A Complete Guide To Online Casino Wagering
Online casino sites have a lot of bonuses to maintain the loyalty of active users and attract new players. However, they give out incentives under several conditions. Otherwise, players would use bonuses unlimitedly. Thus, they can activate a gift or get bonus funds after fulfilling the rules, first of all – wagering.
Understanding Online Casino Wagering
A wagering meaning is a value that indicates the bet amount the player must make in a specified period so that the bonus wagering is considered complete. Note that the wager is always accompanied by a wagering period – 7, 14, 31, etc. days since the bonus was activated. How to beat wagering requirements? Actually, there is no way to avoid wagering. iGaming operators introduce wagering requirements to prevent bonus abuse. Besides, they need to make sure players bring them some profit (while using their services) before cashing out rewards.
Wagering requirements influence players’ experience, as they determine how easy or difficult it is to turn bonus funds into real/withdrawable money. Higher wagering requirements mean players must wager more before withdrawal, while lower ones make it easier to benefit from promotions. For the player to make the most rational decision when selecting casino bonuses, he/she should explore wagering requirements meaning first.
Different Types of Wagering Requirements
All wagering requirements affect gamblers in various ways. By finding out all the details, players can choose the best promotions and avoid difficulties when trying to withdraw winnings.
Bonus Wagering Explained
What is casino bonus wagering? Wager bonus meaning applies only to the bonus amount received. Players must wager the bonus funds a certain number of times before they can withdraw any winnings. For example, a NZ$50 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement means the player must bet NZ$1,500 before cashing out.
Wagering On Deposits: What You Need To Know
Almost all online casinos require players to wager at least 1x their deposit amount before a withdrawal (even if they have not claimed a bonus). This way, casinos try to prevent money laundering and make their customers the most engaged. If a casino has a 3x deposit wagering requirement on a NZ$100 deposit, the player must bet at least NZ$300 before withdrawing.
Bonus + Deposit Wagering Rules
In this case, both the bonus and deposit amounts are subject to wagering. If a player deposits NZ$100 and receives a NZ$100 bonus with a 25x(d+b) wagering requirement on both, player must bet NZ$5,000 (in total) before withdrawing winnings.
No Wagering Bonuses: Are They Worth It?
No wagering bonuses are rare but highly attractive promotions. Users can withdraw winnings without meeting any wagering conditions almost immediately. Naturally, no wagering freebies seem more appealing. However, they are often smaller and may come with other restrictions – maximum withdrawal limits, a narrow list of allowed games, etc.
Calculating Wagering Requirements Made Simple
There is a simple formula to calculate wagering requirements. It can vary slightly depending on the type of bonus, but the generally remains the same:
Wagering Requirement = Bonus Amount Ă— Wagering Multiplier
If you’re dealing with deposit + bonus offers, the calculating formula is:
Wagering Requirement = (Deposit+Bonus) Ă— Wagering Multiplier
Under bonus amount we mean the freebie funds received. The deposit amount is the player’s own money deposited. Finally, the wagering multiplier is the number of times the bonus (or deposit + bonus) must be wagered before withdrawal. Let’s introduce clear examples:
- Cash bonus wagering – e.g., a player receives a NZ$150 cash bonus with a 30xb wagering requirement. The calculation is 150 Ă— 30 = NZ$4,500 which means that the player must wager NZ$4,500 before withdrawing any winnings.
- Deposit + bonus wagering – e.g., a player deposits NZ$50 and receives a NZ$50 bonus with a 25x(d+b) wager requirement applied to both the deposit and bonus. The calculation is (50+50) Ă— 25 = NZ$2,500 which means that the player must wager NZ$2,500 before cashing out.
When free spins have wagering requirements, they are usually applied to the winnings that the player receives due to these extra spins. For instance, a player wins NZ$20 due to free spins with a 40x wagering requirement. The calculation is 20 Ă— 40 = NZ$800. Thus, the player must wager NZ$800 before withdrawing.
