Every deposit bonus comes with a wagering requirement, and it is the single term that decides whether an offer is worth taking. Two bonuses can advertise the same headline and be worth completely different amounts once you read how much you have to stake before the money is yours. This takes a few minutes to learn and then saves you money for as long as you gamble.
The multiplier is only half the term
A wagering requirement is written as a multiplier: x35, 40x, wagering 30 times. That number on its own tells you almost nothing, because the term has two halves and the casino only advertises the first one.
The second half is what the multiplier applies to. There are three common bases, and the difference between them is large.
| Wagering applies to | You must stake | Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Bonus only | €3,500 | baseline |
| Deposit + bonus | €7,000 | twice as much |
| Winnings from free spins | varies with what you win | unpredictable |
A x35 on the bonus is a better offer than a x25 on deposit plus bonus, even though 25 looks like the smaller number. Whenever you compare two bonuses, compare the base first and the multiplier second.
Do the arithmetic before you deposit
You only need one multiplication. Take the amount the wagering applies to, multiply by the requirement, and look at the result next to what you were planning to spend.
- Bonus only: bonus amount × multiplier
- Deposit + bonus: (your deposit + bonus amount) × multiplier
Say you deposit €50 on a 100% match with x40 wagering on deposit plus bonus. That is (€50 + €50) × 40 = €4,000 of stakes before you can withdraw. If you normally play €1 spins, that is four thousand spins. Ask yourself honestly whether you were going to play that much anyway. If not, the bonus is not free money — it is a condition you are unlikely to meet.
Not every game counts the same
Casinos weight games by how much they contribute towards the requirement. The weighting is always in the bonus terms and it is rarely the same at two casinos.
| Game type | Often counts as |
|---|---|
| Slots | 100% |
| Table games such as blackjack or roulette | 10–20%, sometimes 0% |
| Live dealer tables | 10%, sometimes excluded |
| Video poker and progressive jackpots | often excluded entirely |
The practical effect is severe. If table games count 10%, every €10 you stake moves you €1 towards the requirement — so a €4,000 requirement becomes €40,000 of blackjack. Bonuses are built to be cleared on slots, and clearing one on anything else is usually not realistic.
The max bet rule voids more bonuses than anything else
Almost every bonus caps the stake you may place while wagering is outstanding — commonly somewhere around €1 to €5 per spin or hand. Go over it once, even by accident, and the casino is within its terms to void the bonus and everything you won with it.
This catches people constantly, because the cap is not enforced by the software at every casino. The spin goes through, you notice nothing, and the problem only appears when you try to withdraw.
There is a deadline, and it is shorter than you think
Wagering requirements come with a time limit, often somewhere between seven and thirty days. When it expires, the bonus and anything still attached to it is removed — including winnings you have not yet cleared.
Free spins usually run on a tighter clock than the deposit bonus they came with: a day or two to activate them, and sometimes a separate deadline to finish the rounds. Two deadlines on one offer is normal, and missing either one is enough.
What a fair offer looks like
Low or no wagering offers exist. They pay less at the headline and are worth more in practice, because what you win is yours.
- No wagering: winnings are withdrawable immediately. The headline will be small; that is the trade.
- Wagering on winnings only from free spins, rather than on the spin value — much easier to clear.
- A low multiplier on the bonus only, with a max bet you can live with and a deadline measured in weeks rather than days.
When you compare offers on this site, the wagering basis, the multiplier, the minimum deposit and the deadline are shown next to each other for exactly this reason. The headline is the least informative number on the card.
FAQ
Is a bigger bonus always better?
No. A larger bonus with a higher multiplier or a deposit-plus-bonus basis can require several times more staking than a smaller one. Work out the stake total for both before deciding.
What does x35 mean?
You must stake 35 times a certain amount before the bonus money can be withdrawn. Which amount — the bonus alone, or your deposit plus the bonus — is stated separately in the terms and changes the cost dramatically.
Can I withdraw my own deposit while wagering is unfinished?
Usually not without forfeiting the bonus and anything won with it. Most terms treat an early withdrawal as cancelling the offer. Check the specific wording before you deposit.
Do free spins have wagering too?
Almost always, and the basis differs. Some apply the multiplier to the winnings from the spins, others to a notional spin value. Wagering on winnings only is the friendlier of the two.