Casino Bonus Wagering Calculator: Master the Playthrough Math

Casino bonuses look generous—$500 free money!—until you read the wagering requirements. Our calculator reveals the true expected value of any bonus: how much you'll likely lose clearing 30x playthrough, which game contributes what percentage, and when bonuses actually become profitable.

What Are Wagering Requirements?

Wagering requirements (also called playthrough or rollover) specify how many times you must bet the bonus amount before withdrawing winnings. A $100 bonus with 30x requirement means betting $3,000 total before cashing out—and the house edge on those bets determines your expected loss.

Quick Answer: Wagering requirements = bonus × multiplier you must bet. $100 bonus, 30x = bet $3,000. House edge on $3,000: ~$45-81 expected loss. Bonus worth: $100 - expected loss. Slots usually 100% contribution. Blackjack often 10-20%. Roulette 20-50%. Lower house edge games = restricted contribution.

How to Use Our Calculator

Use the Bonus Calculator →

Calculate bonus expected value and clearing cost.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Enter Bonus Amount: Free money offered

2. Enter Wagering Requirement: Multiplier (e.g., 30x)

3. Select Game: What you'll play

4. View Contribution %: Game's counting rate

5. Calculate EV: Profit or loss expected

Input Fields Explained

Field	Description	Example
Bonus	Free money	$100
Wagering	Multiplier	30x
Total Wager	Amount to bet	$3,000
Game	Your choice	Blackjack
Contribution	% that counts	10%
Effective Wager	Adjusted amount	$30,000
Expected Loss	House edge cost	$150
Bonus EV	Net value	-$50

Wagering Mathematics

Basic Calculation

Calculating wagering amount:

Bonus: $100
Wagering: 30x
Total to bet: $100 × 30 = $3,000

If playing 100% contribution game:
Bet $3,000, done

If playing 10% contribution game:
Bet $30,000 to clear (3,000 ÷ 0.10)

Expected Loss from Wagering

Expected loss formula:

Total wagered × House edge = Expected loss

$3,000 × 1.5% (slots) = $45
$3,000 × 0.5% (blackjack) = $15
$3,000 × 2.7% (roulette) = $81

Bonus EV = Bonus - Expected loss

Game Contributions

Typical contribution rates:

Slots: 100%
Video Poker: 20-50%
Roulette: 10-50%
Baccarat: 10-20%
Blackjack: 5-20%
Craps: 0-20%

Lower edge games = lower contribution
Casinos protect themselves

Why Contributions Vary

The Casino's Protection

Why restrict blackjack:

Basic strategy: 0.5% house edge
If 100% contribution on $3,000:
Expected loss: $15
Bonus: $100
Player profit: $85

Casino loses money!
So they restrict it to 10%

Effective Wagering

$100 bonus, 30x, blackjack at 10%:

Target: $3,000 wagering
At 10%: Must bet $30,000
House edge 0.5%: $150 expected loss

Bonus: $100
Expected loss: $150
Net EV: -$50

Bonus becomes NEGATIVE value

Game Selection Strategy

Optimal game choice:

Find sweet spot:
Decent contribution + low house edge

Slots 100%, 1.5% edge = $45 loss on $3,000
Video poker 50%, 0.5% edge = $30 loss on $6,000
Roulette 50%, 2.7% edge = $81 loss on $6,000

Video poker often best if available

Bonus Types Analysis

Welcome Bonuses

Typical welcome bonus:

100% match up to $500
30x wagering requirement

Deposit $500, get $500 bonus
Wager: $500 × 30 = $15,000

At slots (100%, 1.5% edge):
Expected loss: $225
Bonus value: $500 - $225 = $275

Still +EV usually

No-Deposit Bonuses

Free money (no deposit):

$25 free, 50x wagering
Wager: $25 × 50 = $1,250

Expected loss (slots): $19
Bonus value: $25 - $19 = $6

Small but still +EV
Worth claiming

Reload Bonuses

Deposit match for existing players:

50% match up to $200
25x wagering

Deposit $400, get $200 bonus
Wager: $200 × 25 = $5,000

Expected loss (slots): $75
Bonus value: $200 - $75 = $125

Usually +EV
Check terms carefully

Real-World Examples

Example 1: Standard Welcome Bonus

Typical offer:

