Wagering Requirements Explained
Wagering requirements are the single most misunderstood part of casino bonuses. This guide unpacks the maths, the tricks operators use, and how to tell a good bonus from a bonus that's engineered to lose you money.
Reviewed by the Slots Irish Editorial Team · Last updated 21 April 2026
1. What is a wagering requirement?
A wagering requirement (also called 'playthrough') is a multiplier that tells you how much total betting you must do before your bonus winnings become withdrawable cash. €100 bonus × 35× wagering = €3,500 of total turnover required.
It exists because casinos would lose money if players could deposit €100, take €100 bonus, bet once and cash out €200. The wagering requirement ensures the casino holds the bonus on the 'house' side of the maths long enough to recover its cost through RTP edge.
2. Bonus-only vs Deposit+Bonus wagering
Two wagering models dominate:
Bonus-only (B)
Only the bonus amount is subject to wagering. €100 bonus × 35× = €3,500 turnover. Cheaper for the player. Offered by better-rated operators on our Best Irish Casinos list.
Deposit + Bonus (D+B)
Both your deposit AND the bonus are subject to wagering. €100 deposit + €100 bonus = €200 × 35× = €7,000 turnover. Twice as expensive for the player. Common but avoidable — our wagering calculator shows the EV impact.
3. How slot contribution affects wagering
Not all games count equally toward wagering. Typical percentages:
Slots: usually 100% (every €1 wagered counts as €1 toward the requirement).
Blackjack, roulette, baccarat: 10% or less, sometimes 0%. A €100 blackjack bet might count as €10 toward wagering.
High-RTP slots: often excluded entirely. Operators will disallow Blood Suckers (98% RTP), Mega Joker (99%), Book of 99 (99%) from wagering contribution because they'd lose money if you cleared bonuses on them.
Always check the excluded-slots list in the bonus T&Cs before you start. Clearing wagering on an excluded slot means you've done the betting for no credit.
4. Max bet restrictions during wagering
Almost every bonus has a max-bet cap (typically €5–€7 per spin) while wagering is active. Betting above the cap can void the entire bonus and any winnings — even if the excess bet happened in one of 500 spins.
Set your spin stake before clicking spin. Most casinos do not warn you before you bust the cap — it's enforced silently in the T&Cs.
5. Calculating the real EV of a bonus
Use the formula:
Expected value = Bonus amount − (Turnover × House edge)
Example: €100 bonus, 35× B-only wagering, 96% RTP slot. Turnover = €3,500. House edge = 4%. Expected loss = €140. Net EV = €100 − €140 = −€40. You're expected to lose €40 clearing the bonus.
Our wagering calculator does this automatically across all 9 Irish-facing casinos.
6. What makes a good bonus
A bonus is good when EV is positive or break-even. That usually requires:
• Wagering multiplier ≤ 30×
• Bonus-only (B), not D+B
• No max cashout cap (or a cap ≥ 10× deposit)
• Slot contribution 100%
• 60+ day bonus expiry
• No maximum bet below €5
Zero-wagering offers like PlayOJO's (no wagering at all) are mathematically the best deal available — but are rare and usually smaller in headline amount.