Bonus math

Wagering requirement & bonus calculator

How much you actually have to bet to clear a bonus — adjusted for game contribution and RTP — and what it is really worth. Switch to the operator view for GGR and net promo cost.

The offer

Bonus amount

Currency

Wagering applies to

Wagering requirement35×

The multiplier in the bonus terms, e.g. “35x bonus”.

Game contribution100%

How much each $1 wagered counts toward the requirement. Slots usually 100%, table games 10–20%.

Game RTP96%

Return to player of the game you clear the bonus on.

What it means for you

What a wagering requirement really means

A wagering requirement (playthrough) is how much you must bet before bonus money — or bonus winnings — can be withdrawn. It is expressed as a multiple: 30x on a 100 bonus means 3,000 in total stakes. This calculator works out the total wagering, the expected cost of clearing it given the game's RTP, and whether the bonus is worth taking. It has two views: a player view (what the offer is worth to you) and an operator view (what the promotion costs to run), because the same numbers answer both questions from opposite sides.

RTP, game weighting and the terms that shrink the value

The expected cost of wagering is the total stakes multiplied by the house edge (1 minus RTP). At 96% RTP, clearing 3,000 in wagering costs about 120 on average — so a 100 bonus with 30x wagering is roughly break-even before you account for variance and restrictions. Those restrictions matter: game weighting (slots often count 100%, table games 10% or 0%), a maximum bet while a bonus is active, a maximum cashout cap, and a time limit all reduce the real value. For the operator, the mirror image applies — high weighting and a low RTP game make the bonus cheap to offer, a low-wagering or cashback offer costs close to face value. Enter the actual terms, not the headline.

Frequently asked questions

How is total wagering calculated?

Wagering multiple times the amount it applies to. If the multiple is 30x and it applies to the bonus only, it is 30 × bonus. If it applies to deposit plus bonus, it is 30 × (deposit + bonus), which is a much larger number — check which your offer uses.

What does the expected cost of clearing a bonus mean?

The average amount you lose to the house edge while betting through the requirement: total wagering × (1 − RTP). It is an average over many attempts — any single playthrough can end well ahead or busted.

Is a lower wagering multiple always better?

For value, yes, but read the rest of the terms. A 10x bonus with 20% game weighting on the only allowed games, a low max bet and a small cashout cap can be worth less than a clean 35x offer.

What is game weighting?

The share of each stake that counts toward wagering. Slots usually count 100%, live casino and table games often 10% or 5%, and some games count 0%. Betting a game that counts 10% means you must wager ten times as much to clear the same requirement.

Why does a max bet rule exist during wagering?

It stops players clearing the requirement in a few high-variance bets. Breaching it usually voids the bonus and any winnings, so it is one of the most common reasons a cleared bonus is not paid. Always check the max bet before starting.

How does the operator view differ?

Same maths, opposite goal. The operator wants to know the expected net cost of the promotion: the bonus face value minus the house edge recovered during wagering, adjusted for how many players clear it versus forfeit. A high wagering requirement on a low-RTP game with heavy weighting rules makes a bonus cheap to run.

Does the calculator account for variance?

It gives the expected (average) value and cost. It does not simulate the distribution of outcomes, so remember that a slot with a big top prize has a wide spread around that average — most attempts do worse, a few do much better.

Is anything I enter stored?

No. The calculation runs entirely in your browser; nothing is transmitted or saved.

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