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June 22, 2023

What does playthrough mean in online casinos?

Anna Gordienco
What does playthrough mean in online casinos?
What does playthrough mean in online casinos?
Today’s online casinos provide a wide range of bonuses and promotions to grab your attention, which can sometimes be overwhelming and quite confusing. However, one crucial factor to always consider when claiming these bonuses is the playthrough requirement, which usually determines how many times you need to bet the bonus amount or the combined deposit and bonus amount before you can withdraw any winnings.

In this article, we will explore what a playthrough in an online casino stands for, review common requirements, discuss different types of bonuses, and talk about the game types that contribute to fulfilling playthrough requirements. While it might sound complicated at first sight, after reading this article you'll have a comprehensive understanding of playthrough and how it impacts your online casino experience.


The Simplified Definition of Playthrough and its Requirements


Casino playthrough, which is also called a wagering requirement, is a rule set by online casinos that players must fulfill before they can withdraw any winnings from their bonus funds. This means that whenever you claim a bonus, for instance, a welcome offer or free spins, there's usually a playthrough requirement attached to it.


The playthrough requirement generally determines how many times players have to bet the bonus amount or the combined deposit and bonus amounts.


Let’s look at the following example; if you get a $100 bonus with a 30x playthrough requirement, you need to bet a total of $3,000 (30 x $100) before you can withdraw any winnings.


If you are wondering why playthrough requirements are being set in general, the simplified answer is they prevent players from grabbing bonuses and instantly cashing out. However, it's important to know that not all games contribute equally to meeting playthrough requirements. Different games have different contribution percentages. For instance, slots usually contribute 100% towards the requirement, while games like blackjack or roulette may contribute only a small portion, often around 10% or less. Thus, if you bet $100 on a table game with a 10% contribution rate, only $10 will count towards meeting the playthrough requirement.


Note that playthrough requirements usually apply to bonus funds, and not to deposited funds or winnings. You can still withdraw the deposited funds and winnings without fulfilling the playthrough requirement, as long as they haven't mixed the bonus funds with their real money balance.


To have a better understanding of playthrough requirements, you should carefully read the terms and conditions associated with the bonuses you claim. There are still some common requirements that are generally set by casinos, which we will cover below.


What are Common Casino Playthrough Requirements?


Playthrough requirements are a common thing in online casinos, and there are some types of requirements that you'll often come across:


20x: This means you have to bet the bonus amount or the combined deposit and bonus amount 20 times before you can take out your winnings.


30x: Similarly, this one requires you to bet the bonus amount or the combined deposit and bonus amount 30 times before you can make a withdrawal.


40x: With a 40x playthrough requirement, you need to bet the bonus amount or the combined deposit and bonus amount 40 times before requesting a withdrawal.


50x: This requirement means you have to bet the bonus amount or the combined deposit and bonus amount 50 times before you can withdraw any winnings.


As mentioned above, these playthrough requirements mostly apply to the bonus funds, not your own deposited money or winnings. The playthrough requirements can also vary depending on the bonus types.


Low-wagering Casino Bonuses and How to Spot Them


Low-wagering casino bonuses are special offers given by online casinos that have much lower playthrough requirements compared to standard bonuses. Usually, regular playthrough requirements range from 20x to 50x the bonus amount or a combination of the deposit and bonus amounts. However, low-wagering casino bonuses aim to make things easier for you by significantly reducing these requirements. This means that you will likely have a higher chance of meeting the playthrough condition and being able to cash out your winnings.


The specific value of low wagering requirements may differ depending on the online casino and the particular bonus offer. In general, low-wagering casino bonuses have playthrough requirements ranging from 1x to 10x the bonus amount or a combination of the deposit and bonus amounts. So, you only need to wager the bonus funds or the combined deposit and bonus amount a limited number of times before the withdrawal.


The benefits of low-wagering casino bonuses are quite clear. You can enjoy the bonus perks, such as extra funds or free spins while having a realistic chance of meeting the playthrough requirement within a reasonable amount of time, and making the bonus more valuable and enjoyable, as you can potentially cash out the winnings sooner.


