Everything You Need to Know about Wagering Requirements

Updated: 23 Feb 2023

wagering requirements

You don’t have to look far to find a mass of online casinos offering huge welcome bonuses of 100% or more. They’ll even throw in a few free spins on a great slot game. But before you jump in to pay a deposit, cast an eye over the wagering requirements because they will directly affect how your bonus operates and the potential winnings that should be heading your way.

What are Wagering Requirements?

Wagering requirements are the bane of many an online gambler’s life. Although the exact figure varies between casinos, they all follow the same principle. For a start, they’re closely tied to the initial deposit you pay and severely restrict the timing of when you can withdraw your winnings. Generally, the wagering requirements indicate how many times you must play through your opening deposit to be eligible for withdrawing any cash prizes.

How Wagering Requirements Work

As an example, if you make a deposit of £100 to earn a bonus of 100% and there is a wagering requirement of twenty times, then you will have to place bets with a total that equals your deposit twenty times over. How much is that? A total of £2,000. Some wagering requirements are set even higher at thirty-five and fifty times, which would mean you have to spend £3,500 or £5,000 before you can touch any winnings earned through your bonus entitlement. Even worse, some casinos calculate the wagering requirements on your deposit and bonus percentage match added together. Until you’ve played through the wagering requirements, your winnings remain locked in the bonus section of your account.

Variations of Wagering Requirements

A tiered bonus wagering requirement structure is usually dispersed over three deposits. The exact format is up to individual casinos, but they will often have a set time limit for second and third deposits that you might have to pay at weekly or monthly intervals. You often have to play through each stage of your deposit within days. Some casinos offer a cash incentive such as a £20 no deposit bonus which awards you cash to play with. Whichever format you choose, always read the terms and conditions because that’s where you’ll find the restrictive details that apply to your bonus and the wagering requirements.

How to Avoid Wagering Restrictions

Is it possible? You can lessen the impact of wagering restrictions if you are able to make a low deposit that is not so expensive to use up. If you have to plough your way through your initial payment ten or more times, then the usual advice is to gamble on slot games with low variance. At least, some casinos help you out by awarding free spins on the best ever low variance slot, NetEnt’s Starburst. However, a far easier way to beat wagering requirements is to look for casinos that offer free spins no wagering.

Free Spins No Deposit No Wager

Sounds idyllic, doesn’t it? Play without a deposit or wagering requirements and get loads of free spins in return. Many online gamblers are suspicious that there must be a catch – as if there isn’t in the versions outlined above! Seriously, there are online casinos offering you free spins no deposit no wager. It means you can have the excitement of playing free spins without paying a deposit. There are no wagering requirements to play through either. And you actually keep your winnings from the very start. Although there are sometimes restrictions, such as which game you can use your free spins on or perhaps a limit on the maximum amount you can win, the pleasure of not having to spend vast sums of money to finally benefit from the cash you’ve won must surely compensate.

Examples of Casinos Offering Free Spins No Deposit No Wager

BetZest Casino has fifty free spins to give away on a NetEnt slot game of your own choosing. With hundreds of titles, including Book of Dead and Gonzo’s Quest, you can be sure of enjoying your free spins. ShadowBet is offering ten free spins on either the Invisible Man or the popular Starburst. Alternatively, PlayOJO Casino has up to ninety free spins in exchange for a £10 deposit, but you can win cash prizes without any wagering requirements. For even more free spins no wagering offers, check out the listings on a reliable casino comparison site that makes your task easy. And don’t forget those terms and conditions!