Wagering requirements (also called playthrough or rollover) determine how many times you must bet your bonus before withdrawing winnings.
Example: 100% match bonus of $100 with 35x wagering means you must wager $3,500 before cashing out. That sounds high, but with slots contributing 100%, it's achievable for most players.
Most casinos cap your bet at $5–$10 while a bonus is active. Exceeding it can void the entire bonus and winnings.
Fair: 30x–35x wagering, slots at 100%, $5–$10 max bet, 7–14 day expiry.
Borderline: 40x wagering, some game restrictions.
Trap: 50x+ wagering, table games at 5%, $3 max bet, 48 hour expiry.
These require 50x–60x wagering with winnings capped at $50–$100. Still worth grabbing for risk-free play, but manage expectations.
At coolshades.net, we list the real effective wagering requirement for every bonus we review. We translate the fine print so you know what you're actually committing to.