A casino bonus looks like free money. A 100% matched deposit, a stack of free spins, a generous welcome offer — the numbers on screen are real. The question worth asking before you claim any of them is: what does it actually take to turn this bonus into cash you can withdraw?
The answer is a wagering requirement. It is the single most important number in any bonus offer, and it is almost always the one that is hardest to find.
This guide explains exactly what wagering requirements are, how the calculation works in practice, why the same headline figure can mean very different things depending on how a casino structures its terms, and what to check before you accept any offer.
| What you will learn in this guide: · What a wagering requirement is and where the term comes from · The difference between bonus-only and deposit+bonus calculations, and why it matters · How game contribution rates reduce the effective value of any bonus · How to work out the real cost of a wagering requirement in plain numbers · What the UK Gambling Commission’s new 10x cap means for players in 2026 · The warning signs in bonus terms that are worth reading carefully · A checklist for evaluating any bonus offer before you accept it |
What a wagering requirement is
A wagering requirement, also called a playthrough requirement, rollover requirement, or turnover requirement, is the total amount of money you must bet before any bonus funds or winnings generated from bonus funds become available to withdraw.
It is expressed as a multiplier. A 30x wagering requirement on a £100 bonus means you must place a total of £3,000 in qualifying bets (£100 × 30) before the bonus converts to withdrawable cash.
Wagering requirements exist because a bonus with no conditions would give a player an immediate, risk-free advantage: claim the bonus, withdraw the cash, leave. From the operator’s perspective, a bonus is an incentive to play — not a transfer of funds. The wagering requirement is the mechanism that ensures the bonus is used as intended.
That is the legitimate purpose. The problem is that a requirement set too high — and in unregulated or lightly regulated markets, some operators have set them at 50x or higher — makes the bonus functionally unreachable for most players. High wagering requirements do not eliminate the player’s advantage; they extend the amount of play required until the house edge has recovered the bonus cost with a comfortable margin on top.
The calculation — and why two bonuses at “30x” can cost very different amounts
The multiplier alone does not tell you the full story. What the requirement is applied to is as important as the number itself.
Bonus-only wagering
The requirement is calculated on the bonus amount only. This is the more player-friendly structure.
| Example — bonus-only at 30x You deposit £100. The casino matches it with a £100 bonus. Wagering requirement: 30x on the bonus. £100 (bonus) × 30 = £3,000 total wagering required Your £100 deposit is available to withdraw at any time. Only the bonus funds and their winnings are locked. |
Deposit + bonus wagering
The requirement is applied to the combined total of your deposit and the bonus. This is structurally less favourable, and it is worth noting that many casinos present this as the same headline figure.
| Example — deposit + bonus at 30x You deposit £100. The casino matches it with a £100 bonus. Wagering requirement: 30x on deposit + bonus. (£100 deposit + £100 bonus) × 30 = £6,000 total wagering required The requirement has doubled — not because the multiplier changed, but because the base it applies to doubled. Both bonuses are “30x.” The real cost is completely different. |
| Where to find this in the terms: The T&C section will specify whether the requirement applies to “bonus funds only” or “deposit and bonus.” The promotional summary — the headline offer on the sign-up page — will almost never include this distinction. Always read the T&C, not the marketing. |
Free spins wagering
Free spins come with their own wagering structure. The spins themselves are free, but the winnings they generate are treated as bonus funds and subject to a wagering requirement before they can be withdrawn.
| Example — free spins with a wagering requirement You receive 50 free spins on a slot with a £0.10 stake. Total spin value: £5.00. Your spins return £12 in winnings. Wagering requirement: 40x on free spin winnings. £12 (winnings) × 40 = £480 in wagering required before you can withdraw the £12. |
Game contribution rates — the term that quietly reduces a bonus’s value
Even if the wagering multiplier is clear and the base calculation is transparent, most bonuses contain a second condition that significantly affects how quickly the requirement can actually be met: game contribution rates.
Not every bet counts toward your wagering requirement at the same rate. Casinos assign contribution percentages to different game types, and these determine what proportion of each bet is counted.
| Game type | Typical contribution rate | What this means in practice |
| Video slots | 100% | Every £1 bet on a qualifying slot counts as £1 toward the requirement |
| Live casino (blackjack, roulette, baccarat) | 10% or 0% | A £1 bet on live roulette counts as £0.10 — or nothing at all |
| Standard RNG blackjack | 10–20% | Varies by operator; check the specific T&C for the exact figure |
| Video poker | 10% or excluded | Often excluded entirely from bonus wagering |
| Jackpot slots | 0–50% | Progressive jackpot games are frequently excluded or heavily restricted |
| Sports betting | Varies or excluded | Casino bonuses typically cannot be used on sports markets at all |
These rates exist because different games carry different house edges. A casino’s house edge on a low-volatility slot is typically 3–6%. On blackjack played with basic strategy, the house edge can be below 0.5%. A wagering requirement cleared entirely through blackjack at 0.5% house edge costs the operator a fraction of what the same requirement cleared through slots would cost. Contribution rates rebalance the economics of the bonus across game types.
