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Casino Wagering Requirements: How to Convert Your Bonus to Cash

27 June 2023

What are casino wagering requirements? We've got the answers for everything you need to know about online casino wagering requirements, and how to make sure you actually get your bonus by completing them!

What Are Casino Wagering Requirements?

Casino wagering requirements refer to the number of times you need to bet your bonus funds before winnings are converted into withdrawable cash. Also called playthrough requirements or turnover, wagering requirements are present in all online casino bonuses, and sports betting bonuses. 

Wagering Requirement = Playthrough = Turnover

Online casinos love using different terms to try and stand out, but these three different terms all mean the same thing!

If that's answered your question already, check out online casino bonuses ranked by wagering requirement, or keep reading for some more information on casino wagering requirements, and an example of how it works with a bonus. 

Wager Requirements Explained

All casino bonuses from sign up offers to no deposit bonuses come with wagering requirements of some sort, usually between 1x-15x. This means that before you can actually withdraw the bonus funds from the online casino, you will need to bet the funds the number of times associated with the terms and conditions

  • A $100 bonus with 1x turnover (wagering requirement) needs to be wagered in full once - so $100 total bet.
  • A $100 bonus with 5x turnover needs to be wagered five times - so $500 in total bet.

And so on for the various other wagering requirements. 

Wagering Requirement Example

A great example of a casino bonus wagering requirement is Caesars Casino, which has a 10x wagering requirement on their sign up bonus: 100% Bonus Match up to $2,000.

A new player signs up for Caesars Casino and deposits $200, giving them bonus funds worth $200.

  • The 10x wagering requirement means the player will need to bet a total of $2,000 before any winnings can be withdrawn as cash.
  • Players will have to place wagers with the $200 in bonus funds until the total amount wagered is $2,000, so if players are losing their bets then it can take longer because it means more, smaller wagers need to be placed to complete the wagering requirement.

Higher Wagering Requirements Makes It Harder to Win Cash

The best casino bonuses are ones with low wagering requirements. Why? Because it's easier to actually end of with withdrawable cash after playing through your funds. The more times a player need to bet the more likely it is to lose, and the wagering requirement is linked to the initial bonus funds not how much you currently have in your account.

What we mean by this is if you take $10 in bonus funds with a 5x turnover, you'll need to bet $50 total. If you lose a few wagers, you may only have $2 in your account, but still have $20 left before you complete the requirement. That is tough to do since you would need to bet quite a few times with a small amount to make it.

Game Contributions Can Make or Break a Good Bonus

This is an often overlooked part of casino bonus wagering requirements, because it can turn a nice low 5x turnover into what feels like a 50x turnover. If you want to complete the playthrough requirement as quick as possible, slots almost always contribute 100% of the wager towards the turnover, but each bonus is different.

Typical game contributions look something like this:

  • Slots: 100%
  • Table Games: 20%
  • Live Dealer, Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette: 5-10%

Caesars Casino: Slot games 100%, video poker 50%, all other games, excl. craps 20%

DraftKings Casino: Slots, Lottery, Keno, Virtual Sports 100%; Blackjack, Other Table Games, & Select Slots 20%; Live Dealer Games, Video Poker, Baccarat, Roulette 10%.

FanDuel Casino: All games 100%

BetMGM Casino: Slots, Jackpot Slots, Scratch Cards, Fixed Odds Games, Virtual Games: 100%; Table Games, Roulette, Live Dealer (all games), Video Poker, Baccarat, Craps: 20%; Blackjack (non-Live Dealer only): 10%.

What Happens if I Don't Meet Wagering Requirements?

Unfortunately if you don't complete the wagering requirements for a bonus by the time the promotion period ends, your bonus funds will disappear and you won't have the chance to convert them to withdrawable money.

This is why it's incredibly important to know the terms of the bonus you want, and only deposit how much you can comfortably play through in the time allotted - but if you don't get the chance to play much, look for bonuses with a lower wagering requirement and higher game contributions to make it easier to complete.

