When you claim a bonus at an online casino, there are often wagering requirements attached. This means you must play through either the bonus amount or your deposit plus bonus amount a certain number of times before you can withdraw any winnings. There are pros and cons to each approach.
Calculating Wagers Based on Bonus Only
Some online casinos like NineWin take a simpler approach and base wagering only on the bonus amount itself. For example, if you receive a $100 bonus with 30x wagering, you would need to place $3,000 in bets before cashing out.
Here are some key things to know about bonus-only wagering:
More Flexibility in Bet Sizing
Since only the bonus is factored in, you can adjust your bet sizes up or down without worrying about maintaining a certain ratio between bonus and cash funds. This gives you more control over bankroll management.
Faster Turnover Requirements
Thirty times a $100 bonus requires less total play than thirty times $100 plus a $50 deposit, for example. So you can clear wagering faster and start withdrawing any profits sooner.
Encourages Bonus Hunting
For bonus hunters who regularly take advantage of many reload and welcome offers, calculating on the bonus only means quicker turnover of funds from one site to another.
Factoring in Deposit with Bonus for Wagering
Alternatively, some online casinos take a more cautious approach by basing wagering requirements on not just bonus funds but also the player’s deposit amount. Using the example above, it would be 30x the combined $100 bonus + $50 deposit, so $4,500 in playthrough.
Here are some aspects to understand about deposit + bonus wagering:
Maintaining Bet Ratios
In most cases, you’ll need to maintain a certain percentage ratio between cash and bonus funds when playing. This limits bet flexibility but prevents only using deposit funds while leaving bonus idle.
Longer Withdrawal Times
Since wagering is calculated on a larger sum of money, it will take more gameplay to clear requirements and start cashing out winnings. This may not appeal to bonus hunters looking for quick turnover.
Discourages Bonus Abuse
Factoring in the deposit amount ensures players are actually using the bonus funds as intended rather than just exploiting free cash incentives while never risking their own money. This deters bonus abuse.
Weighing the Pros and Cons of Each Approach
Determining wagering on bonus only versus bonus plus deposit both carry certain advantages as outlined above. In the end, it comes down to player priorities and gaming style.
Frequent bonus claimers lean towards bonus-only calculation because it lets them swiftly take advantage of many offers from different sites. But more recreational users often prefer deposit factored in as well since it leads to steadier gameplay with fewer drastic swings between wins and losses after large isolated bets.
No matter which method your preferred site uses, the key is understanding exactly what the wagering terminology means to accurately gauge how much play is required before hitting withdrawal eligibility. Tracking bonus updates within the casino cashier helps avoid surprises.
With the right expectations set, either approach can work out favorably. It just depends on your personal objectives, bankroll strategy and whether you want flexibility or structure around adhering to playthrough rules on claimed bonus dollars and free plays.
Summary of Key Differences in Bonus Wagering Approaches
To recap the major distinctions:
Bonus Only Wagering
- Bets sized freely without set ratio requirements
- Rapid turnover to withdrawable funds
- Caters to bonus hunting between sites
Bonus + Deposit Wagering
- Maintains proportionality between bets
- Longer withdrawal timeframe
- Discourages bonus exploitation
No single calculation method is inherently better or worse. But being clear on the terms prevents unwanted surprises down the road. With so many great casinos vying for your business, you have the luxury of picking one that aligns with your gaming preferences.