Meeting Casino Bonus Wagering Requirements

If you play at online casinos then it’s likely you will have claimed a bonus or two along the way. They’re the main way casinos attract players and can often be very attractive. 

However, all UK casino bonuses have terms and conditions and one of the main points to look out for with each one is the wagering requirements.

The vast majority of casino bonuses come with some kind of wagering requirements which can determine the overall value of the offer. 

In this guide, we’ll be explaining what wagering requirements are, some tips on meeting them and the things you should be looking out for when claiming a bonus.

Understanding Casino Bonus Wagering Requirements

Wagering requirements are one of several conditions set by the casino when offering bonuses of various kinds to players. As the T&Cs of each bonus may differ, there’s no one set of rules when it comes to the wagering requirement of bonuses. However, there are some general factors that can help you understand how wagering requirements work with casino bonuses and what is needed in order to clear them.

Wagering requirements typically set out how much a player must wager in order to clear the bonus. Clearing the bonus means that any remaining bonus funds are converted to withdrawable cash, providing there isn’t a limit on the amount.

For example if you received a £100 bonus which had a x20 wagering requirement, you’d need to wager £2,000 before those bonus funds would become withdrawable.

One thing to look out for is whether the wagering requirements apply to the bonus amount or the bonus + deposit amount. If the latter, then you will have to wager more. 

For example, if you deposited £100 in order to receive the £100 bonus, and there was a x20 wagering requirement, you would have to wager £4,000 in order to clear the bonus (£200 x 20).

Another important factor to consider when it comes to casino bonus wagering requirements is that different games contribute differently to the wagering requirements. Slots often contribute 100%, whilst table games like blackjack and roulette more often than not, contribute significantly less.

The wagering requirements, along with the game contribution percentages, will be displayed in the terms and conditions of each bonus offer and so it’s important that you read these carefully before accepting any bonus.

Which Bonuses To Accept

There are hundreds of casino bonuses available to claim as a new player at online casinos and even more ongoing promotions once you have signed up. Not all bonuses will be worth claiming and the ones that you do should meet your playing style.

Some bonuses may have low wagering requirements, which means you'll have an easier time clearing them and withdrawing your winnings. On the other hand, bonuses with higher wagering requirements may offer bigger rewards but will require more time and effort to clear.

If you prefer to play with lower stakes and have limited time to meet wagering requirements, a bonus with lower requirements and a longer validity period may be a better fit. However, if you're more of a high roller and have the time and patience to meet higher wagering requirements, a bigger bonus with higher requirements may be more appealing to you.

Casino Bonuses With No Wagering Requirements

Although many casino welcome bonuses have wagering requirements attached to them, there are some that don’t. These are bonuses that you can use and keep what you win as cash. Sometimes you may have to deposit or wager a certain amount in order to qualify for them but once you have them, they’re effectively free cash from which you get to keep any winnings that you make.

Casino bonuses that have no wagering requirements are often of a much lower value than those that do. They may be in the range of £1 - £10 compared to some big welcome bonuses that can be up to £300+. However, they’re a chance to walk away with a profit after using them and you’re not tied in to further wagering afterwards.

Tracking The Wagering Progress Of Your Bonus

If you are attempting to clear a casino bonus, it’s essential that you track your progress. This might be relatively easy to do manually if the wagering requirements are relatively low but if you are wagering large amounts to clear the bonus, you’ll probably need to rely on the casino’s tracking tools.

Most online casinos should be able to show you how much of the wagering requirements you have met and how much you have left to go to clear your bonus. This is usually found within the ‘My Bonuses’ section of your account or in the Cashier. 

Wagering Strategies To Clear Your Casino Bonus

At the end of the day, you’re going to need a bit of luck to clear a casino bonus with high wagering requirements. However, there are some strategies that can help increase your chances of doing so.

Firstly, make sure that you set a limit on how much you are prepared to lose. When you have cash funds alongside bonus funds in your casino account, your cash is often used first for wagers. It’s possible that you could lose all of this trying to meet the wagering requirements of the bonus which may be less than your original deposit.

One of the best ways to increase your chances of clearing casino bonuses and winning at casinos in general is to play games with a high Return To Player (RTP). These pay back more to the player than games with low RTPs and so it makes sense to play them when attempting to clear a bonus.

Lastly, you may wish to take into account the variance of a game. If you find yourself with a small balance and a lot left to wager, you may wish to play a high-variance game which has the ability to pay out big wins.

Alternatively, if you have just a small amount to wager before clearing your bonus, a low-variance game could result in a more even money-in/money-out ratio.

Withdrawing Winnings After Meeting Requirements

Once you have met the wagering requirements of a casino bonus, you should be able to withdraw the remaining bonus funds. Online casinos sometimes cap the amount that can be converted from bonus to cash so be sure to read the terms before participating to avoid any disappointment.

If this is your first withdrawal with a particular online casino, you may be asked to provide verification documents. Online casinos which are licenced by the UK Gambling Commission must verify their players are who they say they are and although this can sometimes be done hassle-free during the registration process, they can sometimes request additional documentation.

It’s a good idea to keep digital copies of your driving license, passport and recent utility bills at hand to make this process as quick as possible. We also recommend sending these documents to the casino before requesting a withdrawal so when you do go to withdraw your funds, there are no additional delays.

FAQs About Casino Bonus Wagering Requirements

What are wagering requirements?

Wagering requirements are set by the casino for individual bonus offers. They are in the form of a multiple and outline how much needs to be wagered before the bonus funds can be withdrawn as cash.

How do I meet bonus wagering requirements?

First, work out how much you need to wager and what percentage the games you want to play count towards the wagering requirements. Then, simply play the games in the casino and once you have wagered the set amount, bonus funds will be transferred to your cash balance.

Can I withdraw my winnings before meeting the wagering requirements of the casino bonus?

No, the wagering requirements must be met before you can withdraw the bonus funds. Note that if you do make a withdrawal while you have an active bonus on your casino account, it’s likely that you will forfeit your bonus and any winnings generated from using it. 

How long do I have to meet the wagering requirements?

The time players have to meet the wagering requirements of the bonus differs between casino and the bonus offers that they provide. The terms and conditions of the bonus will state this information. Be aware that if you do not meet the wagering requirements within the set timeframe, your bonus will be forfeited.

Can I forfeit a casino bonus?

Yes, you can choose to forfeit the bonus if you wish to. This can sometimes be the case with players if they realise the wagering requirements are too high and don’t want to risk any of their cash trying to clear it.