Wagering requirements explained

The formula

A match bonus is your deposit times the match percentage. A $100 deposit with a 100% match gives a $100 bonus. A $25 deposit with a 300% match gives a $75 bonus.

The wager requirement is then the bonus times the multiplier. A 25x wager requirement on a $100 bonus is $100 × 25 = $2,500 in bets.

Some casinos apply the multiplier to deposit plus bonus instead. The same $100 deposit and $100 bonus at a 25x wager requirement then becomes ($100 + $100) × 25 = $5,000. The only difference is what the terms say the multiplier applies to, so read that line first.

Worked example: 500 Casino

500 Casino's welcome, as described on our 500 Casino bonus page, is about a 300% match up to $15,000 plus 50 free spins on a first eligible deposit over about $25, with a 40x wager requirement on the bonus. Confirm the current terms in the cashier before you deposit.

A deposit of about $25, the smallest that qualifies: $25 × 300% = $75 bonus, and $75 × 40 = $3,000 in bets before that bonus can be withdrawn.

Largest match: $5,000 × 300% = $15,000 bonus, which is the cap, and $15,000 × 40 = $600,000 in bets.

The free spins carry their own rules in the cashier. They are separate from these numbers.

Worked example: Shuffle

Shuffle's first-deposit offer, as documented on our Shuffle bonus page, is a 100% deposit match up to $1,000 with a $20 minimum deposit and 35x wagering on deposit plus bonus. Bets are capped at $10 while the rollover is active. Confirm the current terms on Shuffle before you deposit.

$20 deposit: $20 bonus, and ($20 + $20) × 35 = $1,400 in bets.

$100 deposit: $100 bonus, and ($100 + $100) × 35 = $7,000 in bets.

$1,000 deposit: $1,000 bonus, and ($1,000 + $1,000) × 35 = $70,000 in bets.

At the $10 cap, the $7,000 example needs at least 700 bets ($7,000 ÷ $10 = 700). That is a minimum. Most sessions need more, because most bets are smaller than the cap.

What the requirement costs you

Every bet loses a small amount on average. A slot with a 96% RTP returns $96 for every $100 wagered over a very long run, so the average cost is 4 cents per dollar. Wagering $3,000 costs about $120 on average ($3,000 × 4% = $120). Wagering $7,000 costs about $280 ($7,000 × 4% = $280).

Set that against the bonus. The $75 bonus in the 500 Casino example needs $3,000 in bets, which costs about $120 on average. The $100 bonus in the Shuffle example needs $7,000 in bets, which costs about $280 on average. In both cases the average cost of clearing the requirement is larger than the bonus.

That does not mean you will lose. A short session can finish well ahead or well behind. It means the bonus is not free money, and that the requirement is the price you pay for it.

A rule of thumb: on a requirement that applies to the bonus only, the break-even multiplier is 1 ÷ the house edge. At a 4% edge that is a 25x wager requirement. Anything above a 25x wager requirement costs more than it is worth on average at a 96% RTP, before game weighting and bet caps. When the multiplier applies to deposit plus bonus, the cost per bonus dollar is higher still. This is an example at 96%, not a promise: RTP differs by game and by casino setting.

Other terms that change the maths

Game weighting. A casino can set how much each game counts toward the requirement. Read the terms and never assume a slot, a table game and a sports bet count the same.

Maximum bet. Shuffle caps bets at $10 while the rollover is active. Going over the cap can void progress or winnings under the promo rules.

Restrictions. On Shuffle, bonus buys, accumulator-style games and challenges are restricted while you roll. Withdrawals, tips and vault on the rollover currency stay locked until the rollover clears.

Time limits. Some bonuses expire. Look for a number of days in the terms.

Rakeback is a different deal

Our casino pages describe rakeback on Stake, Rainbet and Gamdom as a return on play that you can withdraw, not a second balance you have to bet through. That is a different job from a match bonus. The comparison is in rakeback vs wagering.

Roobet's page describes instant rakeback on its Rewards panel and a weekly raffle rather than a numeric welcome. The current terms are on the Roobet bonus page and in the cashier.

Before you opt in

Find these six lines in the terms: what the multiplier applies to (the bonus, or deposit plus bonus); the maximum bet while it is active; how many days you have; which games count and by how much; what stays locked until it clears; and what happens to winnings if you break a rule. If any of them is missing, ask support before you deposit.

A bonus never makes the maths profitable. Deposit only what you can afford to lose, and stop if it stops being fun. 18+. Play only where it is legal. See responsible play.