Wagering requirements are the rules that decide how much you must bet before the money from a casino bonus becomes real, withdrawable cash. They are the single most important term attached to almost every deposit match, free-spin offer or welcome package, yet they are also the term players skim past most often. This guide explains what wagering requirements are, how to calculate them, how different games and time limits change the real cost, and how to spot an offer that is harder to clear than it first looks.
Key Points
- Definition: a wagering (playthrough/rollover) requirement is how many times you must bet a bonus before winnings can be withdrawn.
- Typical range: commonly 35x to 70x, expressed as a multiplier.
- What it applies to: either the bonus alone or the bonus plus your deposit — the second roughly doubles the cost at the same multiplier.
- Game weighting: slots usually count 100%; table and live games often count 10%–50%, multiplying the real requirement.
- Watch the limits: time windows (24 hours to 60 days) and a maximum bet (often ~5 NZD) both affect whether you can clear it.
- Easiest offers: no-wagering and non-sticky bonuses carry little or no playthrough.
What are wagering requirements?
A wagering requirement is the number of times you must stake a bonus (sometimes the bonus plus your deposit) before you are allowed to withdraw any winnings tied to it. It is expressed as a multiplier such as 35x or 40x. Until you have placed that total value of bets, the bonus funds and anything you win with them are locked.
The same rule travels under several names. Online casinos usually call it a playthrough requirement, while sportsbooks tend to call it a rollover. The meaning is identical: a minimum amount of betting activity set by the operator before a withdrawal is possible. The exact figure sits in the bonus terms and conditions and can differ between promotions on the very same site. For context on how bonuses are structured in the first place, see the overview of casino bonuses.
How are wagering requirements calculated?
The core calculation is simple multiplication: take the amount the requirement applies to and multiply it by the stated number. The complication is which amount the multiplier attaches to, because that single detail can double the real cost of an offer.
Bonus-only versus bonus-plus-deposit wagering
There are two common structures:
- Bonus only: the multiplier applies to the bonus amount alone. This is typical of non-sticky and lower-value offers and is the friendlier of the two.
- Bonus plus deposit: the multiplier applies to your deposit and the bonus combined. At the same advertised multiplier this roughly doubles the amount you must bet.
Two offers can both advertise “35x” and still be worlds apart, so always check whether the terms say the requirement applies to the bonus or to the deposit plus bonus.
A worked example in NZD
Suppose you deposit 10 NZD and claim a 100% match, giving you 10 NZD in bonus funds and 20 NZD to play with.
- 35x on bonus plus deposit: 35 × 20 NZD = 700 NZD in total bets before withdrawal.
- 35x on the bonus only: 35 × 10 NZD = 350 NZD in total bets.
- 70x on bonus plus deposit: 70 × 20 NZD = 1,400 NZD in total bets.
Multipliers on deposit-match bonuses commonly fall between 35x and 70x. As a rough rule, a lower multiplier and a requirement that applies to the bonus only make an offer easier and cheaper to clear.
How do game contributions change the real requirement?
Game contribution (also called game weighting) decides how much each dollar you bet counts toward the requirement, and it can quietly multiply the amount you actually need to stake. Slots usually count 100%, meaning a 1 NZD slot bet reduces the requirement by a full 1 NZD. Table games and live-dealer games often count far less — commonly 10% to 50%, and sometimes 0% — because their lower house edge makes them cheaper for the player to beat.
If a game contributes 50%, every 1 NZD you stake only clears 0.50 NZD of the requirement, so you must bet twice as much. A 35x requirement effectively becomes 70x if cleared entirely on 50%-weighted games. The table below shows how the same 700 NZD requirement scales with weighting.
Comparison
| Game type | Typical contribution | Effective requirement on a 700 NZD (35x) playthrough | Total you must stake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slots (most) | 100% | 35x | 700 NZD |
| Video poker / some table games | 50% | 70x | 1,400 NZD |
| Roulette / blackjack (common rate) | 20% | 175x | 3,500 NZD |
| Low-weighted or live-dealer games | 10% | 350x | 7,000 NZD |
| Excluded games | 0% | Does not count | No progress |
Because weighting varies by game and even by individual title, the safest way to clear a bonus efficiently is to use games that contribute 100%, unless the terms say otherwise. Some operators also ban certain games entirely while a bonus is active; betting on an excluded game can forfeit the bonus.
What time limits apply to wagering requirements?
Most bonuses carry a deadline, and missing it voids the bonus and any attached winnings. Time limits typically run from 7 to 60 days, but some promotions give you as little as 24 hours. Free spins are often released in instalments rather than all at once — for example, 100 spins delivered as 10 per day over 10 days — so the clock on each batch can start on a different date.
A long multiplier paired with a short deadline is a warning sign: a 70x requirement with a 7-day window forces a high betting pace that rarely suits casual play. Check the deadline before you claim, not after.
How do minimum and maximum bet limits work?
Two separate stake limits usually apply while a bonus is active:
- Minimum bet: the smallest stake you can place without affecting the bonus. It mostly matters for very small spins and rarely changes the overall cost.
- Maximum bet: the largest stake that counts toward the requirement, commonly around 5 NZD. This limit is the one that matters most, because it caps how fast you can clear the playthrough. Exceeding it can also void the bonus, so a stray high-stake spin can undo progress.
