What are wagering requirements and how do they work?
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Wagering requirements (sometimes called playthrough requirements) are conditions attached to casino bonuses that tell you how many times you need to bet through the bonus amount before the casino releases your winnings for withdrawal.
How they work
A 30x wagering requirement on a $100 bonus means you need to place $3,000 worth of bets before you can withdraw. The requirement multiplier applies to the bonus amount, though some casinos apply it to your deposit plus the bonus combined, which makes it significantly harder to clear.
Which games count
Not all games contribute equally toward wagering. Slots typically count at 100%, while table games like blackjack or roulette often count for 10-20% or sometimes nothing at all. Always check the bonus terms to see which games are fully eligible before you start playing.
What to check before claiming
Before accepting any bonus, look at the time limit you have to complete the wagering (usually 7-30 days), the minimum deposit required, the maximum bet allowed while the bonus is active, and whether there are any game restrictions. These details can make the difference between a bonus that’s genuinely useful and one that’s nearly impossible to clear.
Ben Barber got into the gambling industry through the poker rooms of London in the early 2000s. After building up a solid grounding in casino, sports betting and poker, he made the move to Malta where he spent close to a decade writing for some of the biggest affiliate networks in the region. A few years ago he relocated to Bali, which shifted his focus toward website strategy and affiliate marketing. The casino side never really left, though. He still writes reviews, how-to guides and in-depth pieces on everything from slots and live dealer tables to crypto casinos and sweepstakes sites. His approach is fact-first: help players understand how online gambling actually works before they deposit a cent.