Wagering requirements explained: what 35× really means

A wagering requirement is the number of times you must bet a bonus before you can withdraw it. It's always written as a multiplier, like 35× or 10×. Understanding wagering requirements is the single most useful skill for judging any casino bonus or free bet.

How wagering requirements are calculated

A $100 bonus at 35× means $3,500 of bets. You don't lose $3,500. You just have to put that much through the games, win or lose. Every $1 spin counts as $1 towards the target, whether it wins or not.

Worked examples

• $20 bonus at 10×: $20 × 10 = $200 of bets
• $50 bonus at 25×: $50 × 25 = $1,250 of bets
• $100 bonus at 35×: $100 × 35 = $3,500 of bets

At $1 a spin, that last one is 3,500 spins. It helps to picture the number of bets, not just the multiplier.

The trap: wagering on "deposit + bonus"

Some casinos apply the multiplier to your deposit and the bonus. Same headline number, double the work:

Always check which one applies. It's usually one line in the terms, and it changes everything.

Not every game counts the same

Slots normally count 100%. Table games and live casino often count 5–10%, so a $10 blackjack bet might only clear $0.50 of your requirement. If you prefer tables, a bonus can take ten times longer to clear.

Example: $1,000 to clear on a game that counts 10% means $1,000 ÷ 0.10 = $10,000 of blackjack bets. Some games are excluded altogether, so check the list before you play.

What wagering costs you on average

Betting isn't free: every stake carries the house edge. Multiply the total you must bet by the edge and you get the expected cost of clearing the bonus.

• $3,500 of slots at 96% RTP: $3,500 × 4% = $140 expected cost on a $100 bonus
• $1,000 of slots at 96% RTP: $1,000 × 4% = $40 expected cost on the same bonus at 10×

The first bonus is worth about −$40 on average, the second about +$60. Our bonus value guide walks through this formula step by step, and the bet calculator does it for you.

Wagering on sports bonuses and free spins

Sportsbooks call it "rollover" and usually add minimum odds, so a bet below the stated price doesn't count. Free spins often carry wagering on the winnings rather than on a bonus amount. Our free spins calculator guide shows how that changes their value.

The UK 10× wagering cap

Since 19 January 2026, UK Gambling Commission rules cap wagering on new bonuses at 10× and stop operators mixing casino and sports products in one offer. If a UK-licensed site asks for more, check the date and the small print.

Checking any wagering requirement in four steps

• Find the multiplier and whether it applies to the bonus or to deposit + bonus.
• Work out the total to bet and divide by your game's contribution if it isn't 100%.
• Divide by the days you have before the bonus expires to see the daily betting it needs.
• Multiply the total by the house edge and compare that cost with the bonus.