Wagering requirements explained: what 10x really means

If a bonus has a 10x wagering requirement, you need to place bets adding up to ten times a set amount before you can cash out. That set amount is usually either the bonus itself or your deposit, and the small print tells you which.

Wagering counts the total you bet, not what you lose. Ten £1 spins count as £10 of wagering, whether you win or lose on them.

Say you deposit £20 and get a 100% bonus, so £20 extra. The terms say 10x your deposit. You'd need to bet £200 in total (10 × £20) within the time limit to unlock the full bonus.

Some UK casinos, including Videoslots and Mr Vegas, release the bonus in 10% chunks as you go, so you get part of it even if you don't finish.

Since 19 January 2026, casinos licensed in the UK can't set wagering higher than 10x. The same rules stopped bonuses that mix different products, like casino and sports betting in one offer.

If a site aimed at UK players advertises 35x or 50x wagering, that's a warning sign it may not hold a UK licence. You can check any casino's licence in a couple of minutes.

Sweden has no wagering cap, so Swedish offers can carry much higher requirements. For example, the Kungaslottet bonus asks for 125x. Swedish casinos can only give a bonus the first time you play with them, though.

• 10x on a £20 bonus: £200 of betting. The most a UK casino can ask for since January 2026.
• 35x on £20: £700 of betting. Common before the UK cap, and still common outside the UK.
• 50x on £20: £1,000 of betting. High; most players lose the balance before finishing.

Every bet carries a small built-in cost: the house edge, which is 100% minus the game's RTP. On a 96% slot, every £100 you bet costs about £4 on average. So £200 of wagering costs around £8, while £1,000 costs around £40, more than a £20 bonus is worth.

• Time limit: how many days you have to finish the wagering.
• Max bet: the biggest single bet allowed while a bonus is active. Going over can cancel the bonus.
• Game weighting: some games, like progressive jackpots, may not count at all.
• Minimum deposit: deposit less and you won't get the bonus.