Wagering requirements: the arithmetic behind every bonus
A wagering requirement — also called playthrough or rollover — is the amount you must stake before bonus money, or what you won with it, can be withdrawn. It is the single most important number in any bonus, and also the one most often hidden in a short phrase. This page shows how to calculate it, which details change the result and why clearing a requirement is harder than the numbers suggest. The examples use plain numbers without a currency and do not describe any specific MyStake offer.
Two ways to state the same multiple
| Example: deposit 100, bonus 100 | Stakes needed |
|---|---|
| 10 times the bonus | 1,000 |
| 10 times deposit plus bonus | 2,000 |
| 35 times the bonus | 3,500 |
| 35 times deposit plus bonus | 7,000 |
The same multiple can mean twice as much play depending on its base. That is why the first thing to find in the terms is not the number itself but the words after it: “bonus amount” or “deposit and bonus”.
Game contributions change the clock
Bonus terms often say that some games count less than fully towards wagering. If a game counts at one tenth, a stake of 10 on it moves the requirement forward by only 1. Playing that game, a requirement of 1,000 would take 10,000 in stakes. Contribution lists matter most for players who prefer table or live games, which are frequently weighted down or excluded. Check the list before choosing what to play with a bonus.
Why the house edge makes clearing harder
Every stake carries the game's built-in edge. Over a long requirement, that edge works steadily against the balance. A slot whose info panel shows a return to player below 100 per cent returns, over the long run, less than is staked. The more you have to stake to clear a bonus, the more of the bonus — and sometimes of your deposit — the edge is expected to absorb. This is why many bonuses never turn into withdrawable money, and why a smaller offer with lighter terms can leave you better off.
Deadlines and stake caps together
The deadline tells you how fast you need to play; the stake cap tells you how large each bet may be. A requirement of 3,500 with a maximum stake of 5 needs at least 700 bets. Over seven days, that is 100 bets a day. Laid out like that, a requirement becomes a schedule, and you can decide whether it fits your life and your budget before you accept.
A simple test before accepting
- Find the base: bonus alone or deposit plus bonus.
- Multiply to get the total stakes needed.
- Divide by your usual stake to see how many bets that is.
- Compare with the deadline and with your monthly budget.
If the result is more play than you would choose without the bonus, decline it. Declining is usually possible in the cashier or account settings, and it keeps your balance free to withdraw. More on the surrounding clauses in our bonus terms guide, and on limits in responsible gambling.