The following table makes it easier to compare different bonus types and their wagering influence.
| Bonus Type | Deposit | Bonus | Total Bonus Amount | Wager | Total Wager Required |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cash Bonus | No | NZ$100 | NZ$100 | 30xb | NZ$3,000 |
| Deposit + Bonus | NZ$50 | NZ$50 | NZ$100 | 25x(d+b) | NZ$2,500 |
| Free Spins | No | NZ$20 | NZ$20 | 40x | NZ$800 |
As for wagering contribution, it affects how fast you can come up with the wagering requirement. For example, blackjack contributes 10% – so, a NZ$10 bet can bring NZ$1 toward the requirement.
Time Limits For Meeting Wagering Conditions
Casinos impose time limits on wagering requirements to make their customers gamble more actively and prevent them from holding onto bonuses indefinitely.If players fail to meet the wagering conditions within the time limit, the bonus funds are forfeited, all the winnings (if any) may be removed, and deposit funds remain unaffected (unless tied to the bonus). Short-term and long-term wagering periods have both pros and cons.
| Short-term (1 – 7 days) | Long-term (14 – 60 days) | |
|---|---|---|
| Risk Level | Requires fast wagering (high risk). | Provides more time to use strategies and betting techniques (low risk). |
| Suitable For | Experienced players. | Casual gamblers. |
| Wagering Pace | Players will have to make intensive bets. | Offer enough time for flexible betting. |
| Common Bonuses | Free spins, no deposit bonuses. | First deposit, reload bonuses. |
A short-term wagering period suits experienced players who already have enough skills to bet quickly. A long-term one is better for occasional gamblers or newcomers.
Game Contributions To Wagering Explained
Online casino games contribute differently to wagering requirements because of house edge (the mathematical advantage the casino has over the player). Games with a low house edge allow players to retain their bankroll longer, making it easier to come up with the wagering requirements. To prevent abuse, casinos reduce these games’ contributions or even exclude them.
Why Some Casino Games Contribute Less To Wagering
Games like blackjack and video poker have high RTPs. In these games (low-house edge titles), players have a better winning chance. Slots and some roulette types have a higher house edge. Thus, they are more beneficial for the casino’s long-term profitability. So, casino operators set different contribution rates for each game type to balance this issue.
Wagering On Slots: What To Expect
Usually, slots feature 2% – 10% house edge and contribute 100% toward wagering. Nevertheless, some titles may be excluded or contribute less. This is primarily about high RTP slots.
Table Games & Wagering Contributions
Table games often contribute only 5% – 25% to wagering. Games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat are less favorable for wagering as they have a lower house edge (0,5% – 2,7%).
| Game | Wagering Contribution | House Edge |
|---|---|---|
| Blackjack | 5% – 10% | 0,5% (while played with optimal strategy) |
| Roulette | 10% – 25% | 2,7% – 5,26% |
| Baccarat | 5% – 10% | about 1,06% (Banker bet) |
| Video Poker | 5% – 10% | 0,5% – 2% |
For example, if a player meets a NZ$1,000 wagering requirement and blackjack contributes 10%, player must bet NZ$10,000 to wager the bonus.
Live Dealer Games: Do They Count Toward Wagering?
Live dealer games often feature low contribution rates or are excluded at all. This is because they offer a real casino experience with better odds. However, in some casinos, live roulette or blackjack have partial contributions (10% – 25%). So, for example, if a live dealer game contributes 10% to a NZ$2,000 wagering requirement, gamblers need to bet NZ$20,000.
Top Slots For Meeting Wagering Requirements
When choosing slots to wager bonuses, players should be rather attentive. Thus, high RTP helps to save bankroll, low to medium volatility offers frequent (but low) wins and prolongs the number of gaming sessions, and 100% wagering contribution means that every bet counts fully toward wagering.
High RTP Slots For Wagering
RTP indicates the percentage of money that players are supposed to get back over time. Higher RTP slots help users keep their bankroll longer and complete wagering requirements successfully:
- Blood Suckers by NetEnt – 98% RTP.
