Expected cost = effective wagering × (1 − RTP). Variance is not modelled — real results scatter widely around this.
What "35x wagering" really means
A wagering requirement (also playthrough or rollover) is the total amount you must bet before bonus funds — and winnings from them — become withdrawable. The multiplier is applied either to the bonus only or to deposit + bonus; the second is twice the work for the same money and is the first thing to check in any terms page.
Example: CA$200 deposit, 100% match, 35x on bonus. Bonus = CA$200. Wagering = 35 × 200 = CA$7,000. At CA$1 per spin that is 7,000 spins — about 15 hours at a normal pace.
Game contribution changes everything
Casinos weight games by how much each bet counts toward the requirement. Slots usually count 100%. Originals (Plinko, Dice, Crash, Mines), live tables and video poker typically count 10% — because their house edge is lower, the casino needs you to bet ten times as much to earn the same expected revenue. CA$7,000 of required wagering becomes CA$70,000 of actual Plinko bets. Our calculator's "effective wagering" line shows this.
Practical rule: clear bonuses on slots, play Originals with real balance (and rakeback).
Expected cost of clearing
The cost line multiplies effective wagering by the game's house edge (1 − RTP). It is an average: half the time you will do better, half worse, and on a volatile slot the distribution is wide. A requirement whose expected cost is well under the bonus amount ("strong value") is worth taking even for a cautious player; one whose expected cost exceeds the bonus is only worth it for the variance — the chance of a large hit that clears everything with profit.
Max-bet rules and other traps
- Max bet while a bonus is active (typically CA$5–7 per spin). Exceeding it can void the bonus. Our calculator assumes you stay under.
- Expiry — 7 to 30 days. Divide total wagering by days to see whether the pace is realistic.
- Restricted games — some high-RTP slots are excluded from bonus play precisely because they clear cheaply.
- Max cashout from bonus winnings (often 5x–10x bonus). It caps the upside.
Compare the actual terms for each brand on our bonuses page — the presets above load the match, cap and multiplier for every deposit-match code we track.
Frequently asked questions
Does my deposit count toward wagering?
Only if the terms say wagering applies to deposit + bonus. Most of our brands apply it to the bonus only; Shuffle applies it to both.
Can I withdraw before clearing?
Usually you can withdraw your deposit by forfeiting the bonus and its winnings. Staged bonuses like Shuffle's and BC.Game's never lock your deposit.
How many spins does 35x take?
Bonus × 35 ÷ bet size. CA$100 bonus at CA$0.50 per spin = 7,000 spins — roughly 15 hours.
Why do Originals count only 10%?
Their 1% house edge earns the casino less per bet than a 4% slot, so the contribution is scaled down to equalise expected revenue.