Wagering requirements – a complete guide

Whether you’re new to online casino bonuses, or trying to get your head around them, sooner or later you will encounter “wagering requirements”.

A wagering requirement (also known as a ‘playthrough’ or ‘rollover’ requirement) is a condition most online casinos impose on bonuses in order to prevent players from abusing the offer. To ensure fair use, online casinos require you to wager a certain amount before you can withdraw any winnings.

It might also mean that you need to continue playing with your winnings until you have none left.

Understanding is crucial

Understanding casino wagering requirements is crucial for anyone wanting to make the most of their casino bonuses. This guide explains exactly what wagering requirements are, how they work and their impact on your gameplay. We explore some of the key areas.

Understanding wagering requirements

In January 2026 the Gambling Commission capped wagering requirements at 10x. Previously, wagering requirements could be as high as 40x, 50x or even 100x and more in some cases.

Wagering requirements are expressed as a multiple, in most cases as 10x. This multiple is usually applied to the bonus amount you receive, and the sum is the total amount you must wager before the wagering requirement is deemed to be “fulfilled”. Only at this point can you withdraw any winnings won off the bonus.

There are also a few other things to note:

• Some bonuses require you to deposit a certain amount and spend it before you receive the bonus.
• Your deposit is used first. So if you’re planning on using your bonus first and then withdrawing your deposit, think again.
• If you request a withdrawal before you’ve fulfilled the wagering requirement, your request will be refused and your bonus and associated winnings may be voided.
• Only real money wagers contribute towards the wagering requirements – free bets and free spins don't count
• Wagering requirements tied to free spins are applied to the free spins winnings, not the value of the free spins. More on that later…
• And, no wagering bonuses are exactly as they sound – there are no wagering requirements.
• Keep a close eye on T&Cs around expiry dates and timeframes.

Some of the best No Wagering casinos:

Should you claim a bonus with wagering requirements?

Wagering requirements can feel unfair. Imagine you’re given a welcome bonus and win £1,000, £2,000 or even £5,000 playing with that bonus cash, only to discover you have to continue playing and risk losing it all, just to be able to withdraw your winnings.

Some players refuse to accept any casino bonuses for that reason – they prefer to use their own cash, so at least if they do win there are no nasty surprises when it comes to cashing out.

Realistically, fulfilling the wagering requirement without losing all your winnings isn’t easy – but it is possible, especially if you manage to land some decent wins during your gameplay.

When you’re offered a bonus, the casino should make you aware of any T&Cs, including the wagering requirement, before you claim it. Make sure you understand the restrictions, as otherwise your bonus and winnings could be confiscated. The Gambling Commission has also introduced legislation forcing operators to simplify their T&Cs.

For other T&Cs associated with online casino bonuses, jump to our section on common terms & conditions.

How to calculate wagering requirements

As wagering requirements are usually applied to the bonus amount, firstly, understand how much you've received as a bonus. Most bonuses come in the form of a deposit bonus, expressed as a percentage such as 100%. A 100% deposit bonus means you’ll receive a bonus equal to 100% of your deposit.

So, let’s assume you’ve deposited £100 to receive a £100 bonus with 10x wagering requirements. The total amount you’ll need to wager before fulfilling the wagering requirement is the bonus amount (£100) multiplied by the wagering requirement (10), which equals £1,000.

Calculating wagering requirements on free spins

Wagering requirements on free spins are calculated differently though – they’re applied to the free spins winnings. For example, if you win £50 from your free spins and the wagering requirement is 10x, you’ll have to wager a total of £500 (£50 x 10) before you can withdraw. 

Refer to our full guide on how to calculate wagering requirements with calculator.

Thankfully, there are plenty of no wagering free spins available which have absolutely no wagering requirements and allow players to keep their winnings…

Wagering requirements including the deposit

Look out for deposit match bonuses that have wagering requirements on the bonus AND the deposit amount – often expressed as “10x wagering (deposit + bonus)”.

In this case, supposing you deposited £100 to get a £100 bonus, you'd need to wager £200 (£100 deposit + £100 bonus) x 10, which would mean wagering a total of £2,000 before you can withdraw any winnings!

Benefits of low/fair wagering requirements

With the UKGC’s introduction of the 10x cap on wagering requirements in early 2026 it’s probably reasonable to say that all wagering requirements now fall into the ‘low/fair’ category.

Wagering requirements were invented to prevent bonus abuse. But they don’t have to be unfair. A wagering requirement of 10x is reasonable. It offers adequate protection for the casino against abuse, but is also low enough so that players can relatively easily fulfil it should they have a sizeable win.

Casino bonuses with a low wagering requirement can offer better value than wager-free bonuses as the casino can afford to give away more bonus money or more free spins. For that reason, we also recommend a number of low wagering casinos which we feel offer good value whilst treating players fairly.

Time will tell but it's possible that the 10x cap will lead to even more casinos going down the "no wagering" route, but we suspect most will simply reduce their wagering requirements to 10x. Either way, it will clearly result in much fairer promotions for players.

Common terms & conditions

There are various terms and conditions associated with wagering requirements. Some of the most common include:

Maximum bet limit

Most deposit bonuses have a maximum bet limit, which restricts the amount you can bet per spin or per hand while meeting the wagering requirement.

Maximum win cap

Some bonuses have a limit on the amount you can win from them. If you hit a big win, any amount over the maximum win cap might not be withdrawable.

Expiry dates

Bonuses and their wagering requirements often have an expiry date. Failing to meet the requirements within a certain period can mean you lose the bonus money and any winnings associated with it.