Bonuses Ranked By Playthrough Requirement

Unlike in sports betting where most welcome bonuses only require you to wager the bonus amount once, casino bonuses have big values and bigger wagering requirements. Since actually getting any profit from a casino welcome offer can be a longer process, it makes the wagering requirement a much bigger factor in how we rank the best casino bonuses

1x Playthrough Requirement

We're highlighting the 1x playthrough requirement at the top because it is the best you can hope for from an online casino, and definitely makes us rate these bonuses much higher than they would otherwise be with something like a 10x turnover.

Fortunately, a few online casino bonuses have a 1x playthrough requirement, so actually getting some winnings as cash is way more achievable because you only need to bet your bonus once!

A $500 1x playthrough requirement means you just need to wager the $500 worth of bonus funds once in total, and any winnings are yours to withdraw!

1x Playthrough Bonuses

21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

  1. 100% Back up to $1000 + 50 Bonus Spins

  2. 100% Back up to $500 for 24 Hours

  3. 100% Deposit Bonus up to $250

2x Playthrough Requirement

Still on the very low end of casino wagering requirements for bonuses, a 2x playthrough requirement has users bet their bonus amount in total twice before the winnings are converted to cash.

This isn't too bad especially if you like higher RTP games, and there is still a really solid chance you end up with a good level of winnings after playing through the bonus funds.

  • a $100 bonus with 2x wagering requirement means you will need to bet $200 in total value* before winnings are yours to take home.

*dependent on game contribution rates

5x Playthrough Requirement

While there is a big difference between a 1x and 5x bonus playthrough requirement, wagering your bonus funds five times is still on the lower end, and is a nice plus for any casino bonus.

If you're really focused on profiting from the bonus rather than just testing out games, this turnover is where you will need to start considering RTP, volatility and game contribution more in order to preserve your funds as much as possible.

  • a $100 bonus with 5x wagering requirement means you will need to bet $500 in total value* before winnings are yours to take home.

*dependent on game contribution rates

5x Playthrough Bonuses

21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

  1. 150% Deposit Match up to $250 + 200 Free Spins

10x Playthrough Requirement

10x is starting to be the standard casino wagering requirement in the US, and while it is definitely more favorable to the casino, there is ample opportunity to end up with cash from the bonus.

Our recommendations would be to prioritise low volatility games, and play games that contribute in full to the turnover if you want to try and end up with cash - otherwise you can just enjoy the offer as a way to test out a new online casino!

  • a $100 bonus with 10x wagering requirement means you will need to bet $1,000 in total value* before winnings are yours to take home.

*dependent on game contribution rates

10x Playthrough Bonuses

21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

  1. $10 Sign Up Bonus + 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000
    and 2,500 Bonus Rewards Credits

  2. First Deposit Match up to $1000 + 200 Bonus Spins

15x Playthrough Requirement

Most online casinos that get to a 15x wagering requirement have excellent bonuses. Which makes sense since it's unlikely new players will end up converting much of the bonus unless they play smart. There is a ton of potential to win big here, but you will need to focus on how you play rather than just testing the waters.

Our recommendations are to prioritise low volatility games, and play games that contribute in full to the turnover, and keep track of how much you've bet if you want to try and end up with cash.

  • a $100 bonus with 15x wagering requirement means you will need to bet $1,500 in total value* before winnings are yours to take home.

*dependent on game contribution rates

15x Playthrough Bonuses

21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

  1. 100% Deposit Match up to $500

  2. 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 + $50 Free Play Bonus

  3. 100% Deposit Match up to $1,000 + $20 Bonus

20x Playthrough Requirement

There are some quality casino sign up offers in terms of value at a 20x playthrough requirement, but it can be tough to see any significant profit. Playing smart can net you some cash at the end, but based purely on RTP it's unliklely to be that much after wagering your funds that many times.

We still always recommend claiming a welcome bonus even if the best part is to test out the casino or because you might get some free spins alongside a high turnover bonus.

