Wagering requirements explained: What 20x, 30x, and 40x actually mean in real dollars

Whether you are an existing user opting into promotions offered by legal online casinos or a first-time customer claiming a welcome bonus, there is one factor that needs to be kept in mind. Every bonus comes with wagering requirements, which tell players how much money they need to bet in order to convert casino credits into withdrawable cash.

Exactly what are wagering requirements? Simply put, they are details found in the terms and conditions of casino bonuses that let users know how much money they need to wager in order to release bonus funds for withdrawal.

Bonus wagering requirements vary by operator and by offering, so users should be sure to read through the fine print of the terms and conditions of every casino bonus to understand all the necessary requirements.

Whether it be a 100% deposit match bonus, a reload bonus, or a no deposit bonus, customers are sure to encounter wagering requirements that typically range from 1x to 30x, depending on the operator.

Essentially, users can take that playthrough requirement number and multiply it by the casino bonus they received to figure out how much they need to wager in order to release the credits for withdrawal.

There may be an exception to this rule, as online casinos that award free spins often allow winnings claimed from those spins to be immediately available for cashing out. Although there have been cases where casino apps require players to wager those winnings 1x prior to withdrawal. Again, be sure to review the terms and conditions to verify all information.

Obviously, not all wagering requirements are the same with casino bonus codes. But for the sake of providing a clearer picture, let's take a look at a real-world example: What is a 30x wagering requirement on a $50 casino bonus?

Say a user claimed a deposit match bonus and received $50 in casino credits that come with a 30x playthrough requirement. The math equation becomes simple to find out how much money the player will need to wager in order to make the bonus eligible for withdrawal:

Basically, that customer would need to wager $150 before they can withdraw the casino bonus. That basic equation can be applied to all wagering requirements, again multiplying the casino bonus you received by the wagering requirement detailed in the bonus's terms and conditions.

There are various ways for players to satisfy these wagering requirements, as different casino games online can have varying contribution rates to the playthrough standard.

Real money online slots are the most popular and easiest route, as they contribute at a 100% rate. Compare that with high-RTP table games like blackjack and video poker, which typically only contribute between a 10% and 20% rate – if at all. If players go this route, they will end up needing to spend more in order to clear the casino bonus wagering requirements.

For those wondering the best ways on how to complete wagering requirements, one of the first things players should do is shop around for the best casino bonus codes for them, not only the type but also the wagering requirements necessary. Lower playthrough requirements obviously will require less spending, though casino credits are also usually lower compared with casino bonuses that have 15x or 30x wagering requirements.

Secondly, as most casino bonus codes allow for users to play all or select eligible slots that have a 100% contribution rate, players should locate casino games with best odds – meaning slots with high RTP rates that allow players to potentially have more frequent (albeit smaller) wins and extend their bankrolls over a longer period of time.

Above all else, users should be sure to stick to their budget and stay within their financial means, which licensed online casinos can help with thanks to responsible gambling tools located within every customer's account that lets users set deposit, spend and loss limits to ensure online casino gaming remains a form of entertainment.

Grant Lucas