Combining Math With Gambling: Wagering Requirements Explained

With the rise of online casinos and sportsbook sites, the gambling industry needs proper safeguards to ensure a secure environment for players and gaming operators. 

For bookies and casino operators, wagering requirements are a necessary evil they demand from bettors, guaranteeing that players refrain from prematurely withdrawing the bonuses that are freely given to them.

Highlights of the Article

• Players must first meet the wagering requirements to start withdrawing real cash.
• Identify how much of the playthrough requirement the online casino asks about the given bonus. It is usually in the form of multipliers of 1x, 5x, 10x, or 20x.
• Bonuses in the form of free spins: the wagering requirement only applies to the winnings incurred by the free spins. 
• Three strategies are advised to beat Wagering Requirements on Sports Betting: maximizing the first deposit bonus, trying out Parlay Bets, and Proposition Betting.
• In Sports Betting, only one active bonus is allowed at a time. A player cannot receive another bonus if the first one is still in force. 
• A risk-free bet in sports betting is not actually risk-free. The players still need to fulfill the wagering requirements imposed to withdraw winnings.
• Calculating wagering requirements in online casinos and sportsbooks is almost the same by principle. They only differ based on the kind of bonus a player receives.

Before diving into the fundamentals of wagering requirements to understand this concept further, let’s define “wager” and “wagering”.  

Wager or Playthrough Requirement: An In-Depth Guide

Bookmakers and online casino operators impose a requirement to guarantee that the system remains abuse-free, as it prohibits players from withdrawing their winnings until the condition is met.

The wagering requirement is a safety feature to keep gambling platforms from going bankrupt while attracting players with bonuses, making it a win-win situation for operators and players.

A wager shows how much money a player shells out and gambles. Meanwhile, bonuses are the free spins and coins operators give as a promotion, sign-up gift, etc.

Side Note

Wagering requirements are essential to how sports betting works.

This system ensures that bookmakers avoid getting exploited by abusive individuals who plan on just signing up for an account, claiming a bonus, and then leaving with the bonus without placing a bet.

Wagering requirements often serve as multipliers to the given bonus from casino winnings. A multiplier is essential to casino games, particularly in games like Crash Gambling, where it is a central point.

Here are the other terms gamblers use in referring to wagering requirements:

• Multiplier
• Bonus rollover
• Playthrough requirements

Until a player meets the wagering requirement, any winnings will go to a player’s pending balance, which the player could also wager again to reach the condition.

Side Note

In gambling, players may encounter the terms wagering requirement, playthrough, and rollover. All these terms mean the same thing, and different casinos use different terms.

Wagering requirements work similarly for both online casinos and sports betting. They use them differently by imposing different rules and conditions based on the bonuses they give out.

Below is a detailed guide on how to beat the wagering requirements to cash out your lucky winnings.

General Tips For Navigating The Wagering Requirements

A player must first beat the wagering requirements to withdraw real cash. Therefore, it is necessary to understand how to calculate these numbers. 

Adopting strategies to heighten your chances of meeting the playthrough requirements is essential. This method will increase your chances of withdrawing your lucky cash.

The sections below shall provide formulas and an in-depth guide on computing the wagering requirement for sportsbooks and casinos.

How to Calculate Your Wagering Requirement in Casino Games

An essential skill a gambler should learn is calculating wagering requirements. This concept may need clarification at first. But trust that it becomes easy upon study and application. 

A player receives two bonuses from online gambling/casino sites:

• Free wagers/cash bonus,
• Free spins.

Take a look at how wagering requirements are calculated for these bonuses in the following sections.

Online Casino Free Wagers and Cash Bonus

Cash bonuses are given chiefly by online casinos to entice gamblers to continue playing for more. Players tend to play in casinos with big promotions and offers. 

Take a closer look at the step-by-step guide on computing the total wagering requirement of the casinos:

1. Determine the wagering requirement stipulated by the online casino. It is usually in multipliers (1x, 5x, 10x, 20x, and so on).
2. Identify the value of the reward bonus the online casino gives. 
3. Fill out the values in the formula for calculating the total.

FORMULA

(Reward Bonus) x (Wagering Requirement) = TOTAL WAGER

If the wagering requirement includes the player’s deposit, the formula changes to:

FORMULA

[(Reward Sum) + (Deposit)] x (Wagering Requirement) = TOTAL WAGER

To help you understand it better, look at the examples below in calculating 10x and 25x wagering requirements.

