Wagering requirements. That lengthy and dull fine print tucked away in the terms and conditions for every online casino bonus. They seem harmless enough, just another box for the casino to check off. But what may appear like meaningless legal jargon can actually end up costing Unibet players big.
That’s right. These innocuous little clauses have the potential to eat away at your bonus funds and any subsequent winnings without you even realizing it. But knowledge is power. And understanding exactly what wagering requirements are and how they work is the key to navigating around these murky bonus waters. This guide breaks down everything you need to know.
What Exactly Are Wagering Requirements?
In simple terms, a wagering requirement refers to the amount of times a bonus needs to be bet before any winnings can be withdrawn. All casino bonuses come with wagering requirements attached in order to prevent bonus abuse.
For example, a 100% deposit match bonus up to $200 with a 5x wagering requirement. This means that in order to cash out any money won using the $200 bonus funds, a player needs to place bets totaling 5 x $200 = $1000.
So a bonus’ wagering requirement is inextricably tied to its cash value. These two factors working in tandem determine how easy or difficult it will be to convert bonus funds into real money.
Key Facts and Stats on Wagering Requirements
- The average online casino bonus has a wagering requirement between 20x – 50x
- Slots tend to contribute 100% towards wagering requirements
- Table games like blackjack often contribute only 5% – 10%
- It takes betting $20,000 to clear a $400 bonus with a 50x wager requirement
- Around 80% of casino players do not read full bonus terms
- Casinos earned $342 million in 2020 from uncleared bonuses
As you can see, the stats don’t lie. If players don’t pay close attention to wagering requirements, the value of a bonus can be severely limited.
Tips for Managing Wagering Requirements
Now that you know exactly what wagering requirements entail, here are some key tips to ensure you don’t fall into their trap:
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Hunt for the Lowest Playthrough
This takes some bonus shopping, but find the promotions with the lowest playthrough. Ideally, you want to find wagering requirements below 30x. Anything above 50x starts getting tricky.
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Take Advantage of Slots
Slots tend to clear playthrough requirements the quickest. Table games will contribute significantly less. If your goal is to clear a bonus fast, slots are the way to go.
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Bet Big If You Can
Since wagering requirements are based on your total bets, bigger bets clear them faster. If your bonus terms allow, bet larger amounts to speed up the clearing process.
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Don’t Chase Losses
It can be tempting to try and recoup losses by betting bigger amounts.
But this reckless strategy rarely pays off and can dig you into an even deeper hole. Stay calm and stick to your plan.
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Track Your Progress
Most online casinos will indicate what portion of your wagering requirements you have cleared. Keep an eye on this tracker to know if you’re on pace or falling behind.
Key Differences Between Slots and Blackjack
| Game |
Contribution |
House Edge |
Speed |
| Slots |
100% |
2%-15% |
Fast |
| Blackjack |
5%-10% |
0.5%-5% |
Slow |
With the right strategies, you can clear tricky wagering requirements. But ultimately, the fewer strings attached to a bonus, the better. Before opting into any promotion, give the fine print a good read. And reach out if anything is unclear. Transparency from both players and casinos goes a long way.
Stay informed and stay on top of those pesky playthrough clauses. A little awareness can save you a big headache. And help ensure you actually withdraw all those bonus-fueled winnings.
