These pesky rules attached to bonuses seem designed to prevent you from ever cashing out your winnings. However, wagering requirements don’t have to be the enemy. With the right understanding and strategy, you can successfully turn bonus funds into real money in your account at Ricky Casino Australia.
This guide will explain everything you need to know about wagering requirements, from what they are to tips for meeting them.
What Are Wagering Requirements?
Wagering requirements set the rules for withdrawing money from a casino bonus. Essentially, they state how much you have to bet before you can access bonus funds or winnings from them. Casinos include wagering requirements to prevent bonus abuse. Otherwise, players could just claim a bonus and immediately cash it out.
Wagering requirements are shown as a multiplier number. Common examples are 10x, 20x or 35x. This means you must wager either the bonus amount or your winnings from it that many times before cashing out.
For a $100 bonus with 10x wagering, you would need to place $1,000 in bets before making a withdrawal. With 20x wagering on a $50 bonus, you’d have to wager $1,000 before cashing out any winnings.
Important Details on Wagering Requirements
Here are some key specifics on how wagering requirements work:
- The requirements are usually for the bonus amount only. Any deposit you make is yours to withdraw.
- Some casinos have wagering on wins or the bonus amount + deposit. This is less favorable for players.
- Only certain games count 100% towards meeting requirements. Slots typically fully count, while table games often have reduced contributions.
- Wagering must be completed within a specific timeframe, like 30 days, or the bonus and winnings are forfeited.
- Game restrictions often apply. You may have to play slots or other specific games until clearing the wagering.
Always read the full bonus terms to understand exactly what is required. If anything is unclear, ask support before accepting a bonus.
Related post: The Allure of No Deposit Bonuses in Online Casinos
Tips for Meeting Wagering Requirements
While wagering requirements take effort, it is possible to turn bonuses into real money. Here are helpful strategies:
- Choose bonuses with the lowest wagering requirements. The lower, the better. 10-20x is ideal; anything above 40x is tough.
- Take bonuses only on larger deposits. Having more cash to absorb losses helps offset risk when meeting playthrough.
- Play high RTP slots. Games with 96%+ RTP mathematically help you grind through requirements with smaller losses. Volatility matters less.
- Bet small to medium. Lower variance bets make it easier to fulfill wagering without busting your bankroll. But don’t go too small.
- Don’t chase losses. Stick to your set loss limit. Chasing losses and trying to recoup is the fastest way to fail in clearing requirements.
- Withdraw as soon as wagering is met if you still have bonus funds. Don’t risk losing cleared money.
What to Watch Out For with Wagering Requirements
While wagering terms are usually clearly stated, a few questionable tactics by casinos exist:
- Not counting bets made before accepting a bonus. All play should count once you opt for a bonus.
- Changing terms after bonus acceptance. Requirements should only change if you agree at a time of changing.
- Unfair game contributions. Table games, video poker, etc should reasonably count at least 20%, not 0-10%.
- Extremely short time limits. 30 days is fair, one week or less is likely unreasonable.
- Restricting games too strongly. You should have some options besides just slots for variety.
If you run into issues like this, document everything and contact customer support. Reputable sites will work to resolve any fair concerns. Always withdraw and stop playing if a casino seems shady.
Conclusion
While certainly not free money, bonuses can be valuable tools when used strategically. Understanding the rules, playing smart, and choosing reputable casinos with reasonable wagering go a long way. With the right approach, you can tame those requirements and ultimately withdraw real cash earnings. Just be sure to read the fine print first!