Wagering Requirement
The total amount you must bet before bonus money (and any winnings from it) can be withdrawn as cash.
Definition
A wagering requirement is a condition attached to a casino bonus that specifies how much a player must stake before bonus funds convert to withdrawable cash. It is expressed as a multiplier applied to the bonus amount, the deposit, or both — commonly written as "35x". The base the multiplier applies to (bonus-only vs. deposit-plus-bonus) and the "game weighting" (how much each game type counts toward the total) are set by the operator's bonus terms and materially change how hard the requirement is to clear. Requirements typically expire after a set period and are governed by the terms and conditions a player accepts when claiming the offer.
Worked example
A player claims a 100% match bonus on a 100 EUR deposit, receiving 100 EUR in bonus funds with a 35x wagering requirement applied to the bonus. That means 35 x 100 = 3,500 EUR in total stakes must be placed before the bonus and its winnings can be cashed out. If slots contribute 100% but table games contribute only 10%, betting 100 EUR on slots clears 100 EUR of the requirement, while betting 100 EUR on blackjack clears just 10 EUR. On a typical slot with 96% RTP (4% house edge), wagering 3,500 EUR carries an expected theoretical loss of roughly 3,500 x 4% = 140 EUR to the house over the full playthrough — which is why bonuses are structured entertainment offers, not a reliable source of profit. If the base were "deposit + bonus" instead, the requirement would be 35 x 200 = 7,000 EUR.
Why it matters
The wagering requirement is the single biggest factor determining whether a bonus offers real value or is effectively unclaimable, so players need to read it before opting in. For beginners it explains why "free" bonus money cannot be withdrawn immediately; for professionals it is a core lever in promotional design, bonus cost modelling, and responsible-marketing compliance, since unclear or excessive requirements are a frequent source of complaints and regulatory scrutiny.
Related
Note: The definition is stable, but specific figures vary by operator and jurisdiction: the multiplier (commonly 20x-50x), the base it applies to (bonus-only vs. deposit+bonus), game weightings, max-bet caps, and expiry periods are all set in individual bonus terms. Some regulators (e.g. the UK) restrict or scrutinise certain wagering practices; RTP/house-edge figures are game-specific examples, not universal values. Always verify against the specific offer's T&Cs.