Bonus Wagering Requirements Explained Simply

By the SafeGamingSites Risk & Compliance Research Team

Fact-checked against operator terms and regulatory guidance | Last Updated: February 2026

18+ Only | Gambling involves financial risk | Bonus terms vary by operator and jurisdiction

Disclosure: SafeGamingSites earns referral fees from some operators. Editorial judgements remain independent.

Quick Answer: What Is a Wagering Requirement?

A wagering requirement (also called a playthrough requirement) is a multiplier that determines how many times a player must bet a bonus — or bonus plus deposit — before any winnings can be withdrawn. In practice, a 30x wagering requirement on a $100 bonus means $3,000 in total bets must be placed before cashout. Most players do not complete wagering requirements before the bonus expires or their balance runs out.

Wagering Requirements Explained Simply

A wagering requirement is a contractual condition attached to a casino or sportsbook bonus. It specifies the total amount a player must wager before bonus-derived winnings convert into withdrawable cash. The requirement is expressed as a multiplier — for example, 20x, 35x, or 50x.

What it is NOT: A wagering requirement is not a fee deducted from winnings, nor is it a measure of bonus value. It is a conditional lock on funds that governs when, and whether, a player can access winnings generated by the bonus.

Common misconception: Many players interpret wagering requirements as applying only to the bonus amount. In practice, many operators apply the multiplier to the combined sum of deposit plus bonus — substantially increasing the total bet required before withdrawal is permitted.

Players evaluating bonus offers alongside operator safety profiles may also benefit from reviewing our bonus risk assessment framework, which contextualises wagering terms within broader platform risk factors.

Why Wagering Requirements Matter for Players Globally

Wagering requirements directly affect the realistic cash value of any bonus. A bonus with a high multiplier, a short expiry window, or restrictive game contribution rates may have a near-zero expected value despite appearing generous in headline figures.

Regulatory environments increasingly scrutinise wagering terms. The UK Gambling Commission has explicitly identified high wagering requirements as a consumer harm indicator, and both MGA-licensed and UKGC-licensed operators face ongoing pressure to reduce multipliers and improve term transparency.

Payment friction connected to bonuses is a common source of withdrawal disputes. Players who accept a bonus without reading terms may find withdrawals blocked until wagering is complete — a point operators are required to disclose upfront under some licensing frameworks but not all.

Game contribution rates create hidden complexity. Most bonuses specify that different game types contribute different percentages toward clearing the wagering requirement. Slots may contribute 100%, while table games may contribute 10% or 0%. This significantly extends effective clearing time for players who prefer non-slot games.

How Wagering Requirements Work in Practice

Step-by-step: from bonus claim to withdrawal

1. Player claims a bonus — for example, a 100% match on a $100 deposit, resulting in $100 bonus funds. The total account balance becomes $200 ($100 real + $100 bonus).
2. The operator applies the wagering requirement to the bonus only, or to the combined deposit-plus-bonus total. This determines the baseline bet total required. A 30x requirement on the bonus alone = $3,000. A 30x requirement on deposit plus bonus = $6,000.
3. The player begins wagering. Bets placed on eligible games progress toward the requirement. Ineligible games — often live casino, poker, or specific table games — do not count or count at a reduced rate.
4. A time limit applies. Most bonuses carry an expiry window of 7 to 30 days. If the wagering requirement is not cleared before expiry, the bonus and any associated winnings are typically forfeited.
5. Maximum bet rules apply during wagering. Many operators cap individual bets at $5 to $10 while a bonus is active. Exceeding this cap — even unintentionally — can void the bonus and forfeit associated winnings.
6. Once the wagering requirement is cleared, the player’s balance typically shifts from bonus-restricted to withdrawable. KYC verification may then be triggered before the withdrawal is processed.
7. Winnings cap rules may apply. Some operators limit the maximum amount that can be withdrawn from bonus play — for example, 5x the bonus value — regardless of how much was won during wagering.

Example: $100 deposit + $100 bonus, 35x on bonus only = $3,500 required wager. At $5/spin on a 96% RTP slot, expected loss during clearing = approximately $140. The bonus has a negative expected value for most players under these conditions.

