Wagering requirements: the maths behind every bonus

The wagering requirement is the most important number in any bonus. It says how many times an amount must be staked before it can be withdrawn. It turns a bonus from money into playing time — and playing time costs, because the house has an edge in every game. Here is how to work out what a requirement means in practice.

From requirement to total stakes

Multiply the requirement by the amount it applies to. Worked example: a 50 bonus at 30x means 1,500 in total stakes. That does not mean depositing 1,500 — it is the sum of every stake, including those made with winnings along the way.

Expected loss: the number operators do not print

Every game pays back less than 100% on average; the difference is the house edge. Multiply total stakes by the house edge and you get the expected loss on the way to meeting the requirement.

Total stakes	House edge (example)	Expected loss
1,500	4%	60
1,500	3%	45
3,000	4%	120

Amounts, percentages, requirements and deadlines are set by the operator and can change — the bonus terms on the operator's site are what apply.

With a 50 bonus and an expected loss of 60, the bonus is worth minus 10 on average. With wagering on deposit plus bonus, the sum looks even worse. That does not mean you always lose — it means that on average you pay for the bonus.

Contribution changes everything

If the game you play counts only partly, total stakes rise accordingly. A game counting 20% needs five times the stakes to make the same progress. That is why bonuses and table games rarely mix.

Deadlines and pace

Seven days to wager 1,500 means more than 200 a day on average. Deadlines push long sessions and bigger stakes — the opposite of what limits and cooling-off tools try to achieve.

Go to the offer

Using the maths

Find the requirement and what it applies to.
Work out total stakes.
Multiply by the house edge of the games you will use.
Compare the expected loss with the bonus.

If the loss is larger than the bonus, the offer is a cost on average, and saying no becomes easy.

Frequently asked questions

What does 30x wagering mean?

The amount the requirement applies to must be staked 30 times before it can be withdrawn. A 50 bonus means 1,500 in total stakes.

How do I calculate the expected loss?

Multiply total stakes by the house edge. 1,500 in stakes at a 4% edge gives an expected loss of about 60.

Do I have to deposit the full wagering amount?

No. It is the sum of all stakes, including those made with winnings along the way.