TL;DR: A wagering requirement is the number of times a player must wager their bonus (and sometimes deposit) before bonus winnings can be withdrawn — typically expressed as 20×, 35×, 50× the bonus amount.
What it means
WR is the mechanism that keeps welcome and reload bonuses commercially viable. Without WR a player could deposit $100, claim a $100 bonus, withdraw $200 immediately, and the operator loses. With WR, the player must wager $100 × 35 = $3,500 before bonus funds clear, during which house edge captures most of the bonus back.
WR is expressed two ways: "35× bonus" (most common) or "35× bonus + deposit" (more demanding, common in EU). Some markets, notably UKGC, restrict overly aggressive WR mechanics.
Formula / How it's measured
Cleared value to operator = WR × Bonus × House Edge − Bonus Effective bonus cost = Bonus − (WR × Bonus × House Edge)
Example: $100 bonus, 35× WR, slot avg edge 4%. Expected operator return = 35 × $100 × 4% = $140. Net: $40 of theoretical GGR after refunding the bonus. With "35× bonus + deposit" on $100 deposit, return = 35 × $200 × 4% = $280.
Why it matters for operators
WR is the most powerful lever in bonus economics. Lowering WR from 35× to 25× makes the offer dramatically more attractive in marketing but doubles bonus cost as % of NGR. Game weighting (slots count 100%, blackjack 10%, live games 0%) within WR is also critical — without it, advantage players clear bonuses on low-edge games for free money.
Common benchmarks (2026)
- Welcome bonus WR: 20–50× (35× is mass-market standard)
- Reload bonus WR: 15–30×
- Free spins WR (on winnings): 25–40×
- Sportsbook bonus min odds + turnover requirement: 5–10× at 1.5+ odds
Common mistakes
- Hiding WR in fine print — regulator and reputation risk
- Allowing 100% game weighting on low-edge games (advantage play exposure)
- Setting unrealistic WR (>60×) that frustrates legitimate players and lifts churn
See also
- Welcome Bonus
- First Deposit Bonus (FDB)
- Bonus Abuse