Definition
A Wager Requirement (also known as a “Playthrough” or “Rollover”) is a condition set by a casino—usually online—stating that a player must bet a certain multiple of their bonus money before they can withdraw any winnings.
In context
If you receive a $100 bonus with a 20x wager requirement, you must place bets totaling $2,000 ($100 x 20) before that $100 (or any profit from it) becomes “real” cash that you can take out of your account.
Why it matters
Wager requirements are the difference between a “good” bonus and a “useless” one. A 10x requirement is relatively easy to clear, while a 60x requirement makes it mathematically unlikely that any of the bonus will remain by the time you’ve finished playing.
Related terms
In detail
Wager requirements are the “fine print” that protects a casino from “bonus hunters”—players who try to sign up, take free money, and leave. While they can feel like a scam to the uninformed player, they are a standard business practice in the online gambling world. However, not all wager requirements are created equal.
How the Math Works Against You
The goal of a wager requirement is to force the player to expose the bonus money to the “House Edge” enough times that the casino eventually wins it back.
Let’s look at a typical scenario:
- Bonus: $100
- Wager Requirement: 40x ($4,000 in total bets)
- Game Choice: A slot machine with a 95% RTP (5% House Edge).
If you wager $4,000 on a game with a 5% house edge, the “mathematical expectation” is that you will lose $200 ($4,000 x 0.05). Since your bonus was only $100, the math predicts you will lose the entire bonus and $100 of your own money before you “clear” the requirement. This is why “40x” is often considered the “break-even” point where a bonus stops being profitable for a player.
Game Weighting: The Hidden Trap
The most critical part of clearing a wager requirement is “Game Weighting.” Casinos know that some games have a much lower house edge than others. For example, Blackjack often has an edge of less than 1%.
If you could clear a wager requirement by playing Blackjack, you would have a huge advantage. To prevent this, casinos “weight” the games:
- Slots: Usually 100%. (Every $1 you bet counts as $1 toward the requirement).
- Table Games: Often 10% or 0%. (Every $1 you bet only counts as $0.10 toward the requirement).
If you try to clear a $2,000 requirement on a game with 10% weighting, you actually have to wager $20,000! Always check the “Terms and Conditions” (T&Cs) for the weighting table before you start playing.
”Sticky” vs. “Cashable” Bonuses
There are two main types of bonuses related to wagering:
- Cashable Bonuses: Once you meet the requirement, you can withdraw the bonus and the winnings.
- Sticky Bonuses: You can only withdraw the winnings. The bonus amount itself stays in the account until it is lost or expires. These are common but much less valuable.
Pro-Tips for Players
If you are going to play a bonus, look for “Low Playthrough” offers. Anything under 25x is generally considered “fair” in the current market. Anything over 50x is essentially a “demo mode” for the casino’s games, as your chances of cashing out are slim to none.
Also, be aware of “Max Bet” rules. Most casinos limit your bet size to $5 or $10 while you have an active bonus. If you bet $50 to try and clear the requirement faster, the casino will likely void your winnings for violating the T&Cs.
The “Truth” about “No Wagering” Bonuses
Some modern casinos have started offering “No Wagering” bonuses (often in the form of “Free Spins”). These are exactly what they sound like: any money you win from the free spins is yours to keep immediately. These are the “Gold Standard” for players, but they are usually much smaller in value (e.g., 10 free spins instead of a $500 match bonus).
From a casino operator’s side, we use wager requirements to manage our “Liability.” If we didn’t have them, one lucky player could bankrupt a smaller online casino by hitting a jackpot on their very first “free” spin and walking away.