Understanding how wagering works can feel confusing at first, especially if you are only just coming across casino promotions.
This guide explains what a 50x wagering requirement means, how it affects any bonus winnings you might have, and why casinos use these rules in the first place.
You will also see how different casino games contribute, what happens if you try to withdraw before completing wagering, and how to read the terms carefully. By the end, you will know how wagering conditions work in practice, and why they matter if you are considering a casino offer.
What Does 50x Wagering Requirements Mean In Simple Terms?
A wagering requirement is a rule that sets out how many times you must stake any bonus winnings before they can be withdrawn as cash. With a 50x wagering requirement, you must bet the equivalent of fifty times the amount you win from a bonus before it is released to your withdrawable balance.
For example, if you win £6 from a free spins bonus, the requirement would mean staking £300 in total (because £6 × 50 = £300). The key point is that wagering tracks how much you bet, not whether those bets win or lose.
In the UK, wagering requirements are being capped, so that high figures such as 50x will no longer be allowed.
How Wagering Requirements Work With Casino Bonuses
Different types of bonuses are linked to different forms of wagering. A welcome offer might give you a bonus balance, while a set of free spins may potentially return some small winnings that are subject to wagering.
- If wagering applies to bonus winnings: any amount you win must be played through before withdrawal.
- If wagering applies to both your deposit and bonus: you must stake the combined total a set number of times before cashing out.
Each promotion should explain this in its terms. Some promotions are described as “no wagering,” which means any potential winnings are paid directly into your cash balance. These usually offer smaller possible rewards or stricter withdrawal limits.
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Why Do Casinos Use 50x Wagering Requirements?
Casinos apply wagering requirements so that bonus offers are played through rather than withdrawn immediately. Without them, a player could accept a bonus, place one bet, and then cash out straight away.
High wagering multipliers such as 50x are still seen, especially on any potential winnings from free spins or no-deposit bonuses. In the UK, changes are being introduced that will limit wagering to much lower levels, capped at 10x. This aims to make promotions simpler and easier to understand.
How Much Do You Really Need To Spend To Meet 50x Wagering?
When a promotion carries a 50x wagering requirement, you multiply any bonus winnings by fifty. For example, if free spins return £8, you would need to stake £400 in total before that £8 could be withdrawn.
In the UK, rules are set to change, so that wagering requirements must be much lower, capped at 10x. Until those changes come into force, higher figures such as 50x can still appear in offers. Whatever the number, the way to calculate it is the same: multiply your bonus winnings by the multiplier shown in the terms.
The time it takes to reach the target depends on the games you play, as each category contributes differently towards wagering.
What Games Count Most Towards 50x Wagering?
Casinos set contribution rates to decide how much of each stake counts towards the wagering total. This is because some games have higher potential payout rates than others.
Common contribution rates are:
- Slots: Often count 100% of your stake. A £1 slot bet usually adds £1 to your wagering progress.
- Roulette and other table games: Often count at 10% or less, so a £1 bet may only add 10p.
- Blackjack, video poker, and live casino games: Sometimes excluded or counted at a very low rate.
These figures vary from one site to another. Always check the contribution table in the promotion’s terms to see exactly what counts.
Can You Withdraw Winnings Before Completing Wagering?
If your winnings are linked to a wagering requirement, you cannot usually withdraw them until you have met the total required. They remain locked in your bonus balance until then. Some promotions may also limit how much of your bonus winnings can be withdrawn, even after wagering is complete.
Withdrawing your deposited cash may still be possible, but doing so often cancels the bonus and any winnings tied to it. This should be explained in the promotion’s terms and conditions.
Gambling involves chance, so there is no method or strategy that ensures profit, and you may lose money as well as win. If you choose to take part in casino promotions, only stake what you can afford and make use of safer gambling tools if needed, such as deposit limits or time-outs.
