Understanding Wagering Requirements: The Key to Profitable Bonus Play
Casinos often use bonuses as a way to promote their services to new players and to reward players for loyalty. They can also be a great way for players to leverage the offers and earn a bit more or at least lower the risks involved.
In order to get the most out of a bonus offer, a player needs to understand the concept of wagering requirements. These are attached to almost all bonuses, and new and inexperienced players often make the mistake of not understanding the details of a bonus before using it.
What are Wagering Requirements?
Wagering requirements (WR) are a condition under which the player receives their bonus. They refer to the number of times the player must bet the bonus (or bonus plus the deposit) before they are able to withdraw the bonus.
Casinos are obligated to be transparent about the wagering requirements, But players still sometimes miss them if they aren’t paying attention. It’s also important for players to distinguish between bonuses that include the value of the deposit into the requirement and those that don’t.
Why Do Casinos Use Wagering Requirements?
Wagering requirements aren’t there just to make things more difficult for the players, even though it may sometimes seem so. Without wagering requirements, players would be able to simply collect the bonus and withdraw it right away, essentially getting free money from the casino.
Gambling establishments aren’t in the business of handing out free money, even when they have generous offers for select players. Therefore, a wagering requirement is used to make sure the players will actually spend some of their own deposit in the game before withdrawing the bonus.
How to Calculate Wagering Requirements
The best way to explain how to calculate wagering requirements is via an example. For instance:
A player receives a bonus of £50 with a 30x requirement. This means that the wager needed to withdraw the £50 is 50 x 30 or £1500. If the same wagering requirement applies to both the deposit and the bonus, then it’s (50 [for the bonus] + 50 ([or the deposit]) x 30 [for the requirement], equalling £3000.
It’s also important to note that not all games contribute the same percentage towards the requirement.
For instance:
- Slots: 100% (every £1 bet = £1 toward WR)
- Blackjack: 10%
- Roulette: 20–50%
- Video Poker: 10% or less
Different Types of Bonuses and Their Requirements
The size of the wagering requirement usually depends on the type of bonus you’re using. Casinos usually offer a great many different bonuses, and by carefully choosing which bonus to use, a player can improve their chances.
Welcome Bonus
The welcome bonus is a bonus that casinos provide for players when they first sign up. It’s usually the most generous bonus, and the wagering requirements reflect that. Players use this bonus to try out the games with little risk, and the casinos try to make this a pleasurable experience.
The wagering requirements range from 30x to 50x on these bonuses. This is usually the best deal the player can expect from a bonus.
Crypto Bonus
Crypto bonuses are offered by casinos that work specifically in crypto. Many Ethereum casinos simply double the amount the players deposit for the first time (within a limit). Some casinos also have a restriction on the games for which these bonuses can be used.
The wagering requirements for a crypto bonus are usually about 50x, which makes them among the most generous bonuses out there.
No Deposit Bonus
A no deposit bonus is a bonus that a player gets without having to deposit any of their own funds. That’s usually a smaller amount, and it’s usually awarded to new players or to those who sign up for a new service. This also means wagering requirements will be higher since there are fewer hoops for the player to jump through.
WR for a no deposit is usually between 60x and 100x, depending on the size of the bonus.
Free Spins
Free spins are bonuses provided to slot players, slots being the most played gambling game across all platforms. Many players treat free spins as free money and overlook that they, too, come with wagering requirements, regardless of the sum you’re getting with each spin,
WR for free spins is usually about 35x.
Common Mistakes When Using Bonuses
Players often make a few common mistakes when using bonuses, and they are often related to wagering requirements. The best way to avoid these is to be aware of the concept of wagering requirements and to choose which bonus to use carefully.
Not reading the terms
Players often don’t read the terms and conditions of using a bonus, even though they contain all they need to know about it, including the wagering requirements. Take the time to do so, and most mistakes will be avoided.
Assuming all games count
Not all games contribute towards the wagering requirements, and it’s wrong to assume that they do. It often happens that the game the players enjoy the most doesn’t count.
Breaking the max bet rule
Most bonuses have a limit on how much you can bet. Even if you bet more than the prescribed amount, only the limit will go towards the wagering requirement.
Letting bonuses expire
Most bonuses also have a time limit, ranging between seven and ten days, and it’s essential to use them before they expire.
How to Make the Most Profitable Bonus Play
There are a few strategies that players can employ to make the most out of the bonus. The key to all of those is to stay informed about the bonuses and how they work simply. The strategies include:
- Choosing the bonuses with the lowest wagering requirements. These are the least expensive to use, and that means the players will have the best chance of withdrawing their bonus or at least as much of it as possible.
- Playing the games that contribute the most to the wagering requirements. The best games in this regard are slots since they contribute 100 percent of the played amount towards the WR. When playing slots, the best way to go is to use the ones with the high return-to-player rate. Those also have the lowest volatility.
It’s also important to keep track of your progress so that you’re always aware of how close you are to withdrawing the bonus. Most gambling sites and apps have an interface that makes it easy for a player to do so, but you can use your own system as well.
Conclusion
Casinos offer bonuses, and players should take advantage of the policy, as it can be profitable. However, bonuses come with wagering requirements. These refer to the amounts the players need to spend on their own before they are able to withdraw the bonus. That way, the casino will not be handing out free money.
Not all games contribute the same to the wagering requirements, and there are also limits as to how much a player is allowed to bet while still making the contributions. By staying informed about these rules, players can make the most out of the bonus.
