Free tool · 2026
Casino Bonus Wagering Calculator
A headline bonus tells you the size of the offer, not its price. Enter the numbers from any offer to see the turnover you must play and what that turnover is expected to cost in NZD.
"I spent 7 years inside casinos enforcing the terms players never read. The wagering requirement is the single most important number in any offer — not the match percentage. Cost it first."
— Emma Harper, Lead iGaming Auditor · full bio
Bonus wagering calculator
Work out the real turnover and expected cost behind any match bonus. Same method as our wagering maths guide.
- Bonus amount
- NZ$0
- Total turnover required
- NZ$0
- Expected cost (turnover × house edge)
- NZ$0
Expected cost is a statistical average over many bets, not a guaranteed outcome — see how the maths works.
How to use it
- Step 1
Enter the deposit and match
Use the amount you would deposit and the bonus percentage from the offer. For a no deposit bonus, enter the bonus as a 100% match on a deposit of the bonus amount.
- Step 2
Add the wagering requirement
Type the multiplier (for example 35 for 35x) and choose whether it applies to the bonus only or to deposit plus bonus. The second roughly doubles the work.
- Step 3
Set the return to player (RTP)
Pokies commonly publish an RTP near 96%. Table games can be higher but often count for less towards wagering, so check which games count.
- Step 4
Read the expected cost
If the expected cost is higher than the bonus, the offer costs you more than it gives on average. It is a statistical average, not a prediction for one session.
Real examples from reviewed NZ casinos
All examples use a NZ$100 deposit at 96% RTP pokies. Turnover and cost are expected statistical values — your session result will vary.
| Casino / offer | Bonus | Wagering | Turnover req. | Expected cost | Emma's verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cashy | 25% cashback | 0× | NZ$0 | NZ$0 (real cash returned) | Best value — no rollover |
| BitStarz | 100% up to NZ$500 | 40× | NZ$20,000 | ~NZ$800 (at 96% RTP) | High cost — skip if payout speed is priority |
| Industry average | 100% up to NZ$200 | 35× | NZ$7,000 | ~NZ$280 (at 96% RTP) | Typical market offer |
| High wagering | 200% up to NZ$1,000 | 50× | NZ$50,000 | ~NZ$2,000 (at 96% RTP) | Avoid — mathematically negative for most players |
Cashy 0× cashback returns a percentage of net losses as real money — not a "match bonus," so turnover and cost are both zero. See the Cashy review for full terms.
5 things Emma checks before claiming any bonus
The calculator gives you the expected cost. These five checks tell you whether the offer is even worth running through the calculator.
Bonus-only vs deposit+bonus wagering
"40× on bonus" costs half as much as "40× on deposit+bonus." Always check which calculation applies — operators often write "40× wagering requirement" without specifying the base.
Game contribution rates
Table games, live casino and video poker often count 0–10% towards wagering. A 35× pokie-equivalent requirement becomes 350× if you play roulette. Emma reads the T&Cs for the exact contribution table.
Time limits and maximum bets
A 7-day expiry on a 40× requirement is designed to expire before you can clear it. Maximum bet clauses (often NZ$5–NZ$10 per spin while wagering) can trigger bonus forfeit for a single oversized bet.
Maximum win cap
A "win NZ$10,000 in free spins" offer with a NZ$250 max cashout cap is a NZ$250 offer regardless of what you spin. Emma states the cap explicitly in every review.
Withdrawal lock on deposit
Some offers lock your own deposit until the bonus is cleared. This is rarely stated clearly. It means a NZ$100 deposit + NZ$100 bonus with 30× wagering = NZ$3,000 in bets before you can touch your own money.
Wagering requirements: all 9 reviewed NZ casinos
Use this table to shortlist casinos before running the calculator. Lower wagering = lower expected cost.
| Casino | Wagering req. | Emma's note |
|---|---|---|
| Cashy | 0× (all promotions) | Only 0× model in our set — cashback paid as real money |
| V.Vegas | Verify on site | Confirm current multiplier before claiming |
| Ice Casino | Verify on site | NZ$15 no-deposit available — check T&Cs for cap |
| Slotoro | Verify on site | Confirm multiplier before claiming |
| FS Casino | Verify on site | SoftSwiss platform — check current terms |
| HitnSpin | Verify on site | 300% headline — likely high multiplier |
| Verde Casino | Verify on site | SoftSwiss platform — check current terms |
| BitStarz | 40× bonus funds | EUR500 bonus = EUR20,000 turnover to clear |
| FastPay Casino | 50× bonus funds | Skip bonus entirely for fastest withdrawal strategy |
"Verify on site" means the specific multiplier was not confirmed in publicly available T&Cs at scoring time. Always check the current offer page before claiming.
Frequently asked questions
How is the expected cost calculated?
What RTP should I use?
Does wagering on bonus only vs deposit+bonus matter?
Is a no-wagering bonus always better?
Why do some bonuses not appear in the calculator?
Does game selection affect the wagering cost?
What is the most common wagering requirement in NZ?
When should I skip the bonus entirely?
Related guides
- Wagering maths explained — the formula behind the calculator.
- No wagering casinos NZ — casinos where 0× wagering applies.
- No deposit vs deposit match — which type suits you.
- Advertised offers — cost any listed bonus with the calculator.
- Best online casino NZ — Emma's full ranked picks for 2026.
Expected cost ignores time limits, maximum bets, game weighting and caps on winnings. Bonus terms are subject to change by the operator; verify them on the official casino website before playing. Gambling should stay within a budget you set beforehand.