Casino Bonus Calculator — Find Out What a Bonus Is Really Worth

Casino bonuses look great on the surface. A 100% match up to $1,000. 200 free spins. $25 on the house. The numbers are designed to catch your eye before you read the small print. I’ve spent close to two decades reviewing casino offers in the US market and the single most important thing I’ve learned is this: the headline number tells you almost nothing. The wagering requirement tells you everything.

Use the calculator on this page to find out exactly what any US casino bonus is worth before you claim it — and whether it’s worth claiming at all.

What Actually Is a Wagering Requirement?

A wagering requirement — also called a playthrough requirement or rollover — is the number of times you must bet your bonus funds before you can withdraw any winnings from them. Every licensed US casino bonus carries one. Until you hit that number, your bonus funds are locked.

Here is how it works in practice:

You deposit $100 and claim a 100% match bonus — you receive $100 in bonus funds
The bonus carries a 15x wagering requirement on the bonus amount
You must wager $100 x 15 = $1,500 before any winnings from that bonus become withdrawable
If the wagering applies to bonus plus deposit — common at some operators — the figure doubles to $3,000

That is the math the casino does not show you on the promotions page. That is what this calculator is for.

How to Use the Casino Bonus Calculator

Basic mode — enter your deposit, bonus amount (or percentage), and wagering multiplier. The calculator shows your total wagering requirement and a plain-English verdict on whether it’s worth your time
Detailed mode — adds game contribution rates, time limits, and an estimate of your expected loss during the wagering period. Use this before claiming any bonus above 15x
Pick a casino — select from 11 major US operators and the current bonus terms auto-fill. You can adjust any figure manually

What the Results Actually Mean

Total wagering required — the minimum you must bet before any bonus winnings can be withdrawn. This is the only number that matters when comparing offers.

Effective wagering for your game — if you play table games or live dealer, your bets often only count at 5-25% toward the wagering requirement. The effective wagering figure adjusts for this. A $1,500 requirement at 10% contribution means you actually need to bet $15,000 worth of blackjack hands to clear it. That changes the calculation significantly.

Expected loss during wagering — based on the approximate house edge for your chosen game type. This is what the casino statistically expects to take from you during the wagering period. It’s an estimate, not a guarantee — variance means your actual result could be better or worse — but it gives you a realistic picture of the cost of claiming a bonus.

Realistic amount to keep — your starting bankroll minus the expected loss during wagering. On a well-structured bonus with low wagering, this should be meaningfully higher than your original deposit. On a poorly structured bonus with high wagering, it will often be lower than what you put in.

Game Contribution Rates at US Casinos

Not all bets count equally toward clearing a bonus. Licensed US casinos apply different contribution rates by game type. Here are the typical rates — always verify in the specific bonus terms before playing:

Slots — 100% at most operators. The only game type that clears most bonuses at face value
Live dealer games — 10-25% at most operators. Some exclude live dealer entirely from bonus play
Blackjack — 5-10% at most licensed US casinos. At Caesars, blackjack carries a 15x multiplier vs 15x on slots — effectively the same wagering amount, but far fewer hands played
Roulette — 10% at most operators. Some versions excluded entirely
Video poker — 0-10%, varies widely. Often excluded from bonus play
Craps — frequently excluded entirely. At Caesars Palace specifically, craps wagers do not count toward wagering requirements at all

The practical takeaway: if you want to clear a bonus efficiently, slots are the only realistic option at most US operators. If you prefer table games, look for operators with low wagering requirements — BetRivers and FanDuel regularly offer 1x wagering where game type makes almost no difference to the outcome.

US Casino Bonus Wagering Requirements Compared

Here is how the major licensed US operators currently compare on wagering terms. Verified as of April 2026:

FanDuel Casino — 1x wagering on bonus spins. Most player-friendly structure of any licensed US casino. Deposit $5, get 1,500 bonus spins — wager once and winnings are yours
BetRivers Casino — 1x wagering on welcome bonus funds. Deposit $50, receive a $50 bonus — wager it once. The clearest bonus structure of any US deposit match offer
Hard Rock Bet — 1x wagering on casino bonus credit from the lossback offer. Effectively a safety net on your first session rather than a traditional bonus
Golden Nugget — 1x wagering on welcome bonus. Consistently one of the cleanest structures in the market
DraftKings Casino — flex spin offers with 1x wagering in most states. Structure varies by current offer
Caesars Palace — 15x wagering on deposit match bonus, with game-specific multipliers: 15x slots, 30x video poker, 75x all other games
BetMGM Casino — 15x wagering on deposit match. $1,000 bonus at 15x = $15,000 in wagering required to clear. 14 days to complete
Borgata Casino — 1x wagering on the $20 no deposit bonus. Restricted to slots only

The gap between FanDuel at 1x and a high-roller deposit match at 15x or 30x is enormous in practice. A $1,000 bonus at 30x wagering requires $30,000 in bets before a single dollar of bonus winnings can be withdrawn. At the average slots house edge of around 4%, you would statistically lose $1,200 during the wagering period — more than the bonus itself. That is not a deal. That is a loss dressed up as free money.

