Our guide on how to complete casino wagering requirements is based on our own testing, 2 bonuses, and analyzing the terms and conditions of over 30 Canadian online casinos. We offer you access to well-tested strategies for completing the wagering that are fully created by our experts based on real math and playthrough completion tips we’ve learnt during our own experience trying to meet wagering requirements.
Understanding Wagering Calculation Methods (Bonus Only vs Bonus+Deposit)
Players should already know how the wagering requirements are calculated even before they opt in for a specific bonus.
The Two Calculation Methods
- Method 1: Wagering on Bonus Only
This type of bonus is the most common. Casinos usually provide this option in order to have player-friendly terms that would help gamblers complete the wagering without too much effort.
The formula consists of the Bonus Amount x Wagering Multiplier = Total Playthrough.
Example: C$100 bonus × 35x = C$3,500 playthrough
In this particular case, gamblers will need to wager a total amount of C$3,500 to complete bonus wagering. Their deposit can often be withdrawn as well, right after the wagering has been completed.
- Method 2: Wagering on Bonus + Deposit
Although less common, some casinos will indeed use this trickier model, which doubles the pressure on the gambler.
Formula: (Bonus + Deposit) × Wagering Multiplier = Total Playthrough
Example: (C$100 deposit + C$100 bonus) × 35x = C$7,000 playthrough
By using the formula, the casino doubles the rollover rules. And, although this wagering rule model is less common, you can still expect several renowned brands to use it.
Real case scenario: We once claimed a $100 bonus expecting to play $3,500 in wagering, but the casino used the bonus+deposit method, so it turned out that we actually had to wager $7,000 instead.
How to Identify Which Method Is Used
To find out which method is used at a new casino, you need to check the bonus’s terms and conditions and look for the phrases “wagering on bonus” or “wagering on bonus + bonus”.
Also, we would recommend that you get in touch with the customer support service before depositing for a bonus, and screenshot their answer on the wagering calculation method the casinos use.
Keep in mind that if the method used isn’t clear, it is best to assume the more difficult bonus + deposit method is used.
Optimal Game Selection for Completing Wagering Requirements
All players need to understand the contribution levels for different game categories before they opt for a bonus. Not all game categories have the same contribution towards completing the rollover rules, and some titles may not have any contribution at all, resulting in wasted time for players who are not aware of the game contribution rates when learning how to complete casino wagering requirements.
Game Contribution Rates Explained
At most casinos, slots have the highest contribution level for wagering purposes. Slots usually have a 100% contribution rate, which means that every C$10 wagered counts as C$10 as players try to meet wagering requirements.
On the other hand, classic table games like blackjack or roulette have a lower minimum contribution, usually ranging from 10-20%. So, a $10 bet on a roulette table may only count as C$1 or C$2 to meet wagering requirements. And live casino titles have even lower contribution levels, usually, often ranging from 0-10% or being completely excluded from the wagering, so playing on such titles would be a waste of time.
A critical trap: some slot tiles, especially when it comes to progressive jackpots like Mega Moolah or branded games, are also completely excluded from the wagering, which means they have a 0% contribution level.
Best Game Types for Wagering
Focus on wagering on high RTP casino games since they have a higher return percentage of your wagers over time, so you can minimize the losses.
Top slots for bonuses with high RTP levels:
- Blood Suckers (98% RTP)
- Mega Joker (99% RTP)
- 1429 Uncharted Seas (98.6% RTP)
- Jackpot 6000 (98.8% RTP)
Note: A 2% RTP difference between different slots can save players an average of C$70 on C$3500 in wagering. For more information, see our guide to high RTP casino games.
We also believe that low-variance slots are a good choice, as they offer frequent small earnings, which can be helpful as you follow your casino wagering strategy.
Top low variance slots include:
- Starburst (96.1% RTP)
- Jack and the Beanstalk (96.3% RTP)
For more recommendations, check our best slots for bonuses.
Games to AVOID During Wagering
- Progress jackpot slots (like Mega Moolah) usually have a 0% contribution towards completing the wagering.
- Table and live casino games commonly have a low or non-existent contribution.
