What is wagering (rollover)? How bonus requirements really work
Last updated: 2026-07-12 · Gamblerfy editorial team
Every deposit bonus comes with a catch: you can't just withdraw it. You have to wager — bet through — a certain amount first. That requirement is called wagering or rollover, and it's the single biggest factor in whether a bonus is actually worth claiming.
The basic definition
A wagering requirement of x35 means you must place bets totalling 35 times a certain amount before you're allowed to withdraw any winnings tied to the bonus. So a $20 bonus with x35 wagering means betting $700 in total before that money — or winnings from it — becomes withdrawable.
Bonus-only vs. deposit+bonus
This is the detail most players miss. The x35 could apply to:
- Bonus only — e.g. a $20 bonus needs $700 wagered. Better for the player.
- Deposit + bonus — e.g. a $20 deposit + $20 bonus needs $1,400 wagered. Worse for the player, even though the headline multiplier looks the same.
Always check which base applies — it can double the real requirement. See our full breakdown: bonus-only vs deposit+bonus wagering explained.
Game contribution changes everything
Not every bet counts fully toward wagering. Slots often contribute 100%, while table games (blackjack, roulette) might contribute 10% or 0%. If you play a game that only counts 10%, you effectively need to bet ten times more in stakes to clear the same requirement. See our full guide on game contribution and RTP for worked examples.
Max cashout: the hidden ceiling
Some bonuses cap how much you can actually withdraw from bonus winnings — for example, a $20 free bonus might only ever pay out a maximum of $100, no matter how much you technically won. A generous-looking bonus with a low max cashout can be worth far less than a smaller one with no cap.
Expiry: can you realistically clear it?
A x50 requirement with 7 days to complete it is very different from the same requirement with 30 days. If the volume of betting needed isn't realistic in the time given, the "value" of the bonus is mostly theoretical. Free spin offers often layer multiple separate expiry windows on top of each other — worth checking in detail.
A quick way to compare two bonuses
Rather than looking at the headline percentage, ask four questions:
- What's the wagering multiple, and does it apply to bonus only or bonus+deposit?
- What games count, and at what contribution rate?
- Is there a maximum cashout?
- Is the expiry window realistic for the volume required?
This is exactly what our Bonus Value Score calculates automatically — turning all four factors into one transparent number out of 100, so you don't have to do the math by hand. See our full bonus red flags checklist for two more warning signs that aren't about wagering at all. The best case, of course, is a no-wagering bonus with no playthrough at all. And before you deposit anywhere, it's worth checking the casino's licence and how it handles ID verification and payouts.
Come across a term you don't know? Our betting & bonus glossary defines them all in plain English.