How Wagering Requirements Actually Work
“45x wagering requirement” is one of those phrases that shows up on almost every casino bonus, and it’s easy to skim past without really understanding what it means for your money. This guide breaks it down with a worked example, so you know exactly what you’re signing up for.
The Basic Idea
A wagering requirement (sometimes called a “playthrough requirement”) is the amount you need to bet before you can withdraw any winnings that came from a bonus. It’s expressed as a multiplier — like 30x, 40x, or 45x — applied to either the bonus amount or the total of your deposit plus bonus, depending on the casino’s terms.
A Worked Example
Let’s say you deposit €20 and get a 100% match bonus, giving you €20 in bonus funds — €40 total to play with. The casino’s terms say the wagering requirement is 45x, applied to the bonus amount only.
The Math
That €900 doesn’t mean you need €900 in your account — it means the total value of all your bets needs to add up to €900 before withdrawal is unlocked. If you’re playing a slot with a €1 bet each spin, that’s 900 spins to clear the requirement.
Why This Matters More Than the Headline Bonus
A €2,500 bonus with a 60x wagering requirement can be harder to actually clear than a €500 bonus with a 20x requirement. Before comparing bonus sizes, always check the multiplier — it tells you far more about how realistic it is to withdraw anything.
Other Terms to Watch For
- Bonus vs. deposit+bonus: some casinos apply the multiplier only to the bonus, others to your deposit and bonus combined — the latter means significantly more wagering
- Maximum bet while wagering: many casinos cap how much you can bet per spin/hand while clearing a bonus (often €5), and breaking this rule can void your winnings
- Game contribution: not all games count equally — slots often contribute 100% toward wagering, while table games like blackjack might only count 10-20%
- Expiry: bonuses usually expire within 7-30 days, so slow play can mean losing the bonus before you clear it
Ready to compare current offers with their wagering terms already listed? Check out our full casino comparison.