Wagering Requirements Explained (with Examples)
Wagering is the condition that decides how much play a bonus involves before it becomes cash. Once you can work it out, comparing casino offers gets much easier.
What wagering means
A wagering requirement, sometimes called a playthrough requirement, is the total amount you need to bet before bonus funds, or winnings from bonus spins, can be withdrawn as cash. It's written as a multiple: "10x wagering" on a £20 bonus means you need to place £200 of bets.
Wagering isn't a fee. You're placing bets, and you'll win some and lose some along the way. But because every casino game has a house edge, the more you wager, the more you can expect to lose on average.
Bonus-only wagering and the 10x cap
Since 19 January 2026, UK Gambling Commission rules cap wagering at 10 times the bonus funds. Before the rules changed, some offers applied wagering to your deposit and the bonus together, which could double the amount of play. Today the requirement is limited to playing the bonus through no more than ten times. The same rules ban promotions that require play across different products, such as betting on football to unlock casino spins. Our article on the new UK bonus rules covers both changes.
Worked examples at 1x, 5x and 10x
| Bonus | Wagering | Total you need to bet |
|---|---|---|
| £10 of spin winnings | 1x | £10 |
| £20 bonus | 5x | £100 |
| £50 bonus | 10x | £500 |
At BetFusion and PlayWins, bonus spin winnings carry 1x wagering, so £8 won from spins needs £8 of play. At SaviBet, LuckCity and BetBlink, the 25% match bonus carries 10x wagering, so a £50 bonus needs £500 of bets within 30 days.
Game contribution percentages
Not every game counts fully towards wagering. Slots usually count 100%, while table games, live casino and some high-RTP slots may count less or be excluded.
| Game contribution | Stakes needed to clear £500 of wagering |
|---|---|
| 100% (most slots) | £500 |
| 20% | £2,500 |
| 10% (often roulette or blackjack) | £5,000 |
If the games you enjoy count at a low rate, a bonus can take far longer to clear than the headline multiple suggests. The full terms list the contribution for each game type.
The expected cost of wagering
You can estimate what wagering is likely to cost using a game's return to player (RTP). The house edge is 100% minus the RTP, and the expected loss is roughly the amount wagered multiplied by the house edge.
| £500 of wagering on a slot with RTP of… | House edge | Expected loss |
|---|---|---|
| 96% | 4% | £20 |
| 94% | 6% | £30 |
| 91.25% | 8.75% | £43.75 |
The last row isn't hypothetical: 91.25% is the RTP Book of Dead runs at in our featured ProgressPlay casinos. The same game can carry different RTP settings at different casinos, so it's worth checking. Our guides to RTP and why slot RTP varies explain how.
These are long-run averages. Any one session can finish well above or below them, but over enough spins the house edge does its work.
Using the wagering calculator
Enter the bonus, the wagering multiple, the game contribution and the RTP to see how much you'll need to bet and the expected cost:
Wagering requirement calculator
- Amount the wagering is based on
- –
- Wagering requirement
- –
- Total bets needed
- –
- Average cost of those bets
- –
The average cost is a long-run figure based on RTP. Individual sessions vary widely, and you can lose more or less than this.
For illustration only. Returns depend on the operator's settlement rules, so always check your bet slip and the offer terms.
For the bigger picture on welcome offers, read casino bonuses explained, or compare the current deals on our casino bonuses page.
Keep it fun
Set a budget before you play, never chase losses and take regular breaks. Gambling should never be a way to make money. Free, confidential help is available from GamCare or the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133.
