Casino bonuses are free money that casinos give to new players to give them a chance to get acquainted with the games on offer as well as win free cash.
However a casino will place wagering requirements or what are also called playthrough requirements to stop people from abusing these bonuses.
Wagering requirements/playthrough requirements are located in the terms and conditions. Every casino has terms and conditions which dictate how wagering/playthrough requirements are calculated and what percentages apply to which games.It is imperative that you always read the terms and conditions to avoid frustration or thinking you’ve been ripped off.
Usually the wagering/playthrough requirement is between 20 and 30 times but can be as much as 99 times especially for no deposit bonuses.
There are two general variations of how the wagering/playthrough requirement is calculated, once again this is stated in the terms and conditons.
*You can play in your currency of choice be it £ , € or $. For illustration purposes only all amounts are listed in $.
1. Wagering/Playthrough requirement on the bonus only
Example:
You make a first deposit of $100 and get a bonus of $50.
If the wagering/playthrough requirement is 30 times then you have to place bets to the amount of $50×30 = $1500 before you can withdraw your winnings.
2. Wagering/Playthrough requirement on the deposit and bonus.
Example:
You make a first deposit of $100 and get a bonus of $50.
If the wagering/playthrough requirement is 30 times then you have to place bets to the amount of ($100+$50)x30 = $4500 before you can withdraw your winnings.
Wagering/Playthrough requirements are classified in percentages depending on the type of game you’re playing. Some games are easier to win than others so it would be easier for a player to abuse the free bonus given by reaching the wagering requirement by playing lots of bets on easy games.
Blackjack usually contributes 0% towards wagering /playthrough.
This means that even if you reached the wagering/playthrough amount playing Blackjack or Roulette the casino would not release your withdrawal.
The game percentages vary from casino to casino but in general:
– Slots and Keno count 100%,
– Roulette, Sic Bo and Pai Gow 50%
– Blackjack and Punto Banco/Baccarat 10%
A worked example using game percentages
If you claim a bonus of $100 with a 30 times wagering/playthrough requirement on the bonus ONLY then the wagering requirement will be $100×30 = $3000. This means you need to make $3000 worth of bets before you can withdraw your winnings.
With your $100 bonus you then decide to bet $20 on Slots, $20 on Pai Gow, $30 on Sic Bo and $30 on Blackjack. Therefore your total contribution towards reaching your $3000 wagering/playthrough requirement will be:
Slots: 100% of $20 = $20
Pai Gow: 50% of $30 = $15
Sic Bo: 50% of $30 = $15
Blackjack: 10% of $30 = $3
Therefore ($20+$15+$15+$3)=$53
Now calculating the wagering/playthrough requirement of 30 times
$53×30 = $1590
So this means you have contributed $1590 towards a target of $3000 and have failed to reach the wagering/playthrough requirement. In this case you would not be able to withdraw any of your bonus winnings.
Instead if you got your $100 bonus and played all of it on Slots which gives a contribution of 100% towards wagering/playthrough then:
Slots: 100% of $100 = $100
At 30 times wagering/playthrough
$100×30 = $3000
You would have therefore met the wagering requirement and be allowed to withdraw your winnings.
*In general it is advisable to play slots with any bonus money as it contributes 100% towards wagering.
