Casino Welcome Bonuses & Wagering Requirements Explained
A big bonus headline can hide tough terms. Here is how wagering requirements really work — and how to tell a good offer from a trap.
"100% up to €500 + 200 free spins" sounds fantastic — but the true value of any casino bonus is decided by the fine print, not the headline. This guide explains bonus terms in plain English so you know exactly what you are claiming and can tell a genuinely good offer from a trap.
What is a wagering requirement?
A wagering requirement (also called "playthrough") is the number of times you must bet the bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings from it. If you receive a €100 bonus with 35x wagering, you must place €3,500 in bets first. The maths is simple: bonus × multiplier = total you must wager.
Some casinos apply wagering to the bonus only; others apply it to deposit + bonus, which effectively doubles it. Always check which. As a rule of thumb: under 35x is competitive, 35–45x is average, and above 50x is tough.
Game weighting matters
Not every game contributes equally to wagering. Typical weightings are:
- Slots — usually 100%.
- Table games (blackjack, roulette) — often 10% or less.
- Live casino — frequently 10% or excluded.
This means clearing a bonus on slots is far faster than on blackjack. Always read the weighting table before switching games, or you could bet for hours and barely dent the requirement.
Free spins and their terms
Free spins come with their own rules: a fixed value per spin (e.g. €0.10), a list of eligible slots, and wagering on any winnings they produce. "200 free spins" on a low-value slot is worth less than it sounds, so check the per-spin value and the wagering that applies to winnings.
Types of casino bonus
- Welcome / deposit match — the casino matches a percentage of your first deposit.
- Free spins — spins on selected slots, often bundled with a welcome offer.
- No-deposit bonus — a small bonus just for registering; rare and usually low-value with high wagering.
- Cashback — a percentage of losses returned, often with low or no wagering.
- VIP / loyalty rewards — ongoing perks for regular players.
The terms that catch players out
- Time limits — bonuses often expire in 7–30 days; miss it and the bonus and winnings are gone.
- Max bet — betting above the cap (commonly €5) while a bonus is active can void it entirely.
- Max cashout — some offers cap what you can withdraw from bonus winnings, e.g. 5x the bonus.
- Excluded payment methods — Skrill and Neteller deposits sometimes do not qualify for the bonus.
- Excluded games — the highest-RTP slots are often barred while wagering.
How to judge an offer quickly
Ignore the headline number for a moment and ask: what is the wagering multiple, does it apply to bonus or deposit+bonus, what is the max bet and time limit, and is there a cashout cap? A €100 bonus at 30x with no cap can be far better value than a €500 bonus at 60x capped at 5x. Fair terms beat big numbers almost every time.
The bottom line
Bonuses can add real value, but only if you read the terms and play within them. Compare current offers in our casino bonuses guide, pick a licensed site from our top-rated list, and only claim what fits your budget. 18+. T&Cs apply. Gamble responsibly.
