What are playthrough requirements?

Playthrough requirements. Wagering requirements. Rollover requirements. If you’ve spent any time on casino sites, you’ve probably come across these interchangeable terms. Whatever you want to call them, they all do the same thing and they’re a crucial part of claiming casino bonuses.

Playthrough requirements impact the overall value of a bonus, so players need to understand the concept if they are to make the best of their free spins and other bonuses.

Understanding playthrough requirements

Playthrough requirements are expressed as multiples, which apply to either the bonus itself, or to the winnings (as is usually the case with free spins). The result is the total amount that must be wagered through before the bonus or any of its winnings can be withdrawn.

Here’s an example: A casino welcome bonus grants you 50 free spins with 40x playthrough requirements. Your free spin winnings turn out to be 50€. However, before you can withdraw them, you need to meet the 40x playthrough requirements by wagering through a total of 2,000€ (because 40 x 50€ = 2,000€).

For more details, check out our complete wagering requirements guide. If you don’t like the sound of requirements, check out these top no playthrough casinos:

Different types of playthrough requirements

With some bonuses, players receive a lump sum of bonus funds. For bonuses like these, the playthrough requirements are a multiple of the original bonus value. For example, if you receive a 10€ bonus with 30x playthrough requirements, you’ll need to wager a total of 300€ (10€ x 30).

For free spins, however, playthrough requirements are calculated based on the winnings of your spins. Here’s an example:

You get 100 free spins from a casino welcome bonus. They come with 30x playthrough requirements. Your free spin winnings turn out to be 40€. Before you can withdraw them though, you need to meet the 30x playthrough requirements by wagering through a total of 1,200€ (because 30 x 40€ = 1,200€).

At No Wagering, we’re interested in finding the top wager free spins from the best no wagering casinos. Anything you win off these bonuses is yours to keep – no pesky playthrough requirements to try and fulfil before getting your hands on your winnings!

Common terms & conditions

Here are a few terms and conditions which are often associated with playthrough requirements:

• Game contributions: Not all games contribute equally to playthrough requirements. 
• Maximum bet limit: This caps the amount of bonus funds you can spend at once. 
• Maximum win limit: This states that you can only benefit from a bonus up to a certain amount. 
• Expiry dates: You’ll need to beat the wagering requirements before your bonus expires. 
• Sticky vs. non-sticky: A sticky bonus can never be withdrawn – only the winnings can. A non-sticky bonus is withdrawable once you’ve met the requirements.

Play responsibly

Set yourself some limits and always gamble responsibly. Take a look at our responsible gambling page. 

How to beat playthrough requirements

Now that you know how playthrough requirements work, here are some strategies to help you come out on top:

• Read the T&Cs closely: Ensure that you fully understand them before claiming – mistakes can be costly!
• Play high-contribution games: Wagers on certain games, typically slots, count 100% towards the requirements, but table and card games don’t. 
• Play high-RTP slots: These can result in better returns overall, helping you to get through the playthrough requirements. 
• Manage your bankroll: Avoid high-risk betting and high-volatility games, as these can deplete your funds quickly.

Alternatively, consider claiming bonuses that come without wagering requirements:

Summary

Playthrough requirements are the same thing as rollover/wagering requirements. They require the player to keep wagering a bonus and its winnings before being able to cash out. However, there are some great bonuses out there with no playthrough requirements.