Bonuses and promotions offered by online casinos can be extremely generous, often matching 100% or more of a player’s initial deposit. However, these bonus funds usually come with strings attached in the form of wagering requirements. Wagering requirements dictate how much bonus money awarded to a player must be bet before it can be withdrawn as cash.
These requirements are put in place by online casinos to prevent bonus abuse and ensure that players use the funds to actually play games, not just collect the bonus and withdraw it. But for players, bonus wagering requirements can sometimes seem difficult, even frustrating, to clear. The good news is that by using certain strategies, you can improve your chances of clearing wagering requirements on platforms like Casino Star without risking too much of your own cash.
Understanding Bonus Wagering Requirements
Before diving into strategies for clearing bonus wagering, it’s important to have a solid grasp of what these requirements actually are and how they work.
At its most basic, a bonus wagering requirement sets a multiplier that must be met before making a withdrawal. For example, a 10x wagering requirement on a $100 bonus means you would need to place $1,000 worth of bets before that bonus money becomes eligible for withdrawal.
Here are some key things to know about bonus wagering:
- Requirements are usually shown as a multiplier (e.g. 10x, 20x) but can also appear as a set cash amount.
- Games contribute differently – slots count 100% but table games usually count much less.
- Only the bonus amount gets multiplied, not the deposit or any winnings.
- Certain games and bets may be restricted or excluded.
Pay attention to these details outlined in the bonus terms and conditions so you clearly understand what is expected of you to release the funds.
Choose Bonuses With Lower Wagering Requirements
One of the most effective yet obvious strategies is to hunt for bonuses with the lowest viable playthrough. Rather than chasing the biggest bonus amounts, opt for ones with lower multiples attached even if the bonus itself is smaller.
For example, a 100% match up to $500 with 5x wagering will generally be easier to clear than a 300% match up to $1500 with 35x wagering. Even though the latter bonus pool is bigger, the lower multiplier makes hitting the total playthrough amount much more achievable.
As a general rule of thumb, anything under 10x can be considered relatively easy while anything over 40x becomes quite challenging. Use your best judgement to find that sweet spot balancing bonus size and playthrough requirement when picking which offers to go after.
Play High RTP Slots Strategically
Slot games tend to contribute 100% towards bonus wagering requirements, which is why the bulk of playthrough for most casino bonuses happens on the slots.
When playing slots to clear a bonus, volatility matters. High variance slots can pay out big but can also burn through your balance quickly, busting you out before hitting targets. Low variance games pay smaller amounts more frequently, keeping you in the game longer.
Seek out high RTP (return to player) slots, which pay back more over millions of spins than slots with lower percentages. Some smart strategies for clearing playthrough on slots include:
- Play max bet sizes where possible to accumulate bets faster. Just don’t exceed your bankroll or get too reckless.
- Focus on slots with 96-97% RTP or higher when possible.
- Combine high RTP slots with lower variance to stay alive and in the game.
Playing smart, not big, is key when trying to clear slot-heavy wagering requirements. Always gamble responsibly.
Table Games Can Help Too
Slot play may knock out wagering requirements quicker, but table games and live dealer titles can still make contributions. In some cases, these games may count 10-20% of the total bet amount, so they should not be ignored completely.
Plus, table games offer some advantages that slots do not:
- More player control means you can make strategic decisions to improve results.
- Better odds than slots reduces house edge over time.
- Slowing gameplay lets you stretch bankroll over more hands or spins.
If a game contributes even a small amount towards playthrough, it can still help inch you closer so always check eligibility and do the math. Just enough blackjack or roulette play could get you over the finish line.
Withdraw Incrementally If Possible
Some online casinos allow players to make withdrawals before fully clearing their bonus wagering requirements. Often you can cash out winnings earned from the deposit and bonus amounts, just not the remaining uncleared bonus itself.
Withdrawing incrementally enables you to secure some of your profits without losing all progress. If you meet a big losing streak that puts clearing the rest in doubt, you have already banked some wins.
Just be aware that after a withdrawal, a chunk of your remaining bonus balance matching the withdrawal amount gets voided. So you still want to take reasonable steps to clear all playthrough if possible. But the exit ramp is there if needed.
Avoid Pitfalls That Could Obstruct Progress
Even with the best laid plans, clearing hefty wagering requirements is never easy. But some missteps could seriously hinder your chances. Be vigilant against these bonus-busting behaviors:
- Making Too Many Small Bets: Dribbling in minimum bets may technically contribute but slows accumulation toward playthrough goals. Bet bigger where bankroll allows.
- Chasing Losses Recklessly: Try not to let frustration over earlier losses lead to expensive chase bets. Stick to the gameplan.
- Cashing Out Before Clearing: Withdrawing too early could void chunks of uncleared bonus funds still needed to hit targets.
- Ignoring Eligible Games: Not all games contribute the same, but even little bits help. Seek out everything that counts.
- Misunderstanding Terms: Clear T&Cs are crucial. Reread rules if unsure or ask support if confused so there are no surprises.
Enlist Multiple Bonuses Simultaneously
Nothing says you can only have one active casino bonus at any given time. You might dedicate play on one bonus to slots, another to table games, spreading action around to make the most progress across different wagering requirements.
Be mindful of overlap restrictions when simultaneously clearing multiple bonuses, but otherwise take advantage. Combining a sports reload offer with a live casino promotion means you can play through both at once from complementary play in the two areas.
Consistent Play Over Time Mitigates Variance
Ever hear the saying “slow and steady wins the race”? This mantra definitely applies to clearing bonus wagering requirements. Consistency over a longer period of time can help mitigate losses from the expected ups and downs.
The reality is bonus playthrough will take most players at least a few sessions to achieve, unless extremely lucky right away. But stretching out the timeline reduces variance risk compared to trying to do it all in one marathon session which could easily go bust.