Wagering requirements (also called playthrough requirements or rollover) are the single most important thing to understand before accepting any casino bonus. They determine whether a bonus is genuinely worth taking or whether it's an expensive trap that ties up your money.
This guide explains exactly what wagering requirements mean, how to calculate them, which games count most efficiently toward clearing them, and how to decide whether a bonus is actually worth accepting.
What does "35x wagering" mean?
A wagering requirement expressed as 35x (or "35×") means you must place bets totaling 35 times the bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings derived from that bonus.
Example: 100% bonus with 35x wagering
Deposit + bonus vs. bonus only wagering
Some casinos calculate wagering on deposit + bonus, others on bonus only. This is a huge difference. Always check which calculation method applies.
Same 35x requirement — two different calculations
Deposit + bonus wagering effectively doubles the amount you need to wager. A "35x" requirement that applies to deposit + bonus is equivalent to a 70x bonus-only requirement. Most reputable casinos calculate wagering on the bonus only — but always verify this in the terms.
How to calculate the real value of a bonus
Use this formula to find the expected value of a deposit bonus after accounting for the house edge:
Bonus EV = Bonus Amount − (Required Wager × House Edge)
Where house edge for standard slots is typically 3–5% (95–97% RTP). Using 4% (96% RTP):
BC Game: 120% bonus, 35x wagering, $100 deposit
A 120% bonus with 35x wagering at 4% house edge has negative expected value. The bonus adds $120 but costs $168 in expected house edge losses during rollover. You'd be better off depositing without the bonus and playing the same amount.
This math changes significantly with lower wagering (20x or less) or with very high-RTP games (99%+ RTP games like blackjack, where house edge is ~0.5%).
Which games count toward wagering?
Almost every casino restricts which games count toward clearing a bonus wagering requirement. Typical contribution rates:
| Game Type | Typical Contribution | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Slots | 100% | High house edge, fast play. Casino's preferred wagering game. |
| Blackjack | 10–25% | Very low house edge (~0.5%). Casino restricts contribution heavily. |
| Roulette | 25–50% | Moderate house edge. Contribution varies by casino and variant. |
| Video Poker | 10–20% | Skill element reduces effective house edge. Often heavily restricted. |
| Live Casino | 10–50% | Varies widely. Some casinos exclude live games from bonus play entirely. |
| Provably Fair Originals (Crash, Mines) | 100% | High house edge, fast play. Usually full contribution at crypto casinos. |
| Sports Betting | 0–10% | Often excluded entirely from casino bonus wagering. |
At crypto casinos, provably fair originals like Crash, Mines, and Dice typically contribute 100% toward bonus wagering — and they have higher theoretical RTPs (~99%) than many slots, making them mathematically superior for clearing bonuses.
Wagering comparison across top crypto casinos
| Casino | Bonus | Wagering | Applied to | Our score |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BC Game | 120% first deposit | 35× | Bonus only | 94/100 |
| Bitstarz | 200 spins + 100% | 40× | Bonus only | 91/100 |
| Cloudbet | 100% up to 5 BTC | 40× | Bonus only | 88/100 |
| Gamdom | 15% rakeback · 7 days | 0× (no wagering) | N/A | 88/100 |
| Roobet | 20% rakeback · 7 days | 0× (no wagering) | N/A | 86/100 |
| Duelbits | Unlimited daily rakeback | 0× (no wagering) | N/A | 84/100 |
Some casinos advertise "no wagering required" on free spins but apply wagering requirements to winnings from those spins. "No wagering free spins" should mean the winnings are immediately withdrawable — always verify in the terms whether it's the spins or the winnings that are wagering-free.
When should you accept a bonus with wagering requirements?
The answer depends on the math and your playing style:
- Accept when: Wagering is 20× or lower with 100% game contribution. At 20x and 4% house edge, the expected loss during rollover is 80% of the bonus — still often negative EV, but the gap is smaller.
- Accept when: You plan to play through that volume anyway. If you were going to wager $7,000 regardless, the bonus is essentially free money.
- Skip when: Wagering is 40×+ on deposit + bonus. This typically makes the bonus negative expected value even on high-RTP games.
- Skip when: You prefer cash flexibility. Accepting a bonus locks your deposit behind the wagering requirement — you often can't withdraw until you complete rollover.
- Consider rakeback instead: For regular players, Gamdom's 15% or Roobet's 20% rakeback (both 0× wagering) nearly always outperforms a deposit bonus in real-world value.
Wagering requirement glossary
- Playthrough / rollover: Alternative terms for wagering requirement. All mean the same thing.
- Wagering on deposit + bonus: Requires wagering the combined total (deposit + bonus), typically 2× harder to clear than bonus-only wagering.
- Time limit: Most bonuses expire if not wagered within 7–30 days. Expired bonus = forfeited funds.
- Maximum bet: Most bonuses restrict bet size (often $5–$10 max) while the bonus is active. Violating this voids the bonus.
- Maximum cashout: Some bonuses cap how much you can withdraw from bonus winnings (e.g., "max withdrawal = 5× bonus amount"). A $100 bonus with a 5× cap means the most you can ever withdraw from it is $500 regardless of winnings.
- Game exclusions: Specific games or game categories excluded from bonus wagering. Always check the excluded games list before playing.