Wagering explained: the honest math
Wagering requirements determine whether a bonus is profitable. Here is how they work and why they are usually the real trap.
Wagering is the amount you must roll over before you can withdraw a bonus or winnings. It is the single factor that turns most Dutch welcome bonuses from a gift into a mathematical cost.
The formula
The core idea is simple. A bonus has value, but you must clear it first, and while clearing it you lose money on average through the house edge.
The house edge above is 100% minus slot RTP. We assume a constant bet per spin and ignore variance-altering bonus features.
What does the multiplier apply to?
“30×” by itself says nothing. The multiplier can apply to different bases, and which one the casino picks decides how much money must pass through the slot.
| Variant | Math on €100 deposit + €100 bonus | Total wagering |
|---|---|---|
| Bonus only | 30 × €100 | €3,000 |
| Bonus + deposit | 30 × €200 | €6,000 |
| Winnings only | 30 × gross win | Variable |
| Fixed amount | Casino decides | Often €1,000 to €7,500 |
The same 30× means €3,000, €6,000 or something else, depending on the terms. Every casino page on BonusWijs calls out the variant explicitly.
Worked example
Two casinos advertise the same headline: 100% up to €100. Only the wagering differs. The outcomes diverge hard.
Low: 15× on bonus
€100 deposit · €100 bonus · 96% slot RTP
Standard: 35× bonus + deposit
€100 deposit · €100 bonus · 96% slot RTP
Same match bonus. One is structurally profitable, the other costs €180 on average. The gap is entirely about wagering and what it applies to.
Rules of thumb
How we use this in scoring
In our bonus calculator wagering is the heaviest lever. Set it right and the EV figure is accurate. Set it wrong (bonus only instead of bonus + deposit) and the EV looks much kinder than reality. Every casino page on BonusWijs documents which wagering variant we used, with the source. Liever iets te voorzichtig dan te optimistisch.
Keep reading
What is EV (Expected Value) for a casino bonus?
EV is the expected profit or loss from a bonus if you play through all the wagering. In plain language, with the math.
5 min
RTP at online casinos: what does it actually mean?
Return To Player is the average percentage that slots return. Here is why 96% does not mean you get 96% back.
4 min
Game weighting: why slots-only rules decide bonus EV
Game weighting decides which share of your wager counts toward clearing. 100% on slots, 10% on table games, 0% on live. Here is what that means for your bonus.
4 min