In this article, I’m going to tell you about Wager casino. What is wagering? How does it work? What are the rules when using a wager?
What is a wager casino?
In the context of online casinos, the term “wager” simply means “wagering conditions” or “wagering requirements” imposed on players taking advantage of a bonus.
This is the condition attached to most bonuses offered by online casinos. This condition stipulates that a certain amount of money must be wagered before potential winnings can be withdrawn and/or the bonus converted into real money.
Note that online casinos offer a wide variety of bonuses to attract and retain their players: welcome bonuses, no-deposit bonuses, reloading bonuses, cashback, VIP bonuses and loyalty programs…
The aim of wagering for online casinos is above all toprevent players from abusing bonuses. With these requirements, casinos protect themselves against players seeking to take undue advantage of bonuses by creating multiple accounts, depositing small amounts of money and withdrawing winnings immediately.
The wager is expressed as a ratio: 5x; 10x; 20x; 30x; 40x…
The different types of online casino wager
Online casinos are full of tempting bonuses, but to take advantage of them, you need to understand the conditions that come with them, especially the wager. The latter comes in several forms, each with its own implications. Here are the 3 scenarios you might encounter:
The wager on the bonus
After creating your account and making your first deposit, you usually get a welcome bonus from your online casino. In the case of a Wager on the bonus, it’s only on your bonus balance and not on the deposit, for example.
This implies two things!
First, you can cancel your welcome bonus at any time and withdraw the money in your account.
Then you have to wager a certain amount of money before you can withdraw your winnings from your BONUS balance.
Suppose the casino gives you a welcome bonus of €100 with a wager of 5x. This means you need to wager €500 (€100 x 5) before you can withdraw the bonus and associated winnings. As explained above, the winnings or the amount in your CASH account, on the other hand, can be withdrawn at any time.
This is one of the advantages of wager over bonus only.
Wager on deposit amount + bonus amount
Deposit amount + bonus amount wagering is a specific form of wagering where the wagering requirements apply to both the amount deposited by the player and the bonus amount received.
For example, if a player makes a deposit of €100 and receives a bonus of €100, and the wagering requirement is 30x, this means that the player must wager 30 times the total deposit amount (€100) plus the bonus amount (€100), i.e. a total of €6,000, before being able to withdraw any winnings.
Compared with the first type of wager, this second type of wagering is more restrictive.
No wager
It’s rare, but some online casinos, after your first deposit, impose no playing conditions on the amount available in your account.
This is known as “Wager not available after deposit”.
With this third type of wager, you are free to withdraw your winnings at any time without any restrictions. Any profits generated beyond the initial amount deposited can be withdrawn with no obligation to play further.
It is possible to find no-wager bonuses on Millionz and Jackpot Bob.
How wager works
Not all bonuses are created equal in terms of wagering requirements. By comparing the wagers on the different bonuses, you’ll be able to choose the one that best suits your style of play and your chances of winning. But to do this, you need to understand how wagering works.
How to calculate wager?
The wager calculation depends on the specific bonus conditions. In general, it involves multiplying the bonus amount (and sometimes the deposit) by a factor called the “wager multiplier”.
For example, if you receive a €100 bonus with a wager multiplier of 30x, you’ll need to wager €100 x 30 = €3,000 before you can withdraw your winnings.
To put it more clearly, imagine you’re at an online casino and you receive a €100 bonus with a 25x wager multiplier. You decide to play the “Starburst” slot machine with a bet of €1 per spin.
Wager = Bonus x Wager multiply = €100 x 25 = €2,500
So you’ll need to wager a total of €2,500 before you can withdraw your bonus winnings. In other words, 2,500 spins (€2,500 / €1) will be needed to complete the wagering requirements imposed by the casino.
The evolution of a wager
So much for the simplified version of wager calculation. In reality, the calculation is quite complex, as the rules may change slightly depending on the casino.
Not all games may contribute the same percentage of the bonus wagering requirements. Slot machines generally contribute 100%.
However, some creations may be prohibited from participating in the wager. The platform informs you about the contribution percentages of the different types of games for the wageur.
The wager may vary depending on what you play and from one casino to another. Take the time to read each casino’s terms and conditions before signing up and/or depositing money.
The rules when using a wager
When using a wager, there are a few important rules to keep in mind to avoid confusion and frustration. As we’ve seen, these rules sometimes differ depending on the casino. So don’t be in a hurry: skip the adrenalin rush and read the rules carefully before signing up and making your first deposit.
Not all slots can be played with Wager
Indeed, some online casinos prohibit the use of bonus money on certain slot machines, often the most popular or those with progressive jackpots.
An online casino prohibits the use of bonus money on certain slot machines generally for a variety of reasons, including:
- Limiting risk for the casino: Slots with progressive jackpots or high-volatility features represent a greater risk for the casino. By prohibiting bonus money on these machines, the casino limits its potential losses.
- Promoting certain games: the purpose of a wager is to promote certain games. It goes without saying, therefore, that slot machines that are not promoted simply do not benefit from wagering.
Stake limits that must be respected!
Most online casinos also impose wagering limits when using a wager. These limits are designed to prevent players from betting too much money at once and filling up the wager too quickly.
If you exceed them, your bets won’t count towards the wager.
But what is the maximum wagering limit per game round? Again, you’ll find this kind of information in the casino’s bonus conditions.
That said, the maximum wagering limit at online casinos is generally €5 per spin.
Live games, in particular, require special attention. The mistake not to make, for example, is doubling your €5 bet on a blackjack hand. This violates the casino’s bonus conditions, and your wager won’t count towards the wager.
Which machines can be played with wager?
If you want to meet your wagering requirements, you’ll need to choose the right slot machines.
Here are the types of slot machines generally excluded from the wager conditions:
- Progressive jackpot slots: these slots offer very large potential jackpots. Casinos have a higher risk of losing money if players use them with bonus money.
- Slot machines with attractive bonuses: casinos often exclude these machines from the wagering requirements in order to limit the risk of losing money.
For meeting wagering requirements, super-volatile slots are a safe bet. However, while they offer greater potential winnings to meet wagering requirements more quickly, they are also riskier because payouts are less frequent.
So take precautions and don’t gamble with money you can’t afford to lose.
On the other hand, here are a few popular slot machines that accept wagering, but with interestingly low volatility:
- Wild North from Play’n GO
- Book of 99 by Relax Gaming
- Emerald King Rainbow Road by Pragmatic Play
- Book of Sun by Boongo
Now that you know all about wagering, you’re all set to get the most out of your online gaming sessions. Get started!