Wagering: the only sum worth learning
A wagering requirement turns a promotion into a turnover figure. That figure takes thirty seconds to compute and decides, on its own, whether the offer is any use to you.
The full formula
Turnover demanded equals the amount subject to wagering, times the number of times the promotion asks for, divided by the weighting of the game you will use. All three factors are in the terms, and the third is the one almost nobody reads.
With a €50 bonus, a thirty-times requirement and a game weighted at a hundred per cent, you must wager €1,500. With the same bonus and a game weighted at twenty per cent, €7,500. The promotion's headline is identical in both cases.
| Game weighting | Turnover on a €50 bonus at 30x | Rounds at €0.50 |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | €1,500 | 3,000 |
| 50% | €3,000 | 6,000 |
| 20% | €7,500 | 15,000 |
| 0% | counts for nothing | — |
The hidden cost: the RTP of the game you use
Playing turnover has an expected price, and that price is the house edge of the title you choose. On a 95% game, every €1,000 of turnover costs about €50 on average; on a 96.5% one, about €35. The requirement does not change, but the bill for meeting it does.
That is the arithmetic reason this title is a poor tool for clearing bonuses even when the promotion accepts it: it counts for little and costs more than average per euro wagered. The two effects multiply rather than cancel.
The set of available methods and the limits depend on the account and on the operator: minimums, fees and timings are checked in the cashier before you move money, not on a page like this one.
Which amount it is calculated on
There are two variants and the difference is large: wagering on the bonus, or wagering on bonus plus deposit. The second doubles the turnover demanded under an identical headline. It is always in the terms, and it is the first thing to locate.
Check too whether the requirement also applies to winnings earned with the bonus, and whether the clock runs from activation or from deposit. A reasonable requirement with a short window is as unworkable as an enormous one with a long window.
How to decide in thirty seconds
Compute the turnover demanded, divide by your usual stake and get a number of rounds. Compare it with how many rounds you actually play in the promotion's window. If it does not fit, the offer is not for you, and that conclusion depends on nobody's opinion.
If it does fit, clear it on titles weighted at a hundred per cent and at the lowest stake the promotion allows. Then, once the balance is yours without conditions, play whatever you like. The order matters more than the choice.
Frequently asked questions
How is a wagering requirement calculated?
The amount subject to wagering, times the number of times the promotion asks for, divided by the weighting of the game you use. All three factors sit in the bonus terms.
Why is Falling Pickaxe a bad choice for clearing one?
For two reasons that multiply: instant-win formats are commonly weighted below slots or excluded, and with a 95% RTP each euro of turnover costs more than the catalogue average.
Is wagering calculated on the bonus or on bonus plus deposit?
It depends on the promotion, and the difference doubles the turnover demanded. It is the first thing to locate in the terms.
How much turnover is too much?
Whatever does not fit your real pace of play inside the offer's window. Divide the turnover demanded by your usual stake: if you will not play that many rounds, the promotion is no use to you.
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Last updated: September 2026