Wagering Requirement Calculator
Casino bonuses may seem like "free money," but wagering requirements (also called playthrough requirements) ensure that bonuses come with significant hidden costs. This calculator helps you understand the true expected value of any casino bonus by accounting for the expected losses you will incur while meeting wagering requirements.
According to research published by the National Institutes of Health, the structure of casino bonuses is specifically designed to appear more valuable than they actually are, exploiting cognitive biases in how humans perceive "free" offers.
Calculate Bonus True Value
Interpretation
This bonus has negative expected value. You would be better off not taking it.
Compare Multiple Bonuses
Add up to 5 bonuses to compare their true values side by side.
| Bonus | Bonus $ | Total Wager | Expected Loss | True Value | Value % |
|---|
Recommendation
Based on the analysis...
Understanding Game Contributions
Not all casino games contribute equally to wagering requirements. A game with 10% contribution means you need to wager 10x more on that game to clear the same requirement as a game with 100% contribution.
Typical Game Contribution Rates
Adjusted Wagering Formula
Example: $3,500 wagering with 10% blackjack contribution = $35,000 actual wagering required
Why Low Contribution Rates?
Casinos assign lower contribution rates to games with lower house edges. This is intentional: the UNLV International Gaming Institute notes that blackjack with optimal strategy has only a 0.5% house edge, while slots average 2-15%. By requiring more wagering on low-edge games, casinos ensure they extract similar profits regardless of game choice.
The Contribution Trap
Consider this scenario: You have a $100 bonus with 35x wagering. Playing slots (100% contribution, 5% edge), you need to wager $3,500 and will lose approximately $175. Playing blackjack (10% contribution, 0.5% edge), you need to wager $35,000 and will lose approximately $175. The expected loss is nearly identical by design.
Important Note
Some casinos exclude certain games entirely from bonus play (0% contribution). Always read the full terms and conditions. Playing excluded games may result in bonus cancellation or winnings being voided.
How Wagering Requirements Work
When a casino offers a "100% match bonus up to $100 with 35x wagering," this means:
- You deposit $100 and receive a $100 bonus
- The 35x wagering requirement means you must bet 35 times the bonus amount (or deposit + bonus, depending on terms)
- If applied to bonus only: $100 × 35 = $3,500 in total wagers
- If applied to deposit + bonus: $200 × 35 = $7,000 in total wagers
Each wager you make incurs the house edge. According to gambling mathematics research documented by the Encyclopedia Britannica, even small percentage edges become significant over thousands of dollars in wagers.
True Bonus Value Formula
Why Most Bonuses Have Negative Expected Value
Let's analyze a typical bonus: 100% match up to $100, 35x wagering on deposit + bonus, playing slots with 5% house edge:
| Component | Calculation | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit | Your money | $100 |
| Bonus | 100% of deposit | $100 |
| Total Wagering Required | $200 × 35 | $7,000 |
| Expected Loss from Wagering | $7,000 × 5% | $350 |
| True Bonus Value | $100 - $350 | -$250 |
This "free" $100 bonus actually costs you $250 in expected losses. The GambleAware organization emphasizes that understanding these mathematics is crucial for responsible gambling decision-making.
When Can Bonuses Have Positive Value?
In rare cases, a bonus may have positive expected value:
- Very low wagering requirements (under 15x on bonus only)
- High game contributions on low house edge games
- Large bonus percentages with modest wagering
- No maximum cashout limits
However, casinos employing mathematicians and economists design their bonus structures specifically to maintain profitability. Positive expected value bonuses are extremely rare and typically corrected quickly when discovered.
The South Korean Context
For Korean citizens, these calculations serve primarily educational purposes. Under South Korean gambling law, participating in offshore online casinos is illegal regardless of bonus offers. The Korean government prohibits online gambling precisely because the mathematical structures favor operators over players.
Understanding wagering requirements helps illustrate why gambling prohibition exists: even when bonuses appear generous, the underlying mathematics guarantee systematic wealth extraction from players. This principle applies equally to legal gambling venues like Kangwon Land and illegal offshore operations.
Legal Warning
Online gambling is illegal for Korean citizens under Articles 246-249 of the Korean Criminal Act. Participating in offshore casinos, regardless of bonus offers, can result in criminal prosecution with penalties including fines up to 5 million won and imprisonment. See our enforcement page for detailed information on penalties.
Key Takeaways
- There is no free money: Wagering requirements ensure casinos profit from bonuses
- Higher bonuses often mean higher losses: Larger bonus percentages typically come with higher wagering multipliers
- Game choice matters: But contribution rates are designed to equalize casino profit
- Maximum cashout limits cap potential upside while losses remain unlimited
- Always calculate true value before considering any gambling bonus
For more tools to understand gambling mathematics, explore our House Edge Calculator, Probability Calculator, and Risk of Ruin Calculator.
Related Resources
- Offshore Casinos and Legal Risks - Understanding the legal landscape
- Gambling Scams in South Korea - Protecting yourself from fraudulent operators
- Responsible Gambling Resources - Help and support information
- Budget Calculator - Planning entertainment spending