Understanding Wagering Requirements – A Complete Guide
Bonus Tips
By Jake Mitchell
What Are Wagering Requirements?
If you’ve ever claimed a casino bonus, you’ve probably seen the phrase “wagering requirements” (also called playthrough requirements or turnover conditions). They’re one of the most important concepts to understand in online gambling, yet they’re often the source of the most confusion among new players.
In simple terms, a wagering requirement is the total amount of money you must bet before you can withdraw any winnings derived from a bonus. It’s expressed as a multiplier of the bonus amount (e.g., 35x).
Why do casinos use them? Without wagering requirements, players could simply deposit, claim a bonus, and immediately withdraw the free money. Wagering requirements ensure that bonus funds are used for their intended purpose — giving you extra playtime and a chance to explore the casino’s games. For more context on how bonuses fit into the bigger picture, see our complete guide to Australian online casinos.
How Wagering Requirements Work
The calculation is straightforward. The formula is:
Total Wagering Needed = Bonus Amount × Wagering Multiplier
Let’s walk through a concrete example:
- You deposit $100 and receive a $100 bonus (100% match).
- The wagering requirement is 35x the bonus amount.
- Total wagering needed: $100 × 35 = $3,500.
- This means you need to place a total of $3,500 in bets across eligible games before you can withdraw bonus winnings.
Here’s what that looks like in practice with VOLT’s 200% welcome bonus:
| Your Deposit | Bonus (200%) | Wagering (35x Bonus) | Estimated Spins at $1/spin |
|---|---|---|---|
| $50 | $100 | $3,500 | ~3,500 spins |
| $100 | $200 | $7,000 | ~7,000 spins |
| $250 | $500 | $17,500 | ~17,500 spins |
| $1,000 | $2,000 | $70,000 | ~70,000 spins |
Remember, you’re not expected to “lose” this entire amount. Because pokies return approximately 96% of your bets on average, your balance recycles as you play. Most of the wagering requirement is met through this recycling process.
Game Contribution Rates
Not all games contribute equally towards wagering requirements. Different game categories count for different percentages of your wagers. Here’s a typical breakdown:
| Game Type | Typical Contribution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Online Pokies | 100% | Every $1 bet counts as $1 towards wagering |
| Scratch Cards | 100% | Full contribution like pokies |
| Blackjack | 10–20% | $1 bet counts as $0.10–$0.20 |
| Roulette | 10–20% | Similar to blackjack |
| Video Poker | 10–20% | Varies by title |
| Live Casino | 10% | Lower contribution due to lower house edge |
| Sports Betting | 0% | Typically excluded from bonus wagering |
The message is clear: if you want to clear your bonus as efficiently as possible, pokies are your best friend. A $1 bet on a pokie counts as $1 towards your wagering target, while the same $1 bet on blackjack might only count as $0.10.
What Is a Good Wagering Requirement?
Wagering requirements vary significantly across the industry. Here’s a general guide to help you assess what you’re signing up for:
| Wagering Multiplier | Rating | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 15–25x | Excellent | Very player-friendly, easy to clear |
| 25–35x | Good | Fair and achievable for most players |
| 35–45x | Fair | Industry standard, requires some commitment |
| 45–60x | High | Challenging to clear, assess carefully |
| 60x+ | Very High | Difficult to clear profitably |
At VOLT, our standard wagering requirement of 35x sits comfortably in the “good to fair” range. Combined with our generous 200% match, it’s one of the best value welcome packages available.
Tips for Meeting Wagering Requirements
- Play high-RTP pokies: The higher the RTP, the more of your wagers are returned as winnings, giving your balance more longevity. Our Live RTP Tracker can help you identify the best-paying games right now.
- Stick to pokies: With 100% contribution, every dollar you bet on pokies counts fully towards your wagering target. Table games and live casino will take five to ten times longer to clear.
- Manage your bankroll: Use consistent bet sizes rather than making large, sporadic bets. This reduces variance and gives you more spins to work through the requirement.
- Check the time limit: Most bonuses have an expiry window — at VOLT, you have 30 days to clear wagering. Plan your play sessions accordingly so you don’t run out of time.
- Track your progress: Monitor your wagering progress in your VOLT account dashboard. Knowing where you stand helps you plan your remaining sessions.
VOLT’s Wagering Terms
We pride ourselves on transparency. Here’s a summary of our key bonus terms:
- Wagering multiplier: 35x the bonus amount (not bonus + deposit).
- No max bet rule: Unlike some operators, we don’t impose a maximum bet while wagering. Play at whatever bet level suits your style.
- Time limit: 30 days from bonus activation to complete wagering.
- Game contributions: Pokies 100%, table games 10–20%, live casino 10%.
- Clear terms: All bonus terms are available in plain English on our Help Centre — no hidden clauses or fine-print surprises.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I withdraw during wagering?
You can withdraw your original deposit at any time. However, doing so will forfeit any active bonus funds and associated winnings. We recommend completing wagering before making a withdrawal to maximise your balance.
What happens if the bonus expires?
If you don’t complete the wagering requirement within the 30-day window, the remaining bonus funds and any winnings derived from them will be removed from your account. Your original deposit and any winnings from non-bonus play are unaffected.
Do free spin winnings have wagering?
It depends on the promotion. Free spins from our welcome offer typically have the same 35x wagering requirement applied to any winnings. Some promotional free spins may have different or no wagering — always check the specific offer terms on our Promotions page.
