Wagering requirements: turning "40x" into a real number
A wagering requirement — also called playthrough, rollover or turnover — is the condition that converts bonus money into withdrawable money. Until it is met, the bonus and anything won with it stay locked. The multiplier on its own tells you very little: "40x" can mean €1,200 of bets or €4,800. This page shows how to get the real figure and decide whether the bonus is worth it.
Step 1: find the base
Look for wording such as "the bonus amount must be wagered 40 times" or "the deposit and bonus must be wagered 40 times". The first is bonus-only; the second applies to both added together.
| Deposit + bonus | Requirement | Turnover |
|---|---|---|
| €30 + €30 | 40x bonus | €1,200 |
| €30 + €30 | 40x deposit + bonus | €2,400 |
| €120 + €60 | 20x bonus | €1,200 |
| €120 + €60 | 20x deposit + bonus | €3,600 |
Every row is an illustrative example, not an Irwin term.
Step 2: apply game weighting
Not every bet counts in full. Slots commonly count at 100%, while table and live games may count at a fraction or be excluded entirely. If blackjack counts at 5%, clearing €1,200 of turnover there would mean staking €24,000. So before activating, open the weighting table and the list of excluded titles — high-return slots and games with a bonus-buy feature often appear there. Category-by-category notes are on our slots and live casino pages.
Step 3: estimate the expected cost
Every bet returns, on average, slightly less than it costs. A slot with 96% return to player keeps about €4 of every €100 staked over the long run. On €1,200 of turnover that is roughly €48; on €2,400 roughly €96 (illustrative example, not an Irwin term). Compare that with the bonus itself. If the expected cost is larger than the bonus, the offer mostly buys you a longer session rather than extra value.
Step 4: check the stake cap and the clock
A maximum bet of a few euros per spin is common while a bonus is active. Work out how many spins the turnover takes: €1,200 at €1.50 per spin is 800 spins. With a 10-day deadline that is 80 spins a day (illustrative example, not an Irwin term). Can you play at that pace comfortably? If not, the bonus expires and takes its winnings with it.
Mistakes that cost players their bonus
- Exceeding the maximum bet, even once.
- Playing an excluded slot, or buying a bonus round when the terms forbid it.
- Requesting a withdrawal before the turnover is complete — usually this cancels the bonus.
- Letting the deadline pass: the remainder is removed automatically.
Tracking your progress
An active bonus usually shows a progress bar or a "remaining to wager" figure in the account area. Compare it with your own tally at least once a day. If progress grows more slowly than expected, you are probably playing a game with partial weighting. If the numbers do not match, take a screenshot and ask the operator's support in writing — a dispute is far easier to settle with records than from memory.