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A wagering (or play-through) requirement is how much you have to bet before bonus money turns into cash you can withdraw. "35x" means you bet 35 times the stated amount. It doesn't mean you lose that amount. It means you cycle it through bets.
Formula: amount the multiplier applies to × multiplier = total bets needed.
These are worked arithmetic examples, not test results.
The house edge applies to every bet, so the more you have to wager, the more of the balance you can expect to lose along the way.
A wagering multiplier can apply to the bonus alone (bonus-only: multiplier × bonus) or to the deposit plus the bonus (deposit+bonus: multiplier × (deposit + bonus)). The same "35x" can mean very different amounts of betting.
| Example | Bonus-only | Deposit+bonus |
|---|---|---|
| $100 deposit, $100 bonus, 35x (hypothetical) | $100 × 35 = $3,500 | $200 × 35 = $7,000 |
| $100 deposit, $50 bonus, 35x (hypothetical) | $50 × 35 = $1,750 | $150 × 35 = $5,250 (105 times the bonus) |
On a 100% match, deposit+bonus wagering doubles the betting; on a smaller match, the gap is bigger. This is arithmetic, not a test result.
The Yukon Gold terms and the Casino Action terms (both checked Oct 17, 2026) use the same wording: "The first deposit bonus and second deposit bonus are subject to 200 times play-through before your bonus balance is converted to cash", and "Subsequent bonus amounts credited to a player's bonus balance (from the third deposit) will be subject to 30 times play-through before they may be cashed in." They also say "Wagers made from both cash and bonus accounts count towards play-through."
Both sets of terms also give their own example: "If a Player receives a $100 bonus, they will have to wager approximately $20,000 should they wager on slot games (100% contribution) before attempting a withdrawal." (Yukon Gold and Casino Action terms, checked Oct 17, 2026). $100 × 200 = $20,000, with no deposit in the sum, which shows the 200x applies to the bonus amount. Other brands' terms may differ, so read the terms of the casino you use.
To see these terms applied to one casino, read the "Bonus terms that affect large wins" section of our Casino Action review and the "Welcome offer and the real terms" section of our Yukon Gold review. Both brands' terms state "200 times play-through" on the first and second deposit bonuses (Casino Action terms and Yukon Gold terms, checked Oct 20, 2026).
Both sets of terms say slots count 100% and table, parlour, live and "all other game types count 2%" toward wagering. Hypothetical: $1,000 of blackjack bets counts as $20. See game weighting and the max-bet rule.
Every bet carries the house edge, so required betting × house edge is the long-run expected cost. Illustration (hypothetical): $3,500 of bets on a game with a 4% house edge has an expected cost of about $140; $7,000, about $280. A bonus doesn't change the odds of any game.
Not every game counts in full. In the Yukon Gold terms, slots count 100% and table, live and "other" games count 2% (Yukon Gold T&Cs, checked Oct 12, 2026). At 2%, $3,000 of blackjack counts as just $60 toward wagering. Some titles count 0%. Game weighting will get its own explainer.
Many casinos cap your bet size while a bonus is active and cap how much you can withdraw from bonus winnings. Look for both in the terms before you play. At Yukon Gold and Casino Kingdom, a single bet of 25% or more of the bonus before wagering is met counts as irregular play, and big winners relative to their deposits can be limited to $4,000 a week in withdrawals (T&Cs, checked Oct 12, 2026).
Bonuses and spins often come with a time limit. Yukon Gold's offer, for example, has to be taken up with a first deposit within 7 days. Always check the terms for how long you have to finish wagering.
Ignore the headline amount. Work out total bets needed (amount × multiplier ÷ weighting for your game), then check the cap and the time limit. A $1,000 bonus at 200x is a much heavier lift than a $100 bonus at 35x.
For offers that advertise no wagering, see no-wagering casino bonuses explained.
If a bonus means depositing more than you planned, skip it. Turning a bonus down is always allowed.
You have to place bets totalling 35 times the bonus (or bonus plus deposit, if the terms say so) before it can be withdrawn.
Often only partly. At Yukon Gold they count 2% (Yukon Gold T&Cs, checked Oct 12, 2026).
You usually lose the bonus. Yukon Gold's terms say withdrawing deposited funds before the bonus is released forfeits it.
It depends on the terms. Some count the bonus only and some count deposit plus bonus. The Yukon Gold and Casino Action terms (checked Oct 17, 2026) give the example "If a Player receives a $100 bonus, they will have to wager approximately $20,000 should they wager on slot games (100% contribution) before attempting a withdrawal." That shows their 200x applies to the bonus amount. Other brands' terms may differ.
On a 100% match, yes in total betting. Hypothetical: $100 deposit + $100 bonus at 35x = $7,000, the same as $100 × 70. On a smaller match the deposit+bonus figure is a larger multiple of the bonus.
Related: all bonus guides · $1 deposits with Interac.
Related: the max-bet rule in bonus terms · which games count toward wagering