Welcome Bonus Wagering Requirements Explained Simply

A welcome bonus looks like free money, but it always comes with rules. The most important ones, the wagering requirements, decide when you can withdraw what you win with it. Here is how to understand them before you bet.

What is a welcome bonus?

It is extra credit a bookmaker gives new customers, usually after their first deposit. It is often expressed as a percentage of that deposit, up to a maximum amount.

On many sites, you claim it by entering a promo code at registration, for example GAIN2022 on 1xBet or CDJ14 on Melbet. Whatever the code, the offer always comes with conditions.

The key point: at first, the bonus is not real money. It sits in a bonus balance and only becomes withdrawable once you have met the conditions.

What are wagering requirements?

Wagering requirements (also called rollover or playthrough) set how much you must bet before the bonus, and the winnings it produces, can be turned into withdrawable money.

They are expressed as a multiplier: "5x", "10x" and so on. The multiplier applies to a base defined in the terms: sometimes the bonus alone, sometimes the deposit plus the bonus. This detail can double the amount to bet, so always check it.

The most common conditions

Accumulator bets

Many welcome offers only count accumulator bets, with a minimum number of selections. Single bets may not count at all.

Minimum odds

The terms often set minimum odds per selection, for the whole accumulator, or both. A bet that includes a selection below that threshold may not count.

Time limit

You have a limited period to complete the wagering, starting when the bonus is credited. After that, the bonus and the winnings linked to it may be removed from your account.

Other restrictions

• A maximum stake per bet while the bonus is active.
• Markets or sports excluded from the offer.
• Bets settled early with cash-out, which often do not count.

Why you can't withdraw the bonus right away

If bonuses could be withdrawn immediately, anyone could deposit, collect the bonus and leave. The wagering requirements are what make the offer viable for the bookmaker.

In practice, requesting a withdrawal before meeting the conditions can cancel the bonus and the winnings made with it. Depending on the terms, your deposit may also be locked until the wagering is complete.

A worked example with hypothetical numbers

The figures below are invented to illustrate the calculation. They do not describe any real offer.

For example, imagine a 100% bonus with these conditions:

• Deposit of 10,000 FCFA, bonus of 10,000 FCFA.
• Wagering of 5x the bonus amount.
• Accumulators of at least 3 selections, each at odds of 1.40 or more.
• 30 days to complete everything.

The calculation:

1. Amount to bet: 5 × 10,000 = 50,000 FCFA.
2. With accumulators of 5,000 FCFA, you would need 10 qualifying bets.
3. In this example, an accumulator with odds of 1.50, 1.60 and 1.45 counts. One that includes a selection at 1.25 does not.
4. Only bets settled within the 30 days count.

Now, if the condition were "5x the deposit plus the bonus", the base would be 20,000 FCFA and you would have to bet 100,000 FCFA. Same multiplier, twice the effort.

Nothing is guaranteed, though: your bonus balance may run out before you reach the total, and the bonus is then lost.

How to read the bonus terms

Before accepting a bonus, open the promotion's terms (often under "Promotions" or "Bonus rules") and look for the answers to these questions:

1. What is the minimum deposit to get the bonus?
2. What is the multiplier, and does it apply to the bonus or to the deposit plus the bonus?
3. Which bets count: accumulators only? How many selections?
4. What are the minimum odds, per selection or overall?
5. How long do you have?
6. Is there a maximum stake or a cap on the winnings you can withdraw?

If something is unclear, ask customer support before depositing and keep a screenshot of the answer.

Is the bonus worth it?

It depends on how you play. If you already bet often on accumulators, the conditions may suit your habits. If you mostly place a few single bets, a strict bonus can be more restrictive than useful; you can often decline it at registration.

Either way, never deposit more than planned just to unlock a bonus.

Frequently asked questions

What does "5x wagering" mean?

You must bet five times the base amount stated in the terms (the bonus alone, or the deposit plus the bonus) before you can withdraw.

Do losing bets count toward the wagering?

In most offers, yes: what counts is the amount staked on qualifying bets, whether they win or lose. Check the terms to be sure.

What happens if I don't finish in time?

The bonus and the winnings linked to it are usually removed from your account when the period ends.

Betting is for adults aged 18+ only, where it is legal. Set yourself a budget and stick to it: gambling can be addictive.