Sticky vs non-sticky bonuses

Sticky bonuses cannot be withdrawn and are removed from your balance once you meet the wagering requirements. Non-sticky bonuses can be withdrawn along with your winnings once the requirements are met.

Game contributions explained

Different games contribute differently to wagering requirements. For example, most slots contribute 100%, while table games like roulette, blackjack and some online poker games may only contribute 10% or less. This is because of the different house edge on certain games, making them more or less advantageous to the house.

Take care when playing other games to fulfil your wagering requirements, as they might not be contributing as much as you think to your total wagers.

In the past, some players realised that if they played games with a low house edge such as blackjack (0.5% with optimal play) or roulette (2.7% with a single zero wheel) then they could fulfil the wagering requirement without losing much in the process. Furthermore, there were certain betting combinations that reduced the risk of losing even further. For example, placing £10 bets on both red and black on roulette meant that as long as zero didn't come up, the player would receive even money and would still have wagered £20 towards their wagering requirement.

Online casinos soon caught on to these tactics and introduced further conditions that stipulate not all games contribute the same towards wagering requirements. The result is even stricter and more confusing terms and conditions associated with bonuses.

How to beat wagering requirements: gameplay and strategies

There are a few strategies and tips that can help you beat wagering requirements:

• Ensure you understand the terms and conditions to avoid confiscated winnings. Newly introduced regulations will see T&Cs simplified, however contact customer support if you have any questions.
• Choose high contribution games, focusing on slot games with 100% contribution.
• Play slots with a high RTP.
• Manage your bankroll carefully. Low volatility slots can stretch your bankroll and help you work steadily towards the wagering requirements.

Slots are often the best choice when it comes to selecting a game to play with your bonus due to their 100% contribution rate. The frequency of slot spins means you can meet wagering requirements quickly, while bonus rounds and free spins within the games can help top up your balance.

The most popular strategy is to play slots with a high return-to-player (RTP) percentage to maximise your winning potential. These games have a higher theoretical return, meaning you get more bang for your buck and potentially extended gameplay.

Volatility

It's also important to consider the volatility level. High-volatility slots offer bigger but less frequent wins, which could deplete your bankroll more quickly. On the other hand, low-volatility slots give smaller, more consistent pay-outs. Bear in mind that playing lower volatility slots might help with budgeting, so that you avoid running out of funds before meeting wagering requirements. 

Table games

Table games require more strategic play and contribute less to wagering requirements. These games often only contribute 10% to 20%, but sometimes less. Because of the lower contribution rates, you need to wager more money on table games to meet the same requirements as slot players. The slower pace of table games compared to slots also results in fewer bets placed over the same time period. Any advantage from a lower house edge is cancelled out by this lower contribution percentage and slower gameplay.

For a practical example, consider a £100 casino bonus with a 10x wagering requirement. When playing slot games with a 100% contribution rate, you need to wager £1,000. As slots have fast-paced gameplay, you can achieve this relatively quickly, though the volatility might impact your bankroll. On the other hand, a table game with a 10% contribution rate will require you to wager £10,000. The slower pace of play and need for strategic understanding mean you'll spend significantly more time and effort to meet the same requirements, and it’s much more likely you’ll lose your winnings before the wagering requirement is fulfilled.

Need help? Customer support is on hand

Customer support should clarify any confusing terms and conditions, answer your questions and resolve any issues. The customer support team should be able to resolve disputes, but if there are any bigger issues or you feel unfairly treated, you can escalate the issue and get third-party independent support.

Common challenges:

• Confusing terms: Make sure you understand the wagering requirements fully and contact customer support with any queries if you’re unclear.
• Hidden details: Important details may be buried in the fine print.
• Game contributions: These are often tucked away in the casino’s T&Cs page. Familiarise yourself with them before choosing what games to play when fulfilling wagering requirements.

Regulatory changes affecting wagering requirements

Online gambling regulations vary by region but typically ensure fair play and transparency. The Gambling Commission has guidance on fair terms and practices. 

The issue of transparent and fair wagering requirements was covered in the White Paper from April 2023, with the Commission stating that gambling operators should have “clear rules and fair limits on re-wagering requirements and time limits so they do not encourage excessive or harmful gambling”.

And as predicted when we last updated this guide a cap on wagering requirements will be introduced in the UK. That cap was set at 10x and took effect on 19 January 2026.

Final words

Understanding wagering requirements is key to making the most of your online gambling experience. By exploring how they work, you can make informed decisions and choose the best bonuses with fair terms and conditions. 

Remember to read the small print carefully when claiming any bonuses or free spins and don't hesitate to contact customer support if you have any questions.

Wagering requirements are justified as a means of protecting a casino from potential bonus abuse. The recently-introduced wagering requirement cap of 10x is generally regarded as fair. 

To help you get started, here's our pick of some of the best online casinos offering excellent no wagering bonuses for new players:

FAQs and other useful resources

What does a 10x wagering requirement mean?

This means you’ll need to wager your bonus 10 times before you can withdraw any winnings associated with it. Check out our wagering requirements calculator.

What does RTP mean?

RTP means “return to player” and refers to the amount a slot pays out over time, expressed as a percentage. So a slot with an RTP of 96% will statistically pay out £96 for every £100 wagered on it over time. The RTP is effective over millions of spins and doesn’t guarantee a specific pay-out over the short term.

Is no wagering always better than low wagering?

Usually, but not always. Bonuses with low wagering requirements sometimes offer better value than wager-free bonuses, as the casino can afford to give away a larger bonus or more free spins. We recommend a number of low wagering casinos that we feel offer good value and treat players fairly.

Other useful resources