Safety-First Checklist: Evaluating Bonus Terms Before Claiming

• Identify what the multiplier applies to — bonus only or deposit plus bonus. The difference is often 2x the wagering burden and must be stated clearly in the full terms, not just the promotional headline.
• Check the game contribution table before playing. If your preferred game contributes 10% or 0%, your effective wagering requirement is 10x or infinitely higher than the headline figure.
• Note the expiry window. A 30x requirement with a 7-day window at low bet sizes may be mathematically impossible to complete without exceeding the maximum bet cap or accepting significant risk.
• Identify the maximum bet limit during bonus play. Exceeding this limit — even by a small amount — is a common trigger for bonus forfeiture. Some operators enforce this retroactively.
• Check for a winnings cap. If the operator limits withdrawal from bonus play to 5x the bonus amount, a $100 bonus caps potential withdrawals at $500 regardless of actual winnings during clearing.
• Understand withdrawal restrictions during active bonus play. Some operators prevent any withdrawal — including of real money — until the bonus wagering is cleared or the bonus is manually declined.
• Confirm whether declining the bonus is possible after claiming. Some operators lock the bonus automatically upon deposit; others allow players to forfeit the bonus via support and withdraw real money immediately.
• Verify whether the operator is regulated under a framework that requires transparent bonus terms. UKGC-licensed operators face specific requirements around bonus term disclosure; protections may be weaker elsewhere.

Wagering Requirement Risk Comparison Matrix

What Most Guides Miss: Analytical Points

The expected value of most bonuses is negative. At industry-average wagering requirements (30x–40x) and standard slot RTPs (94%–97%), the mathematical expected loss during clearing typically exceeds the bonus value. The bonus exists to extend session time, not to transfer free money.

Contribution rates are applied per-bet, not per-session. A single bet on an excluded game during bonus play may contribute $0 toward clearing — but it still counts against your balance and session time. Players often do not discover this until they review terms post-loss.

Maximum bet caps vary in enforcement. Some operators enforce the cap automatically via platform logic. Others rely on manual review of betting history — creating a risk that large wins during uncapped bets are disputed retroactively at withdrawal.

Bonus terms are frequently updated. An operator may display historical bonus terms in cached marketing materials while the live terms differ. Players should verify terms at the point of claiming, not based on third-party review articles that may be outdated.

Sticky bonuses versus cashable bonuses are structurally different products. A cashable bonus allows withdrawal of winnings after clearing; a sticky (non-cashable) bonus is deducted from the balance at withdrawal, meaning only winnings above the bonus amount are accessible. Many promotional pages do not clearly identify which type applies.

Wagering requirements interact with responsible gambling tools. If a deposit limit restricts how much can be deposited per day or week, it may mathematically prevent clearing a wagering requirement within the expiry window — trapping the bonus and preventing access to any associated funds.

Regulatory pressure is shifting the landscape. The UKGC has indicated that wagering requirements above a certain threshold may be considered unfair contract terms. Some operators have already voluntarily reduced multipliers or moved to cashable-only structures in UK-facing products.

Responsible Gambling & Bonus Risk Control

Bonus offers interact directly with responsible gambling tools in ways that are often underestimated. Players using spend-control mechanisms should review bonus terms for conflicts before claiming.

• Deposit caps: Setting a daily or weekly deposit limit may prevent you from meeting wagering requirements within the expiry window, resulting in automatic bonus forfeiture. Check whether your cap allows sufficient play.
• Session limits: Time-based session limits may interrupt bonus play before the wagering requirement clears. Understand how your operator applies session limits to bonus-restricted balances.
• Cooling-off periods: Activating a cooling-off period typically forfeits any active bonus and associated wagering progress. Confirm this before activating any temporary self-exclusion.
• Loss tracking: Use your operator’s loss history tool to monitor actual spend during bonus wagering — not perceived spend based on the bonus balance displayed. Real money and bonus funds are typically tracked separately.
• Bonus opt-out: UKGC-licensed operators are required to offer a mechanism for players to opt out of bonus marketing. Using this facility prevents unsolicited bonus offers that may encourage unplanned deposits.
• Declining bonuses on deposit: Many platforms allow players to deposit without accepting a bonus. Doing so preserves immediate access to real money funds without triggering wagering conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does 30x wagering requirement mean?