100% up to $300, 35x wagering

Deposit: $300
Bonus: $300
Wagering: $300 × 35 = $10,500

Playing slots (100%, 2% edge):
Expected loss: $210
Bonus EV: $300 - $210 = $90

+$90 expected value
Worth taking

Example 2: High Wagering Trap

Bad offer:

200% up to $1,000, 60x wagering

Deposit: $500
Bonus: $1,000
Wagering: $1,000 × 60 = $60,000

Playing slots (100%, 2% edge):
Expected loss: $1,200
Bonus EV: $1,000 - $1,200 = -$200

NEGATIVE expected value
Avoid this bonus

Example 3: Blackjack Attempt

Restricted game:

$200 bonus, 30x, blackjack 10% contribution

Target wagering: $6,000
Effective wagering: $60,000

House edge 0.5%: $300 expected loss
Bonus EV: $200 - $300 = -$100

Negative value
Better off on slots

Example 4: Video Poker Sweet Spot

Good combination:

$150 bonus, 25x, video poker 50% contribution

Target: $3,750 wagering
Effective: $7,500 wagering

House edge 0.5%: $37.50 expected loss
Bonus EV: $150 - $37.50 = $112.50

Best EV of all game options
If terms allow it

Advanced Considerations

Variance and Clearing

Can you actually clear?

$10,500 wagering on slots
Starting bankroll: $300 (deposit + bonus)

Variance can bust you before clearing
Risk of ruin: ~20-40%

Expected value exists
But variance may kill you

Time Limits

Expiration matters:

Most bonuses: 7-30 days to clear
$10,500 wagering in 7 days
= ~$1,500/day required

If you can't clear in time:
Bonus and winnings forfeited
EV drops significantly

Max Bet Rules

Bet limits during clearing:

Many bonuses: Max $5-10 per spin
Larger bets void bonus

At $5/spin with $10,500 required:
= 2,100 spins minimum
= Many hours of play

Factor in time cost

Common Mistakes

1. Ignoring Wagering Requirements

Mistake: Seeing only bonus size Problem: 60x makes $1,000 bonus -EV Fix: Calculate expected loss first

2. Playing Restricted Games

Mistake: Clearing on blackjack Problem: 10% contribution = 10× more wagering Fix: Check contribution percentages

3. Missing Time Limits

Mistake: Casual play approach Problem: Bonus expires uncleared Fix: Calculate daily requirement

4. Exceeding Max Bet

Mistake: $50 spin during bonus Problem: Entire bonus voided Fix: Read and follow max bet rules

Frequently Asked Questions

What's a good wagering requirement?

Under 35x is reasonable. Under 25x is good. Under 15x is excellent. Over 50x is usually negative EV.

Should I always take bonuses?

Not always. Calculate EV first. High wagering + low contribution = negative expected value.

Why is blackjack contribution so low?

Low house edge threatens casino profit. If you could clear at 0.5% edge on full contribution, bonuses would be hugely +EV.

Can I beat bonuses long-term?

Yes, by selecting +EV bonuses only. Reject high wagering offers. Play optimal strategy games when allowed.

What about sticky bonuses?

Sticky (non-cashable) bonuses can't be withdrawn. Only winnings from them. Usually still +EV if wagering is reasonable.

How do no-wager bonuses work?

No wagering = keep what you win. Rare but excellent. Often come with max cashout limits instead.

Pro Tips

• Calculate before claiming: Know the EV

• Check contributions: Game matters hugely

• Watch time limits: Can you actually clear?

• Read max bet rules: Don't void bonus

• Compare offers: Not all bonuses equal

Related Calculators

• Expected Value Calculator - General EV
• House Edge Calculator - Game edges
• Matched Betting Calculator - Bonus extraction
• Slots RTP Calculator - Slot returns
• Blackjack House Edge Calculator - BJ edge

Conclusion

Casino bonuses require understanding the wagering math—a $500 bonus with 60x playthrough might cost you $600 in expected losses. Our calculator reveals the true value of any offer: multiply bonus by wagering, factor in house edge and game contribution, and see whether "free money" is actually free or secretly costs you.

Calculate Bonus Expected Value Now →

That 200% bonus sounds amazing until you calculate 60x wagering at 2% edge = $600 expected loss on a $500 bonus. Our calculator separates genuinely valuable offers from marketing traps.