Online casinos have built their onboarding strategy around one thing: the welcome bonus. You’ve seen the banners—“Get €200 Free,” “150% Match,” or “100 Free Spins.” At first glance, it feels like free value. And technically, it is. But if you’ve ever tried to withdraw winnings tied to that bonus, you already know there’s more beneath the surface.
The missing piece for many new players? Wagering requirements. Without understanding how they work, your “free money” can end up stuck in the system.
How Welcome Bonuses Actually Work
Most casinos like betway malawi offer welcome bonuses following the same basic model: match a portion of your first deposit, sometimes with extra perks like free spins. For example, you deposit €50, the casino gives you another €50, and you start playing with €100.
But here’s the catch: you can’t just withdraw that extra €50. It’s locked behind a condition—the wagering requirement—that dictates how much you need to bet before that bonus becomes withdrawable cash.
Wagering Requirements Explained
Wagering requirements are expressed as a multiplier—often 20x, 30x, or 40x the bonus amount. So if you receive a €100 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement, you’ll need to place €3,000 in bets before you can withdraw any of it.
Some casinos apply this to the bonus only, others to both your deposit and bonus combined. The difference is significant. If you’re not reading the terms closely, you could end up chasing much more volume than you expected.
Game Weighting Isn’t Uniform
Another overlooked factor is that not all games count equally toward your wagering total. Most slots count 100%, which is why they’re often used to clear bonuses. But if you’re planning to play blackjack, roulette, or video poker, keep in mind these games usually contribute far less—sometimes just 10% or nothing at all.
In short, €1 wagered on slots equals €1 toward your requirement. €1 on blackjack might only count as €0.10.
Limits, Caps, and Timers
It doesn’t stop there. Many bonuses have maximum bet limits while wagering is active—usually around €5 per spin or hand. Go over that, and you risk forfeiting the bonus entirely.
You’ll also be racing the clock. Bonuses often expire in 7 to 14 days, and if you haven’t completed the wagering by then, the bonus and any attached winnings are wiped.
Some offers also cap your winnings, even if you meet the requirements. For instance, a no-deposit bonus might limit withdrawals to €100 regardless of how much you’ve won.
Worth Claiming? Sometimes
Welcome bonuses aren’t scams—they’re just structured deals. They can give you more to work with, but you need to approach them with a clear strategy. If you enjoy slots and don’t mind wagering through your balance, it can be worthwhile. But if your goal is fast withdrawals or low-risk play, it might not suit your style.
The bottom line? Always read the terms before opting in. Welcome bonuses can stretch your budget—but only if you understand the rules you’re agreeing to play by.