Wagering Requirements Explained
What a 35x wagering requirement really costs you, how game weighting changes the maths, and the clauses that void a bonus before you reach the finish line.
Last updated: July 30, 2026
Wagering requirements are the single most misread line in any casino promotion. They decide whether a bonus is worth claiming, how long it will take to clear, and whether the winnings on top of it are actually yours. This guide explains the arithmetic in plain terms, with the numbers worked through.
What a wagering requirement is
A wagering requirement — also called playthrough — is how many times a bonus must be staked before winnings become withdrawable. It is written as a multiple: 35x, 40x, sometimes 25x on the fairer offers. The multiple applies to the bonus amount, and at some casinos to the deposit plus the bonus, which doubles the work. That distinction is worth checking first, because the same 35x can mean two very different totals.
| Bonus | Multiple | Turnover needed |
|---|---|---|
| 100 EUR | 25x | 2,500 EUR |
| 100 EUR | 35x | 3,500 EUR |
| 100 EUR | 45x | 4,500 EUR |
| 100 EUR + 100 EUR deposit | 35x on deposit + bonus | 7,000 EUR |
Turnover is not the same as loss. Staking 3,500 EUR on a slot returning 96.5% costs about 122 EUR in expected value over that turnover — which is why a large bonus with heavy wagering can be worth less than a small one with none.
Game weighting changes everything
Not every game contributes equally. Slots normally count 100% of each bet toward the requirement; table games, video poker and live-dealer tables often count 10% or less, and some are excluded entirely. On a 10% weighting, 100 EUR staked on roulette moves you 10 EUR closer to clearing the bonus, so the same requirement takes ten times the turnover.
| Game type | Typical weighting |
|---|---|
| Slots | 100% |
| Video poker | 10–20% |
| Roulette, blackjack, baccarat | 0–10% |
| Live-dealer tables | Often excluded |
The clauses that void a bonus
Most refused bonus withdrawals come down to four rules, all of them stated in the terms:
- Maximum bet while a bonus is active — commonly around 5 EUR per spin. Exceeding it once is usually enough to void the bonus and everything won with it.
- Validity window — unfinished wagering expires with the bonus, typically after 7 to 30 days.
- Excluded games — playing a title that does not contribute, or is banned outright while a bonus is active.
- Maximum cashout — a cap on what can be withdrawn from bonus winnings, regardless of how the session went.
None of these are hidden, but they are rarely in the headline. Reading them takes two minutes and is the difference between a bonus and a wasted deposit.
Which offers avoid the problem entirely
Two structures sidestep heavy playthrough. No-wagering bonuses pay winnings as cash, so what you win is yours immediately. Non-sticky bonuses keep your deposit and the bonus in separate balances: you play with your own money first and can withdraw a win straight away, with the bonus expiring unused. Cashback cleared at 1x sits in the same bracket — money back that you turn over once.
Work it out before you claim
Our wagering calculator turns a bonus amount and a multiple into the turnover you would have to generate, including the deposit-plus-bonus variant. Compare live offers on the casino bonuses pages, and check the operator behind the promotion in our casino directory — payout speed and licence outlast any single offer.
A note on expectations
Clearing a wagering requirement is not a strategy for making money. Every game carries a house edge, and the more turnover a bonus demands, the more of that edge you pay. Treat a bonus as extra playing time, set a deposit limit before you claim, and read our responsible gambling guide for the free tools available if play stops feeling like entertainment.