Bonus Terms You Must Read Before Claiming

The wagering multiplier is the most important number — but it is not the only one. Before claiming any US casino bonus, check these terms in the operator’s full T&Cs:

Does wagering apply to bonus only, or bonus plus deposit? A 15x requirement on a $100 bonus is $1,500. A 15x requirement on bonus plus deposit is $3,000. Both can be described as “15x” in the headline
What is the maximum bet per spin or hand during wagering? Most US operators cap this at $5-$10 per spin. Bet above the cap and the casino is entitled to void your bonus and any associated winnings. This is the most common reason players lose their bonuses
Which games are eligible? Check the excluded games list. Popular titles are sometimes blocked from bonus play entirely
What is the time limit? Most US casino bonuses expire in 7-30 days. Miss the deadline and the bonus is forfeited along with any winnings accumulated from it
Is there a maximum cashout? Some bonuses cap how much you can withdraw regardless of winnings. A $100 max cashout on a $500 bonus makes the bonus worth $100 at best, not $500
Can you opt out? Most licensed US operators allow you to forfeit a bonus and remove the wagering requirement if you decide after claiming that you do not want to clear it. The bonus funds are removed and you play with your own balance only. This is always worth knowing before you start

When a Casino Bonus Is Worth Claiming

After close to two decades evaluating these offers, here is my honest framework:

1x-5x wagering — claim it without overthinking. These are genuinely player-friendly offers. FanDuel, BetRivers, Hard Rock Bet, and Golden Nugget all operate in this range
6x-15x wagering — worth claiming if you play slots regularly and the deposit match is at least 50%. Calculate the effective wagering total first and make sure it fits your normal play volume
16x-30x wagering — proceed with caution. At this level the expected statistical loss during wagering often approaches or exceeds the bonus value. Only worth it if the deposit match cap is high and you would be playing that volume anyway
Above 30x wagering — almost never worth it at licensed US casino apps. You will statistically lose more clearing the bonus than the bonus is worth. Opt out and play with your own funds

No Deposit Bonuses at Licensed US Casino Apps

No deposit bonuses are rare at licensed US operators but they do exist. Here are the current verified no deposit offers as of April 2026:

BetMGM Casino — $25 on the house at registration. 1x wagering. No deposit required
Borgata Casino — $20 no deposit bonus. 1x wagering, slots only
Hard Rock Bet — $25 no deposit bonus. 1x wagering
Caesars Palace — $10 on signup plus 2,500 Caesars Rewards Credits on a $25+ wager

No deposit bonuses at licensed US apps are worth claiming almost without exception — the wagering requirements are low and the downside is zero. Enter them in the calculator set to $0 deposit and you will see exactly what you can realistically keep.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a wagering requirement and a playthrough requirement?
They are the same thing. US casino apps tend to use “wagering requirement.” Some operators use “playthrough requirement” or “rollover.” The calculation is identical whichever term they use.

Does the wagering requirement apply to my deposit or just the bonus?
It depends entirely on the operator’s terms — and this is one of the most important things to check before claiming. At FanDuel and BetRivers, wagering applies to bonus funds only. At some other operators it applies to bonus plus deposit. Always check the specific T&Cs. The calculator lets you select which applies.

What happens if I do not meet the wagering requirement in time?
The bonus funds and any associated winnings are forfeited. Your own deposited funds remain in your account — only the bonus and bonus winnings are removed.

Can I withdraw my deposit while a bonus is active?
At most licensed US operators, withdrawing your deposit while a bonus is active will forfeit the bonus. Some operators allow partial withdrawals of funds above your original deposit. Check the terms before withdrawing anything during an active bonus period.

What is the best casino bonus for low wagering in the US?
FanDuel and BetRivers both offer 1x wagering requirements — the lowest available at licensed US casino apps. FanDuel’s current offer of 1,500 bonus spins for a $5 deposit with 1x wagering is the most player-friendly welcome structure in the US regulated market.

Do free spins have wagering requirements?
Yes, almost always. Free spin winnings are typically credited as bonus funds and carry a wagering requirement before they can be withdrawn. The exception is FanDuel’s current offer where 1x wagering applies — effectively meaning you spin once and winnings are yours after a single additional wager.

What is the maximum bet rule and why does it matter?
Most US casino bonuses restrict you to a maximum bet of $5-$10 per spin or hand while a bonus is active. Betting above this limit — even once — can result in the casino voiding your bonus and any associated winnings. This rule is buried in the T&Cs but it is enforced. Set your bet size before you start and do not change it during the wagering period.

For a full breakdown of casino apps available in your state, visit our homepage or see my state-specific guides for New Jersey and Michigan.

Always gamble responsibly. If you need support, contact the National Problem Gambling Helpline on 1-800-522-4700, available 24/7.