Short answer: a wagering requirement (also called playthrough or rollover) is the total amount you have to bet before a casino bonus turns into money you can withdraw. A 15x requirement on a $100 bonus means $1,500 in bets. The number on the promo banner matters far less than three details in the terms: what the multiplier applies to, which games count, and how long you have. This guide shows you how to read all three at a state-licensed US online casino and how to put a rough price on any offer.
Find the multiplier and what it’s multiplied by
Every bonus term sheet has a line that reads something like “15x playthrough.” Before you think about whether 15 is high or low, find out what it multiplies. There are two common versions:
- Bonus only: you wager the multiplier times the bonus amount. A $100 bonus at 15x means $1,500 in total bets.
- Deposit plus bonus: you wager the multiplier times the deposit and the bonus combined. Deposit $100, get $100, and 15x suddenly means $3,000.
Same headline number, double the work. When the wording is unclear, the operator’s customer support should be able to confirm it in writing. If a dispute with a licensed operator can’t be settled, the state regulator that licenses it, such as the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, is the place to take it next.
Know the common bonus types
Licensed operators in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Michigan, West Virginia, and the other legal states use a fairly small menu of promotions. The table below shows how wagering usually attaches to each one. Exact multipliers vary by operator and change often, so treat this as a map, not a quote.
| Bonus type | What you receive | Where playthrough usually sits | Question to ask |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deposit match | Bonus funds equal to a percentage of your first deposit | On the bonus, sometimes on deposit plus bonus | Does the multiplier include my own deposit? |
| No-deposit bonus | A small credit just for registering and verifying | On the credit itself, often with a low cap on winnings | Is there a maximum I can cash out? |
| Free spins | A set number of spins on named slots | On the winnings from the spins | Do spin winnings arrive as cash or as bonus funds? |
| Lossback or casino credit | Credit back on net losses over a set window | Often a low multiplier, sometimes 1x | Is the credit paid in one lump or in installments? |
| Reload or loyalty offers | Smaller matches or credits for existing players | Varies widely | Is the playthrough higher than the welcome offer? |
Do the math before you opt in
You can estimate what clearing a bonus costs with one formula: total wagering x house edge = expected loss. It won’t predict any single session, because short-term results swing wildly, but over many players it describes what happens on average.
Here’s a worked example. All figures are hypothetical and chosen only to show the method.
- You deposit $100 and receive a $100 bonus with 15x playthrough on the bonus only.
- Required wagering: $100 x 15 = $1,500.
- You play a slot with a published RTP of 96%, so the house edge is 4%.
- Expected loss while clearing: $1,500 x 4% = $60.
- Expected value of the offer: $100 bonus minus $60 expected cost = about $40 in your favor, on average.
Now change one variable. Same bonus, but 30x playthrough: $3,000 in wagering, an expected cost of $120, and the offer is worth roughly minus $20 on average. Doubling the multiplier flipped the bonus from positive to negative. That is why the multiplier and the game’s RTP matter more than the size of the headline match.
Quick rule: divide 1 by the house edge of the game you’ll play. At a 4% edge that gives 25. If the playthrough (on the bonus amount) is well under 25x, the math leans your way on average. If it’s above, you’re paying for entertainment, which is fine as long as you know it.
Check which games count, and by how much
Most US operators apply game weighting, also called contribution rates. A slot might count 100%, so every $1 bet clears $1 of playthrough. Table games and live dealer games often count at a lower rate or not at all, and video poker is frequently weighted down too. The reason is simple: those games carry lower house edges, so the operator limits how much of the bonus you can clear on them.
Weighting changes the math above. Suppose blackjack counts at 10%. To clear $1,500 of playthrough you would need $15,000 in blackjack bets. Even with basic strategy bringing the edge to roughly 0.5% under good rules, $15,000 x 0.5% is an expected cost of $75, which is worse than the slot route in our example. Low edge does not automatically mean cheap clearing.
Slots also differ from each other. A game’s volatility decides how bumpy the ride is while you clear, and some promotions exclude specific titles or high-RTP games. Our guide to slot volatility explains why a low-volatility slot usually gives you a smoother path through playthrough, even when the long-run RTP is similar.
Watch the clock and the bet cap
Two terms quietly decide whether you finish:
- Expiry window. Bonuses typically expire if the playthrough isn’t completed within a stated number of days. If you play twice a week, a short window can make a generous-looking offer impossible to clear without changing your habits. Don’t change your habits for a bonus.
- Maximum bet while a bonus is active. Many terms cap the size of each wager while bonus funds are in play. Going over can void the bonus and any winnings tied to it.
Also check the order in which money is used. At many operators your cash balance is spent first and bonus funds after, or the two are locked together until playthrough is done. If you withdraw before finishing, the remaining bonus is usually forfeited.
Spot the terms that cost you most
Read the full terms page, not just the summary card. These are the clauses worth searching for with your browser’s find function:
| Search the terms for | Why it matters | What a friendlier version looks like |
|---|---|---|
| “wagering” or “playthrough” | Shows the multiplier and its base | Applies to the bonus amount only |
| “contribute” or “weighting” | Tells you which games clear the bonus | Your preferred games count at 100% |
| “expire” or “days” | Sets your deadline | A window that fits how often you actually play |
| “maximum bet” | Breaking it can void the bonus | A clear dollar figure, stated up front |
| “excluded” or “restricted” | Lists games that don’t count | A short, specific list |
| “state” or “eligible” | Offers differ by state | The offer named for the state you’re physically in |
That last row catches people out. Offers are licensed and approved state by state, so the welcome bonus shown in Michigan may differ from the one shown in New Jersey on the same app. You have to be physically inside a legal state to play, and you must be 21 or older in every state where online casinos are legal.
Decide when to skip the bonus entirely
Declining a bonus is a perfectly good move. Your cash is then simply cash: withdraw it whenever you want, play any game you like, and bet any size the table allows.
Take the bonus when
- The playthrough is low relative to the game’s house edge
- Your usual games count at 100%
- The expiry window fits your normal schedule
- You were going to deposit that amount anyway
Skip it when
- The multiplier applies to deposit plus bonus at a high rate
- Your favorite games are excluded or weighted down
- You may want a quick withdrawal
- The offer tempts you to deposit more than you planned
If you do skip it, the next question is how fast your money comes back. Our breakdown of payment methods and withdrawal times covers which cashier options tend to pay out quickest and how identity checks fit in.
Remember that bonus wins are still taxable
Winnings made while clearing a bonus are gambling income like any other. All gambling winnings are taxable federal income and belong on your Form 1040, whether or not you receive a Form W-2G. For payments in calendar 2026, the W-2G reporting threshold for slots is $2,000, and it is now indexed for inflation. From tax year 2026, only 90% of gambling losses are deductible, still capped at your winnings and only if you itemize. A repeal of that 90% rule advanced in a House committee in September 2026 but is not law. The IRS publishes the current forms and instructions.
Your pre-opt-in checklist
- Confirm the multiplier and whether it applies to the bonus only or deposit plus bonus.
- Multiply it out to get total required wagering in dollars.
- Check the contribution rate for the games you actually play.
- Estimate expected cost: wagering x house edge.
- Note the expiry window and the maximum bet.
- Make sure the offer is for the state you’re in.
- Set a deposit limit before you start. Our deposit limits and self-exclusion guide shows where to find it.
Bonuses are a discount on entertainment, not a way to make money. If gambling stops feeling like entertainment, call or text 1-800-GAMBLER, or visit our responsible gambling page. 21+ only. Availability and legality vary by state.