Adam Rahman profile picture Adam Rahman Editor

In short:
A wagering requirement (also called rollover) means you must bet your bonus a set number of times before you can withdraw it.

A bonus of 1,000 with 5x wagering means you must place 1,000×5 = 5,000 in bets before you can withdraw any bonus money.

Lower is always better.

Affiliate disclosure We earn a small commission if you use our links or promo codes. But we earn the same no matter what the wagering terms are, so our guide here is our honest opinion.

Basics of wagering requirements

When you claim a welcome bonus, you get bonus money. But bonus money is not cash in your pocket. You can't withdraw it right away.

First, you must bet it a set number of times while following certain terms. That number is the wagering requirement. You'll also see it called rollover, turnover, playthrough, or just "5x".

The formula is simple:

Bonus amount × wagering requirement = total you must bet

Example: A simple calculation

A site offers a 130% bonus with a 5x wagering requirement.

  • You deposit 1,000
  • The site adds 1,000×130% = 1,300 in bonus funds
  • You must bet your bonus 5 times:
    1,300×5 = 6,500 in bets

Explanation: Once you've placed 6,500 in qualifying bets, whatever is left of your bonus money becomes real cash. You can withdraw it.

Read more about qualifying bets in the section "Wagering requirement rules and terms" below.

New to bonuses? Start with our guide What is a welcome bonus?

Bonus only vs. Bonus + deposit

Always check what you must wager. There are two versions:

  1. Wager the bonus only. This is best, and the most common.
  2. Wager the bonus + deposit. This is worse, since it typically doubles the work.

Example: same 5x, very different totals

You deposit 1,000 and get a 130% bonus of 1,300.

Site A

  • Requires 5x wagering on the bonus only:
  • 1,300×5 = 6,500 in bets.

Site B

  • Requires 5x wagering on the bonus + deposit:
  • (1,300+1,000)×5 = 11,500 in bets.

Explanation: Both sites say "5x wagering". But Site B requires almost twice as much betting. Always read what the multiplier applies to.

For 100% bonuses, the rollover is exactly doubled. For bonuses above 100%, such as 130%, the rollover is almost doubled.

Where to find the wagering requirements

The wagering requirements are in the bonus terms and conditions. Look for a link near the bonus offer, often called "t&c" or "bonus rules".

The wagering requirements are normally mixed in with all the other terms of the bonus. There's normally no heading called "wagering requirements". Some sites call it the rollover or turnover instead.

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It will get easy

In the beginning, review sites, such as ours, can help you understand the wagering requirements. After a while, you'll become an expert at reading them yourself.

If you can't easily find the bonus terms, that's a warning sign. Our promo code articles always explain the wagering requirements for you.

Check out our promo code articles for your country:

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Wagering requirements for sports vs. casino

Sports and casino bonuses have different wagering rules. This guide focuses mostly on sports.

  1. ⚽️ Sports: low multipliers, where 5x is a good deal. But there are rules on odds and markets.
  2. 🎰 Casino: higher multipliers, often around 35x, and shorter time limits. But no odds rules.

Expand below for details on each:

Wagering requirement rules and terms

There are always several other terms & conditions that directly affect how you are allowed to meet the wagering requirement. These are just as important as the rollover/wagering requirement.

Good news first: if a bet breaks these terms, you don't lose your bonus. The bet simply doesn't count toward your wagering.

These are the terms to check:

  1. ⏳ Time limit: you get a set number of days, often 30 for sports and 7 for casino.
  2. 📈 Minimum odds: sports bets must be at or above a set odds level to count.
  3. 🎯 Accepted markets: some markets, like totals and handicaps, may not count.
  4. 🧾 Bet types: some sites only count accumulator bets.
  5. 💰 Maximum stake: bets above a set size don't count.
  6. 🏆 Maximum bonus winnings: winnings above a cap may be removed.

Expand below for details on each:

How to calculate wagering requirements

Before you deposit, do this quick math. It takes one minute and tells you what you're signing up for.

You don't need a wagering requirement calculator. The formula is: bonus × requirement = total you must bet.

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Quick tip:
A smaller deposit means a smaller bonus, and a smaller bonus means less wagering.

If the total feels like too much betting, deposit less. You'll still get the full match %, just on a smaller amount.

What are good wagering requirements?

For sports bonuses, compare against these benchmarks:

  • 5x on the bonus is a good, low requirement.
  • 30 days is a common time limit. Fewer days makes the same multiplier harder.
  • Wagering on only bonus is best, bonus + deposit doubles the work compared to bonus only.
  • Single bets allowed are better than only accumulator bets, but accumulator bets are more common.

A bigger bonus with high wagering is often worth less than a smaller bonus with low wagering. Multiply before you compare.

Example: bigger bonus, worse deal

Site A

  • Offers 100% up to 1,000 with 5x wagering on the bonus.
  • You deposit 1,000 and get 1,000 in bonus.
  • 1,000×5 = 5,000 in bets required.

Site B

  • Offers 150% up to 1,500 with 12x wagering on the bonus.
  • You deposit 1,000 and get 1,500 in bonus.
  • 1,500×12 = 18,000 in bets required.

Explanation: Site B gives you 500 more in bonus, but demands 13,000 more in bets.

For most players, Site A is the better deal.

Why are accumulator bets required for bonuses?

Betting sites often require accumulator (combo, parlay) bets because it makes you play higher odds. This makes it harder to meet the wagering requirements.

If single bets are allowed, it's a great plus for you.

Single bets normally have lower minimum odds. This makes it easier for you to meet the wagering requirement before you run out of money.

Example: Single bets vs. accumulator bets

Site A

  • Accepts single bets.
  • Minimum odds 1.8.

Site B

  • Accepts only accumulator bets.
  • Each accumulator with at least 3 selections, where each selection has at least 1.4 in odds.
  • Minimum odds:
    1.4 × 1.4 × 1.4 = 2.74

It might look better with "1.4 in minimum odds". But the odds are multiplied in accumulator bets, making the actual minimum odds higher.

Also: It's hard to find odds of exactly 1.4. Let's say you find bets with odds of 1.49, 1.52 and 1.60. This makes the odds:

1.49×1.52×1.60 = 3.62.

Accumulator bets can quickly get very high odds.

Frequently asked questions

Conclusion: key takeaways on wagering requirements

Wagering requirements decide what a bonus is really worth. The math is simple: multiply the bonus by the requirement. But also remember to check the related terms, such as minimum odds and the time limit.

Adam Rahman profile picture Adam Rahman Editor

For sports, look for a low multiplier, like 5x, and a nice time limit, like 30 days. If the total feels like too much betting, deposit less or skip the bonus.

For casino, a common multiplier is around 35x in the countries we cover. 7 days is a very common time limit. Look for terms that accept the games you want to play.

Ready to compare offers? Browse our checked promo codes for:

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🇵🇰 Pakistan
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Editor Adam Rahman Adam Rahman profile picture
Hi, I’m Adam. I’ve spent the last 10+ years writing for websites, and know the sports betting world inside out. I’m a sports betting geek with a sharp eye for details. I do the deep research on bonuses, odds, and operators — so you don't have to.