A: A 30x wagering requirement means you must place bets totalling 30 times a specified amount before any associated winnings can be withdrawn. If the requirement applies to a $100 bonus, you must wager $3,000 in total. If it applies to deposit plus bonus combined ($200 total), you must wager $6,000. Always confirm which figure the multiplier is applied to.

Q: Is a 30x wagering requirement good or bad?

A: By industry comparison, 30x is considered moderate. Requirements below 20x are generally considered more favourable; those above 40x are considered high. However, the multiplier alone does not determine value — game contribution rates, expiry windows, and winnings caps are equally important in assessing whether a bonus is achievable.

Q: Can I withdraw my deposit while a bonus is active?

A: This depends on the operator’s specific terms. Some operators allow withdrawal of real money at any time, with the bonus and its wagering progress forfeited. Others restrict all withdrawals — including of deposited funds — until the wagering requirement is cleared or the bonus is actively declined via customer support. Check the terms before depositing.

Q: Do all games count equally toward wagering requirements?

A: No. Operators apply game contribution rates that determine how much each bet type counts toward clearing the requirement. Slots typically contribute 100%, while table games, live casino, and video poker often contribute 10%, 5%, or 0%. A $10 bet on a 10%-contribution game clears only $1 of wagering — effectively multiplying your real clearing burden tenfold.

Q: What happens if I don’t complete the wagering requirement?

A: If the wagering requirement is not completed before the bonus expiry date, the bonus and any winnings generated from it are typically forfeited automatically. Your real money balance — funds deposited before or separately from the bonus — may remain, depending on whether the operator separates real money and bonus balances.

Q: What is a sticky bonus?

A: A sticky bonus (also called non-cashable) is a bonus that cannot be withdrawn directly. It provides wagering power but is deducted from your balance at withdrawal. Only winnings that exceed the bonus amount are accessible as cash. A cashable bonus, by contrast, can be withdrawn along with winnings once the wagering requirement is met.

Q: Are wagering requirements legal?

A: Yes, wagering requirements are legal promotional conditions. However, regulators increasingly scrutinise their fairness. The UK Gambling Commission has identified overly complex or onerous bonus terms as a consumer harm risk. Operators licensed under high-tier frameworks are expected to present bonus terms clearly and avoid conditions that are misleading or unreasonably restrictive.

Q: What is a no-wagering bonus?

A: A no-wagering bonus carries no playthrough requirement — any winnings generated are immediately withdrawable. These bonuses are less common and typically smaller in headline value than standard bonuses. They represent lower risk for players because there is no conditional lock on winnings, though standard withdrawal processing and KYC requirements still apply.

Q: Can the operator change wagering terms after I claim a bonus?

A: Operators typically reserve the right to amend bonus terms in their general terms and conditions. In practice, reputable UKGC and MGA-licensed operators apply the terms that were in force at the time of the bonus claim. Players experiencing retroactive term changes may escalate to the operator’s ADR provider under high-tier licensing frameworks.

Q: How do I calculate whether a bonus is worth claiming?

A: A basic calculation: multiply the bonus amount by the wagering requirement to find the total bet required. Multiply that total by the house edge of your preferred game (1 minus RTP) to estimate expected loss during clearing. If expected loss exceeds the bonus amount, the bonus has negative expected value. Factor in the expiry window and contribution rates before claiming.

Q: What is a maximum bet violation in bonus terms?

A: A maximum bet violation occurs when a player places a single bet above the limit specified in the bonus terms while a bonus is active — typically $5 to $10 per spin or hand. Even one bet above this cap can void the bonus and result in forfeiture of all associated winnings. Some operators enforce this automatically; others review withdrawal requests manually and apply the rule retroactively.

Official Regulatory Reference

The UK Gambling Commission publishes guidance on fair and transparent bonus terms as part of its licensing conditions and codes of practice. This document outlines operator obligations regarding bonus disclosures, and is publicly available at:

UK Gambling Commission — Licensing Conditions and Codes of Practice (gamblingcommission.gov.uk)

This reference is provided as a neutral information source. SafeGamingSites has no commercial relationship with the UK Gambling Commission or any regulatory body cited in this article.

Content reflects publicly available regulatory guidance as of February 2026. Bonus terms and regulatory requirements vary by operator and jurisdiction and are subject to change.