Wagering explained: the sum worth doing before you accept
Wagering — also called a rollover or playthrough requirement — is the central condition of almost every bonus. It sets how much you must bet before bonus money, and whatever you win with it, becomes cash you can withdraw. Understanding it is the difference between accepting a promotion blind and knowing exactly how many spins lie ahead.
The basic formula
Total requirement = base × multiplier ÷ game weighting. The base is what the multiplier applies to (bonus only, or bonus plus deposit). The multiplier is the «x» figure — 20x, 30x, 40x. The weighting is the share of each bet that counts by game: if roulette counts 10%, every 10 bet there counts as 1.
Three cases, one promotion
A 50 bonus on a 50 deposit, 35x:
| Case | Base | Weighting | Actual bets needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus only, slots | 50 | 100% | 1,750 |
| Bonus + deposit, slots | 100 | 100% | 3,500 |
| Bonus + deposit, roulette | 100 | 10% | 35,000 |
Every figure on this page is an illustrative example, not a Dorado condition. Amounts are in whatever currency your account uses; the live conditions are in each promotion's terms.
The third row shows why weighting matters so much: the same promotion, played on a table that counts for little, takes ten times the effort.
From the total to spins per day
To see whether a requirement is realistic, divide the total by your usual stake, then by the days available. With 1,750 to wager, spins of 0.5 and 7 days: 3,500 spins, about 500 a day. Add the fact that most sessions lose money along the way and it becomes clear why many bonuses are never cleared.
The maximum bet: the forbidden shortcut
Raising the stake speeds up wagering, which is exactly why almost every promotion sets a maximum bet per spin or hand while the bonus is active. Breaking it even once can be enough for the operator to void the bonus and its winnings. Watch out for features that multiply the cost of a spin, such as «extra bet» modes on some slots.
What counts and what does not
- Bets placed with bonus money and, if the base includes the deposit, bets with real money too.
- Bets on excluded games are accepted but do not count.
- Covering opposite outcomes (red and black at once) often does not count and may be treated as abuse.
- Bonus-buy purchases on slots are usually excluded.
Tracking progress
Most platforms show a progress bar or a remaining amount in the bonus section. Note your starting point and check it now and then; if it is not moving as expected, you may be playing a title that does not count.