So Irish Casinos
Tool 01

Casino bonus calculator: what the wagering requirements really cost

A €200 match with 35x wagering sounds like €200. The playthrough is €7,000, and at a slot's 96 percent return that costs about €280 on average. Put the real numbers in and see whether the offer clears.

Inputs

The offer

Reading the result

Four numbers, one decision

The bonus credited is what the casino adds, after the cap. The playthrough required is the total you must bet before that money can leave, already corrected for game weighting; if you play blackjack at ten percent contribution the figure is ten times the headline. The expected loss is that playthrough multiplied by the house edge, which is the average the casino keeps over a long run at the RTP you entered. The value after playthrough is simply the bonus minus that loss.

A negative value is not a verdict on the casino. It means the offer costs more to clear than it pays on average, which is true of most welcome bonuses at most casinos. Take it for the extra play, keep the maximum bet rule in view, and never chase the playthrough with money that was not part of the plan. The casino bonus guide covers the terms that change these numbers most.

Questions about bonus wagering

5 questions

What does a wagering requirement mean?

01
It is the total amount you must bet before bonus winnings can be withdrawn. A 35x requirement on a €100 bonus means €3,500 in bets. Some casinos apply the multiple to deposit plus bonus, which doubles the figure; the terms say which.

Why does game weighting matter?

02
Slots usually count 100 percent towards wagering, table games 5 to 20 percent, and some games nothing. Playing blackjack at 10 percent weighting means €10 of bets clears €1 of wagering, so a €3,500 requirement becomes €35,000 of play.

What is expected loss?

03
The average amount the house keeps over the playthrough: total bets multiplied by the house edge, which is 100 percent minus RTP. At 96 percent RTP a €3,500 playthrough costs about €140 on average. If that is more than the bonus, the offer has negative value before you start.

Does a maximum bet rule change the calculation?

04
Not the total, but the time. A €5 maximum bet during wagering turns €3,500 of playthrough into at least 700 spins, and breaching the rule usually voids the bonus. The calculator shows the minimum number of bets.

Are bonuses still allowed under Irish law?

05
Today, yes, from casinos licensed elsewhere. The Gambling Regulation Act 2024 prohibits inducements for operators licensed by the Irish regulator, so expect bonus terms to change as online casino licences arrive from 2027.

18+. Please gamble responsibly. Gambling involves risk. Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.

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