We love bonuses as much as you do, and just like you, we have come across a hurdle or two with wagering requirements. At Mobile Casino Party, we let you know all the tricks of the trade, and in this feature, we will explain in detail everything you need to know about wagering requirements. How to calculate them, where to find them, and last but not least, the perfect way to beat them. We’ll even throw in a few useful tips on the most profitable way to wager your casino bonuses and free spins.
Table of Contents
Wagering Requirements Explained
Wagering requirements are the strings attached to a casino bonus. Bonuses come in the form of free spins, free bets, and match bonuses. In the same way that they are credited to your account after you make the initial deposit, you can only withdraw them after placing a certain number of bets (wagers). For every hand of cards or spin of the reels, the amount of money you put down for the gamble is called a wager.
By simple definition, a wagering requirement is the number of times you have to play the bonus money before you are allowed to cash out. It has alternative monikers, which are common among casino enthusiasts. You will often hear them called playthrough or rollover.
A typical example is a 25x wagering requirement on a bonus of $100. In this case, you are expected to bet your bonus amount 30 times over before the bonus money is converted to real money in your player account.
The above scenario applies to cash bonuses and free bets, but free spins also come with identical requirements. In the case of bonus spins, you will have to roll over the winnings accrued from playing your favorite slots with the free spins.
How To Calculate Your Wagering Requirements
If you’ve got math anxiety, no need to get scared; this is very elementary and rather straightforward. To determine how much you need to place in wagers, you simply have to multiply the bonus by the wagering requirement.
Let’s break it down with another example:
Imagine you join MCP Casino, and you proceed to make your first deposit of $80.
MCP Casino credits your account with a 100% match deposit bonus of $80.
The bonus terms and conditions indicate a rollover of 30x the bonus.
This means that to withdraw the bonus and its winnings, you have to wager ($40) x (30). A quick punch in of the numbers on your calculator will result in $1200 total bets.
You may also encounter a casino offering what we call a sticky bonus. With a sticky bonus, your wagering requirements also include your initial deposit.
If MCP Casino were to offer a sticky bonus, the bonus terms and conditions would indicate a playthrough of 30x the initial deposit + bonus amounts.
Here, you need to wager ($40 + $40) x (30) which equals $2,400 in total bets.
These numbers seem a bit high, but the casino usually gives players 30 days or more to make the required amount of wagers. If you make smart bets, you can also use the winnings from your bonus money to meet up even faster and still make profits.
Why Wagering Requirements Exist
Wagering requirements are a legitimate standard in online casinos and for good reason too. Casinos are obligated to comply with anti-money laundering regulations. These requirements are a form of shield against criminals wanting to make away with the casino’s funds by depositing and then withdrawing immediately after getting the bonus.
Operators need protection as well, and with wagering requirements, players who receive a bonus have to actually play at the casino before cashing out the bonus money. Hence, wagering requirements are not just a ploy by the casino to cheat you out of your cash. Of course, some operators take advantage of its legitimacy to get more money from players by setting the rollover ridiculously high.
Low And High Wagering Requirements
Many players dread this aspect of casino bonuses not because they are a bad concept, but because some casinos use it as a means to exploit players. We’ve come across more than a few sites with wagering requirements that go as high as 50x or 60x the bonus, and we do not recommend such sites at MCP.
The higher the wagering requirement, the easier it is for players to make irrecoverable losses. Unless you have a massive bankroll that you are willing to risk, a 50x wagering requirement should deter you from a welcome bonus.
Thanks to laws and regulations guiding licensed casinos, wagering requirements and other relevant information have to be visible to players. Casinos will often display them alongside the bonus advert on the homepage. Otherwise, you will find them under the t & c section, and you could also contact Customer Support for assistance on the matter. But remember that you should never sign up for a bonus offer until you have confirmed the wagering requirements.
Check our list of recommended online casinos for the best and most convenient bonuses and requirements.
The Way To Beat Bonus Requirements
Beating the casino is something that players continuously try to do with strategy and methodologies. Operators never cease trying to outsmart gamers, so why should we let our guards down? The same goes for bonus requirements. Here are surefire ways to get the best out of your casino bonus.
Research the best casino
Luckily we’ve got you covered on this one, but it’s still a crucial tip to always keep at the back of your mind. Go for an operator that is licensed by a reputable body. Licensing guarantees security because the casino has to adhere to applicable gaming laws that protect you as a player.
Choose a casino with a good reputation and reliable customer support in case you encounter any problems. The cashout limits and payout times are no less important; the end goal is to get your money in one piece and in due time. So much can go wrong when you pick an inadequate casino, but when you choose the right one, you are much more confident in your game.
Read the fine print
Your first point of call when choosing a casino bonus is to take a good peek at the terms and conditions. That is where you will find all information concerning bonuses, including the max bets and time limits, as well as other general terms about playing at the casino.
Casino bonuses sometimes require different deposit methods for activation, and using an unacceptable payment method means you could lose your chance at a lucrative welcome offer. You may also forfeit your bonus and all its winnin
gs if you attempt to make a withdrawal before completing the requirements, so make sure to read them carefully.
Choose your games
Another point to note about wagering requirements is that they also stipulate the games that contribute to bonus clearing.
Assume that at MCP Casino, Roulette contributes 50% to the wagering requirement.
If you place a bet of $20 on one round, you will have spent $10 towards claiming the bonus because only half of it counts.
Generally, table games and card games contribute only a portion, while slots contribute 100% of your bet. To increase your chances of beating the requirements, you should concentrate on playing slots because they give the most bang for your buck.
Play right and play smart
Remember we had promised to give you a few smart bonus wagering tips, it’s time to make good on that promise. By placing smart bets on the right games, you meet bonus requirements a lot quicker, and in this case, slots are the way to go.
If you place a $20 bet on a spin, all $20 counts to your bonus clearing. However, as you work towards clearing the bonus, you also need to focus on placing winning stakes. Slots differ among each other, and some will be profitable than others. Claiming the bonus and losing your bets along the way will result in an overall loss. The way to truly beat the bonus requirements is to come out with a profit, and here’s how you can achieve that.
- Go high variance at the beginning – they pay out lesser but roll out larger wins when they do.
- After hitting a couple of big wins, go for low variance – they pay out consistently and are low-risk, so you don’t endanger your bankroll.
- Pay attention to the RTP of the slot because that tells you the percentage of your bets that you can win back after a gaming session
What Is The No Wagering Casino?
This option is less widespread, but some casinos do offer bonuses with no strings attached. Here, you do not have to keep track of your bets or wait for a specific time to withdraw your bonus. You can cash out the bonus and its winnings anytime you wish. However, you will have to compromise on the amount because wager free bonuses are usually on the smaller side of the spectrum. Nonetheless, little bonus money or free spins can be equally profitable.
Conclusion
You won’t be able to avoid wagering requirements in the long run, so it is best to know how to work around them to your advantage. You could decide to renounce your bonus, but that would mean you missing out on the chance to boost your bankroll and heighten your casino gaming experience. Opting for casinos offering low bonus requirements would provide the optimal opportunity to benefit from the bonus, play your favorite jackpots or slots variants, and rollover the bonus before you know it.
