Online casinos love to dangle massive deposit bonuses in front of players. A "100% match up to $500" seems like free money, but it almost always comes with a catch: the wagering requirement.

What is a Wagering Requirement?

A wagering requirement (also called a playthrough or rollover) is a multiplier that tells you how many times you have to bet your bonus money before you're allowed to withdraw any winnings. For example, a $100 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement means you must place a total of $3,000 in bets before that bonus money is truly yours.

The Math That Works Against You

This is where the house edge comes back to bite you. Every bet you make has a small, negative expected value. When you're forced to wager thousands of dollars, that small edge adds up, slowly grinding down your bonus balance.

Let's look at an example:

• Bonus: $100
• Wagering Requirement: 30x
• Total to Wager: $3,000
• Game RTP (Return to Player): 96% (a 4% house edge)

Your expected loss on that $3,000 wager is $3,000 * 4% = $120.

You started with a $100 bonus, but you're mathematically expected to lose $120 before you can clear it. The bonus isn't free money; it's a trap designed to get you to play more, where the casino's edge will ultimately win out.

Is a Bonus Ever Worth It?

Sometimes, yes! A bonus can be profitable if the wagering requirement is low enough and the game's RTP is high enough. But how can you know for sure?

That's exactly why we built the Bonus & Wagering Calculator. Plug in the numbers from any bonus offer, and it will instantly tell you the "Expected Value" (EV) of that bonus. If the EV is positive, it's a good deal. If it's negative, you're better off declining the bonus and playing with your own money.

Don't fall for the marketing. Use the tools, do the math, and play smarter.