- White Rabbit Megaways by Big Time Gaming – 97.72% RTP.
- Guns N’ Roses by NetEnt – 96.98% RTP.
- Jack Hammer 2 by NetEnt – 97.07% RTP.
- Mega Joker (Supermeter Mode) by NetEnt – up to 99% RTP.
Simply put, a 98% RTP slot returns NZ$98 for every NZ$100 bet, allowing gamblers to make more spins and pep up wagering progress. Thus, some casinos exclude high RTP slots from bonuses (check the T&C).
Why Low To Medium Volatility Slots Work Best
A slot’s volatility (variance) determines how often and how much it pays:
- Low volatility means frequent small wins and helps sustain wagering.
- Medium volatility means balanced wins and losses.
- High volatility means big wins and high-risk wagering.
Among the best low to medium volatility slots are the following ones:
- Starburst by NetEnt with low volatility.
- Aloha! Cluster Pays by NetEnt with low-medium volatility.
- Book of Dead by Play’n GO with medium volatility.
- Reactoonz by Play’n GO with medium volatility.
Experts advise avoiding high volatility slots as they can consume the bankroll before the wagering is completed.
Games With The Highest Wagering Contribution
Slots generally contribute 100% to wagering, unlike table games. However, some slots may have reduced contribution (e.g., 50%) due to high RTP. The best titles for wagering (100% contribution & balanced RTP/volatility) are:
- Big Bass Bonanza by Pragmatic Play with 96.71% RTP and medium volatility.
- Gonzo’s Quest by NetEnt with 96% RTP and medium volatility.
- Dead or Alive 2 by NetEnt with 96.8% RTP and medium-high volatility.
Among the slots that may have reduced contribution are Blood Suckers by NetEnt (98% RTP) and Mega Joker by NetEnt (99% RTP). However, they are often excluded.
Optimizing Your Wagering Strategy For Maximum Value
Gamblers can optimize the wagering strategy by the proper game selection, bankroll management, and exploring the T&C bonus details. Here’s how to make the most of it:
- Choose high-contribution games. These are primarily slots. It’s better to avoid table and live dealer games, or high-RTP slots that may contribute only 5% – 25% (or be excluded). For example, betting NZ$500 in Starburst makes the full NZ$500 wagering requirement. Meanwhile, betting NZ$500 in blackjack makes just NZ$50.
- Manage your bankroll wisely. Low to medium volatility slots will save your balance and prevent frequent losses. Besides, try to make low but frequent bets and follow your wagering progress to know when you’re close to withdrawal.
- Explore the T&C. First, most casinos limit bonus bets to NZ$5 or NZ$10. Exceeding this can void your winnings. Besides, some slots (e.g., Blood Suckers, Mega Joker) are excluded or have reduced contributions.Â
Finally, follow the time limits. Complete the wagering within the set period or the bonus is forfeited.
Common Wagering Mistakes & How To Avoid Them
The list of the most common wagering mistakes includes:
- Playing low-contribution games. This requires substantial bankroll and enough gambling experience. Choose slots with 100% contribution.
- Exceeding max bet limits. This way, gamblers will lose bonuses and winnings. Thus, always check the casino’s max bet rule.
- Ignoring bonus expiration. As we know, bonuses and winnings expire if not wagered in time. Follow the time limit and plan the gambling process accordingly.
- Requesting the withdrawal too early. This will cancel the bonus. Make sure you’ve completed wagering before the withdrawal.
- Ignoring the restricted games list. Some online casino titles do not contribute or are banned. Read bonus T&C before playing.
So, the maximum awareness and neat bets will help you finish wagering quickly and successfully.
Final Thoughts On Online Casino Wagering
Completing the wagering requirements successfully is quite real! Just read the rules carefully, follow the time limits, and choose bets and games properly. By following these tips, you can maximize your bonus value, clear wagering faster, and withdraw real money!
