Bonus Rollover and Wagering Requirements Explained

Posted by James Guill . Last updated:

In any relationship, there is mutual give and take and compromise. The same holds true for online casino operators and wooing new players to join their sites. The casino online provides welcome bonuses in the form of free money when a player signs up and makes a first deposit, while the casino bonus rollover is the player’s action in this compromise illustration.

This guide will explain what a casino bonus rollover is, provide real world wagering requirement examples and the pros and cons of bonus rollover requirement terms and conditions.

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What is a Casino Bonus Rollover?

At its very core, the casino bonus rollover is a set amount of money a new player must wager before they can request a withdrawal payout from the online casino. It’s typically a number multiplied X-number of times, known as the playthrough requirement, that generates the total amount that the casino requires be wagered prior to payout and receiving an online casino real money payout.

What is a casino bonus rollover example?

You join a casino that pays matches 100% of your initial casino deposit bonus up to $5,000. You deposit $5,000 and the casino matches the $5,000. So, you have $10,000 in your account. With a 5x bonus rollover, you would need to wager $25,000 – or 5x the $5,000 bonus – prior to being allowed to request a withdrawal.

Why do bonus rollover wagering requirements exist?

If online casinos didn’t mandate bonus rollover requirements, players would be withdrawing tens of thousands if not millions of dollars from their digital wallets that they didn’t earn, the casino would lose tons of money and would go bankrupt really quick.

How Wagering Requirements Work

Wagering requirements can be confusing for those new to legal online gambling. All online casinos and online sports betting sites have rollover bonus requirements which must be met before you can withdraw your winnings. Here are some key facts and examples of how bonus rollover requirements work:

a man wearing a tie next to a bag of money

How to Calculate a Bonus Rollover

Although online casino rollover requirements may seem intimidating, they are quite easy to calculate.

To calculate the rollover amount, simply add your deposit amount and bonus amount together and then multiply that total by the rollover requirement.

 

icon calculator

Rollover Calculator

Here at GambleOnline, we understand that not everyone can quickly calculate their bonus rollover amount. That’s why we recommend you use our bonus calculator to determine the playthrough requirement for your bonus.

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Examples of Casino Bonus Rollover

In most instances, the casino bonus rollover is strictly on the bonus funds match itself. So, a 30x rollover on a 100% match on $1,000 bonus would mean risk $30,000 at the online casino before you can request the “free” $1,000 the casino credited you after placing a first deposit.

You might come across a welcome or reload bonus that requires you to wager the deposit amount + bonus money received. So, if you deposited $1,000 and earned a 100% match at $1,000, you now have $2,000 in your casino wallet. If the 30x rollover example was tied to deposit amount + bonus money, you’d need to risk $60,000 (30 x $2,000) prior to requesting a withdrawal of the casino’s $1,000 in bonus monies.

zielona ikona bonusu powitalnego

Real Casino Bonus Rollover Example

at Bovada

In our Bovada casino review, we found that Bovada’s casino bonus for new players comes with a 25x playthrough requirement on the deposit plus bonus amount.

So, for example:

  • They offer 100% deposit match up to $1,000 three times.
  • So, a $3,000 deposit over three banking transactions can earn you $3,000 in casino bonus credits.
  • However, to be able to withdrawal any money, you need to risk $150,000 ($6,000 deposit + bonus amount multiplied by 25x playthrough)
  • That’s a lot of wagers before you can earn that payout.
one green playing card face down and another face up

Gaming Exceptions

When reviewing the terms and conditions of a casino’s wagering requirements, take special note of which games are excluded from qualifying for playthrough credits. Unfortunately, casinos will often exclude a number of games in rollover requirement terms and conditions.

This means that any wagers on these excluded games will not count towards clearing the bonus rollover requirements. This exclusion normally applies to video poker and table games, including online blackjack, craps online and roulette online.

Games which do contribute towards clearing bonus rollover requirements include online slots, keno online, and bingo online. Generally speaking, games with a lower house edge are excluded from contributing towards clearing the playthrough requirements.

Bonus Rollover Strategy

a white page with a magnifying glass examining fine print

Terms & Conditions

Prior to joining any new online casino and/or accepting their welcome bonus, be sure to read over the betting requirements terms and conditions. Some more established and respected casinos have higher wager requirements to clear bonus monies than up and coming gambling sites.

a white slots lucky cherry icon

Casino Games Efficiency

When reviewing terms and conditions, be sure to note which casino games help you clear wagering requirements faster. Sometime betting online slots allows you to clear bonus rollovers faster than, say, online blackjack. Each operator will note if any online casino games are not eligible for bonus rollover credit.

a band of cash bills

Bankroll Management

Whatever you do, be sure not to chase casino bonus welcome funds if they are lost. You were playing with the house’s credits and chalk it up to nothing ventured, nothing gained. Once your bonus funds are gone, stick to classic casino bankroll management and remember to enjoy the session rather than get emotional and starting betting wildly to gain back funds.

Casino Bonus Rollover Pros & Cons

The rollover for a bonus at an online casino can be an unwelcome surprise for some new players. While casinos attract new players with their amazing games and lucrative bonuses, the rollover requirement can confuse players who have never encountered the idea before.

Ultimately, the bonus rollover is a fact of life and players should be aware of their advantages and disadvantages. Here are some of the main pros and cons associated with wagering requirements:

Pros

  • Free money
  • Lowered risk
  • Multiple betting options
  • No max payout limit (in some cases)
  • Betting with house money

Cons

  • Some rollover X-amounts are super high
  • Operators place payout limits on bonus funds

Best Online Casino Rollover Bonuses

When writing our online casino reviews, we are always sure to check the wagering requirements of a site’s bonuses. Here are five of the lowest wagering requirements at our recommended casinos:

Online Casino Welcome Bonus Bonus Rollover Requirement Play Now!
Lincoln Casino $5,000 20x Play Now!
Uptown Aces $8,888 25x Play Now!
Bovada $3,000 25x Play Now!
Ignition Casino $3,000 25x Play Now!
DuckyLuck Casino $7,500 30x Play Now!

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James Guill

James Guill is a former professional poker player who writes fro GambleOnline.co about poker, sports, casinos, gaming legislation and the online gambling industry in general. His past experience includes working with IveyPoker, PokerNews, PokerJunkie, Bwin, and the Ongame Network. From 2006-2009 he participated in multiple tournaments including the 37th and 38th World Series of Poker (WSOP). James lives in Virgina and he has a side business where he picks and sells vintage and antique items.

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