- High variance slots may turn out to involve too many risks for completing the wagering in time.
How to Verify Before Playing
- Read the “Eligible Games” section that you can find in the bonus T&Cs.
- Make sure to find any Excluded Games.
- Test any title before engaging in significant wagering by playing C$10 and then checking to see if the wagering progress bar in your account dashboard has moved.
Note: When in doubt, it would be wise to simply get in touch with the customer service team and directly ask them which slots contribute 100%.
Our testing process: During our testing process, we completed wagering C$3500 on Bloog Suckers (which has a high RTP of 98%). It resulted in an average of C$70 in expected losses. Over 10 bonus players, we have calculated that one can save C$700 when choosing to only play on high RTP games.
Bet Sizing Strategy – Maximizing Spins Without Violating Max Bet
Understanding how to size your bets optimally is essential for having a well-thought-out playthrough tactic.
The Max Bet Trap
It should be noted that several welcome bonus max bet rules are quite strict, with many limits usually ranging between C$5 and C$8 per spin. If players make a higher bet than the imposed limit, even once, their bonus and all its associated earnings will be immediately forfeited.
For example, if one player bet 10 just once by mistake and this exceeded the maximum betting limit, they may have lost a great sum of earnings, let’s say, C$1,200. For more details on this exact matter, you can see our guide to welcome bonus max bet rules.
Optimal Bet Sizing Formula
To stay in a safe area, our experts recommend you stick to betting up to 50-70% of the maximum wager limit.
For instance, if the maximum bet imposed by a bonus’ T&C is C$5, your optimal bet should be C$2.50-C$3.50 per spin. And, if the maximum bet is C$8, one should aim for C$4 – C$5.50.
How to Avoid Max Bet Violations
- Players shouldn’t use the autoplay option, but always set their wager value manually.
- Gamblers shouldn’t try out bonus buy features, since 20-100 purchases may actually result in a bonus violation.
- One should always double-check the value of their bet before every new spinning season.
- Players should create a screenshot of the maximum wager rule to use as a reference during their gameplay.
Time Investment Reality – How Long Wagering Actually Takes
This is why it is essential to truly understand the concept of time investment to set realistic expectations.
Time Calculation Formula
For players to estimate how long it will take for them to finish their wagering, they can use the following formula:
Wagering requirement ÷ (bets done per minute × the size of the bet) = the number of hours needed.
For example, let’s say that one must complete bonus wagering of C$3,500. If one plays at a C$1 bet value per spin, and does an average of 10 spins every minute, it means they would require about 5.8 hours of minimum play.
During our own testing, completing C$3,500 in wagering took us an average of 7.5 hours to finish the playthrough rules for two bonuses.
Factors That Affect Time
The speed of the games is among the most relevant factors that can speed up or slow down the pace of your wagering. Playing on fast slots will speed up one’s wagering, while games that take a long time to load may take longer. Moreover, the bet size is also essential, since larger bets do require fewer spins indeed, but they also come with greater risks. Also, variance factors can force you to make an additional deposit or quit mid-process due to a great loss. Moreover, it is vital to take regular breaks during gaming to gamble responsibly, but every break also adds to the total time needed to complete wagering. One should decide if they want to complete bonus wagering in a single session or split it between several days.
Realistic Time Expectations by Wagering Level
- 20x wagering (needing to wager 2,000 on C$100 bonus): 3 – 4 hours
- 30x wagering (needing to wager 3,000 on C$100 bonus): 5 – 6 hours
- 35x wagering (needing to wager 3,500 on C$100 bonus): 6 – 8 hours (example: Mummy’s Gold 100% Bonus)
- 40x wagering (needing to wager 4,000 on C$100 bonus): 7 – 9 hours
- 50x wagering (needing to wager 5,000 on C$100 bonus): 9 – 12 hours
Tip: For a full list of casino bonuses with fair wagering terms , browse our comprehensive bonus database and experience faster wagering completion.
