A simple formula, worked examples and tables that show how wagering multiples, expiry and game weighting change the total you must bet.
A wagering requirement, also called a playthrough, is the amount you must bet before winnings linked to a free credit or bonus can be withdrawn. It is shown as a multiple of the credit, such as 20x, 30x or 40x.
The calculation is simple:
A bet counts whether it wins or loses. What matters is the total amount staked, not your balance at the end.
| Credit | Multiple | Total you must bet |
|---|---|---|
| $10 | 20x | $200 |
| $10 | 30x | $300 |
| $25 | 40x | $1,000 |
| $50 | 35x | $1,750 |
The credit itself is small, but the amount you must bet is many times larger. That gap is why the multiple matters more than the size of the credit.
Some offers apply the multiple to the credit only. Others apply it to the credit and your deposit together. The same multiple can produce very different totals.
| Offer | Multiple applies to | Total you must bet |
|---|---|---|
| $50 deposit + $50 bonus, 30x | Bonus only | $50 × 30 = $1,500 |
| $50 deposit + $50 bonus, 30x | Bonus plus deposit | $100 × 30 = $3,000 |
Always find out which amount the multiple is applied to before you do any calculations.
Every game has a built-in house edge, which is 100% minus its return to player (RTP). Over a large number of bets, the average loss is roughly the total amount wagered multiplied by the house edge.
| Game RTP | House edge | Average loss on $300 wagered |
|---|---|---|
| 94% | 6% | $18 |
| 96% | 4% | $12 |
| 98% | 2% | $6 |
This is a long-run average, not a prediction for any one session. Results vary widely in the short term, but the average shows why a requirement is rarely easy to complete. Learn more in our guide How Does Pokies RTP Work?
Most credits expire. The shorter the expiry, the more you must bet each day to finish the requirement in time.
| Requirement | Expiry | Betting needed per day |
|---|---|---|
| $300 | 7 days | About $43 |
| $300 | 14 days | About $21 |
| $300 | 30 days | $10 |
Divide the total requirement by the number of days left to see what a deadline really demands.
Different games contribute different percentages of each bet towards the requirement. If a game counts 10%, a $300 requirement needs $3,000 of betting on that game. We cover this in detail in How Daily Free Credits Work in Australia.
Calculate the total using the formula and note the expiry date.
Record how much you have wagered so far, or use the progress tracker if the site shows one.
Confirm how much each game counts before you choose where to play.
Decide your own budget and time limit first. Never go past it to finish a requirement.
This guide is general information only and is intended for readers aged 18 and over. It is not legal advice.