When a casino advertises a bonus, the headline figure is designed to grab attention. The wagering requirement buried in the terms is what determines whether that bonus has any real value. Playthrough is simply the number of times you must wager the bonus amount (and sometimes the deposit too) before the casino lets you withdraw any winnings.
How playthrough is calculated
Wagering requirements are expressed as a multiple, such as 30x. That multiple applies either to the bonus alone or to the deposit plus bonus combined, and the difference is significant.
A worked example
Suppose you claim a $1,000 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement on the bonus amount. The math is straightforward:
- $1,000 bonus multiplied by 30 equals $30,000 that must be wagered.
- That is the total amount cycled through games, not money you lose. You bet, win some, lose some, and keep betting until your cumulative stakes reach $30,000.
Now compare a "deposit plus bonus" requirement. If you deposit $1,000 and receive a $1,000 bonus at 30x on the combined $2,000, you must wager $60,000 instead. Same headline multiple, double the work. Always check which figure the multiple applies to.
Game weightings change everything
Not every wager counts the same toward playthrough. Casinos weight games so that low-margin, high-return games contribute less. Slots almost always count 100%, while table games contribute a fraction because they are cheaper for a skilled player to beat.
| Game category | Typical weighting | Wagering $30,000 requires |
|---|---|---|
| Slots | 100% | $30,000 in bets |
| Video poker | 10% to 20% | $150,000 to $300,000 |
| Roulette | 10% to 20% | $150,000 to $300,000 |
| Blackjack | 5% to 10% | $300,000 to $600,000 |
| Live dealer tables | 0% to 10% | Often excluded entirely |
The table makes the trap obvious. A bonus that looks beatable on slots becomes nearly impossible on blackjack, where a $30,000 requirement can balloon into hundreds of thousands in wagers. If you prefer table games, a bonus is often not worth claiming at all.
It is worth stressing that this turnover is not money you are guaranteed to lose. As you wager, you win some bets and lose others, and your balance rises and falls. What matters is the cumulative total of your stakes. But the house edge is always working against you, so the larger the wagering target, the more of your bankroll erodes on the way through it. That is precisely why a high multiple combined with low game weighting is such a poor deal: you have to churn an enormous amount of money, and the edge grinds you down over every single spin.
The other terms that decide if a bonus is fair
Playthrough is the headline, but several supporting rules determine whether you can realistically clear it.
Maximum bet while wagering
Most bonuses cap your bet size while a wagering requirement is active, commonly at $5 or $10 per spin or hand. Exceed it, even once, and the casino can void your bonus and any winnings. This rule exists to stop players from clearing playthrough with a few large bets, and it is enforced automatically.
Time limits
Wagering must usually be completed within a window, often 7 to 30 days. A $30,000 requirement in seven days demands serious volume, so check the clock before you commit. If the deadline passes, the bonus and any associated winnings are typically removed.
Maximum cashout
No-deposit and free-spin bonuses frequently cap how much you can withdraw from bonus winnings, sometimes at just a few times the bonus value. Deposit-match bonuses are less likely to cap winnings but may still limit them.
Excluded games and bet types
Progressive jackpot slots, certain low-volatility titles, and hedged bets (such as betting both red and black on roulette) are commonly excluded from wagering. Placing excluded bets can forfeit the bonus.
How to judge a wagering requirement quickly
A useful rule of thumb: multiply the bonus by the wagering figure to get your total wagering target, then divide by your typical bet size to estimate how many spins or hands that means. If the number feels unrealistic for the time limit, the bonus is not for you.
- 10x to 20x is player-friendly and increasingly common on crypto-first sites.
- 25x to 35x is standard for most deposit matches.
- 40x and above is aggressive and usually signals a bonus built to be hard to clear.
The offshore operators we review, such as BetOnline and TigerGaming, publish their playthrough terms on each promotion page. Because they are offshore and unregulated in New York, the exact terms vary by promotion and can change, so read the current version before depositing rather than relying on a rate you saw last year. You can compare current welcome offers on our bonuses page.
Wagering requirements are not inherently unfair, they are how casinos prevent bonus abuse. But they are also where a generous-looking offer can quietly become worthless. Do the multiplication, check the weighting for the games you actually play, confirm the bet cap and time limit, and you will never be surprised by a locked balance again. For a broader look at how bonuses fit together, see our guide to casino bonus types.