Common Wagering Traps and How to Avoid Them
To complete the wagering requirements, one must make sure to avoid these common traps:
Trap 1: Exceeding Max Bet Limit
Wagering more than the maximum bet limit set is quite a common mistake. However, the consequences are always severe: their bonus is instantly cancelled, together with all the winnings resulting from it. To avoid making this mistake, we recommend that you manually set your bet value to about 60% of the maximum betting limit and double-check it before every session.
In our testing, we accidentally made a C$6 bet when the maximum betting limit was C$5, but we luckily realized our mistake immediately, got in touch with the support, and received a warning instead of having our bonus forfeited.
Trap #2: Playing Excluded or Low Contribution Games
It is common for players to lose valuable hours on gambling on progressive slots, which have a 0% contribution level towards wagering or table games, which tend to have a very low contribution as well, only to realize their wagering progress has only barely moved, if at all. This is why it is always vital to check the list of eligible games by searching these exact terms in the bonus’s T&Cs and verifying their progress bar moves after the first spins.
Trap #3: Not Monitoring Time Limits
Players should know that bonuses always come with strict expiry dates, often ranging from 7 to 30 days. To avoid this, we recommend you set calendar reminders, check your progress daily, and plan session durations even before claiming a specific bonus.
Trap #4: Withdrawing Before Completion
Gamblers should keep in mind that they aren’t allowed to request any withdrawal unless the wagering for an active bonus has been completed. Hence, one must always wait for a “wagering complete” notification and make sure their dashboard shows 100% completion before attempting to make a withdrawal.
Trap #5: Claiming Multiple Bonuses Simultaneously
Users are often not allowed to opt for a reload promotion if they already have a welcome offer. This is why it is essential that one completes a bonus completely before claiming a second one to avoid having both promotions cancelled.
Tip: For more on safe bonus play, see our 100% bonus wagering terms.
Mathematical Reality – Expected Loss During Wagering
It is essential for all players who claim casino bonuses to understand the mathematical reality of the rollover rules to develop an optimal casino wagering strategy on how to clear bonus playthrough. All casino games have a default house edge. For most slots, the typical house edge ranges between 2-6% (with an average of 96%-98% RTP). During large gambling sessions, the house advantage becomes a clear reality that’s reflected in players’ bankrolls, no matter how lucky they feel in the short term.
The expected loss formula is straightforward:
Wagering Amount × House Edge = Expected Loss.
Let’s take the following example: if the wagering requirement a player has makes it mandatory for him to wager C$3,500, and they are playing on a slot with a 4% house edge, you can expect to finish with about C$60 after completing the wagering from a deposit of C$100 with a 100% match deposit bonus received. This means that players can still complete the playthrough, but they will end up with less money at the end. To minimize the overall losses, we recommend that gamblers always choose to wager on high-RTP games.
Is Wagering Completion Profitable?
In most cases, it is not profitable to complete wagering requirements. The house edge ensures that, on average, you’ll either lose just as much as you invest or you’ll get a small loss. The real value of the value is not monetary. It consists of extending your playtime and giving yourself a slight chance at a significant earning. Usually, players will start with a C$200 wallet consisting of both real money and bonus funds, and end up withdrawing C$50-C$100.
In extra rare cases, players might get a great win and finish with a profit. However, it is also possible for those truly unlucky to lose both their entire deposit and their received bonus before completing the wagering.
Both cases should be taken into consideration by players for an optimal wagering strategy and analysed carefully before committing to claiming a specific bonus.
As a verdict, we can say that after completing the wagering, one can likely withdraw C$50-C$100. But although the bonus is not profitable, it does contribute to the extended entertainment value.
Step-by-Step Wagering Completion Strategy (Your Action Plan)
To clear a casino bonus, one should necessarily follow a casino wagering strategy properly. Our bonus completion guide will offer you a practical step-by-step guide to efficiently complete the wagering rules in time.
Before Claiming the Bonus
We recommend you start by carefully reading the Terms of Conditions of the bonus you intend to opt-in for as you build your casino wagering strategy on how to clear bonus playthroughs. 10 minutes of your time can actually save you entire hours of frustration afterwards.