However, it's important to be aware that even with low wagering requirements, there may still be certain limitations. These can include restrictions on which games can be played, maximum bet limits, or caps on the amount of winnings that can be withdrawn.Finding low-wagering casino bonuses may require some effort as they are not as common as standard bonuses. However, many reputable online casinos recognize the appeal of low wagering requirements and offer these bonuses as part of their promotions.


“No Deposit No Playthrough” Bonuses: Are They Real?


Firstly, let’s understand what “No Deposit No Playthrough” bonuses mean. These are the bonus types that don't require you to make a deposit, and the best part is, there are no playthrough requirements attached to them. This means you can win real money without risking your own funds or having to fulfill any wagering obligations.


No deposit no playthrough bonuses offer some great benefits. First, they allow you to explore and experience the online casino without having to spend any of your own money. You can try out the games and get a feeling for the overall casino environment before deciding if you want to deposit your own funds.


What's even better is that since these bonuses have no playthrough requirements, and you have the freedom to cash out your winnings immediately. This is especially exciting if you've been lucky enough to win big from the no-deposit bonus. You don't have to wait or meet any conditions – you can simply withdraw your funds without any restrictions or delays.


These bonuses are a fantastic opportunity for players to enjoy the thrill of online casinos, potentially win real money, and withdraw the winnings right away. It's no wonder such bonuses are relatively rare and not commonly offered by online casinos, however, they are quite real.


Bonus Types that Don’t Have Playthrough Requirements


When it comes to casino bonuses, most of them come with playthrough requirements. However, there are a few types of bonuses that usually don't have these requirements.


No Deposit Bonuses: We have already covered this bonus type and learned that these bonuses are given to players without them needing to make a deposit. With no deposit bonuses, you can try out the casino games and even win real money without having to fulfill any playthrough requirements.


Cashback Bonuses: Cashback bonuses give you a percentage of your net losses back as a bonus. Unlike other bonuses, cashback bonuses often come as real money or have very minimal wagering requirements.


Free Spins: Free spins bonuses give you a specific number of free spins on selected slot games. The winnings you get from these free spins may be credited as bonus funds. However, there are online casinos that offer free spins bonuses without playthrough requirements.


Loyalty Rewards: Online casinos often have loyalty programs or VIP schemes for their loyal players. As part of these programs, you can enjoy exclusive bonuses such as cash rewards or free spins, and some of these loyalty rewards are granted without playthrough requirements.


It's worth mentioning that while these bonuses usually don't have playthrough requirements, they may still have other terms and conditions that you need to consider.


Don’t forget about the time. Time requirements in casino playthrough are like a deadline for players to complete the wagering requirements of a bonus. For example, you might get a bonus with a 30x playthrough requirement and a time limit of 7 days. That means you have 7 days to wager the required amount, which could be the bonus alone or the combination of your deposit and bonus, 30 times.


What if I change my mind? Can I cancel?


If you decide you don't want to use a casino playthrough bonus after claiming it, what you can do depends on the rules set by the online casino. Here are a few common options:


Easy Cancellation: Some casinos allow you to cancel the bonus if you haven't started using it or made any bets with the bonus funds. You can contact the casino's customer support and ask them to remove the bonus from your account.


Partial Cancellation: In certain cases, an online casino may let you cancel part of the bonus. This means you can give up a portion of the bonus funds but keep the rest.


Continue with the Bonus: If you've already started using the bonus or made bets with the bonus funds, it's sometimes not possible to change your mind and cancel the bonus. Once you've accepted and started using the bonus, you'll usually be expected to fulfill the associated playthrough requirements.


In conclusion, understanding the playthrough requirements is an essential part of online casino bonuses and your overall gaming experience. In this blog post, we have covered the definition of the term, some common requirements that are usually met, and different bonus types.


The most important rule is to carefully read the terms and conditions of any bonus before accepting it so that you understand the rules and any potential limitations. If you have any questions or uncertainties about a bonus, it's always a good idea to contact the casino's customer support for clarification.