10x Wagering Requirement in Free Wagers 

10x Wagering means that the player has to place a bet ten times the bonus the casino has given. 

If the online casino grants a player free $40 as a sign-up bonus with a wagering requirement of 10x, the calculation is as follows: 

10X WAGERING REQUIREMENT FORMULA:

($40) x (10) = $400

After following the formula, a player must spend $400 in the game before being eligible to withdraw their winnings. 

25x Wagering Requirement (with Player Deposit) in Free Wagers

25x Wagering means that a player has to bet the combined bonus and deposit made by the player twenty-five times.

Suppose the online casino had granted a player a bonus of $50. The player deposited another $50, and the wagering requirement is 25x. Following the second formula above, the calculation would be: 

[($50) + ($50)] x (25) = $2,000

In that case, the player has to bet a total of $2,000 before withdrawing their winnings. 

Online Casino Free Spins

In the case of Free Spin bonuses, the wagering requirement only applies to the winnings incurred by the free spins. 

Online casinos offer three main types of free spins. Knowing each type will give you better chances of claiming bonuses and promotions.

1. “No Deposit” Free Spins:

No Deposit-Free Spins are the most attractive, allowing players to claim spins without depositing money in the casino. Still, it usually amounts to a smaller number of spins.

Quick Tip

Aside from Free Spins and Cash Bonuses, crypto casinos implement features like Instant Withdrawals.

The Instant Withdrawal feature enables players to receive their money as fast as 30 minutes after winning.

2. “Deposit” Free Spins:

This spin requires a deposit before earning several spins, and this bonus has the slightest wagering restrictions.

3. “Wager-free” Free Spins:

Wager-free Free Spins are a type of player-friendly bonus because they remove the wavering requirement from the promotion.

Among the free spins bonuses, “No Wager” Free Spins is the best. Players no longer have to play rigorously to achieve the wagering requirements to claim the offer’s total value.

To calculate the total wagering requirement with free spins, a player must first identify the following elements:

• The wagering requirement
• The total number of free spins given
• The value of each spin
• The total winning after all the free spins.

Use this formula to get the amount of the TOTAL BONUS (not the total wagering requirement): 

FORMULA

(Number of Spins) x (Value Per Spin) = TOTAL BONUS

Note that the wagering requirement is not based on this result. Instead, as mentioned above, the wagering requirement is based on the total winnings incurred by using all the free spins. 

To calculate the total wagering requirement, use this formula: 

FORMULA

(Total Winnings) x (Wagering Requirement) = TOTAL WAGER

Take a closer look at the examples in computing the wagering requirement in the form of 35x and 10x wagering requirements.

35x Wagering Requirement the Free Spin Bonus

For example, the Free Spin bonus has a 35x wagering requirement; the player gets 50 free spins, and each spin costs $0.10. To get the value of the total bonus:

FORMULA
(Number of Spins) x (Value Per Spin) = TOTAL BONUS

(50 Free Spins) x ($0.10) = $5

Multiplying the number of spins and its value gets us the total bonus of $5.

The value above is not the wagering requirement. As mentioned, the wagering requirement will be based on the total winnings incurred by using the free spins.

Let us use the result of the total bonus above and suppose the player also won $10 after using all free spins. Following the formula, the calculations should be as follows: 

FORMULA

(Total Winnings) x (Wagering Requirement) = TOTAL WAGER

($10) x (35) = $350

The total wagering requirement before a player can cash out their winnings in a 35x multiplier is $350.

Did You Know?

Around 48% of the states in America legally allow sports betting through virtual and onsite bookmakers.

Now that wagering requirements for casinos have been explained, the next section shall discuss how to calculate the wagering requirement in sports betting.

How to Calculate Your Wagering Requirement in Sports Betting

The wagering requirements for sports betting are similar to casino playthrough requirements. They are mandatory wagers a player has to pay based on the bonus given before they can withdraw their winnings. 

Warning

Each country has its laws regarding sports betting. To avoid penalties, gamblers should first learn which countries allow sports bets before diving deep into the activity.

