Bonuses in Canadian online casinos may seem like free money, but they often come with wagering requirements. These rules specify how many times you need to wager your bonus before you can withdraw it. In our guide, we’ll explain the types of wagering conditions, how to meet them correctly, and how to turn your bonuses into real money.
Understanding Wagering Requirements at Online Casinos
What is a casino wager?
A wager is a bet that is spent on either a casino game, bingo game, online slot, or poker game.
It can be against another player, the house dealer, or sometimes even both. It can be placed on games of chance, such as roulette spins or dice roll games, and if the punter wins a wager, then the winning stakes go to them.
How the wagering requirements work
Wagering requirements are casino terms and conditions that oblige the player to wager the bonus money a certain number of times before they can withdraw. For example, a bonus may require wagering 5x the bonus or deposit amount. Once you sign up and receive the welcome bonus, these requirements come into effect as soon as you make your first deposit. If you fail to meet the wagering requirements, the bonus funds will not be converted into real money and you will not be able to receive your winnings. Therefore, it is important to understand how they work to avoid unpleasant surprises.
Why do casinos have wagering requirements?
Let’s be real - casinos are here to make money, not give it away. Free spins and bonuses aren’t just gifts, they’re smart ways to get players to sign up and start playing. Players get some cash to play with while checking out the casino’s game library, which can include hundreds of awesome titles to explore.
The other reason is a more serious one in that all online casinos have wagering requirements in place to comply with anti-money laundering regulations. If there weren’t any wagering requirements in place, then criminals could clean their money by depositing and withdrawing funds straightaway.
Types of wagering requirements
For bonuses
Most of the time, this comes in the form of a welcome bonus and is given with the first deposit. This bonus money generally carries a higher wagering requirement than a deposit match or free spin bonus. Figures as high as 100x are not unheard of, so be careful to check the terms of this type of bonus.
For deposits
The deposit match bonus rewards you with a matching amount up to a specified maximum, as stipulated by the casino. You could get a 100% matching bonus up to a maximum of €100. Depending on the wagering requirement, this type of bonus can work out to be very costly, so search for the lowest amounts possible and try not to go for over 10x.
For free spins
Free spins work differently than bonus money. The amount that you see affixed to free spins refers to the overall number of wins you accumulate. You will only need to bet the bonus money that you've won from the spins. Sometimes you will need to wager both your deposit and the free spin winnings, but make sure to read the terms and conditions to find out if that is required.
How to calculate your wagering requirements
Understanding wagering requirements will help you manage your funds effectively in online casinos. Let’s break down the key terms and calculation steps.
- Bonus Amount: The bonus money you received.
- Deposit Amount: The amount you deposited to activate the offer.
- Wagering: The number of times you are required to bet/wager.
- Deposit and Bonus/Deposit only: Select whether the requirements are for the bonus amount or deposit plus bonus.
- Game Contribution %: How much the game you’re playing contributes towards the requirements.
You must understand how to pick a casino bonus that suits your bankroll. Take note that not all the games you play will contribute towards the requirement. The casinos will usually have a list of eligible games. If you want to meet the wagering requirement faster, stick to the stipulated list.
For the calculation, we will use an example of you having decided to sign up with a specific casino. The casino offers a €50 casino bonus as soon as you deposit a minimum required amount of €20. The wagering requirement is 5x. It would work as follows:
Calculation:
C$50 (bonus) x 5 (wagering requirement) = C$250
| Bonus Amount | Wagering Requirement (Multiplier) | Total Wagering Required |
| C$50 | 5 | C$250 |
This means that with a C$50 bonus and a wagering requirement of 5x, you will need to wager C$250 before you can withdraw.
Calculation with deposit:
C$20 (deposit) + C$50 (bonus) x 5 (wagering requirement) = C$350
| Deposit | Bonus | Wagering Requirement (Multiplier) | Total Wagering Required |
| C$20 | C$50 | 5x | C$350 |
With a €20 deposit, a €50 bonus, and a 5x wagering requirement, you will need to wager €350 before you can withdraw your winnings.
Are there casinos without wagering requirements?
There are online casinos that offer wager-free bonuses. The benefit of these is that you can snatch them up right away and usually don’t need to make a deposit to use them. For example, at Trips Casino, you can claim a bonus of 25 free spins with no wagering requirements. And for those who like to make deposits in crypto BonanzaGame Casino offers a no-wagering bonus of 15% up to $100 by using promo code ‘15BNW’.
However, the bonuses offered are often minimal, but it’s still a great way to get started and enjoy a few wins at no cost to yourself.
Conclusion
If you’ve read the information above in detail, you will know how to answer the question, what does wagering mean in casino lingo the next time you are asked. You’ll also know how it works when utilizing a bonus. It might sound complicated, but once the basis is understood, your journey to finding the perfect casino is less confusing.
Research casino bonuses and pick one that has an offer that your bankroll can handle.
Expert in:
- iGaming Content
- Bonus Incentives Theory
- Trend Analysis
FAQ
Can I withdraw my winnings before meeting the wagering requirement?
No, you must fulfill the wagering requirements before you can withdraw any winnings. Otherwise, the bonus and all related winnings will be canceled.
How do I know if I've met the wagering requirement?
Most online casinos have a system that tracks your progress in meeting the wagering requirement. You can usually check this information on your account dashboard or by contacting customer support.
Are wagering requirements the same for all games?
No, wagering requirements depend on the type of game. For slots, they may contribute 100%, while table games like blackjack or roulette may contribute less or not at all.
Is there any way to avoid the wagering requirements of the bonus?
Yes, you can make a direct deposit without activating a bonus, which eliminates wagering requirements. However, some casinos may require you to wager the deposit amount once or a few times (e.g., 1x–2x) to prevent money laundering.
