Wagering requirements are one of the most important terms and conditions that online slot players need to understand. These stipulations determine when you are eligible to withdraw winnings from bonus funds awarded by online casinos.
How do wagering requirements work?
All casino bonuses, including deposit matches, free spins, and no-deposit bonuses, come with wagering requirements attached. It means you will need to bet a certain multiple of your bonus amount before you cash out any winnings. For instance, if an online slot offers a 100% deposit match up to $200 with 35x wagering, you will need to wager $7,000 (35 x $200 bonus) before you make any withdrawals. The wagering has to be completed only on slot games unless stated otherwise. Wagering requirements are applied to the combined value of the bonus and the deposit amount. Using the example above, if you make a $200 deposit and receive a $200 bonus, your total bonus balance will be $400. You will then need to wager $14,000 (35 x $400) before cashing out. It prevents players from withdrawing the bonus right after claiming it.
Important factors to consider
- Wager percentage contribution – Not all games contribute 100% to wagering. Slots usually contribute 100% but table games like blackjack may only contribute 10% or 20%.
- Bet size – Your wagers should be relative to the bonus size to complete the playthrough quickly. Big bets speed up playthroughs but also carry more risk.
- Volatility – Play volatile, high-variance slots at your own risk. Low volatility slots are ideal for safely clearing wagering requirements.
- House edge – Choose slots with a low house advantage for better bonus clearing ability. Avoid slots with high house edge as you may lose the bonus.
Tips to clear wagering requirements
- Whenever feasible, choose bonuses that come with minimal wagering requirements. Anything under 30x is considered reasonable.
- Claim bonuses only when you commit time to meet wagering needs. Letting it expire is wasted value.
- Make medium-sized bets and gamble responsibly. Place big bets only if you afford to lose.
- Play low volatility slots like Starburst or Gonzo’s Quest to reduce risk exposure. Avoid volatile slots until wagering is complete.
- Check if different games contribute differently to wagering. Play situs slot with 100% contribution whenever you can.
- Don’t chase losses if you are down while clearing requirements. You are still playing with the casino’s money.
- Avoid placing single big bets. Smaller bets help spread risk and complete playthroughs faster.
Problems caused by high wagering requirements
- Increasing the difficulty of withdrawing winnings significantly
- Promoting irresponsible gambling by forcing players to wager more
- Providing an extremely poor return-to-player for bonus funds
- Trapping players in a cycle of endless playing trying to clear requirements
- Draining the player’s bankroll rapidly with stringent demands
- Creating a feeling of unfair terms for bonus redemption
Reputable online casinos tend to impose reasonable playthroughs. However, some dishonest ones apply astronomical requirements of 50x or more to make bonuses almost impossible to withdraw from. Players should be wary of such questionable stipulations.
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