Wagering Requirements Explained: UK 10x Cap (2026)

Key takeaways

Wagering is how many times you must bet a bonus before winnings from it can be withdrawn.
Multiply the bonus by the requirement to get the total you need to bet.
UK-licensed casinos can't set wagering above 10x the bonus since 19 January 2026.
No-wagering offers pay winnings as cash straight away.

What a wagering requirement is

When a casino gives you bonus funds, it usually asks you to bet them a certain number of times before any winnings from the bonus can be withdrawn. That number is the wagering requirement, also called the playthrough. Until you've completed it, the bonus and its winnings sit in a bonus balance that you can play with but can't cash out.

How to work it out

Multiply the bonus amount by the wagering requirement. The answer is the total value of bets you need to place.

Wagering examples
Bonus	Requirement	Total bets needed	Spins at 50p
£10	10x	£100	200
£25	10x	£250	500
£50	10x	£500	1,000
£100	10x	£1,000	2,000

Bets needed to clear a £10 bonus

50x£500

35x£350

10x cap£100

50x and 35x were common before the cap; 10x is the most a UK-licensed casino can ask for now.

The last column shows why wagering takes time. At 50p a spin, £1,000 of wagering is 2,000 spins, and the bonus deadline still applies. Use our wagering calculator to run your own numbers.

The 10x cap

From 19 January 2026, the Gambling Commission capped wagering at 10 times for all UK-licensed operators. Before the cap, 35x to 50x was common. The Commission's own example shows the difference: a £10 bonus at 50x meant £500 of play before withdrawal. At the 10x cap, the same bonus needs £100.

The cap is a ceiling, not a target, and several offers go below it. Our no wagering bonuses have no requirement at all. Read the wider changes in our UK casino bonus rules guide.

Wagering on the bonus, or bonus and deposit?

Some older offers applied wagering to the deposit and the bonus together, which doubled the play needed. Both deposit bonuses we list, Casumo and 10Bet, apply wagering to the bonus only. Always check which applies.

Other terms that affect wagering

Game contribution. Slots usually count 100%. Table and live games often count less, or not at all.
Deadlines. Casumo gives 7 days; 10Bet gives 3. Unfinished wagering means the bonus and its winnings are removed.
Maximum bet. Casinos can set a bet limit while a bonus is active, and the legal slot cap of £5 a spin (£2 for 18 to 24-year-olds) always applies.
Maximum winnings. Some bonuses cap what you can win. 10Bet's cap is £1,000.
Early withdrawal. Withdrawing cash before you finish usually cancels the bonus.

Is a wagered bonus worth it?

A 10x bonus can be worthwhile if you'd play that much anyway, because it gives you more to play with. It's poor value if you'd only play to clear it. On average, slots return less than you stake, so extra play needed to clear a bonus also means extra expected losses. If that sounds like hard work, a no-wagering free spins offer is simpler.

Sources and checks

Checked 3 October 2026 by Ryan Jessop. Offer terms were read on each casino's promotion pages; licences were confirmed on the Gambling Commission register.

Need help?

If gambling is causing you problems, the National Gambling Helpline is free and open 24 hours a day on 0808 8020 133. You can also self-exclude from every UK-licensed online casino at once through GAMSTOP. See our responsible gambling page for more support.

Frequently asked questions

What does 10x wagering mean?

You must place bets worth 10 times the bonus before winnings from the bonus can be withdrawn. A £20 bonus needs £200 of bets.

Is wagering still allowed in the UK?

Yes, but it's capped at 10x for UK-licensed casinos since 19 January 2026.

Do free spins have wagering?

Some do. All the free spins offers we list pay winnings with no wagering.

What happens if I don't finish the wagering?

When the deadline passes, the casino removes the bonus and any winnings made from it.