The usual wagering requirements for sports betting are from 1x to 5x. Remember that bookmakers also impose a wagering requirement of 15x or higher.

Completing a multiplier requires a player to bet both the deposit and the bonus funds according to the multiplier the casino demands. Thus, different bonuses entail different wagering requirements.

There are different kinds of bonuses in sports betting. Check out how their wagering requirements are calculated below. 

1. Matched Deposit Bonus

Calculating the total wager for a Matched Deposit Bonus requires the use of this formula: 

FORMULA

(Deposit) x (Bonus) x (Wagering Requirement) = TOTAL WAGER

Example:

Say that a player deposited $2,000. The sportsbook offers a 50% matched deposit bonus of up to $1,000, with a multiplier of 5x. 

Side Note

Sportsbooks provide matched deposit bonuses. The percentage of the deposited amount will match the rate of the bonus funds. Usually, this kind of bonus comes with a capped amount. 

To get the value of the deposit match bonus, the calculation is: 

• $2,000 x 50% = $1,000 (Deposit Match Bonus Value) 

Therefore, by following the formula to get the total wagering requirement, the calculation is: 

• ($1,000) + ($2,000) x (5) = $11,000 

The TOTAL WAGER a player needs to bet before withdrawing their winnings is $11,000. 

Quick Tip

The speed at which a player clears the wagering requirements relies on their bet amount. As a general rule: Low Stakes Betting = Slower Stakes Betting = Faster

2. Risk-Free Bet 

Gambling is always a risk. There is no assurance that a player will win after hours of playing. However, specific promotional bonuses from sportsbooks minimize the dangers of losing money, especially for new players.

This is where risk-free bets come in.

For example, a player joins an online sportsbook with a risk-free bet as a welcome offer. Suppose the player deposits $200 and loses it.

In that case, the sportsbook will refund $200 in free betting, which has a 1x wagering requirement.

Therefore: $200 x (1x) = $200

Warning:

The term “risk-free” bet can be misleading.

Even if the bookmaker returns the lost fund, it should be noted that players now need to fulfill the wagering requirement that comes with it. Only then can the player withdraw their wins.

The player must wager another $200 before proceeding and claiming their winnings. 

3. No Deposit Sportsbook Bonus

Another kind of bonus sports betting enthusiasts can use is the “No Deposit Bonus.” Like any bonus, the primary goal of this bonus is to entice young and new players or bettors to play. 

No Deposit Sportsbook Bonus allows the players to play without commitment. 

Regardless of the outcome of the bet, there are no dire consequences.

If the player loses, the bonus returns to the sportsbook. If they win, the player still needs to fulfill the wagering requirement that comes with the bonus. 

Reminder: The terms and conditions of a No Deposit Bonus may vary from one sportsbook to another. Players can refer to the formulas above to calculate them. 

How To Beat Your Wagering Requirements

Casinos and sportsbooks impose several factors around their requirements, such as wagering weight, minimum odds, max bets, and time limits, all determining the multipliers and the amount players need to fulfill.

Below are several vital tips players should follow to help them beat the wagering and playthrough requirements. These tips ensure players receive bonuses, guaranteeing a fun and rewarding betting experience.

Keys To Beating Playthrough Requirements in Online Casinos

After knowing what a wagering requirement is and calculating its value manually, you must know how to beat your online casino’s requirements using strategies and get those wads of cash.

Here are helpful tips on how to play to beat your online casino’s playthrough requirement. 

Research the Casino for You

The surge of online casinos worldwide has made researching the sites as much as possible to avoid betting accidents. Doing research ensures that bettors optimize their winning odds in casinos.

One way of doing that is by checking if the casino is licensed and regulated. Licensed casinos guarantee fair gameplay, and bettings are at random. This premise will secure your safety while playing. 

Side Note

The cost of getting a gambling license is high in 2023. Depending on the factors, obtaining gambling licenses costs between $20,000 to $120,000.

Operators must also pay an annual $25,000 fee to retain the license.

Almost all online casinos offer generous bonuses, so check them and see where you will benefit most.

Pick Your Games

Different games will result in varying percentage wagers about the playthrough requirement. 

Usually, online slot games will contribute 100% of your bets to your requirement. In comparison, table and card games contribute 50% or less.

Did You Know? 

