How bonus wagering works: rules, caps and a worked example
A wagering requirement (also called playthrough) is the amount of bets you must place with bonus money before the bonus and its winnings can be withdrawn. It is written as a multiplier of the bonus, so x30 on a $100 bonus means $3 000 of qualifying bets. At BAKS.BET only slot bets paid with bonus money count, real money is always played first, and the exact terms are set per promotion and shown on the offer. This guide walks through the logic with numbers.
Key facts
- Requirement
- A multiple of the bonus, set per promotion
- What counts
- Slot bets paid with bonus money
- Does not count
- Bonus buys, instant games, provider games
- Order of play
- Real money first, then bonus money
- Max bet
- Limited while a bonus is active
- Time limit
- A number of days, set per promotion
- Withdraw cap
- A multiple or absolute amount, per promotion
- One bonus
- Per person: account, device, wallet
What a wagering requirement is
A bonus is not a gift you can cash out at once. It is extra playing money tied to a condition: you must wager it a set number of times first. The requirement is a multiple of the bonus amount. The terms differ between promotions, so we do not quote percentages here: the current values are listed on the promotions and bonuses pages and in each bonus's rules. Read them before you accept.
A worked example
The numbers below are an illustration, not our current offer. Suppose you deposit $100 and receive a $100 match bonus with wagering x30 on the bonus, a max bet of $5 and a withdrawal cap of 5x the bonus.
Your real $100 is played first. Those bets do not count toward wagering, and you can withdraw the real money at any time. When it is spent, bonus money starts to be used. Wagering is 30 x $100 = $3 000 of slot bets with bonus money. At a $2 bet that is 1 500 spins. If you hold $240 after finishing, the cap decides what you can take: 5 x $100 = $500, so all $240 is withdrawable. If you had reached $900, only $500 would be.
What counts and what does not
Only slot bets paid with bonus money move the counter. These do not count:
- Bets paid with real money, because real money plays first and stays withdrawable.
- Bonus buys inside slots, which use real money while a bonus is active (see how bonus buy works).
- Instant games such as Crash and Mines.
- Provider games.
Max bet, caps and time limit
While a bonus is active, the maximum bet is restricted. Check the number on the offer before raising your stake, and read in the bonus rules what happens if you go over it. A promotion can also cap what you may withdraw from a bonus, either as a multiple of the bonus or as an absolute sum. Anything above the cap is not paid out.
Wagering also has a deadline measured in days. Unfinished wagering after the deadline means the bonus expires. Spread the required volume across the days you have: 1 500 spins in two days is a very different load from the same in two weeks.
Real money first, and what withdrawing does
Your real balance is always used first and can be withdrawn at any moment. The danger is the reverse case: if you request a withdrawal before wagering is complete, the bonus is cancelled and the bonus money is lost. Real money stays yours. You may also decline a bonus on purpose. One bonus is allowed per person, checked by account, device and wallet, and a verified e-mail is needed for some of them. Details of the payout steps are in the withdrawal guide.
Is a bonus worth taking
Work out the total volume first. Slots return less than 100% in the long run (see the RTP guide), so each wagered dollar carries an expected cost. With a game at 96% RTP, $3 000 of wagering costs about $120 on average, which may exceed the bonus's value. Volatile slots like Sun of Ra can finish a requirement quickly or drain it fast.
If the terms look heavy, decline the bonus and play with real money, which keeps every feature and withdrawal available. A bonus should serve your entertainment, never be a reason to play more than planned.
Frequently asked questions
What does wagering x30 mean?
You must place bets worth 30 times the bonus amount with bonus money before it becomes withdrawable. For a $100 bonus that is $3 000 of qualifying slot bets. The multiplier is set per promotion and shown on the offer.
Do real-money bets count toward wagering?
No. Real money is played first and can be withdrawn at any time. Only slot bets paid with bonus money count, and bonus buys, instant games and provider games are excluded.
What happens if I withdraw before finishing?
The bonus is cancelled and the bonus money is lost, while your real money stays yours. If you are unsure, open the bonus status in your account before you request a payout.
Why can I not bet above a certain amount?
A maximum bet applies while a bonus is active, to stop wagering from being finished with a single huge stake. The exact limit and the consequence of breaking it are in the bonus rules, so check them first.
Can I decline a bonus?
Yes, you can give up a bonus. Remaining bonus money is then removed, while real money stays on your balance. Do it before you start playing if the terms do not suit you.
How many bonuses can one person receive?
One bonus per person, checked across account, device and wallet. Some bonuses also require a verified e-mail. Promo codes may be entered where a promotion asks for one.
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Updated: 2026-11-04. 18+. Gambling can be addictive: stake only what you can afford to lose.