What are wagering requirements?
Wagering requirements (also called rollover, playthrough or simply "the wager") are a multiplier that shows how much you have to bet before bonus funds turn into real money. They are usually written with an "x": x5, x20, x35, x40. Put simply, the answer to "what is a wagering requirement?" is this: how many times you need to "roll over" the bonus.
The basic formula:
Required turnover = bonus amount × wagering requirement
At some operators, wagering applies to the bonus + deposit — which doubles the turnover. So check carefully whether the terms say "wagering on the bonus" or "on the bonus and deposit".
Until the wagering is complete, the bonus funds sit "frozen" in a separate balance. You can play with them, but you can't withdraw them. As soon as the turnover is fully completed, the remaining bonus balance moves to your real balance — provided it hasn't dropped to zero along the way.
Worked examples
| Bonus | Wagering | Applies to | Required turnover |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | x5 | Bonus | $500 |
| $100 | x20 | Bonus | $2,000 |
| $100 | x35 | Bonus | $3,500 |
| $100 (+$100 deposit) | x35 | Bonus + deposit | $7,000 |
| $250 | x40 | Bonus | $10,000 |
As you can see, with the same bonus amount the wagering multiplier can change the turnover tenfold. That is exactly why a big-percentage bonus with x40 wagering can be worse than a smaller bonus with x5 wagering.
Game contribution (contribution %)
With casino bonuses, each game contributes differently to the turnover. Slots usually count 100%, while table games and live casino count much less or not at all.
| Game type | Typical contribution | A $100 bet counts as |
|---|---|---|
| Slots | 100% | $100 |
| Roulette, blackjack | 10–20% or 0% | $10–20 or $0 |
| Live casino | often 0–10% | $0–10 |
| Crash games | depends on the operator | check the terms |
These percentages are typical examples — exact values are set out in each operator's bonus rules. With sports bonuses, instead of a contribution rate there are minimum odds and a required number of selections per accumulator: a bet that doesn't meet the conditions doesn't count towards the turnover at all.
The maximum bet rule
While a bonus is being wagered, the size of a single bet is capped. This rule stops players from "closing out" the rollover quickly with one big bet. If you break it, the operator may cancel the bonus and any winnings from it — even if the turnover has been completed.
Deadlines and how to plan your rollover
Every bonus has a validity period. It helps to break the turnover down by day:
- Calculate the required turnover: for example, $100 × 20 = $2,000.
- Divide by the deadline: with 7 days, that's ~$285 of turnover per day.
- Compare it with your usual stake size. If it doesn't fit your budget, you're better off not taking the bonus.
- Only choose games that contribute 100%, and never exceed the maximum bet.
- Track your progress with the progress bar in the bonus section.
Wagering on a sports bonus: a practical example
With sports bonuses, the turnover calculation is a little different, because what matters is not just the bet itself but whether it meets the conditions. Suppose the bonus is $150, wagering is x5, and every accumulator must have at least 3 selections, each priced above 1.40.
| Bet | Stake | Meets the conditions? | Counts towards turnover |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accumulator: 3 selections, each at 1.50 | $50 | Yes | $50 |
| Single bet at odds of 2.10 | $50 | No (not an accumulator) | $0 |
| Accumulator: 3 selections, one at 1.25 | $50 | No (odds too low) | $0 |
| Accumulator: 4 selections, each at 1.45 | $50 | Yes | $50 |
The required turnover is $150 × 5 = $750. Of the four bets in the table, only two counted — $100 in total. So another $650 of qualifying bets is needed. Bets that don't meet the conditions still cost you money but don't move the rollover forward — so double-check the rules before building your slip. One more reminder: void or refunded selections (odds of 1.00) usually don't count towards the turnover either.
What to look for when wagering a Mostbet bonus
Under current terms, Mostbet gives a ~125% first-deposit bonus plus free spins; the wagering rules for the sports and casino bonuses are separate. Read the full rules in the bonus section of the Mostbet website, and you can enter the promo code XBUNKER when registering. Once you understand how wagering is applied, the examples on our welcome bonus and free spins pages become much easier to follow. Reviews of other bookmakers are on our main site.