Always verify how the wagering is calculated: does the wagering apply to the bonus only, or both to the bonus and the deposit? Continue checking out the maximum bet limits and take a screenshot, and save it for future reference. Moreover, take a close look at the game contribution list and see which slots have a 100% level contribution. Keep an eye on high RTP options.
You will need to calculate the time needed to complete the bonus. Ask yourself – do you realistically have 6-10 free time hours to complete the wagering?
Tip: For more helpful advice on bonus claiming, you can take a look at our guide on claiming welcome bonuses.
After Claiming the Bonus (Day 1)
Once you’ve opted for a bonus, confirm that the bonus is correctly credited to your account by looking at your casino balance. You should also take a screenshot with your starting money value and the wagering requirement completion level (e.g., 0 out of C$3500 completed). You should choose a high RTP slot with a low variance level, like Bloog Sucker or Starburst. We also recommend you set your bet size to 60% of the maximum bet allowed, and try to complete an average of C$1,000 in wagering during this session.
Sessions 2–3 (Middle Phase)
Keep in mind that you should be able to check your progress on your account dashboard. If your bankroll is dropping severely, we recommend you lower your bet size.
Final Session (Completion)
For the last remaining 10%-20% of the wagering, don’t rush. Double-check if your dashboard really shows the “wagering complete” status before you consider any withdrawal. After you are sure your wagering is finished, you can convert your bonus to real funds. Now, you can safely withdraw all your earnings and remaining deposit.
Real Testing Results – We Completed 2 Bonuses (Here’s What Happened)
We believe that first-hand experience is the best option for creating a guide on how to complete casino wagering requirements.
We put two popular bonus choices to test, and used all our structured steps to see how theory plays in real life. Here’s what really happened:
Bonus #1: Success Story
For the first bonus, we went to a 100% deposit match bonus up to C$100 at a popular casino. The wagering was applied to the bonus received only and consisted of 35x. We found out from the Terms & Conditions of the bonus we were testing that the maximum bet for the slot games is C$5
Our strategy: We chose to play the bonus on the Blood Sucker slot, which has low variance and a high 98% RTP level. We set 2 bets to maximize our spins and stayed well below the maximum bet limit for safety reasons.
We ended up spending 7.5 hours gambling, which we split over 3 sessions to complete the bonus. During the first day of our gambling sessions, we played for 3 hours. On the next day we wagered for 2,5 hours and on the last day for 2 hours.
We tracked our wagering process and noted that after our first day’s session, we completed C$1,200 from the wagering. After our second day, we had a total of C$2,100 completed from the wagering. And at the end of the last gambling session from the first day, the entire C$3,500 wager required was completed.
We kept notes and realized that we had started with C$200 funds for play (both the deposit and the bonus received), and ended up withdrawing C$87 via Interac e-Transfer.
At the end of our experience, we completed the wagering for the bonus and cashed out.
We believe the key to our success was picking a high RTP game, using a lower than the maximum limit bet size, and splitting the wagering time between 3 sessions.
Bonus #2: Failure Story
When we tested the second 100 match deposit bonus up to C$100, we missed seeing that the wagering applied both to the bonus and the deposit by not carefully going through the bonus’s terms.
The wagering of the bonus consisted of 40x on both the bonus and the deposit, which required us to complete an $C8,000 wagering requirement. Also, the maximum bet consisted of $C8 per slot round.
Our strategy: We began wagering our bonus on the Gates of Olympus slot, which has a lower RTP of 96% and higher variance. We hoped that by wagering higher sums, we might receive higher wins.
We invested 5 hours in wagering before we ran out of both bonus and real money.
What went wrong with our strategy:
- We didn’t check properly whether or not the wagering applied to both the deposit and the bonus money.
- We opted for a high-variance slot, which resulted in significant losses quite often.
- We hit a very bad losing streak during our second session of playing, and our bankroll dropped from $150 to $40. Unfortunately, we ran out of money before we could recover and only completed 60% of the wagering.
Our Success Rate
We had a success rate of 50%, which made us realise the industry average of 30% – 40% seems accurate, considering how many hidden traps there are when one tries to meet wagering requirements.
