Let’s dive into the high-stakes world of online casinos and talk about a key term: the “wager”. This term is the ace in the hole that determines how many bets you need to place to turn your free bonus into cold, hard cash.
Why do we need a wager in a casino?
Wagers are often tied to bonuses that need to be played through before they can be cashed out. It’s a common practice, and understanding its mechanics is as crucial as knowing when to hold ’em and when to fold ’em.
It’s important to note that winnings obtained after successfully playing through a wager are real money. You can cash them out or use at your discretion. There are no strings attached, making the process more attractive to players.
The history of the wager in the casino
A wager is your bonus chips that you can play with, but need to play through. It’s a free way to quickly get your bearings on the site, get to know the games, and if luck is on your side, even win some real money.
The history of the wager is tied to the evolution of online gambling. Its implementation was part of the casino’s strategy to combat bonus hunters who came only to take the bonuses, not to play. This had a negative impact on the casinos and their financial state.
To protect themselves from bonus hunters, casinos began setting conditions that were beneficial to them and their players. As a result, the wager system was born, which is calculated using a simple formula:
Wager bet size = bonus amount * playthrough coefficient
Most often, the playthrough coefficient is expressed in the format “x40”, which means that the bonus amount needs to be played through 40 times. For example, if you received a €100 bonus, you need to place bets totaling €100 * 40 = €4000.
Additional wager conditions
In addition to the playthrough coefficient, there are other wager conditions that can vary depending on the casino:
- Bonus time. Some casinos set a limited time during which you must play through the bonus. This can be 12 hours, a day, or even several days.
- Maximum bet. To prevent rapid depletion of the bankroll, maximum bet restrictions may be set.
- Game restrictions. Some casinos prohibit playing through bonus funds in certain games or set reduced bets for them.
Casinos always check the fulfillment of playthrough conditions before crediting winnings. Violation of these conditions can lead to the cancellation of winnings.
Some casinos may apply the wager not only to the bonus but also to the sum of the bonus and deposit. It is making the playthrough more complex. To avoid misunderstandings, always carefully study the conditions. If something is unclear, contact customer support.
How to play through a wager?
Playing through a wager in an online casino should be done taking into account all the conditions set by the platform. It is critically important to correctly choose games for playthrough, excluding those that are not allowed. And, of course, it is not recommended to spend bonus funds on games with reduced bet percentages.
Optimal strategy for playing through a wager
The ideal choice for playing through a bonus is classic slots with a return to player (RTP) rate above 97%. Why? Because after each round of playthrough, you are left with 97% of the bonus issued by the casino. After 40 rounds, you will have approximately 30% of the original amount, which will help you stay in the black.
However, to achieve such indicators, it is necessary to make small bets to increase the number of spins. Only in this case will the RTP correspond to the value indicated by the developer. If you try to play through quickly with large bets close to the maximum limit, you may risk ending up in the red, and the bonus bankroll will quickly run out.
Can you avoid playthrough?
If getting additional winnings is not a priority for you, then you can ignore the wager. In this case, don’t pay attention to the bonus money, they will be automatically canceled after the playthrough period expires.
Partial or complete withdrawal without fulfilling the wager conditions is impossible. Even if the conditions are partially met, the bonus will be reset. You will be able to withdraw the amount of winnings on bonuses only after fully meeting all the casino’s requirements.
Wager for high rollers
An interesting opportunity is provided to high rollers. Some online casinos offer them a reduced wager and more flexible restrictions. However, the conditions are discussed individually with a personal manager. It is based on the size of the deposit and betting preferences.
Don’t miss the opportunity to get the most advantageous start in the game! Shangri La Casino offers standard wager conditions with minimal restrictions. And every player for the first deposit receives additional free spins in popular slots. This is the perfect way to start the game with an advantage!
