Guide
Wagering requirements explained, with worked maths
A wagering requirement is the total amount you must bet before bonus money turns into cash you can withdraw. It's written as a multiple, such as “10x the bonus”. To judge an offer you need five things: the multiple, what it multiplies (bonus only, or deposit plus bonus), how much each game counts, the time limit, and any cap on what can convert. The four Canadian offers we quote use 10x on the bonus alone, which is at the low end of the market.
Updated: 27 September 2026
The basic formula
Betting needed = amount the multiple applies to × multiple ÷ game contribution
Game contribution is written as a share: 100% for a game that counts in full, 10% for one that counts a tenth. Dividing by it shows how much more you have to bet on low-contribution games.
Worked examples
These use the structure of the real Canadian offers we quote (25% match, 10x on the bonus). The deposit amounts are illustrative choices, not offers.
| Scenario | Bonus | Rule | Betting needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit $ CA100 at a 25% match, slots at 100% | $ CA25 | 10x bonus | $ CA250 |
| Same deposit, a game counting 10% | $ CA25 | 10x bonus ÷ 0.10 | $ CA2,500 |
| Same bonus, if the rule were 10x deposit + bonus | $ CA25 | 10x ($ CA125) | $ CA1,250 |
| Same bonus, if the multiple were 40x on the bonus | $ CA25 | 40x bonus | $ CA1,000 |
The same $ CA25 bonus can mean anything from $ CA250 to $ CA2,500 of betting, depending on the rule and the game. That's why we quote terms exactly rather than headline amounts.
What the betting costs you, on average
Every bet carries the game's house edge, which is 100% minus its RTP. Multiply the betting needed by the house edge for the expected cost of clearing the bonus. On a slot with a 4% house edge, $ CA250 of betting costs about $ CA10 on average, set against a $ CA25 bonus. At $ CA2,500 of betting the average cost is about $ CA100, four times the bonus. Averages hide big swings, and your own deposit is wagered first, but the comparison shows which terms are built to be cleared and which aren't.
The other rules that change the maths
- Time limit: 30 days for bonus money and 7 for spin winnings in the featured offers. Short windows push you to bet faster.
- Maximum conversion: the featured offers cap conversion at one times the bonus, and $ CA20 from spins.
- Real balance first: the featured offers wager your real balance before the bonus, so your deposit is at risk first.
- Withdrawal voids the bonus: in the featured terms, any withdrawal request cancels active bonuses.
- Maximum bet while wagering: many casinos cap stakes during a bonus. Check before you raise your bets.
- Excluded deposits: Skrill and Neteller deposits don't qualify for the featured offers.
A simple decision rule
If the betting needed is more than about ten times the bonus on games you actually enjoy, or the time limit means playing more often than you would anyway, skip the bonus. You can still play with your own money, which you can withdraw at any time. Compare real offers on our bonuses page.
Wagering questions
What does 10x wagering mean?
Your total bets must add up to ten times the amount the multiple applies to, usually the bonus, before bonus money can become withdrawable. A $ CA25 bonus at 10x means $ CA250 of qualifying bets.
Do all games count toward wagering?
Rarely equally. Slots commonly count in full, while table and live games may count at a fraction or not at all. The featured Canadian offers we quote state that contribution varies per game.
What happens if I don’t finish the wagering in time?
The remaining bonus, and usually any winnings made with it, expire. The featured offers allow 30 days for bonus money and 7 days for free-spin winnings.