Online casinos heavily advertise their services on TV, social media, the radio, and online. They do this by highlighting their outstanding gaming variety and, more importantly, their welcome bonuses.
The small print is usually quoted at the end of the advert, in a manner that no human can decipher. Likewise, online casino bonuses present the match rates, bonus values, and free spins in big bold letters, while communicating the wagering requirement in the smallest fonts possible.
The wagering requirements aren’t the only bonus conditions, but they usually keep you from cashing out. So, on this page, our experts discuss the bonus wagering requirements and aspects related to their communication by casino operators.
Given the recent talks by the UKGC for a holistic change to this gaming aspect, we also highlight potential changes that would benefit customers and make this part of casino gaming fairer.
Understanding wagering requirements at online casinos
For new players to online casinos, let us first describe exactly what the casino wagering requirements are.
For starters, online casinos typically set this condition on all deposited money, and higher ones when claiming a bonus. The wagering requirement describes the number of times the real money deposit, bonus cash, free spins winnings, or combined deposit and bonus amount must be played on selected games before the player can withdraw it.
In the example of a 100% match bonus up to $100 with a 30x wagering requirement, here are the two possible scenarios:
- Wagering requirement applies on bonus only: $100 x 30; you must bet $3,000 before being eligible to withdraw the remaining funds.
- Wagering requirement applies on deposit and bonus: $200 x 30; you must bet $6,000 before being eligible to withdraw the remaining funds.
Since no wagering bonuses for new players are non-existent at most online casinos and iGaming markets, you will typically face a situation similar to the above. Even deposited money usually carries 1 – 3x wagering requirements.
Reality vs perception
Since most players deposit money to play games, the 1x wagering requirement is sensible. It protects the casino from unknowingly engaging in money laundering activities and therefore makes sense.
Anything over that rate when you haven’t claimed a bonus is criminal. Casino accounts are designed to store funds on top of facilitating gaming, and players shouldn’t be forced to play more than they are required to by the law.
Unfortunately, most gamblers don’t bother with small details like this. The majority doesn’t even mind wagering requirements as high as 70x.
Based on my experience, players mostly care about playing and read the small print after winning only. Moreover, the average gamer doesn’t realize the true extent of a 40x wagering requirement on a sum equal to $500 – it means wagering $20,000 before being eligible for cash out.
Let’s imagine that the average player makes a $500 deposit and grabs a $500 bonus on top with 30x wagering requirements (lower than the industry average). After 10 spins, they win $4,000 and are ready to withdraw from the casino. Here is where the wagering requirement kicks in, prohibiting withdrawals until a total of $15,000 has been wagered. Proceeding to cash out will cost the player all of their winnings and bonus funds.
Even if you hit a breakthrough win like this, the amount is likely to disappear in the long haul, which is why casinos place bonus wagering requirements in the first place.
UKGC considering ban or cap on wagering requirements
Although most casino review sites and industry experts only care about promoting gambling sites, we always strive to be informative first.
Thankfully, iGaming authorities in some countries have taken notice of how casino practices like bonus wagering requirements are conceived by players and affect their gaming experience and are considering action.
In mid-2024, the UKGC began surveys to evaluate how players perceive bonus wagering requirements and their thoughts on the matter. Ultimately, they are looking at capping bonus wagering requirements on a set amount, changing their wording, or removing them completely.
The ideal scenario would be placing a cap on casino bonus wagering requirements at 1x. Most sports betting bonuses work in the same way, and the same rule applies to deposited money anyway.
The wording should state that the bonus funds must be played and only winnings would be cashable, and this would end the conversation. Additional game restrictions would protect casinos from casino bonus abuse practices and 50/50 bets, although the latter should be permitted in our view.
Having the bonus wagering requirement removed completely doesn’t seem likely; online casinos must ensure that they don’t simply act as mediators of money transfers, or they would be liable to legal recourse.
Wording matters, study finds
A study conducted on the topic by an independent body found that 7/10 players were unable to calculate the implications of a wagering requirement, with an even higher percentage (9/10) when the limitation applied to the deposit and bonus amount.
As players who understand online gambling in-depth, we see how users wouldn’t even be wary of high wagering requirements when feeling eager to play.
Personally, I’ve claimed the most unfair bonuses when on a low budget just to secure a bit more playtime. When in fact doing so essentially canceled any winning potential I had in the first place.
The case for and against casino bonus wagering requirements
Online casinos discovered the need for wagering requirements the hard way. I still remember the first days of online gambling when players claimed bonuses and ran away with the free money. Low wagering requirements without game restrictions also led to heavy bonus abuse. The above destroyed numerous inexperienced online casinos and established the need for casino bonus T&Cs.
Nowadays, online casinos regulate their bonuses too heavily. Table games and live dealer games do not contribute to the playthrough at all, as is the case with any good RTP slot game and jackpot title. Casino bonuses also limit the maximum bet per spin, tie the D + B with WR, and more.
There is no good reason for doing the above. US online casinos and most UK sports betting sites take a sensible approach towards bonus WR, with 1x or similar player-friendly conditions. On the other hand, offshore, NZ, CA, and other online casinos operating worldwide under the oversight of MGA place 30 – 40x WR on their bonuses. This should change, and the only way such a shift will come about is if players learn more about the topic and experts penalize gambling sites that decide to stick with unreasonably high restrictions.
We made the start, now it’s your turn!