Wagering requirements — also called playthrough or rollover — are the single most misunderstood aspect of online casino bonuses. They specify how many times you must wager bonus funds before you can withdraw winnings. A clear understanding prevents disappointment and helps you choose bonuses that genuinely add value.
This guide demystifies the entire concept: how wagering requirements are calculated, which games eat through them most efficiently, and what realistic clearing timelines look like.
What Are Wagering Requirements?
When a casino grants you a bonus, it cannot simply let you deposit, collect the bonus, and immediately withdraw — that would be exploited instantly. Wagering requirements exist as a fair mechanism to ensure you play for a while before cashing out.
The requirement is expressed as a multiplier, such as 30×, 35× or 40×. The multiplier applies to the bonus amount, the deposit amount, or both — depending on the casino. Always read which amount the multiplier applies to.
Example: a 35× bonus requirement on a €100 bonus means you must place a total of €3,500 in bets before withdrawing. If the requirement is 35× on deposit + bonus, a €100 deposit + €100 bonus means €7,000 in total wagering.
Game Contribution Rates
Not all bets are equal when it comes to clearing wagering. Casinos assign contribution percentages to different game types. At most casinos including Win Shark: slots contribute 100%, live casino games contribute 10%, table games like roulette and blackjack contribute between 0–20%, and scratch cards may contribute 0%.
What this means in practice: €100 wagered on slots counts as €100 towards your requirement. €100 wagered on live blackjack counts as only €10. If you play table games exclusively while a wagering requirement is active, it will take 10× as long to clear.
Tip: filter the game library for high-RTP slots (97%+) and use these exclusively during bonus wagering. You minimise losses while clearing the requirement at maximum speed.
Time Limits and Maximum Win Caps
Most casino bonuses carry an expiry window — typically 7 to 30 days from issue. If the wagering requirement is not met within this window, the bonus and any associated winnings are forfeited. Plan your sessions to distribute play across the available period rather than rushing.
Maximum win caps limit how much of your bonus winnings you can ultimately withdraw. A €500 maximum win cap means that even if you win €10,000 during bonus play, only €500 is accessible. This is standard practice and not a red flag — just factor it into your expectations.
How to Calculate Your Clearing Progress
Most casinos display your real-time wagering progress in the account dashboard or bonus section. Log in, navigate to 'My Bonuses' or 'Promotions', and you will typically see a progress bar showing wagered amount versus target.
If tracking manually: keep a running total of every bet placed on slots (the only practical option for 100% contribution). When your running total equals the wagering requirement amount, the bonus is cleared and any remaining funds convert to real money.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Industry standard is 25–40×. Requirements below 30× are considered generous; above 50× are generally unfavourable and indicate a bonus with poor real-world value.
Typically no. Most casinos lock your deposit alongside the bonus until the wagering requirement is cleared. Some casinos allow deposit withdrawal but void the bonus in that case.
Yes, almost always. Free spin winnings are usually credited as bonus funds subject to the same wagering multiplier as the main deposit bonus.