Bonus wagering explained: the math before you can withdraw

The core definition

A wagering requirement is a multiplier applied to bonus funds (sometimes bonus + deposit) that must be staked before winnings tied to the bonus become withdrawable. It is the single most important number in any offer — more important than the headline amount.

A worked example

Suppose an offer grants 100 in bonus credit with a 30x wagering requirement on the bonus:

• Required turnover: 100 × 30 = 3,000 in total stakes.

• If the requirement applies to bonus + deposit and you deposited 100, the turnover doubles to 6,000.

• If slots contribute 100% and table games contribute 10%, staking table games means only 10% of each bet counts — you would need ten times the stakes to reach the same turnover.

These numbers are illustrative only. Every operator states its own multiplier, contribution table and time limit; read them on the operator's official terms before accepting anything.

The four terms that change everything

1. Contribution table — which games count, and at what percentage.

1. Time limit — wagering windows commonly run from a few days to a month.

1. Maximum bet while wagering — exceeding it can void the bonus.

1. Conversion cap — some offers cap what bonus winnings can become real balance.

Practical reading order

Open the offer's full terms, find the multiplier, then the contribution table, then the time limit, then the caps. If any of the four is missing or unclear, that opacity is itself information. Our bonus terms guide has a checklist you can follow offer by offer.