Among US gamblers, Slot games are the most popular. In 2022, it had an annual revenue of $11.82 billion. Its popularity comes from its simple mechanics and fun gameplay.

Play games with higher wage limits and low minimum bets. The higher the wagers casino operators allow on a single spin, the higher the chances of earning bigger payouts. 

However, this does not necessarily mean winning the jackpot is easier. The low minimum bet is much preferred for players on a tight budget. 

If you want to play easy games, go for Slot games. Players who want to go for more challenging games with varying odds and probabilities should play Poker.

Sign Up and Play the Right Way

Before discussing this strategy, it is necessary to take note of the terms “Variance” and “Return-to-Player” (RTP).

There are two kinds of Variance:

• Lower Variance games would pay out more frequently but with smaller jackpots
• Higher Variance games have a lower possibility of paying out but with higher jackpots.

Helpful Articles

RTP, or Return-To-Player, refers to the percentage or amount of money a player can assume to win from their bets.

The RTP is a term commonly misunderstood as the “player” who wagered will not necessarily be the recipient of the RTP.

For example, with a 98% RTP game, players can expect a return of $0.98 from a $1 wager. Bettors prefer games with a high RTP to increase their bankroll and easily reach wagering requirements.

Other strategies would help beat the wagering requirement for sports betting. Read them below to maximize your payout chances. 

Keys To Beating Sportsbook Wagering Requirements

Trying to beat a bookie’s wagering requirements is challenging. However, players can employ strategies to overcome such conditions.

These strategies use the different bonuses given to players to increase their winning odds. 

Fun Fact

Data shows that most gamblers bet on soccer due to its 5%-10% ROI rate. Bettors can wager on the number of penalties, scored goals, and full-time and half-time performances. 

Maximize the First Deposit Bonus

Taking advantage of the first deposit bonus in sports betting is best, especially if your bankroll allows it. This method increases the bets you have at hand, which, when used properly, can turn into big cash. 

For example:

A sportsbook gives its new players a 50% welcome bonus with a cap of $1,000.

• It would be best to deposit $2,000 to get the full $1,000 bonus. A sign-up bonus is only available once and would serve a player best if used to its full potential.

However, it’s fine if a player cannot afford to bet that much money. With a sign-up bonus, players can still claim them regardless of how much they deposit. Of course, the bonus is proportional to the deposit they made. 

Try Props or Propositions Betting

Propositions are excellent means for beating the wagering requirement.

A proposition bet is a type of side betting where players bet on something– it may be a part of the game or another event. These side bets have nothing to do with the game’s result. 

Prop bets are any statistically determined events that can happen during a sports event. Some examples of props or propositions are: 

• Which team or player will score first in the game 
• How long will the national anthem be sung
• The total number of strikeouts a pitcher will make in the baseball game

Utilize Parlay Bets

Parley Bets have attractive payouts that can be life-changing but are also challenging to win.

For example, bettors can create a three-team parlay during an NFL game. They may bet that these three teams must all win.

1. If these teams win, the bettors win the parlay and can have a massive payout.
2. If not, the entire parlay loses. 

Keeping the maximum bets on 2-3 teams or selection is advised. 

Wagering Weight

Wagering Weight is the value of specific games (often expressed in percentage) in sportsbooks and online casinos that contribute to achieving the wagering requirement.

Each gambling venue has a different wagering weight assigned to their games based on the RTP. Other games have distinct wagering weights, affecting the requirement’s fulfillment. 

Quick Tip

The higher the RTP of a specific casino game, the less its wagering weight. Casino operators will eventually lose profit if players constantly win in high RTP games.

Therefore, they put high wagering weight on low RTP games to encourage players to play them.

Below is the typical wagering weight of different casino games.

Take a look at the examples of calculating the Wagering Requirement Weight. 

Example:

A Promotional Bonus of $100 with a Wagering Requirement of 35x.

This Wagering Requirement will apply to the four Casino Games below:

• Casino Game A
• Casino Game B
• Casino Game C
• Casino Game D

FORMULA FOR WAGERING REQUIREMENT

(Reward Sum) x (Wagering Requirement) = Total Wager

The calculation for the Wagering Requirement in this example is as follows: 

($100) x (35) = $3,500

Casino Game A: The Player bets $50 with a wagering weight of 100%. 

