When you receive a bonus, the operator assigns wagering requirements. Your obligation is to wager a multiple of the bonus amount before withdrawal. Accordingly, you must monitor your progress.
Accessing Your Tracker
Log into your operator account. Navigate to Account Settings, then Promotions or Active Bonuses. The operator will display your active bonus, the original bonus amount, the playthrough requirement in total currency, and the amount you have wagered to date. Betfair and DraftKings both use this structure. Stake and Pinnacle follow similar patterns.
The tracker updates in real time. Each bet you place, win or lose, counts toward the requirement. Therefore, if your bonus is 50 pounds and your playthrough is 5x, you must wager 250 pounds total before you can withdraw bonus funds.
Understanding the Calculation
All wagers count unless specifically excluded by the bonus terms. Table games, slots, live dealer games, and sports bets all contribute. However, some operators exclude certain games. Live casino side bets sometimes carry a lower contribution rate, meaning 10 pounds wagered counts as only 5 pounds toward playthrough. The operator will specify this in the bonus terms. Accordingly, you must read the full terms before beginning.
A common exclusion is games with reduced house edge. If an operator offers a bonus, they do not want you to play blackjack at 0.5 percent house edge. They want you on slots at 3 percent. Consequently, they may exclude or reduce the playthrough contribution from skill-based games.
Tracking Across Sessions
Your progress persists across multiple login sessions. You can deposit today, play partially through the requirement, log out, and return tomorrow. The tracker remembers your prior wagering. Therefore, you do not lose progress between sessions.
Some bonuses have time limits. The tracker will show an expiration date. If the bonus expires before you complete playthrough, the bonus is forfeited. You keep any funds you deposited, but you lose the bonus value. Accordingly, time-sensitive bonuses require active engagement.
What Happens When You Finish
Once your wagering equals or exceeds the requirement, the bonus converts to cash. The operator removes the bonus designation. Your balance is now yours, and you can withdraw it subject only to standard withdrawal processing times and verification requirements, such as KYC and AML protocols.
Importantly, if you have not completed wagering and you attempt to withdraw, the operator will deny the request. In compliance with their terms and applicable regulations like those enforced by the MGA and UKGC, the funds associated with the bonus remain locked until playthrough is satisfied.
Negative Balance Scenarios
If you lose heavily during playthrough and your balance goes negative, your bonus is forfeited. You may have lost your deposit and the bonus. Some operators, however, have specific policies. They may return a portion of the bonus if your total losses exceed a threshold. The terms will state this. Accordingly, check carefully.
Common Questions
Do bonus funds count as currency when calculating house edge? Yes. A 100-pound bonus plus a 100-pound deposit gives you 200 pounds to play with.
Can you cancel a bonus midway? Most operators allow cancellation. You lose the bonus amount immediately, but your wagering requirement ceases. If you wish to withdraw your deposit before completing playthrough, you can do so by canceling the bonus.
Does every bet count the same toward playthrough? No. This varies by operator. Some games contribute less than others. Live games sometimes contribute less than slots. Read the specific game weighting in your bonus terms.
Tracking your progress is straightforward if you check your account dashboard regularly. The operator is required to provide transparent tracking under regulations in all major jurisdictions. Therefore, trust the tracker, but verify against the original bonus terms if discrepancies appear.
