What Wagering Requirements Can Really Cost: Worked Bonus Examples
See how a $100 bonus with a 20x wagering requirement changes when games contribute 100%, 25% or 10% toward the requirement.
A $100 bonus with 20x bonus-only wagering creates $2,000 of credited wagering. At 25% game contribution, that can require $8,000 of actual qualifying action; at 10%, $20,000.
The contribution rate changes the real workload
| Bonus | Requirement | Game contribution | Actual qualifying action |
|---|---|---|---|
| $100 | 20x bonus | 100% | $2,000 |
| $100 | 20x bonus | 25% | $8,000 |
| $100 | 20x bonus | 10% | $20,000 |
A simple expected-cost illustration
If the qualifying game had a 2.70% long-run house edge, $2,000 of action corresponds to about $54 of theoretical expected cost; $8,000 corresponds to about $216; and $20,000 corresponds to about $540. These are illustrations, not guaranteed outcomes or a complete bonus valuation.
Why real bonus value can be worse—or simply different
Maximum-bet rules, expiry, excluded games, changing balances, variance, cashout restrictions and the possibility of failing to complete wagering all matter. Always read the actual offer terms.