Wagering requirements, with the actual arithmetic

What Does 40x Wagering Actually Mean and Why Can 35x Be More Expensive Than 40x?

Imagine this: you deposit €100, receive a 100% bonus, and the bonus terms include a 40x wagering requirement. This means you will need to wager €4,000 before you can withdraw your winnings. But wait a moment - that same €100 deposit with a 35x wagering requirement could require €7,000 in wagering. It all depends on what the multiplier applies to. Simply put, a bonus wagering requirement is a multiplier that determines how many times the bonus amount, or the bonus + deposit amount, must be wagered before winnings can be withdrawn.

What Does 40x Mean in Euros?

Let's look at a specific example of how to calculate a bonus wagering requirement. You deposit €100 and receive a 100% bonus - your account balance is €200. If the bonus terms specify a 40x wagering requirement on the bonus, this means: €100 (bonus) × 40 = €4,000 that must be wagered.

What does this mean in real playing conditions? If you play slots with a €1 bet per spin, you will need 4,000 spins to meet the requirement. If you play with a €2 bet, you will need 2,000 spins. Although a bonus may seem like "free money," wagering requirements at casinos in Latvia and elsewhere are the main factor determining whether a bonus is actually worthwhile.

35x vs. 40x - Why the Lower Number Can Be More Expensive

Here is the key point that most players don't understand. Let's compare four offers based on a €100 deposit with a 100% bonus.

With Pistolo, a 35x multiplier applies to the deposit and bonus combined. This means that with a €100 deposit and a €100 bonus, the total wagering requirement is €7,000.

Irwin offers a 40x multiplier, but it applies only to the bonus amount. Therefore, after receiving a €100 bonus, the required wagering amount is €4,000.

Casinia's offer works similarly to Pistolo's - the 35x multiplier applies to both the deposit and the bonus. With a €100 deposit and a €100 bonus, the total wagering requirement is €7,000.

Flagman, on the other hand, applies a 40x multiplier only to the bonus amount. Therefore, a €100 bonus requires €4,000 in wagering.

So, when looking only at the multiplier, the offers may appear similar, or one may even seem more attractive than another. However, the important thing is to understand what amount the multiplier is applied to.

Pistolo advertises 35x wagering, while Irwin advertises 40x, but the Pistolo bonus is 75% more expensive in terms of the required wagering. Why? Because 35x applies to the deposit and bonus (€200 × 35 = €7,000), while 40x applies only to the bonus (€100 × 40 = €4,000). Therefore, when you see "35x vs. 40x wagering - which one is more expensive?", the answer is always: it depends on the base amount.

An interesting fact from our casino data: six casinos advertise 35x on the deposit + bonus, while six advertise 40x only on the bonus. This is the comparison that actually matters. Mino Casino even advertises 45x on the bonus, which means €4,500 in wagering on a €100 bonus.

What Else Is in the Terms, and What Can Stop You?

Wagering requirements aren't the only obstacle - there are several others. Even if you complete the 40x wagering requirement, other terms can significantly reduce your chances:

• Maximum bet - most casinos limit the bet size while a bonus is active. The limit is usually €5 per spin, and at some casinos it is €2.
• Game weighting - not all games contribute equally to wagering. Slots usually contribute 100% of the bet toward the wagering requirement, while table games such as blackjack and roulette often contribute only 10–20% or may not count at all.
• Expiry period - bonuses usually have a limited validity period, often 7–30 days, within which all wagering requirements must be completed.
• Maximum withdrawal limit - some casinos limit how much you can withdraw from bonus winnings, for example, to 5x or 10x the bonus amount.

Free Spins Wagering Is Separate

Free spins often come with their own, separate wagering requirements. For example, Pistolo advertises 35x wagering on bonus funds but 40x wagering on winnings from free spins. This means that winnings from the spins are not "cash" that can simply be withdrawn - they also have to be wagered.

Why? Because casinos treat free spins as a separate type of bonus. If you receive 10 free spins that generate €20 in winnings, a 40x wagering requirement means you will need to wager €800. Free spins wagering requirements are often even higher than deposit bonus requirements, so always check them separately.

How to Check the Terms Before Taking a Bonus

To avoid getting caught out and facing unnecessary or unpleasant surprises, go through this checklist before accepting any casino bonus:

1. What is the multiplier? (1x, 35x, 40x, 45x?)
2. What does it apply to? Only the bonus, or the deposit and bonus? This is the biggest catch.
3. Which games count toward wagering? Does your chosen slot contribute 100%?
4. How long is the validity period? Will you have enough time to complete the requirement?
5. Is there a maximum bet limit? If the limit is €2 and the wagering requirement is €7,000, that's 3,500 spins.

The most important rule: if a casino does not state its wagering requirements immediately, clearly, and unambiguously, that is an answer in itself. In our reviews, 30 out of 48 Latvian online casinos do not state a wagering figure at all. If you have to search at the bottom of the page or in a "Terms & Conditions" section, the requirements may not be favorable.

Are There Bonuses Without Wagering Requirements?

Yes, such offers do exist, but they come with trade-offs. In our data, Art Casino has the lowest wagering requirement - just 1x on bonus funds - although the requirement for free-spin winnings may be higher. Hercules Casino, meanwhile, has no wagering requirements, but winnings are limited to 5x the deposit amount.

Bonuses without wagering requirements usually mean a smaller bonus amount or a lower maximum withdrawal. A casino bonus with no wagering requirements is ideal for casual entertainment, but if you want the chance to win larger amounts, a wagering bonus with a relatively low multiplier may be more advantageous.