Guide
Wagering requirements explained
A wagering requirement is the number of times you must stake a bonus before it becomes withdrawable money. It is the term that decides whether an offer is generous or a trap, and it is almost never the number in the banner.
Last reviewed August 2026 by the WagerVerdict editorial team.
The basic calculation
Bonus multiplied by the wagering multiple equals the total you must stake. Not the total you must deposit, and not the total you must lose - the total you must put through the games.
100 unit bonus at 35x wagering = 3,500 units of total stakes. At 2 units per spin, that is 1,750 spins before a single unit can be withdrawn.
The trap: what the multiple applies to
This one distinction changes everything, and it is the reason two offers advertised identically can differ by a factor of three.
| Wagering base | 100 deposit + 100 bonus at 35x | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Bonus only | 100 x 35 = 3,500 to stake | Standard, and workable |
| Deposit plus bonus | 200 x 35 = 7,000 to stake | Twice the commitment for the same headline offer |
Look for the phrase "deposit and bonus" or "D+B" in the terms. If it is there, mentally double the multiple before comparing the offer with anything else.
Game weighting multiplies it again
Not every game contributes equally. Weighting is expressed as a percentage of your stake that counts toward the requirement.
| Game type | Typical weighting | Effective wagering at 35x |
|---|---|---|
| Most slots | 100% | 35x |
| Some jackpot and high-RTP slots | Often excluded | Contributes nothing |
| Roulette | 10% to 20% | 175x to 350x |
| Blackjack and video poker | 0% to 10% | 350x, or excluded entirely |
| Live dealer tables | 0% to 10% | 350x, or excluded entirely |
If you play blackjack and the weighting is 10%, a 35x bonus is really a 350x bonus for you. That is not a bonus, it is a lock on your balance. Always find the weighting table before accepting.
The real cost, in money
Staking money repeatedly through a game with a house edge costs you the edge, every time. That expected cost is the true price of clearing a bonus.
Worked example. A 100 unit bonus at 35x on bonus only, cleared on a 96% RTP slot. Total stakes 3,500. Expected loss is 4% of 3,500, which is 140. You are spending an expected 140 to unlock a 100 bonus. On paper, that offer costs you money.
At 25x on a 97% RTP slot: 2,500 staked, expected loss 75, to unlock 100. That one is positive on paper.
Real outcomes vary enormously around those averages - that is the entire point of gambling. But the expected value tells you which offers are structurally worth taking and which are decorated obligations. Our RTP guide covers the variance side.
The other four terms that matter
- Max bet while wagering. Usually a small per-spin cap. Breach it once and many operators void the bonus and all winnings from it. Check before your first spin, and check whether autoplay or a bonus-buy feature can breach it for you.
- Max cashout. A ceiling on what you can withdraw from bonus winnings. A cap of 5x the bonus on a no-deposit offer is normal; the same cap on a large deposit match is not.
- Expiry. How long you have. Seven days on 3,500 units of required stakes is a requirement designed not to be met.
- Withdrawal forfeits the bonus. Most terms void the remaining bonus and any winnings from it if you withdraw before wagering completes. Withdrawing "just the deposit" usually is not possible.
A 60-second checklist
- Is the wagering on the bonus only, or deposit plus bonus?
- Multiply the bonus by the multiple. Would you normally stake that much in the time allowed?
- Find the weighting for the games you actually play.
- Find the max bet cap.
- Find the max cashout.
- Find the expiry date.
If any one of those answers is bad, decline the bonus. Playing with your own money carries no wagering, no max bet rule, no expiry and no forfeiture clause - and that is frequently the better deal.
FAQ
What is a good wagering requirement?
Up to 25x on the bonus only is good. 26x to 40x is the market norm. Above 40x, or anything above 25x on deposit plus bonus, is generally not worth the constraints attached.
Can I withdraw my deposit before finishing wagering?
Usually not without forfeiting the bonus and everything won with it. Some operators block withdrawal entirely while a bonus is active. Check the terms before you accept, not after.
Does the wagering requirement reset if I lose?
No. It counts total stakes, not wins. If your balance reaches zero the bonus simply ends, with the requirement unmet.
Are no-wagering bonuses real?
Yes, and they are the best structure available. They are almost always small, and usually carry a max cashout instead. A small no-wagering offer beats a large 40x offer nearly every time.
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