Written by Jay, BonusBobcat — Last updated July 2026.
Wagering requirements (also called playthrough requirements) are the single most important factor in evaluating a UK casino bonus. This guide explains how they work with real examples, what the January 2026 UKGC cap changed, and how to work out the actual value of any bonus before you accept it.
What Is a Wagering Requirement?
A wagering requirement is the total amount you must bet before bonus funds can be withdrawn as cash. It’s always expressed as a multiple of the bonus amount. If a casino offers a 100% match bonus with a 10x wagering requirement and you deposit £100:
- You receive £100 in bonus funds
- Wagering requirement = £100 × 10 = £1,000
- Once you’ve placed £1,000 in bets on eligible games, the remaining bonus balance becomes withdrawable
The UKGC 10x Wagering Cap (January 2026)
Since January 2026, the UK Gambling Commission caps wagering requirements at 10x the bonus amount for all licensed UK casinos. This is a maximum — some casinos still set lower requirements, and some still offer 35x (which is legal). The cap means:
| Bonus amount | At 10x (UKGC cap) | At 35x (still legal) |
|---|---|---|
| £20 bonus | £200 to clear | £700 to clear |
| £50 bonus | £500 to clear | £1,750 to clear |
| £100 bonus | £1,000 to clear | £3,500 to clear |
The practical difference is significant. At 10x, most players can clear a £50 bonus in a few evening sessions. At 35x, it requires a sustained commitment that most casual players won’t complete — meaning the bonus often expires unclaimed.
Game Contribution Rates
Not all games count equally toward wagering. Contribution rates determine how much of each bet counts:
- Slots: 100% — every £1 bet counts £1 toward wagering
- Live casino: 0–10% — most bonuses exclude live casino from wagering
- Table games (RNG blackjack, roulette): 10–20% — a £10 blackjack hand might count only £1 toward wagering
- Video poker: typically excluded
Always check game contributions before playing table games during a bonus. Playing blackjack to clear a slots-focused wagering requirement will take 10x longer than expected.
Maximum Bet Rule
UKGC-licensed casinos typically impose a maximum bet of £5 per spin while a bonus is active. Placing a bet above this limit — even accidentally — can void your entire bonus balance. Check the specific limit at your casino before starting your wagering.
Wagering Requirement Calculator
To work out if a bonus is worth accepting:
- Multiply the bonus amount by the wagering requirement: Bonus × Wagering = Total to bet
- Estimate your house edge on your preferred game (slots: typically 3–5% of stakes)
- Multiply: Total to bet × House edge % = Expected cost to clear
Example: £50 bonus at 10x wagering, playing slots at 4% house edge.
£500 × 4% = £20 expected cost to clear the bonus. Net value = £50 − £20 = £30. That’s a reasonable value bonus.
At 35x: £1,750 × 4% = £70 expected cost. Net value = £50 − £70 = −£20. The bonus costs more to clear than it’s worth on average.
Free Spin Wagering Requirements
Free spins carry their own wagering requirement — typically on the winnings from the spins, not the spin value itself. If 50 spins return £5 in winnings at a 10x casino: £5 × 10 = £50 to wager before that £5 is withdrawable.
At a no-wagering casino (PlayOJO, HotStreak’s no-wagering spins), the £5 is credited immediately as real cash. No calculation needed.
Which UK Casinos Have the Best Wagering Terms?
- No wagering: HotStreak Casino, PlayOJO
- 10x wagering: WinoMania, Jackpot Mobile, Blue Fox, Monster Casino, Vegas Mobile
- 35x wagering: QueenPlay, Luckster, Magic Red
18+. All casinos listed are UKGC-licensed. Please gamble responsibly. BeGambleAware.org | 0808 8020 133