  • a $100 bonus with 20x wagering requirement means you will need to bet $2,000 in total value* before winnings are yours to take home.

*dependent on game contribution rates

20x Playthrough Bonuses

21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

  1. 100% New Player Bonus up to $1000

    21+. NJ only. Largest deposit into Bet365 within 7 days of registration prior to claiming casino welcome offer (min. $10) will be considered your qualifying deposit. This qualifying deposit will be matched 100% up to $1000, unless any portion is withdrawn, as it will no longer be considered 'qualifying'. Claim offer from 'My Offers' section in your account within 30 days to begin wagering with bonus funds. Wagering requirement of 20x the deposit plus bonus funds must be fulfilled within 60 days of claiming the offer to withdraw bonus funds. Full T's & C's apply, visit Bet365 for more details. #ad

  2. 100% Deposit Match up to $1000
    + 1000 Free Spins

30x Playthrough Requirement

30x turnovers can be very frustrating, and we really don't think they can be ranked particularly high up on our list unless the actual casino is great, the RTP is low, or there is a nice extra bonus like free spins or a no deposit bonus.

  • a $100 bonus with 30x wagering requirement means you will need to bet $3,000 in total value* before winnings are yours to take home.

*dependent on game contribution rates

30x Playthrough Bonuses

21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

  1. 100% Deposit Bonus up to $1000

  2. $20 Free & 120% Deposit Bonus up to $500

Casino Bonuses With No Wagering Requirement

Online casino bonuses will always have a wagering requirement, with one exception: cash back bonuses. Cash back casino bonuses work by insuring your wagers over a period of time up to a certain amount, and refund losses as cash. 

These are very rare bonuses, and will never leave you with a profit, but technically they don't have wagering requirements since the money you get back can be withdrawn

No Wagering Requirement Casino Bonuses

21+. Bet Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.

  1. Up to $100 Money Back Guarantee

How to Win With a Big Wagering Requirement

There is no foolproof way to win at on online casino, but getting through a casino bonus wagering requirement with some money to show at the end of it might not be a tricky as you think. While it may not sound super exciting, if you get through the bonus wagering requirements with anything left - you've turned a profit, and that's what these tips are designed to help with. 

    Know the Bonus Terms

    Obvious, but online casinos anticipate a lot of players not reading the fine print on their bonus, so they just play whatever games they like without considering the game contribution rate, or game exclusions. If you have a big wagering requirement, games that only put 10% of the stake towards completion just make it take forever to complete.

    • Game contribution rate is the biggie for large turnover requirements, and an often overlooked factor in why players don't ever see winnings from bonuses. Online casinos like it when players play slots, since generally they lose more money, so slots will almost always have a 100% contribution ($1 in bonus funds wagered = $1 towards the turnover requirement). But games like blackjack and roulette tend to have a much lower contributions due to how much money players can win, so you may only see a 20% contribution, or even as low as 5% (20% means if $10 is wagered with bonus funds, only $2 will actually count towards the turnover, so you'll need to win five times more)!
    • Game exclusions are the last major term to watch out for, since it may mean you can't play the games you like. Some casino bonuses only let you play a single game (usually for free spins), but most commonly a casino bonus with game exclusions will not let bonus funds be wagered on blackjack, baccarat, or craps since players win more there. You can still play them with bonus funds, but it wont count towards the turnover so it's pretty pointless if you're trying to win actual money at the end of it.

    Choose Profitable Casino Games

    Look for games with a higher RTP, as you can expected a greater average payout to the player. Most are between 90-96%, but certain slots games can be a bit higher, and have full game contribution. The lower the house advantage the better off you'll be, and a little cushion from some wins can protect the bonus funds as you work through the turnover.

    Play Low Volatility Games

    Similar to the above point, low volatility games are perfect to help improve your chances of walking away with some cash from your bonus. Volatility just refers to the differences in jackpot amounts, with high volatility games giving out infrequent but big wins, and low volatility games offering more frequent low value wins.