The maximum-bet rule is a common trap: a player trying to clear a large requirement quickly places a big bet, breaches the cap, and loses the bonus entirely.
What are no-wagering and non-sticky bonuses?
Not every offer locks your money behind a playthrough. Three structures reduce or remove the requirement:
- No-wagering bonuses: winnings are paid as withdrawable cash with no playthrough at all. These are the most player-friendly but are relatively rare and usually smaller in headline value.
- Non-sticky bonuses: your deposit and the bonus are kept separate. You play with your own cash first and can withdraw it at any time; the wagering requirement only ever touches the bonus, which you can decline.
- No bonus at all: playing with your own funds means there is nothing to clear and no restriction on withdrawals.
If flexible withdrawals matter more to you than a large headline bonus, a no-deposit bonus or a no-wagering offer is usually easier to understand than a high-multiplier deposit match. The same applies to free-spin offers, where winnings are frequently capped and still carry a playthrough.
How to read the bonus terms and conditions
Before claiming any promotion, find and read these specific terms — they determine the real value of the offer far more than the headline percentage:
- The wagering multiplier, and whether it applies to the bonus only or to the deposit plus bonus.
- Game contribution rates and any excluded games.
- The time limit, and whether free spins are released in instalments.
- The maximum bet allowed while the bonus is active.
- Any cap on how much you can win or withdraw from the bonus.
If any of these is missing or unclear, treat that as a reason for caution. A transparent operator states all five plainly. Understanding these terms also makes the withdrawal process far smoother, because you will know in advance exactly what has to happen before a cash-out is approved.
Common wagering-requirement mistakes to avoid
- Assuming all 35x offers are equal. A 35x bonus-plus-deposit requirement costs roughly double a 35x bonus-only one.
- Clearing a bonus on low-weighted games. Playing table games at 10% weighting can multiply the real requirement tenfold.
- Breaching the maximum bet. One oversized stake can void the entire bonus and its winnings.
- Ignoring the deadline. Winnings left mid-playthrough when the timer expires are usually forfeited.
- Overlooking win caps. Some bonuses cap withdrawable winnings regardless of how much you accumulate.
- Chasing the requirement. Increasing stakes to clear a playthrough faster raises risk without improving the odds of any individual bet.
Wagering requirements in the New Zealand context
New Zealand’s online gambling market changed significantly in 2026. The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 came into force on 1 May 2026 and created a licensing regime administered by the Department of Internal Affairs, capped at 15 online casino licences allocated by auction. The Act applies extraterritorially, meaning it reaches operators that enable New Zealand-based play regardless of where they are incorporated, and it restricts the advertising of unlicensed offshore casinos to New Zealand players.
For bonus terms, the practical takeaway is that licensed operators are expected to offer player-set deposit limits and self-exclusion tools and to follow advertising and payment rules. Wagering requirements themselves remain a commercial term set by each operator, not a figure fixed by law, so the obligation to read the terms still rests with you. For more background, see our explainers on New Zealand’s online casino rules and on keeping play safe at responsible gambling.
Responsible Gambling
This article is informational and is not advice to gamble or a guarantee of any outcome. Bonuses and wagering requirements do not improve the odds of any individual bet, and no strategy can overcome a game’s built-in house edge. Gambling carries a real risk of losing money and of harm. Set deposit and time limits before you play, treat any bonus as entertainment rather than income, and only use operators licensed to serve New Zealand players.
If gambling is causing you or someone you know harm, free and confidential help is available in New Zealand. The Gambling Helpline is open 24/7 on 0800 654 655 (or text 8006), and the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand offers free counselling on 0800 664 262. You must be 18 or over to gamble.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does a 35x wagering requirement mean?
It means you must bet 35 times the amount the requirement applies to before you can withdraw bonus-related winnings. If it applies to a 10 NZD bonus, that is 350 NZD in total bets; if it applies to a 10 NZD deposit plus a 10 NZD bonus, it is 700 NZD. Always check which amount the multiplier attaches to, because that changes the cost.
Can I withdraw winnings before meeting the wagering requirement?
No. Winnings tied to a bonus stay locked until the full playthrough is completed within any time limit. The main exception is a non-sticky bonus, where your own deposit is kept separate and can be withdrawn at any time; only the bonus itself is subject to the requirement.
Which games clear wagering requirements fastest?
Slots usually contribute 100%, so they clear the requirement at face value and are generally the most efficient choice. Table and live-dealer games often contribute only 10% to 50%, which means you must bet far more to achieve the same progress, and some games may be excluded entirely. Check the game-contribution table in the bonus terms before you start.
How can I avoid wagering requirements altogether?
Choose a no-wagering bonus, which pays winnings as withdrawable cash, or simply play with your own funds and claim no bonus. A non-sticky bonus is a middle option: you keep full control of your deposit and only take on the requirement if you choose to use the bonus. No-wagering offers are less common and usually smaller in headline value.
Are wagering requirements the same at every casino?
No. The multiplier, the amount it applies to, game weightings, time limits, maximum bets and win caps are all set by each operator and can differ between promotions on the same site. Because no law fixes these figures, the only reliable way to know an offer’s true cost is to read its specific terms and conditions.
