Wagering Requirements: The Complete Comparison Guide for 2026

Wagering requirements are the single most important factor in determining whether a casino bonus is worth claiming — yet they are also the most commonly misunderstood. This guide explains exactly how they work, how different casinos compare, and how to use our free calculator to work out the real value of any bonus before you claim it.

A wagering requirement (also called a playthrough requirement) is the number of times you must wager your bonus — and sometimes your deposit — before you are allowed to withdraw any winnings derived from it.

Example:

• You claim a 100% match bonus up to £100 on a £100 deposit
• The wagering requirement is 30× the bonus
• You must wager £100 × 30 = £3,000 before you can withdraw

If the wagering requirement applies to the bonus plus deposit (written as 30× B+D), the calculation changes:

• (£100 bonus + £100 deposit) × 30 = £6,000 to wager

This distinction — bonus only versus bonus plus deposit — is one of the most important things to check in any bonus terms.

The headline bonus amount tells you very little. What matters is the expected value after wagering — how much of the bonus you can realistically expect to keep once you have met the wagering requirement.

The standard formula uses the Return to Player (RTP) percentage of the games you play. Most online slots have an RTP of around 96%, meaning for every £100 wagered, you can expect to receive £96 back on average.

Real bonus value formula:

Real value = Bonus amount − (Total wager required × House edge)
House edge = 1 − RTP (e.g. 1 − 0.96 = 0.04 for a 96% RTP slot)

Example with a 30× bonus-only requirement:

• Bonus: £100
• Total wager required: £3,000
• Expected loss at 96% RTP: £3,000 × 0.04 = £120
• Real value: £100 − £120 = −£20

In this case, the expected cost of clearing the wagering requirement (£120) exceeds the bonus value (£100), making it a negative-value offer on average.

Our wagering requirements calculator runs this calculation automatically — enter the bonus amount, deposit, and multiplier and it gives you an instant value rating.

These benchmarks assume a 96% RTP slot and bonus-only wagering. If the requirement applies to bonus plus deposit, or if the eligible games have a lower RTP, the effective value is worse.

Most casinos do not allow all games to contribute equally towards clearing a wagering requirement. Typical contribution rates are:

This matters enormously. If you prefer table games and a casino's wagering requirement only counts slots at 100%, you effectively face a much higher multiplier than the headline figure suggests.

Example:

• Wagering requirement: 30× bonus
• You play live blackjack, which contributes 10%
• Effective multiplier: 30 ÷ 0.10 = 300× in terms of blackjack hands needed

Always check the game contribution table in the bonus terms before claiming.

Most bonuses expire if you do not meet the wagering requirement within a set period — typically 7, 14, or 30 days. If the bonus expires before you clear it, both the bonus and any associated winnings are forfeited.

A 30× wagering requirement on a £100 bonus means wagering £3,000. At an average session of £100 per hour on slots, that is 30 hours of play. A 7-day time limit is achievable for frequent players but tight for casual ones.

Most casinos impose a maximum bet while you are playing with bonus funds — typically £5 per spin or per hand. Exceeding this limit can result in your bonus and winnings being voided, even if you have met the wagering requirement.

This rule is often buried in the terms and conditions. Always check the maximum bet restriction before playing.

When comparing bonuses across different casinos, use this checklist:

1. What is the wagering multiplier? (e.g. 30×)
2. Does it apply to the bonus only, or bonus plus deposit? (B only vs B+D)
3. What games contribute 100%? (usually slots)
4. What is the time limit? (7, 14, or 30 days)
5. Is there a maximum bet restriction? (typically £5)
6. Is there a maximum cashout from the bonus? (some bonuses cap winnings at 3× or 5× the bonus)
7. What is the minimum deposit to qualify? (typically £10–£20)

Our Bonus Finder lets you filter by wagering requirement range so you can see only the bonuses that meet your threshold.

Some casinos offer bonuses with no wagering requirement at all — what you win is yours to keep immediately. These are rare and usually smaller in headline value, but they represent genuinely free money.

No-wagering bonuses are most common as free spins offers rather than deposit match bonuses. A 20 free spins no-wagering offer on a slot with a £0.10 spin value is worth £2 in real terms — modest, but with no strings attached.

Our wagering requirements calculator is free to use and requires no registration. Here is how to get the most from it:

1. Enter the bonus amount — the amount the casino will credit to your account
2. Enter your deposit amount — needed to calculate B+D requirements
3. Set the wagering multiplier — found in the bonus terms (e.g. 30)
4. Toggle bonus-only or bonus+deposit — check the terms to see which applies
5. Read the results — total wager needed, estimated real value, and a plain-English rating

The calculator uses a 96% RTP assumption, which is representative of most modern video slots. If you plan to play games with a different RTP, the actual value will vary.

Wagering requirements are the most important number in any casino bonus offer. A low headline bonus with a low wagering requirement is almost always better value than a high headline bonus with a high multiplier.

Before claiming any bonus, use our wagering requirements calculator to find out what it will actually cost you to clear — and whether the expected value makes it worth your time.

For a ranked list of casinos with the lowest wagering requirements currently available, see our lowest wagering requirement casinos guide.