Since $50 has a wagering weight of 100%, the bet is still valued at $50 (50 x 1 = 50). 

The wagering requirement minus the wagering weight of the bet is $3,450 ($3,500 – $50 = $3,450).

Casino Game B: The player bets $50 with a wagering weight of 50%

Since $50 has a wagering weight of 50%, the bet is valued at $25 (50 x 0.50 = 25).

The wagering requirement minus the wagering weight of the bet is $3,475 ($3,500 – $25 = $3,475).

Casino Game C. A player bets $50 with a wagering weight of 75%.

Since $50 has a wagering weight of 75%, the bet is valued at $37.5 (50 x 0.75 = 37.5).

The wagering requirement minus the wagering weight of the bet is $3,462.5 ($3,500 – $37.5 = $3,475).

Casino Game D. A player bets $500 with a wagering weight of 80%.

Since $500 has a wagering weight of 80%, the bet is valued at $400 (500 x 0.80 = 400).

The wagering requirement minus the wagering weight of the bet is $3,100 ($3,500 – $400 = $3,100).

Wagering Requirement Terms and Conditions

In licensed casino transactions, the “Terms and Conditions” appear at the sign-up phase of the registration process. T&Cs protect both the players and the casino operators legally.

In sportsbooks and online casinos, rules may also vary from one operator to another. Therefore, reading and understanding the T&C is very important, as it helps with betting choices.

Quick Tip

Players should understand and adhere to all terms and conditions. Each casino and sportsbook has rules its players should follow to avoid penalties and forfeit winnings.

To understand these Terms and Conditions, below are three standard terms to prepare you as a player.

1. Time Limit

The time limit imposed by casino operators refers to the fixed amount of time when players must use the given bonus money before being revoked by the casino.

The duration of the promotional bonus depends on the casino operator. Usually, free bonus money lasts from days to weeks, while free spins only last within 24 – 48 hours. 

Many sportsbooks may also prohibit players from withdrawing their winnings 30 days after they have received their bonus. 

Some of the sportsbooks that prohibit players from withdrawing within 30 days are:

• BetOnline.ag
• SportsBetting.ag

2. Withdrawal and Betting Limit

Many online casinos impose a ceiling or limit on players’ withdrawals and bets. These limits vary from one casino to another. 

The betting limit usually refers to a percentage of the bonus amount, and there are three types of withdrawal limits in online casinos – What are the “Limits” in Wagering Requirements?

• Amount Limit  – the total amount of cash a player can withdraw in a single transaction. 
• Time Limit –  the number of withdrawals a player can make within a specific time.
• Time and Amount Limit –  the amount of cash a player can withdraw within a specified time.

The player’s minimum and maximum bet amount in a game is called the betting limit. Failure to stick to these limits can result in a loss of winnings.

3. Deposit vs. No Deposit Bonuses

No Deposit Bonus benefits players wanting to increase their stakes without additional risks, allowing players to play their casino games without spending money first.

There aren’t many online casinos that offer a No Deposit Bonus, unlike its counterpart, which most operators in the gambling industry commonly provide.

Helpful Article

Since looking out for a No Deposit Bonus casino is hard, it’s best to play with Blockchain Casinos, reducing transaction fees dramatically when you deposit.

If you want to play Blockchain Casinos, read this Playtoday detailed post.  

If you receive a bonus from the casino worth $50, and the required wager is 10x – you’ll need a total of $500 to access any winnings.

Regarding sports betting, a player may only have one active bonus at a time. They are not allowed to accept or use another bonus during that time. 

Also, they can only clear their sportsbook wagering requirements with the sportsbook games. There are cases when it is allowed in casinos. However, poker rooms are strictly prohibited.

Helpful Article

Aside from learning about wagering requirements, bonuses, and promotions, it’s also vital for gamblers to know the best casino banking options for withdrawal and deposit methods.

Understanding how casino banking works helps bettors avoid making mistakes with their bankroll and ensures they get to use the right banking according to their preferences.

Bottomline

Wagering and playthrough requirements are pre-set conditions that prevent gamblers from taking advantage of the bonuses. The whole point of bonuses is to attract players, not give out free money.

Completing the online casinos’ and sportsbooks’ wagering requirements will take time and effort. Therefore, bettors must learn to compute the requirements to optimize their gambling experience.