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Bonus Wagering Calculator: Is a Casino Bonus Worth It?

Quick answer: a bonus is only worth it if the money you expect to lose while meeting the wagering is smaller than the bonus. A ₱1,000 bonus at 30x on slots with 96% RTP means ₱30,000 of bets and an expected loss of about ₱1,200, so on average it costs you ₱200. Enter any offer below to check it.

The calculator uses the standard expected-value method: total bets required, multiplied by the house edge of the game you play. It runs in your browser and saves nothing. The game figures are typical published numbers, so check the bonus terms and the game's own RTP for exact values.

How the calculator works

Every bet you place has a small expected loss set by the game's house edge. A wagering requirement forces you to place a fixed amount of bets before you can withdraw, so it also fixes how much you should expect to lose:

Total bets = wagering × amount it applies to ÷ game contribution
Expected loss = total bets × house edge
Real value of the bonus = bonus − expected loss

If the real value is positive, the bonus helps you on average. If it is negative, you would expect to keep more money by playing without it. The calculator also shows the break-even wagering, the highest multiplier at which the bonus still pays for itself.

Worked examples in pesos

Offer	Total bets	Expected loss	Real value
₱1,000 bonus, 30x bonus, slots 96% RTP	₱30,000	₱1,200	−₱200
₱1,000 bonus, 30x deposit + bonus (₱1,000 deposit)	₱60,000	₱2,400	−₱1,400
₱1,000 bonus, 15x bonus, slots 96% RTP	₱15,000	₱600	+₱400
₱1,000 bonus, 30x bonus, live blackjack counting 10%	₱300,000	₱1,800	−₱800

The second row shows the most common trap: the same multiplier applied to deposit plus bonus doubles the bets you must place. The last row shows why low-edge table games rarely help. Blackjack's edge is small, but if it counts only 10%, you must bet ten times as much.

Terms that change the answer

Game contribution. Slots usually count 100%. Live and table games often count 10 to 20%, or nothing at all. Maximum bet. Many bonuses cap each bet while the bonus is active, often at a few hundred pesos, and breaking the cap can void your winnings. Maximum cashout. Some offers cap what you can withdraw from bonus winnings. Time limit. If the wagering must be finished in 7 days, check the play time the calculator shows. For a full walkthrough, read wagering requirements explained and how to compare two welcome bonuses.

Frequently asked questions

What is a good wagering requirement?

On slots with about 96% RTP, a bonus-only requirement of 25x or lower is roughly break-even, and under 20x is good. Anything on deposit plus bonus, or above 35x, usually costs more than it gives.

Why does the calculator say a bonus has negative value?

Because the bets you are forced to make cost more, on average, than the bonus pays. A negative value does not mean you will lose. It means that across many players, the casino expects to keep more than it gives away.

Does playing a higher-RTP slot help?

Yes. Moving from 94% to 97% RTP halves the expected loss on the same wagering. Check that the game is not excluded from the bonus, and that the casino runs the same RTP version you looked up.

What does cashback do to these numbers?

Cashback returns part of your losses with little or no wagering, so it usually has better real value than a match bonus. See casino cashback explained.

Can I lose my whole deposit before finishing the wagering?

Yes, often. The calculator shows long-run averages. With high-volatility slots, many players run out of balance before the wagering is done. That risk is real even when the average looks fine. See slot RTP vs volatility.