Work Out What a Bonus Really Costs
Enter the bonus terms and see the real number that matters: how much you must stake before a withdrawal is allowed.
How the Maths Works
Wagering requirement × bonus (or deposit + bonus) ÷ game contribution = total stakes required. Every spin has a house edge of (100% − RTP), so the expected cost of grinding through the requirement is total stakes × house edge. If that expected cost exceeds the bonus value, the bonus is mathematically a trap — you are paying more in expected losses than the bonus gives you.
A Worked Example
€50 deposit, 100% match, 35x on the bonus, slots at 96% RTP: you get €50 bonus and must stake €1,750. Expected cost: €70 — more than the bonus. The same offer at 25x costs €50 in expectation: borderline. At 20x it costs €40: real value. This is why the wagering multiplier matters more than the match percentage — a flashy 200% match at 45x is nearly always worse than a quiet 50% at 20x.
Three Rules Before You Take Any Bonus
Check the basis — "deposit + bonus" wagering doubles the real requirement and hides behind the same headline number. Check contributions — grinding wagering on live blackjack at 10% contribution multiplies the requirement tenfold. Check the max bet — most bonuses cap bets at €5 while wagering; breach it and winnings are void. More in our wagering requirements guide and bonus hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiply the bonus (or deposit + bonus, depending on terms) by the wagering multiplier, then divide by the game contribution percentage. The calculator above does it instantly.
On bonus-only slots play: 20–30x is reasonable, 35x is the norm, 40x+ usually costs more in expected losses than the bonus is worth.
Every euro staked loses (100% − RTP) on average — so clearing €1,750 of wagering at 96% RTP costs about €70 in expectation. Higher-RTP slots make the same requirement cheaper.