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Hearing about casino bonuses for the first time can be a bit confusing. My first thought was always, "There must be a catch."
Well, wagering requirements are the catch. UK online gambling sites offer various bonuses for new players or reward deposits, but these bonuses have some restrictions in place.
Namely, British gamblers aren't allowed to withdraw the bonus or any funds resulting from playing the bonus until they've cleared the wagering requirements.
This means that players need to wager the entire bonus amount a few times over before they receive the greenlight and are able to request the cashout for the bonus.
Example
Let's assume you claim a 100% welcome bonus and you deposit £25 in a new casino. This means you'll get another £25 in bonus funds, effectively giving you £50 to play with.
If the bonus comes with 40x wagering, you'll need to place bets worth £25 (your bonus) times 40, so £1000 in total.
Keep in mind this doesn't mean you'll need to deposit £1000 to complete the requirements. All funds you put back into the game count towards this threshold, so it's completely possible to complete some wagering requirements without depositing additional funds.
You should know
The United Kingdom Gambling Commission states that British gamblers should always have access to their deposits, and UKGC licensees cannot restrict withdrawals, regardless of whether a bonus is pending or not.
Casino operators make their own rules and set their own limits regarding wagering requirements. This is why you'll see these ranging anywhere from 0x to even 99x. The UK gambling industry standard is somewhere between 35x and 60x.
If you ask me, that's a lot, even when talking about smaller bonuses. I don't think we should be allowed to withdraw bonuses immediately, but clearing the requirements should be achievable without us having to make multiple deposits.
That's why Freak prefers lower requirements, and we've put together this list of UKGC-licensed online casinos with low to no wagering requirements on their welcome bonuses.
It's worth noting that the Gambling Commission mentions being wary of hard-to-understand terms and conditions and unfair wagering requirements that might encourage excessive play.
The UK casinos on this list have requirements of 30x or lower on their bonuses, and those marked with 0x require no wagering on their offers. British players get to withdraw their balance after rolling the bonus over once.
Sign-up Spins
Sign-up Spins are another type of common bonus offered to both new and existing players. The wagering requirements apply to any potential winnings resulting from the use of these spins.
So, whether you use 25 spins and get £5 or £10 in total, that sum will be considered the baseline for calculating your wagering. You can test this mechanic in full detail in one of our no-deposit free spins UK casinos.
No Deposit Bonuses
A no-deposit bonus with low or no wagering is the holy grail of casino bonuses. As their name implies, these are offered to players without them having to deposit any funds. Usually, no deposit bonuses are rewarded for completing the identity verification.
Match Bonuses on Deposit
It's very common to get a match bonus when you register for a new casino. This only means that the casino will match your first or first few deposits with bonus funds. So if you make your first deposit of £50, for example, you'll receive another £50 in your bonus balance.
Low or no wagering requirements match bonuses for UK players are rare but worth considering when found since they'll allow you more time to test the casino platform and get used to your new account.
Pair such an offer with a low playthrough, and you've got a pretty exciting offer on your hands if I do say so myself. The downside is these offers are somewhat difficult to come by. So if you spot one, it's worth spending a few minutes deciding whether it would benefit you.
I'm always yapping about reading the Terms and Conditions before doing anything casino-related, but I rarely tell you what to look for on these pages. Today is no such day because I'll list every detail you need to check before claiming a low-wagering bonus.
Maximum Payout
Many bonuses state the maximum amount you can withdraw, regardless of your total earnings. Low or no wagering bonuses might be especially susceptible to this rule, so it's important to understand any ceiling to your potential payout.
Funds surpassing this limit will be cancelled when you request a withdrawal or the bonus validity period expires. It's worth noting that UKGC-licensed casinos cannot restrict the amounts or frequency of your withdrawals when it comes to the funds you've deposited.
Minimum Deposit
Some bonuses require a minimum deposit amount, and not all casinos state this upfront. You might realise you're a few pounds short of qualifying for the low-wagering bonus just after completing your deposit. In some of these cases, people might feel pressured to deposit much more than they initially planned.
Maximum Bet
Many bonuses have an upper limit on what you're allowed to bet on each hand. This is done to ensure you're not using the entire bonus in a flash but can take you by surprise if you're used to playing in a Live Dealer UK casino or generally placing higher bets.
Game Availability
Sometimes, casino bonuses are restricted to specific games, and this can get really annoying if not disclosed upfront. Luckily, you won't have to dig too deep for this information, but it's always worth checking if the bonus you'll claim fits your playstyle.
Low wagering requirements mean nothing if you don't plan on playing the eligible games.
Bonus Codes
Generally, UK casinos will explicitly state what you need to do to claim a bonus. However, in the eventuality they don't, you might find you need to enter a bonus code during registration or before confirming a deposit.
It's always worth checking for this information beforehand so you don't miss any important steps.
Validity Period
Depending on the type of bonus you wish to claim, you might need to complete the wagering requirements in a specific timeframe; otherwise, your bonus funds might expire. The validity period should be openly stated on the T&Cs page, so you can efficiently plan how to use your bonus.
Game Weighting
The funds you wager will contribute a certain percentage towards the rollover, depending on the game you choose.
Games with a lower house edge, like Roulette and Blackjack, contribute less, while slots usually contribute 100% of your wager. You should always get familiar with the game weighting and plan accordingly to clear the requirements as fast as possible.
Here's a quick breakdown of the pros and cons of low-wagering UK casinos so you'll have everything ready at a glance when you're ready to make a decision.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| They allow much quicker access to withdrawing your funds. | They won't be as generous as those offers with industry-standard wagering requirements. |
| They are great for players on smaller budgets since they rarely require multiple deposits for clearing. | These offers are a bit difficult to come by and, sometimes, come with other restrictions you might not be aware of. |
| They are much less likely to make you feel pressured to continue playing if you don't want to. | Casinos offering low wagering bonuses might not have many other player perks and rely entirely on these low requirements for new player acquisition. |
You'll find plenty more tips and tricks on our Responsible Gambling page, so make sure you don't ignore it.