Lessons learned:
Players should always verify whether or not the wagering applies to both the bonus and the deposit, or only to the bonus received. Moreover, gamblers should avoid high-variance slots for wagering purposes and set a higher bankroll buffer for high rollover requirements. For even tougher offers, see higher wagering bonuses like Lucky Nugget casinos’s 200x wagering on free spins.
Real Testing Transparency:
We invested C$200 and 12.5 hours in total for testing the 2 bonuses. We completed 1 and failed the other. We don’t present you with a strategy to get rich easily, but show you how strategic bonus play can result in 50/50 success odds depending on the playthrough completion tips you want to apply.
Casino-Specific Wagering Differences (Which Casinos Are Easiest)
The biggest factors that contribute to the difficulty of are the lower wagering multipliers, since 25-30x rollover rules are much easier to complete than 40-50x, and whether or not wagering applies only to the bonus, or to the bonus and the deposit as well. Moreover, casinos that allow higher maximum bet limits, such as C$8 or C$10, as opposed to C$5.
Bonus eligibility is also essential. Casinos that allow more eligible games and give players longer time limits to finish their wagering are far more generous. Even the game contribution levels are important. At some casinos, table games only count 20% while others allow 10% or even less.
How to Identify Easy Wagering Casinos
To find the best options, check our fair wagering casino bonuses page. We analyse and rate how fair the wagering is for several bonuses.
We recommend that you always compare the T&Cs of 3-5 casinos before settling for a specific promotion. Also, it’s always a good idea to check with the chat how the wagering is calculated for a certain bonus for double safety. Try to find fair wagering bonuses, such as the ones offered by casinos with 20-30x wagering rules.
Responsible Gambling During Wagering (Knowing When to Stop)
Players should remember that it is not unusual for wagering a casino bonus to create real pressure and tension. Unfortunately, trying to meet wagering requirements can turn into chasing losses. Casino games should solely be seen as a means of entertainment, and not an obligation. One should never have to compromise their financial stability or mental health as they are trying to complete bonus wagering responsibly.
Warning Signs to Stop
If one has lost more than their original deposit or finds themselves using grocery or rent money to wager, they must stop immediately.
How to Quit Mid-Wagering
To stop the wagering process, contact the casino support team and tell them you want your bonus forfeited. Usually, your deposit is returned, but this rule should be noted in the T&Cs. Once the wagering pressure has been removed, gamblers can regain control. We hope gamblers understand there is really no shame in quitting wagering mid-process. It is actually the smartest move sometimes.
Resources
For Canada, the Problem Gambling Helpline is 1-866-531-2600. They should always set deposit limits in their casino account settings or use the self-exclusion tools if needed.
Responsible Gambling Warning: If wagering feels stressful, or you end up losing more funds than you can afford, or worse – you find yourself chasing losses – you must stop immediately.
Wagering Completion Checklist (Quick Reference Guide)
All you must do is follow our playthrough completion tips:
Before Claiming
- Read the full bonus T&Cs.
- Verify the wagering calculation: do the rollover requirements apply to the bonus only, or the bonus + deposit?
- Check the wagering multiplier rate: 30–35x is reasonable for most players; wagering over 50x is a red flag.
- Note the maximum bet limit.
- Identify eligible games: Ask yourself which games have a 100% contribution level.
- Calculate the time needed: Do you have 6–10 hours available to spend wagering the bonuses you opt for?
- Check the deadline for the bonus.
During Wagering
- Start wagering on a high RTP slot like BloodSucker or Starburst
- Set your bet to 60% of the maximum value imposed by the casino
- Track your progress every hour by using the casino dashboard
- Split your wagering into 2-3 sessions
- Monitor your bankroll: If it drops below 30% of your starting deposit, consider forfeiting the bonus.
- Watch the deadline: Set a calendar reminder so you are held accountable.
- Avoid games that are excluded from the game contribution scheme.
After Completion
- Always make sure the wagering is 100% complete by looking into your dashboard
- Check your real money balance to see if the bonus has already been converted, or if it must be converted manually
- Request your withdrawal without wagering it further
- Choose Interac e-Transfer for the fastest payout option
