Finding a good online casino bonus is all good and well until you get saddled with wagering requirements. These are the terms and conditions attached to your bonus you have to meet before cashing out.
We’ve compiled this guide to help you find the premium bonus offers, how to meet the terms, and get your winnings as fast as possible. So, keep reading for our experts’ tips for meeting the wagering requirements below.
Simply put, a wager is an amount you bet on a casino game. In the context of this guide, it can also refer to the maximum or minimum bet amount you can make on a spin of the reels, a hand of cards, or a scratch ticket.
What Are Wagering Requirements?
When you sign up to a casino and accept the terms and conditions, you agree to every policy they have. These include playthrough requirements for any bonus you accept from the operator by making a deposit.
These rules will dictate how much you can bet on specific games, the number of times you need to wager the bonus amount, and when you need to meet them. Plus, the requirements will mention which games “weigh” the most.
Bonus weighting is when some casino games to count more towards your playthrough. Generally, slots count 100%, while table games count anywhere between 25% and 75%.
How Wagering Requirements Work
So, how do wagering requirements work? Well, to put it simply, the casino offers you a bonus, tells you how to claim and clear it, then expects you to follow the terms to a T.
One of the most common bonus offers is a deposit match, which requires you to make a minimum deposit or more. Then, the casino will match your deposit amount up to a certain figure for the bonus amount.
Included in the bonus terms will be the amount you need to wager, starting at 10x up to 50x the bonus amount, or your deposit plus the bonus funds. Also, you’ll have a cap on the amount you can bet, which is usually $1-$10, to meet the policies.
Another vital factor is the time limit on the offer because your bonus and any winnings will be voided if you don’t meet the wagering requirements on time.
How to Beat Wagering Requirements
Now that you know what’s expected, how can you calculate the wagering requirements and beat the casino?
Firstly, you should only take the minimum deposit match if you want to get through it quickly. In the examples, we’ll show you why this is the best real money option for any match:
First Example:
$100 deposit,100% match up to $100, $10 max bet, and a 30x wagering requirement.
$100 + $100 = $200 x 30 = $6000
To get through the terms, you’ll have to wager $6000 and leave at least $3000 (half) in your account for the casino because most don’t let you cash out the bonus money.
Second Example:
$20 minimum deposit, 100% match up to $100, $1 max bet, and a 30x wagering requirement.
$20 + $20 = $40 x 30 = $120
You’ll need to wager $120 to get through the bonus money, then leave $20 in your account for the casino.
As you can see, the second example makes more sense in the long run, even if the first would give you a “better” deal.
We recommend taking the minimum deposit and playing slots exclusively with a $1 bet each time. This will cut down your gameplay significantly and set the right precedent at the casino.
Try to look for any time limits on the bonus, the fees attached, and the maximum withdrawal amounts in the policies. This will help you stay on the casino’s good side for the rest of your time there.
This is one of the highest playthrough amounts and means that you’ll spend far more time trying to get through it. You’ll have to play through your bonus money 50 times to meet the terms.