Wagering Requirement Calculator
Headline bonus sizes hide the real cost. Enter the terms below to see how much you have to bet to release a bonus and what that turnover is expected to cost on a game with a given RTP.
Wagering required
$3,500.00
Actual turnover needed
$3,500.00
Expected loss while wagering
$140.00
Expected bonus value
-$40.00
Expected values are long-run averages that assume flat betting and ignore max-bet rules, win caps, and the chance of going bust before finishing. Real sessions vary widely — a positive number is not a prediction that you will profit.
How the calculation works
- Wagering required = wagering multiplier × bonus (or × deposit + bonus).
- Actual turnover = wagering required ÷ game contribution. At 20% contribution you stake five times as much.
- Expected loss = actual turnover × house edge, where house edge = 100% − RTP.
- Expected bonus value = bonus − expected loss. If it's negative, the bonus is expected to cost more than it gives.
Example: a $100 bonus at 35× on a 96% RTP slot needs $3,500 of bets. The 4% house edge on $3,500 is $140, so the bonus is expected to be worth −$40 — even though it looked like free money.
See how we weigh bonus terms in our rating methodology, compare offers on our bonuses page, or estimate session costs with the RTP calculator.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a wagering requirement?+
A wagering (or playthrough) requirement is the total amount you must bet before bonus funds and their winnings can be withdrawn. A $100 bonus with 35× wagering means $3,500 in bets.
Does the wagering requirement apply to my deposit too?+
It depends on the terms. Some casinos apply the multiplier to the bonus only; others to deposit plus bonus, which doubles the turnover on a 100% match. Check the bonus terms for wording like "(D+B)".
What does game contribution mean?+
Not every game counts fully toward wagering. If blackjack contributes 10%, a $10 hand only counts as $1, so you would need to stake ten times more to clear the same requirement.
What is a good wagering requirement?+
Lower is better. As a rule of thumb, requirements at or under 30× the bonus are considered player-friendly, while 50× and above usually make a bonus hard to clear at a profit on a typical 96% RTP slot.