Bonuses and wagering requirements at a crypto casino
TL;DR. A wagering requirement (WR) is how many times you must bet a bonus before you can withdraw. The headline percentage matters far less than four things: whether the WR applies to the bonus only or to bonus plus deposit, the game weighting, the max-cashout cap, and the time limit. Slots usually count 100%; table games count 10–25%, which quietly multiplies the real requirement. Read the terms before you claim.
What a wagering requirement is
Also called playthrough or rollover, it is a multiplier you must turn over before bonus winnings become withdrawable: bonus amount times WR equals total to bet. A $100 bonus at 20x means $2,000 in wagers. Casinos attach it to stop people grabbing a bonus and cashing out instantly, and it also serves an anti-money-laundering purpose — genuine play before any payout gives the operator time to spot abuse.
Bonus-only vs bonus + deposit
This is the biggest hidden multiplier. Deposit $100, get a $100 bonus, at 20x: if the requirement is bonus-only, you wager $2,000; if it is bonus plus deposit, you wager $4,000. Same advertised "20x," double the grind. A "10x on deposit + bonus" offer can be harder to clear than a "20x on bonus only" one, so always check which base the multiplier uses.
Game weighting: where bonuses quietly get harder
Not every game counts the same. Slots usually contribute 100%; blackjack, roulette, and video poker often contribute 10–25% or nothing. Because table games have a lower house edge, casinos weight them down. The real cost is the effective requirement — WR divided by contribution. A $3,000 requirement cleared on 20%-weighted blackjack is really $15,000 in bets. Progressive jackpots are frequently excluded, and low-risk hedging such as betting both red and black on roulette can void the bonus outright.
Max cashout and max bet caps
Two caps decide how much a bonus is really worth. A max cashout limits what you can withdraw from bonus winnings — a $50 no-deposit bonus with a 5x cap tops out at $250 no matter how much you win. A max bet limits the size of any single wager while a bonus is active, often around $5; a single oversized bet, even by accident, can void the entire bonus and its winnings.
Sticky vs non-sticky
A non-sticky bonus keeps your deposit separate: you can withdraw winnings made with your own money without triggering the requirement, and the bonus only comes into play if you dip into it. A sticky bonus can never be withdrawn itself — you can only cash out winnings above it, often subject to the max-cashout cap. Non-sticky is almost always the better structure, though sticky offers sometimes compensate with a lower multiplier.
How to spot a good offer
- Favour a low multiplier, applied to the bonus only.
- Play high-contribution, high-RTP games while clearing.
- Check the time limit is realistic for your volume (7–30 days is typical).
- Check the max cashout is not so low it caps away the value.
- Respect the max bet, and note any excluded games.
Before depositing, run the quick math: total wagering, the house edge of your chosen game, and whether you can finish in the window. And set a loss limit first — a bonus is never a reason to chase, and if play stops being fun, step away (see responsible gambling). For the payment mechanics around clearing and cashing out, see deposits and withdrawals.