players to complete wagering before withdrawals are allowed.
### What does No Wager mean?
A No Wager bonus has no wagering requirement, meaning you don't have to complete additional playthrough requirements before withdrawing eligible winnings.
### Is Bonus Only better than Deposit + Bonus?
In many cases, yes. Since wagering applies only to the bonus amount, the total wagering requirement is usually much lower.
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## Final Thoughts
Wagering requirements are one of the most important parts of any casino bonus.
Understanding how they work makes it much easier to compare promotions, calculate the real value of a bonus, and avoid unexpected restrictions.
Before claiming any casino bonus, always check:
- The type of wagering requirement.
- The wagering multiplier.
- Eligible games.
- Game contribution percentages.
- Withdrawal restrictions.
A smaller bonus with low wagering requirements is often more valuable than a larger bonus with difficult playthrough conditions.