Understanding Wagering Requirements on Casino Bonuses

Casino bonuses can look amazing on the surface.

"100% match up to $1,000!"
"Massive welcome bonus plus free spins!"

But buried in the small print is the thing that really matters: wagering requirements.

If you don't understand wagering, you can easily end up frustrated, confused, or stuck with winnings you can't withdraw. This guide breaks down wagering requirements in plain English, with simple examples, so you can decide whether a bonus is actually worth it before you claim it.

What Are Casino Bonuses, Really?

When a casino offers you a bonus, it's usually doing one of a few things:

• Matching your first deposit with bonus funds
• Giving you free spins on selected pokies
• Offering reload bonuses for existing players
• Running special promos tied to events or codes

It feels like "free money", but it isn't. Bonuses are conditional funds that come with rules about how much you need to bet before withdrawing.

Those rules are called wagering requirements.

What Are Wagering Requirements?

Wagering requirements (sometimes called "playthrough" or "rollover") tell you how many times you must bet a certain amount before any bonus-related winnings can be withdrawn.

They're usually written like this:

• 30× wagering
• 40× bonus
• 50× deposit + bonus

That number is the multiplier. You apply it to either:

• The bonus amount, or
• The deposit plus bonus amount, or
• Free spins winnings

Bonus-Only vs Deposit+Bonus Wagering

One of the most important details is what the multiplier is applied to.

1. Bonus-only wagering

Example:
You deposit $50, get a $50 bonus with 30× wagering on the bonus.

• Base amount for wagering = $50 (bonus only)
• 30 × $50 = $1,500 total you must bet

If you're playing $1 spins on pokies, that's 1,500 spins.

This is relatively standard and much more reasonable than "deposit+bonus" in many cases.

2. Deposit + bonus wagering

Example:
You deposit $50, get a $50 bonus, and the terms say 40× wagering on deposit + bonus.

• Deposit + bonus = $100
• 40 × $100 = $4,000 total wagering

Same starting deposit, more than double the wagering compared to bonus-only.

How Free Spins Wagering Works

Free spins are another common bonus type, but they're rarely fully "free".

Example:

• You get 50 free spins
• You win a total of $30 from those spins
• The casino says: 25× wagering on free spins winnings

So: $30 × 25 = $750 total wagering required.

Sometimes free spins are:

• "Real cash" spins (no wagering at all – best case)
• "Bonus spins" with wagering attached to the winnings
• Capped at a certain max cashout, even after wagering

Always check:

• Is there wagering on free spins winnings?
• Is there a max win limit from free spins?

Game Contribution – Not All Games Count the Same

Even once you know the total wagering, some games don't count 100% towards it.

Typical patterns:

• Pokies (slots): 100% contribution
• Roulette, blackjack, other table games: 5–25%
• Some games: 0% (don't count at all)

Example:
You need to complete $1,000 in wagering.

• If pokies contribute 100%, every $1 spin counts as $1.
• If blackjack only contributes 10%, every $1 bet counts as $0.10 for wagering.

So you'd need to bet ten times more on blackjack than on pokies to clear the same requirement.

If you think table games are your strategy, check the contribution rules carefully or consider skipping bonuses entirely.

Time Limits, Max Bets and Other Hidden Rules

Wagering requirements rarely sit alone. They usually come with extra conditions:

1. Time limits

You might have:

• 7 days
• 14 days
• 30 days

to complete wagering. If you don't finish in time, the bonus and any associated winnings can be removed.

2. Maximum bet per spin/round

Many bonuses limit how much you're allowed to bet while wagering. For example:

• Max bet $5
• Max bet $10

If you exceed this, the casino can void your bonus and winnings. Always check the max bet rule before you start spinning.

3. Maximum cashout

Some bonuses cap the amount you can withdraw after wagering.

Example:

• You start with a $50 bonus
• You run it up to $1,000
• The bonus terms say "max cashout 5× bonus"

So even though your balance shows $1,000, you might only be allowed to cash out $250.

Why Casinos Use Wagering Requirements

From a casino's point of view, wagering requirements:

• Stop people from just withdrawing bonus money immediately
• Make promotions sustainable
• Reward ongoing play instead of one-and-done bonus abuse

From a player's point of view, they:

• Make bonuses more complicated
• Can make big wins hard to actually withdraw
• Sometimes feel like a trap if you didn't read the terms

The reality sits somewhere in the middle. Bonuses can be fun and decent value if you know exactly what you're signing up for and keep your expectations realistic.

How to Quickly Judge if a Bonus Is Worth It

Here's a simple mental checklist you can use on Roopokies or any casino:

What's the wagering multiplier?

• Under 30× bonus-only = generally fair
• 30–40× bonus-only = okay if you enjoy longer sessions
• 40–50×+ deposit+bonus = very heavy

Is it bonus-only, deposit+bonus, or free-spins-only?

• Bonus-only wagering is much easier to clear than deposit+bonus
• Free spins with no wagering are best

What games contribute 100%?

• Ideally, pokies should be 100%
• Ignore bonuses that force you into games you don't actually want to play

Are there max bet or max win rules?

• If you like bigger stakes, low max-bet limits will annoy you
• If a bonus has a harsh max-cashout, it's usually not worth chasing

Do you have the time and budget to complete wagering?

• If you don't, it's better to play without a bonus at all

Example – Comparing Two Bonuses

Let's compare two simple offers side-by-side.

On paper, Bonus B "looks" bigger. In reality, Bonus A is usually far better value and far easier to clear.

When You Should Skip a Bonus

Sometimes the smartest move is simply to say: "No thanks."

You should consider not claiming a bonus when:

• Wagering is extremely high (50×+ deposit+bonus)
• Time limit is very short, and you don't plan to play that much
• You mainly play table games or live casino with low contribution
• You're trying to keep things simple and low-stress
• You're already feeling emotional or chasing losses

Wagering and Responsible Gambling

A big mistake many players make is seeing bonuses as a way to "fix" previous losses or "finally get ahead".

That mindset is dangerous.

Bonuses should be treated as:

• A fun extra
• A way to extend entertainment, not a financial strategy

Consider:

• Taking a break
• Reducing your deposit limits
• Reading the Responsible Gambling page
• Talking to someone you trust or a professional support service

Wagering requirements should never push you into spending more than you can afford.

Quick FAQ – Wagering Requirements