The practical implication for a player is significant. If you intend to meet a wagering requirement on a game type that contributes at 10%, you need to multiply the stated requirement by ten to find the amount you actually need to bet on that game.
| Example — contribution rates in practice You have a £3,000 wagering requirement. You play live blackjack, which contributes at 10%. £3,000 ÷ 10% = £30,000 in live blackjack bets needed to clear the requirement. The same requirement on a 100%-contributing slot would take £3,000 in bets. The stated requirement is identical. The real cost is not. |
The real cost of a wagering requirement — worked through in full
The multiplier tells you the total wagering needed. What it does not tell you is the likely out-of-pocket cost of meeting that requirement, which depends on the house edge of the games you play.
Every casino game has a built-in mathematical advantage for the operator. Over a large number of bets, you can expect to lose a predictable percentage of every pound you wager. For slots, the long-run return to player (RTP) is typically 94–97%, meaning the house retains 3–6% of total bets placed. That percentage, applied to your total wagering requirement, gives you the expected cost of clearing the bonus.
| Full worked example — what a 30x bonus actually costs Bonus: £100 matched deposit bonus, 30x wagering on bonus only, slot-only at 100% contribution. Total wagering required: £100 × 30 = £3,000 Expected loss at 5% house edge: £3,000 × 0.05 = £150 You received a £100 bonus. To convert it to withdrawable cash, you are expected to lose £150 in the process. This is not a reason to never claim a bonus — it is the information you need to decide whether this particular bonus is worth claiming. |
The expected-loss figure is a long-run average, not a guarantee. Any individual session can end above or below it. But it provides a realistic benchmark that the headline bonus figure alone does not give you.
A bonus where the expected cost of clearing the wagering requirement is lower than the bonus value represents genuine value. A bonus where the expected cost exceeds the bonus value is, mathematically, a cost rather than a benefit — though the entertainment value of the play itself is a separate consideration.
The UK’s 10x wagering cap — what changed in 2026 and what it means
In March 2025, the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) announced significant changes to bonus regulation for all UK-licensed operators. The changes came into force on 19 January 2026 under a revised Social Responsibility Code 5.1.1 of the Licence Conditions and Codes of Practice (LCCP).
The two core changes
• A 10x maximum cap on bonus wagering requirements. UK-licensed operators can no longer impose wagering requirements above ten times the bonus value. A £50 bonus can require a maximum of £500 in total wagering. The industry practice of setting requirements at 30x, 40x, or 50x is prohibited for UKGC licence holders.
• A ban on mixed-product promotional offers. Operators can no longer link bonuses across different gambling product types — for example, requiring a player to place sports bets and then play casino slots as conditions of the same promotional offer. The Commission determined that mixed-product promotions increase the risk of gambling harm and involve complex terms that make informed decision-making difficult.
The UKGC stated its objective directly. Tim Miller, the Commission’s Executive Director for Research and Policy, explained the intent: “These changes will better protect consumers from gambling harm and give consumers much better clarity on, and certainty of, offers before they decide to sign up.”
What the cap means for players playing at UK-licensed casinos
For players using UK-licensed operators, the maximum wagering cost of any bonus is now substantially lower than was common practice before January 2026. A £100 bonus can require at most £1,000 in wagering — compared to £3,000 at a 30x rate or £5,000 at a 50x rate.
The practical significance depends on what requirements operators now set within the 10x ceiling. An operator could set a requirement of 10x and be at the maximum, or set one of 5x and be well below it. The cap establishes a ceiling, not a standard rate. Players at UK-licensed casinos should still read the specific requirement on any offer — the cap means they cannot be asked for more than 10x, not that all bonuses will automatically be set at 10x.
Does this apply outside the UK?
The UKGC rules apply exclusively to operators holding a UKGC licence. Casinos licensed in Malta (under the MGA), Gibraltar, Curaçao, or other jurisdictions are not subject to these requirements unless they also hold a UKGC licence for their UK market operations.
Players using non-UK-licensed casinos may still encounter wagering requirements significantly above 10x. This is one of the reasons licensing jurisdiction is a meaningful factor in evaluating an operator — not just a regulatory formality.
| How to check a casino’s licence: Every review on Casino Authority identifies the licensing jurisdiction of the operator being reviewed and verifies it directly on the regulator’s public register. For a full explanation of what different licences mean for player protection, see our guide to how casino licensing works. |
What else to check beyond the multiplier
The wagering requirement multiplier is the starting point for evaluating a bonus, not the end of the analysis. Casinos attach additional conditions to bonus offers that interact with the wagering requirement in ways that affect how achievable it actually is.
