Bonus Wagering Calculator
Work out total wagering required, expected loss, and time to clear a deposit bonus before you accept it.
Total wagering required
3500.00
Estimated bets needed
3,500
Time to complete
11.7 hrs
Expected loss
140.00
Expected value of bonus
-40.00
Suggested bankroll
375.00
What is wagering?
A wagering (or "playthrough") requirement is the number of times you must bet the bonus amount — or your deposit, or both — before the operator lets you withdraw any winnings that came from it. It exists so operators aren’t simply giving away free cash: without it, a player could deposit, claim a bonus, and withdraw immediately.
Why the math usually favors the house
Every bet you place has a house edge (100% − RTP) baked in. Over the volume of wagering a bonus requires, that edge compounds — the “expected loss” figure above is your wagering requirement multiplied by the house edge. If that number is larger than the bonus itself, the offer is negative expected value on average, even though any individual session could go either way.
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FAQs
What does "wagering requirement" mean?
It's the multiple of the bonus (or deposit, or both) you must bet through before you can withdraw winnings from it. A 35x requirement on a €100 bonus means €3,500 in total wagers before cashout.
Why does RTP matter for a bonus?
RTP (Return to Player) is the average percentage of wagered money a game pays back over time. The gap between RTP and 100% is the house edge, which is applied to your entire wagering volume — so a high wagering requirement on a low-RTP game can turn a "free" bonus into a net loss on average.
What is a common mistake players make with wagering requirements?
Only reading the bonus percentage (e.g. "100% match") without checking the wagering multiplier, which base it applies to, and any game weighting or max-bet restrictions — all of which affect how much you actually need to wager and how likely you are to complete it.
Is this calculator financial or gambling advice?
No. It applies standard expected-value math to the numbers you enter — it does not know your specific operator's exact terms, game weighting, or variance, and actual results will vary. Always read the operator's full bonus terms.