What a wagering requirement actually is
A wagering requirement, sometimes called playthrough, is the total amount you must stake before money won from a bonus becomes withdrawable cash. It is written as a multiplier: 20x, 35x, 50x and so on.
The multiplier alone tells you very little. What matters is the base it applies to. A 35x requirement on a £20 bonus means £700 of stakes. The same 35x applied to bonus plus deposit, with a £20 deposit, means £1,400. Two offers can advertise identical multipliers and differ by a factor of two.
Working the maths out before you opt in
Multiply the bonus (or bonus plus deposit, if that is the stated base) by the multiplier to get your required turnover. Then compare that figure with how you actually play. If you normally stake £1 a spin and play a few hundred spins a month, £700 of turnover is realistic; £1,400 within seven days probably is not.
- Required turnover = bonus (or bonus + deposit) × multiplier.
- Adjust upwards if your preferred games are weighted below 100%.
- Divide by your typical stake to estimate the number of rounds needed.
- Check that number fits inside the expiry window.
Wagering does not mean losing that money. Stakes recycle as you win and lose, so the turnover figure is not a deposit figure. It does mean extended exposure to the house edge, which is why longer requirements reduce the practical value of an offer.
Game weighting and excluded games
Contribution rates vary by game type. Slots typically count in full, live dealer and table games count partially or not at all, and progressive jackpot titles are often excluded outright. Some operators also exclude specific high-return slots.
The practical effect is large. On a £700 requirement, playing a game weighted at 10% turns the real turnover needed into £7,000. Always open the bonus terms and find the contribution table before deciding which games to play.
The other terms that change the value
- Expiry: commonly 7 to 30 days. A short window with a high multiplier is the most restrictive combination there is.
- Maximum bet: a per-round stake cap while wagering is active. Breaching it can forfeit the bonus.
- Maximum conversion: a cap on how much of your bonus winnings can become cash, often expressed as a multiple of the bonus.
- Eligible deposit methods: some payment methods, historically certain e-wallets, are excluded from bonus eligibility.
- Order of funds: whether cash or bonus balance is used first affects how easily you can withdraw mid-play.
What UK rules require of operators
Operators licensed by the UK Gambling Commission must present bonus terms clearly and must not apply terms that are unfair or misleading. Significant conditions — wagering, expiry, caps — should be visible alongside the offer rather than buried. The Competition and Markets Authority has previously acted against terms that restricted withdrawal of a player's own deposited funds.
Clear terms are not the same as good terms. Regulation sets a floor for disclosure; comparing the actual numbers is still your job.
Frequently asked questions
- What does 35x wagering mean?
- It means the bonus amount must be staked 35 times before bonus winnings can be withdrawn. On a £20 bonus that is £700 of total stakes. Some sites apply the multiplier to bonus plus deposit instead, which doubles the amount you need to stake, so always check which basis is used.
- Why do some games contribute less towards wagering?
- Operators weight games by house edge. Slots usually count 100%, while roulette, blackjack and other table games often count between 0% and 20% because their theoretical return is higher. Playing a 10%-weighted game means £10 staked only clears £1 of the requirement.
- What is a max bet rule?
- Most bonus terms cap the stake you may place while a wagering requirement is active, commonly around £5 per spin or hand. Exceeding the cap can void the bonus and any winnings from it, even accidentally, so check the figure before you play.
- Are no-wagering bonuses better?
- They are simpler, because winnings are paid as cash with no playthrough. They are usually smaller and may still carry expiry dates, eligible-game lists or a cap on winnings, so a no-wagering offer is not automatically the better value one — compare the realistic outcome, not the headline number.
Related guides
How reload bonuses work for existing UK players, the wagering terms that matter and how reloads differ from welcome offers.
Debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Pay by Bank and prepaid options at UK casinos — how each works, and why credit cards are not allowed.
What really determines how quickly a UK casino pays out — pending periods, KYC checks, payment rails and weekend banking.
This guide is general information, not financial or legal advice. Gambling should be treated as paid entertainment and never as a way to make money. 18+ only. Free, confidential support is available at BeGambleAware.org.