Time limits
Most bonuses expire. A 30-day time limit on a 30x wagering requirement may be achievable for a regular player but unrealistic for someone who plays occasionally. If the time limit expires before the wagering requirement is met, the bonus funds and any accumulated bonus winnings are typically forfeited.
Time limits are stated in the T&C and are almost never mentioned in the promotional headline. Check them before claiming any offer.
Maximum bet restrictions
Casinos routinely apply a maximum bet per round or per spin while bonus funds are active — commonly £5 or £10 in the UK market. Exceeding this limit during the wagering period can result in the bonus being voided and any accumulated winnings forfeited, even if the wagering requirement itself has been met.
This condition exists to prevent a player from clearing a small wagering requirement with a single high-stakes bet. It is enforced automatically by most platforms and it is one of the most common sources of bonus disputes.
Maximum withdrawal from bonus winnings
Some bonuses cap the amount you can withdraw that originated from bonus funds. A bonus might generate £500 in winnings, but the T&C limits bonus-funded withdrawals to £100 or £200. The wagering requirement may be met in full, but the withdrawable amount is restricted regardless.
This condition is particularly common with no-deposit bonuses and free spins offers, where the casino is providing value with no deposit requirement from the player.
Excluded games and restricted games
Game exclusions go beyond contribution rates. Some games may be completely restricted while bonus funds are active — meaning you cannot play them at all, not just that they do not count toward wagering. Playing a restricted game while a bonus is active can, depending on the T&C, void the bonus entirely.
Check the game exclusions section of the T&C specifically, separate from the contribution rate table.
Bonus forfeiture conditions
Most casinos allow you to forfeit an active bonus if you decide you do not want to meet the wagering requirement. This typically releases your deposit for withdrawal but forfeits all bonus funds and any bonus winnings. The procedure for forfeiting a bonus is usually in the T&C, and it often requires contacting customer support rather than being available as a self-service option.
If you are not confident you want to meet the wagering requirement, it is generally better to forfeit the bonus before making a withdrawal attempt. Some casinos will cancel a withdrawal request if a bonus is active, returning the funds to your account balance rather than processing the withdrawal.
How to read a bonus offer — a practical checklist
Before accepting any casino bonus, the following information should be confirmed from the T&C, not from the promotional page:
| What to check | What to look for | Where to find it |
| Wagering multiplier | The stated requirement — e.g. 20x, 30x | T&C, bonus terms section |
| What the multiplier applies to | “Bonus only” or “deposit + bonus” | T&C, often in small print or a footnote |
| Game contribution rates | Which games count at 100%, which are partial, which are excluded | T&C, often a separate contribution table |
| Time limit | How many days before the bonus expires | T&C, sometimes in the promotional summary |
| Maximum bet per spin/round | The cap while bonus funds are active — typically £5–£10 | T&C, bonus restrictions section |
| Maximum withdrawal from bonus | Any cap on how much can be withdrawn that originated as bonus funds | T&C — look for “maximum bonus conversion” or “maximum withdrawal” |
| Excluded games | Games that cannot be played at all while the bonus is active | T&C, game restrictions section |
| Forfeiture procedure | How to cancel the bonus if you decide not to meet the requirement | T&C or customer support |
| Our editorial approach to bonus terms: Every casino review on Casino Authority includes a Bonuses & Terms section in which we read the current T&C directly and assess the bonus on the criteria above — not on the promotional headline. If a bonus offer has changed since our last review, the “Last reviewed” date at the top of the article will reflect when we last verified the terms. Bonuses can and do change without notice; always confirm current terms directly with the operator before claiming. |
What a fair wagering requirement looks like in 2026
There is no universal definition of a fair wagering requirement. What constitutes reasonable depends on the structure of the bonus, the games it applies to, and the market it operates in.
As a general benchmark based on current market practice and the UKGC’s regulatory intervention:
• Below 10x: Low requirement. At this level, the expected cost of clearing the bonus through slots is likely to be below the bonus value itself. Offers in this range represent genuine player value in most configurations.
• 10x–20x: Moderate. The bonus requires meaningful play to unlock but remains achievable without an unrealistic volume of wagering. This range represents the majority of compliant offers from UK-licensed operators following the January 2026 changes.
• 20x–30x: Higher end. At 30x with a 5% house edge, the expected cost of clearing a bonus equals or exceeds the bonus value. The offer may still be worth accepting for the entertainment value of the play, but it does not represent free money in any financially meaningful sense.
• Above 35x: Very high. These requirements are increasingly rare in regulated markets following regulatory pressure. In unregulated markets they remain common. An offer at this level is almost never financially advantageous to the player; the entertainment value of the play is the primary benefit, not the bonus itself.
The multiplier is one dimension. Contribution rates and maximum withdrawal caps can make a nominally lower requirement just as restrictive as a higher one. A 15x bonus where table games contribute at 0% and withdrawals from bonus funds are capped at £50 may offer less practical value than a 25x bonus with full game contributions and no withdrawal cap.
