Wagering requirements: how the numbers really work
A wagering requirement — also called rollover or playthrough — is the multiplier that decides whether bonus money can turn into withdrawable money. On its own, «35x» tells you almost nothing. You need four more facts: what it multiplies, which games count and by how much, the largest stake allowed, and how long you have.
Step 1: the base
| Base | Formula (deposit 50, bonus 50, 40x) | Total bets required |
|---|---|---|
| Bonus only | 50 × 40 | 2,000 |
| Deposit + bonus | (50 + 50) × 40 | 4,000 |
| Free-spin winnings only | winnings × 40 | depends on winnings |
All figures: illustrative example, not Joe's actual terms.
Step 2: contribution
A contribution table says how much of each stake reduces the requirement. Slots often count 100%, tables 10–20%, some live games 0% (illustrative example, not Joe's actual terms). With 2,000 still to wager at 10%, you need 20,000 in actual bets. Some titles are excluded outright; their names are listed in the terms.
Step 3: max bet
While the bonus is active, a cap per spin or hand applies — for example 5 (illustrative example, not Joe's actual terms). Going over, even by accident, can void the bonus and any winnings linked to it. Feature buys in slots frequently cost far more than the cap and are often excluded anyway.
Step 4: time
There are usually two clocks: days to activate after depositing, and days to complete the requirement — say 7 and 30 (illustrative example, not Joe's actual terms). When the second clock runs out, remaining bonus funds and locked winnings are normally removed.
Which balance is played first
Some terms use your cash balance first and the bonus afterwards; others merge both. This decides whether you can withdraw your deposit before finishing the requirement and what happens if you opt out. The clause usually sits near the withdrawal rules — see Withdrawal.
Turning requirement into time
Divide the requirement by your average stake to get the number of spins: 3,500 at 1 per spin is about 3,500 spins (illustrative example, not Joe's actual terms). At several hundred spins an hour, that is many hours of play. Ask whether that time fits the deadline — and whether you actually want to spend it.
Quick checklist
- Base: bonus or deposit + bonus?
- Contribution of the games you play.
- Max bet while wagering.
- Excluded games and features.
- Two deadlines.
- Cap on convertible winnings.
- Opt-out rules.
Definitions of each clause: Bonus terms.