    While the amounts you may win on any given spin are generally low (no massive jackpots), the little and often approach is more likely to net you an overall profit in the long run, even if it's not much. But keep in mind that to make a bonus worth it you really only need to get through the turnover with funds left, not necessarily with a big profit.

    Casino Wagering Requirements FAQ

    What is a 1x playthrough requirement?

    A 1x playthrough requirement means that you need to wager the bonus amount in full once before any winnings can be withdrawn.

    For example, if you get $100 in bonus funds with a 1x playthrough requirement, you will need to bet $100 before any of the winnings can be withdrawn. If you wager $20 and win $25, you would still need to wager an additional $80 before that $5 of winnings is yours to keep.

    What is a 2x wagering requirement?

    A 2x wagering requirement just means that you need to play through your bonus funds twice before any associated winnings can be withdrawn. A $50 casino bonus with a 2x wagering requirement means you need to bet a total of $100 before the winnings are yours to keep!

    What does 25x playthrough mean?

    Like a 1x playthrough requirement, a 25x playthough means that you need to wager the bonus amount in full twenty five times before any winnings can be withdrawn.

    For example, if you get $100 in bonus funds with a 1x playthrough requirement, you will need to bet $2500 in total before any of the winnings can be withdrawn. If you wager $1000 and win $1500, you would still need to wager an additional $1500 before that $500 of winnings is yours to keep.

    What are the lowest wagering requirement casino bonuses?

    Every casino has a wagering requirement tied to their bonus unless it is a cash back bonus, in which case wagering requirements don't apply because you're not playing with bonus funds.

    The lowest wagering requirement of any online casino in the US is 1x - meaning the amount of the bonus funds will need to be bet in full once before winnings can be taken out as cash.

    How do I get around wagering requirements?

    The short answer is you don't, but the longer answer is there are a number of ways to make the wagering requirements as easy as possible.

    • Play games with high game contributions
    • Claim bonuses with lower turnovers
    • Claim bonuses with longer expiry times
    • Keep track of how much you've played through

    What happens if you don't meet wagering requirements?

    Sadly most bonuses disappear if you don't meet the wagering requirements by the time the bonus expires. And this is generally made worse by the fact that most casino bonuses have you play through deposited cash before the bonus funds actually kick in.

    When signing up and claiming a new online casino bonus, make sure to double check the wagering requirements and expiration so you know exactly how much you'll need to play to get some value from the bonus.

    You do always have the option if withdrawing from the bonus early if you just want to play with the cash you deposited and not worry about wagering requirements, but this does mean you won't have the chance to opt back in and potentially score some winnings.

    How much is 1x wagering?

    1x wagering is just a term for wagering the exact amount you've been awarded as a bonus. If there are 1x wagering requirements (play through or turnover are also the same thing) on your bonus, you just need to bet that amount in total once before any winnings can be withdrawn!

    Is turnover and playthrough the same thing?

    Yes! Turnover and playthrough both refer to how many times you need to be your bonus funds before they are converted into cash. Wagering requirement is another term for the same process!

    Do no deposit bonuses have wagering requirements?

    Yes, and generally they are quite high - which makes sense since online casinos don't actually want to give away money. But if you make it through the entire wagering requirement and have funds or winnings left over then that is pure profit.

    What are game contribution rates?

    Different games types, like slots, table games, blackjack, and roulette will all contribute to your wagering requirement differently.

    What we mean by this is a dollar of bonus funds wagered on an online casino may not always be a dollar earned towards the playthrough requirement. Typical game contributions run like this:

    • Slots: 100%
    • Table Games: 20%
    • Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat: 5-10%

    The reason online casinos do this is because certain games like blackjack tend to pay out to players on a much higher rate, so they don't want you to be able to complete your wagering requirement and win a ton of money with relative ease compared to something like slots. But if you don't look at the contributions for each different bonus, you may end up wondering why you've played through your bonus funds way more than you expected and still not received any cash.

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