Quick answer
- Wagering requirements tell you how much you must bet before bonus money becomes withdrawable.
- Multiply the bonus by the requirement. $100 at 35x means $3,500 in bets.
- Your expected loss while wagering is roughly that total multiplied by the house edge.
What the number means
A wagering requirement is a multiple. It tells you how many times you must bet the bonus before you can withdraw it.
Bonus × requirement = total you must wager
A $100 bonus at 35x means $3,500 in total bets.
The expected cost
While you wager, the house edge works against you. On slots with 96% RTP, the edge is 4%:
$3,500 × 4% = $140 expected loss
That is more than the $100 bonus. On average, you would lose the bonus and dip into your own deposit before clearing it.
| Bonus | Wagering | Total to bet | Expected loss at 96% RTP |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | 10x | $1,000 | $40 |
| $100 | 35x | $3,500 | $140 |
| $100 | 50x | $5,000 | $200 |
A quick rule of thumb
If requirement × house edge is less than 1, the bonus has positive expected value. At 4% house edge, that means wagering under 25x. Lower is always better.
FAQ
Is a no-wagering bonus always better?
Usually. Winnings are paid as cash straight away. The trade-off is that no-wagering offers tend to be smaller.
Do all games count towards wagering?
Often not. Table games and live casino may count at 10% or not at all. Check the contribution table in the terms.