How to Use a Wagering Requirements Calculator
Did you know that online casino bonuses are the favorite treat for almost every player? Still, despite their general popularity and availability on the market, there are certain drawbacks when it comes to claiming them, such as the wagering requirements difficulty, for example.
Many skilled players usually fulfill the playthrough terms and get away with extra dough on the side, so if you want to join this club and take full advantage of match bonuses, it is essential to understand how to calculate wagering requirements properly.
A wagering requirements calculator is not complicated to use at all. You just need to set the parameters determined by the casino and work towards achieving that goal.
Normally, it takes a couple of seconds to enter the amount of deposit and bonus, as well as the rollover grind (wagering requirements or playthrough). Advanced calculators include the contribution percentage as well.
Once ready, make sure if the calculation applies to the bonus amount only, or bonus + deposit.
Why is Calculating Wagering Requirements Important?
The answer is simple: before claiming a bonus, it is useful to know the amount of money you need to play through in order to get your hands on the potential prize. So, when you put the amount of deposit, bonus, percentage and contribution into the equation, you should be able to get the answer whether the offer is even worth claiming in the first place.
Now, inexperienced players might think that depositing R100 and getting a 100% boost is a good deal, but all that glitters isn’t gold, to put it simply. Attractive bonus offers (welcome, match, reload, cashback, complimentary spins and so on), often hide a gigantic percentage of betsto fulfill before cashing out…
THAT’S WHY you should always have a casino bonus calculator close at hand, as it can help you realize the true value behind an “advantageous” bonus.
Calculating the Playthrough Terms Step by Step
There are several steps to follow before calculating wagering requirements. A good example of one such calculator will allow you to enter the amount of bonus or bonus + deposit, add playthrough requirements (everything above 30x is considered high), and determine game contribution percentage (usually 100% for slots except those with high RTP).
When ready, press “calculate” and check the result.
A quick example would look like this:
- a) MATCH BONUS: R100 x 30 (WR) = R3000
- b) DEPOSIT + BONUS: (R10 + R50) x3 (WR) = R180
This means that the withdrawable cash is available after wagering a total of R3000 in the first scenario or R180 in the second.
Almost as a general rule, not all casino games contribute equally towards the wagering requirements. The reason is simple – some of them simply have much higher payout percentages, giving enormous advantage to players when meeting the said requirements.
Since it’s not very budget-friendly for the casino, each operator defines their own contribution percentage. Below you can find the list of average contribution percentages at online gaming platforms in South Africa:
Slots = 0% to 100% (almost always 100% except for high RTP slots)
Baccarat = 0% to 25% contribution
Blackjack = 0% to 25%
Hold’em poker = 10% to 50%
Keno = 100%
Scratchcards = 100%
Video poker = 0% to 25%
Keep in mind that certain slots with high RTP (97% or higher) are sometimes completely restricted from contributing towards the wagering requirements. Therefore, always check the Terms and Conditions before playing to avoid any disappointment.
Why Do Online Casinos Enforce WR?
If you scout the forums related to iGaming, you will find a lot of discussion on this topic. While some players think that the real purpose of WRs is to stop punters from cashing out easy money, others are convinced that the rule is simply there to annoy them and interfere with their game in a negative way, of course.
The real truth behind it is to prevent money laundering. Seriously. Okay, not all the time, but just imagine how easy it would be for criminals to transfer their illegal funds via deposits and then cash out with no restrictions?
If you find it hard to believe, check out some terms and conditions at online casinos – you will see that most of them cite playthrough as means of complying with AML regulations and standards.
Are There Wager-Free Bonuses?
Certain online casinos still offer promotional packages that bear no wagering requirements at all. It may sound like a fairytale, but these incentives can easily be found if you know where to look. On the other hand, there is also a new generation of iGaming platforms that eliminates wager-free bonuses from their offer completely, usually due to the regulations on unfair terms.
What are Max Bet Limits?
In most cases, players who claimed a match bonus cannot place big bets to meet the wagering requirements. The maximum amount varies from casino to casino but it is usually very low around R75 (or equivalent in other currencies).
Also, customers are often required to fulfill wagering requirements within a timeframe in order to withdraw their money. If not, the bonus funds are lost for good.
Another important thing to consider is that bonus money cannot even be withdrawn in some cases, but only used for extended play time. This rule is strictly casino’s own policy, so make sure to familiarize yourself with the terms before opting in.
To summarize, there is no magic formula for beating the playthrough requirements nor slot machine variance It can happen after a couple of spins or several hours of playing. Luckily, with a calculator by your side, your evaluation process can be significantly simplified, so in case you hesitate whether to claim a bonus or not – do some math and off you go!