The quality and fairness of a casino bonus lie in the fine print—especially the wagering requirements, also known as playthrough. in addition, many players consult the gamblingpro.pro guide to new non-GamStop casino launches to discover reliable platforms and the latest bonus opportunities. In this guide, you’ll learn what wagering requirements are, how they work, and how they affect the payout of your bonus money.
Are casino bonuses truly worth it, or are they just misleading advertising? The answer lies in the bonus terms and conditions—more specifically, the wagering requirements, often shortened to “wager.” Non GamStop casinos do not use consistent terminology, which is why you may also see the terms wagering requirements or playthrough requirements.
Wagering requirements determine how attractive a casino bonus is and can make or break its value. That’s why it’s important to understand them. After reading this guide, you’ll know what wagering requirements mean and how to use this knowledge to get more out of casino bonuses.
What Are Wagering Requirements?
Before you can withdraw your bonus money, you must wager it—unless it’s a no-wager bonus. Wagering requirements specify how many times you must wager the bonus before you can withdraw it. The lower the wagering requirements, the better the bonus.
Wagering requirements are always stated in the bonus terms of non GamStop casinos. They are usually expressed as a number followed by an x, indicating how many times the bonus must be wagered to convert it into real, withdrawable money.
Example:
A €10 deposit bonus with a 10x wagering requirement means you must wager €100 (10 × 10) before withdrawing any winnings.
Wagering Requirements of No-Deposit Free Spins
Wagering requirements for no-deposit free spins work differently from deposit-based bonuses. Since no money is deposited, the wagering is applied to winnings from the free spins.
Example:
You win €20 with 10 no-deposit free spins that have a 1x wagering requirement. You must wager another €20 (20 × 1) before withdrawing your winnings.
It may sound complicated, but even with lower wins, you typically end up with at least some withdrawable amount.
Why Do Casino Bonuses Have Wagering Requirements?
Among all bonus rules, wagering requirements are the most talked about—and often the most disliked. Yet non GamStop casinos continue to implement them for two important reasons.
First, without wagering requirements, players could exploit bonuses for guaranteed profit. In the past, players would deposit, claim the maximum bonus, and cash it out immediately. Casinos responded by tightening the rules and introducing wagering requirements to prevent abuse.
Second, no-wager bonuses would make it easy to launder money, which violates anti-money-laundering policies required by gambling regulators.
Non GamStop casinos may set their own wagering requirements, as long as they are clear and transparent.
Maximum Profit Bonus
In addition to wagering, an online casino may also limit the maximum payout from a bonus. You should always check whether such a limit applies.
Most casino terms aren’t easy to read, but they contain crucial information. Some gambling sites even have a separate page dedicated to bonus terms.
For example, Spin Palace—listed on our online casino blacklist—advertises aggressively but limits maximum cashout to six times your deposit.
If you deposit €100 and receive a €100 bonus, the maximum payout is €600. Whether you win €601 or €25,000, you will still receive only €600 after meeting the wagering requirements. This is one reason we don’t recommend playing jackpot slots when using a bonus.
Bonus Terms and Conditions Duration
You usually have 30 days to meet all bonus requirements. If you fail to do so, you lose not only the bonus but also any winnings generated from it. However, casinos do not deduct real money—bonus funds remain separate until fully cleared.
At the best international casinos, you also have 30 days to clear the bonus.
Example:
You receive €100 in bonus credit and must wager it 30 times (€3,000 total) within 30 days.
If you play Starburst with a minimum bet of €0.10 per spin, you must spin 30,000 times, or 1,000 spins per day—an almost impossible task. And your balance may not last long enough, because wagering always carries the risk of losing money.
Blocked Withdrawal as a Bonus Condition
Another common bonus condition at reputable casinos concerns withdrawals. Often, you cannot withdraw any funds while a bonus is active. You must either wager the bonus or lose it before making a withdrawal. Some bonus terms even state that requesting a withdrawal automatically voids the bonus, regardless of whether the request is approved.
Many players complain about blocked withdrawals, even though this is clearly explained in the terms and conditions.
Whether or Not to Claim a Casino Bonus
An alternative to clearing a casino bonus is to decline it entirely. This means you forgo the bonus offered by the platform. In return, you regain your freedom. You decide how often and how long you play, which casino games you choose, how much you bet, and when you withdraw. Almost every online casino gives you the option to accept or decline a bonus when making a deposit.
In some cases, we advise against claiming a non GamStop casino bonus. This is usually when the bonus and its associated terms and conditions are unfavorable.
Conclusion
Wagering requirements were created to protect operators’ interests when offering casino bonuses. But the presence of this “necessary evil” does not make bonuses any less appealing. You simply need to understand exactly what you are agreeing to when accepting such an offer. The real value of a casino bonus lies in the terms and conditions, with the wagering requirement playing the most important role.
