Every casino bonus comes with a catch. Here's how wagering requirements are calculated, why the headline number alone doesn't tell you much, and the red flags that separate a fair bonus from a trap.
Published July 15, 2026
A wagering requirement (sometimes called a playthrough requirement) is the amount you need to bet before bonus funds - or winnings from those funds - can be withdrawn. A "25x" requirement on a $100 bonus means you need to wager $2,500 in total before that bonus becomes withdrawable cash.
The headline multiplier is only half the picture. A 30x requirement on the bonus amount only is very different from 30x on your deposit plus bonus combined - the second version roughly doubles how much you actually need to wager. Always check which base amount the multiplier applies to before comparing offers.
Not every bet counts equally toward clearing a bonus. Slots typically count 100% toward wagering requirements, while table games like blackjack or roulette are often weighted much lower - sometimes as low as 10-20% - specifically because they carry a lower house edge. Playing blackjack to clear a slots-focused bonus can mean your bets barely move the needle.
Treat these as warning signs: a maximum cashout cap that's lower than the bonus itself (turning a "free" bonus into a capped prize), a short clearance window under 7 days on a large bonus, wagering requirements applied to your deposit rather than just the bonus, and terms that are hard to find or vague about game weighting.
Every casino we review on this site has its wagering requirement, clearance window, and (where published) game-weighting rules listed on its review page - always cross-check the live terms on the casino's own site before depositing, since bonus terms can change without notice.