Have you ever wanted to cash in on a bonus while gambling, only to see that you didn’t meet the wagering requirements? This frustrating experience is one that many new and inexperienced beginners often face.
Today’s article will look over what wagering requirements are, how to interpret them, and how to use them when betting.
What Are Wagering Requirements and How Do They Work?
Think of a wagering requirement as the terms you must meet before cashing in on a bonus offer. For instance, most casinos have attractive welcome bonuses.
However, before you can use these bonuses, you have to meet their wagering requirements. Usually, these requirements state that you must deposit a certain amount of money before you can collect your bonus or any winnings earned from it.
One important thing to know about wagering requirements is that they differ depending on the type of bonus.
For instance, welcome bonuses will differ from other bonuses. Another important thing to know is that many bonuses have rollover requirements that are usually expressed as a multiple of the bonus amount, the deposit amount, or both.
Secondly, wagering requirements also depend on the gambling laws of your region. For instance, the UK Gambling Commission has capped wagering requirements to a multiple of 10. According to the regulator, this move will protect gamers in the UK.
That being said, let’s look at some of the common types of wagering requirements:
- Rollover bonus (e.g, 40x bonus): Here, if you put down $100 and get a $100 bonus, you will need to bet $1,000 x 40 = $4,000 before you can withdraw.
- Winnings from Free Spins (e.g., 40x winnings): If you win $10 from a set of free spins and its wagering requirement is 40x, you will need to bet $400 before withdrawing.
How to Calculate Wagering Requirements
Now that we understand what wagering requirements are and how they work, let’s discuss how you can calculate them when placing your next bet. Understanding how they work will help you make the most of them.
Like Henry Tamburin once said, “the majority of casino players leave too much to chance when playing in a casino. To put it bluntly, they don’t have a clue as to how to play”.
To ensure you are not one of these players, you have to understand wagering requirements and how they work:
- Find the type of wagering requirement. Is this wagering requirement based on a bonus only, or the deposit bonus and free spins?
- Is it a rollover bonus?
- Factor in game contribution.
If you are playing games with lower contribution percentages, then you might have to adjust your expectations.
Tips to Help You Make the Most Out of Wagering Requirements
- Make sure you understand the terms and conditions: Always read the bonus terms before accepting any promotion. This ensures that you are not caught by any surprises down the line.
- Leverage small bets: You meet your requirements while using small bets as long as they meet the minimum amount allowed.
- Utilize high-contribution games: Many slots are great for clearing bonuses as they usually contribute 100%.
- Choose the right casino.
One thing’s for sure: finding casinos with great wagering requirements is key to making the most from bonuses. However, that’s easier said than done. The typical process for gamers is signing up to a casino, depositing, finding out their wagering requirements are undesirable, then moving on to the next.
That’s just time consuming and can cost a lot of funds. Luckily, there’s an easier way to go about this, and it’s quite simple. Trusted iGaming review sites (like https://top.kasynos.online/kasyna/prawdziwe-pieniadze/) curate the best of the best, and can even show which operators have bonuses with the easiest wagering requirements.
Pros and Cons of Wagering Requirements
When it comes to wagering bonuses, there are some upsides and downsides that every gambler must understand.
Firstly, the main advantage of wagering requirements is that you can use additional funds, thus increasing your earning potential. Additionally, some promotions will only work on new or popular games.
This allows you to discover and try out new slots with your bonus balance. While these advantages are attractive, players will have to face wagering requirements, which can sometimes take time.
For instance, some wagering requirements come with strict time limits on the bonus funds. The promotion may also focus on a game you don’t like. This is why it’s very important to read the terms and conditions of any offer.
Finally, some wagering requirements are so high, they might feel like they are designed to stop you from withdrawing your bonuses.
This brings to mind the words of the famous gambler Nick Dandolos, who said, “The house doesn’t beat the player. It just gives him the opportunity to beat himself.”
Wagering Bonuses vs No Wagering Bonuses
Now you must be wondering, can you play casino games without wagering bonuses? The simple and short answer is yes, you can! However, before you choose between wagering and non-wagering bonuses, you have to understand the key differences between them.
| Feature | No Wagering Bonus | Wagering bonus |
|---|---|---|
| Instant withdrawals | Yes (you can withdraw right after winning) | No (must meet playthrough requirements) |
| Wagering requirement | Nil | Ranges (e.g, 5x to 50x) |
| Bonus value | Usually smaller (e.g., free spins, $5-$30 cash) | Often larger (e.g., 100% up to $200 or 200 free spins) |
| Game restrictions | Fewer restrictions | More restrictions (limited games count toward wagering) |
| Risk Level | Low (keeps things simple and transparent) | Higher (easy to lose the bonus while wagering) |
| Best for | Newbies and casuals or gamers with low risk tolerance | Experienced players or anyone looking to boost their starting bankroll. |
Final Thoughts on Wagering Requirements in Online Casinos
While many casinos have attractive bonus offers, you need to understand and meet the wagering requirements that come with these offers. These wagering requirements might be multiplier-based, or they might have time limits for redemption.
Additionally, you can opt out of bonuses with stringent wagering requirements entirely. Mind you, bonuses with low wagering requirements may come with less value in their offers, but they can save you the stress of dealing with unrealistic terms.
