updated regularly – latest review: March 2026
Wagering requirements are the most important thing to understand before claiming any UK casino offer. They determine how much you need to bet before you can withdraw your bonus winnings — and getting them wrong is the most common reason people lose money on casino offers.
This guide explains exactly how wagering requirements work, how to calculate them quickly, and how to find the best low-wagering casino offers available in the UK right now — updated to reflect the UKGC’s new 10x wagering cap introduced in January 2026.
This guide explains exactly how wagering requirements work, how to calculate them quickly, and how to find the best low-wagering casino offers available in the UK right now.
Key Facts
- Wagering requirements tell you how many times you must bet your bonus before withdrawing
- A 10x wagering requirement on a £10 bonus means you must wager £100 in total
- From January 2026, the UKGC capped all UK casino bonus wagering at a maximum of 10x
- Lower wagering = better value. Always look for offers with 5x or under
- Some casinos like PlayOJO and MrQ offer zero wagering requirements
What Are Wagering Requirements?
Wagering requirements (also called playthrough requirements) are conditions attached to casino bonuses that require you to bet a certain amount before you can withdraw any winnings from that bonus.
For example, if a casino gives you a £10 bonus with 10x wagering requirements, you need to wager £100 (£10 x 10) before you can withdraw.
Casinos use wagering requirements to prevent players from simply withdrawing bonus money immediately. They ensure players actually use the bonus to play games before cashing out.
The UKGC 10x Wagering Cap — What Changed in January 2026
In January 2026 the UK Gambling Commission introduced a major rule change: wagering requirements on all UK casino bonuses are now capped at a maximum of 10x the bonus amount.
Before this change, casinos commonly applied 30x, 40x or even 50x wagering requirements. A £10 bonus at 50x meant you had to bet £500 before withdrawing — making most bonuses nearly impossible to profit from.
Under the new rules, the same £10 bonus can require a maximum of £100 in total bets. This makes UK casino offers significantly more player-friendly than they were before 2026.
See our full guide to the new rules
How to Calculate Wagering Requirements
The calculation is straightforward:
Bonus amount x wagering requirement = total amount you must wager
Here are some common examples under the new 10x maximum:
- £10 bonus at 1x wagering = wager £10 total
- £10 bonus at 5x wagering = wager £50 total
- £10 bonus at 10x wagering = wager £100 total (maximum allowed under UKGC rules)
- £20 bonus at 10x wagering = wager £200 total
You can use our free online wagering calculator to work out the exact amount for any offer in seconds.
What Counts Towards Wagering Requirements?
Not all bets count equally towards your wagering requirements. Most casinos have game contribution rules that specify what percentage of each bet counts:
- Slots: usually 100% contribution — the best option for clearing bonuses quickly
- Live casino games: usually 10-20% contribution
- Table games (blackjack, roulette): often 0-10% contribution
- Sports betting: usually does not contribute at all
Important: the UKGC’s 10x cap does not address game weighting. A casino can set a 10x requirement but only allow games contributing 25% — making the effective wagering 40x on those games. Always check contribution rates before claiming.
At Casino Compare UK we include this information in each of our step-by-step offer guides.
What Is a Good Wagering Requirement?
Under the new UKGC rules, 10x is now the maximum permitted in the UK. As a general guide:
- 0x wagering: the best possible — winnings are real cash immediately
- 1x wagering: excellent — just bet your winnings once before withdrawing
- 5x wagering: good — achievable with the right game selection
- 10x wagering: acceptable — the new legal maximum in the UK
- Anything above 10x: not permitted on any UK-licensed casino from January 2026
At Casino Compare UK we rate every offer for difficulty and risk level, so you can quickly see which offers are worth your time.
What Are No Wagering Casino Offers?
No wagering casino offers (also called zero wagering offers) let you keep what you win from your free spins or bonus without any playthrough requirements. What you win is immediately withdrawable as cash.
These are the safest and most valuable offers available — even better than the new 10x cap deals. The best examples in the UK right now are:
These are the safest and most valuable offers available. The best examples in the UK right now are:
- PlayOJO Casino — deposit £10, get 50 free spins with zero wagering
- MrQ Casino — wager £20, get 30 free spins with no wagering
- Admiral Casino — deposit £10, get 100 free spins with just 1x wagering
See our full guide to the best no wagering casino offers UK for a full comparison of the top deals available right now.
Tips for Completing Wagering Requirements
- Always play slots — they contribute 100% towards wagering requirements in most casinos
- Choose high RTP slots — look for games with 96%+ RTP to minimise losses while clearing
- Check the time limit — most offers expire within 7-30 days, so don’t leave it too late
- Use our wagering calculator — enter the bonus amount and wagering multiplier to see exactly what you need to bet
- Stick to the recommended games in our offer guides — we test each offer and recommend the best game to use
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum wagering requirement allowed in the UK?
From 19 January 2026, the UK Gambling Commission caps all casino bonus wagering requirements at 10x the bonus amount. No UK-licensed operator can legally apply wagering requirements higher than this. See our full guide to the UKGC rule change
Do wagering requirements apply to free spins winnings?
Yes, in most cases. When you win from free spins, the winnings are credited as bonus funds and subject to wagering requirements before you can withdraw — up to a maximum of 10x under the new UKGC rules. The exception is no wagering free spins offers like PlayOJO and MrQ, where winnings are paid as cash immediately.
What happens if I don’t complete the wagering requirements?
If you don’t complete the wagering requirements within the time limit, the bonus and any winnings from it are forfeited. Your original deposit is unaffected — you can still withdraw that.
Can I withdraw my deposit while completing wagering requirements?
This depends on the casino. Some casinos lock your deposit until wagering is complete. Others let you withdraw your deposit at any time, which cancels the bonus. Always check the terms before claiming.
Are wagering requirements the same as rollover requirements?
Yes — wagering requirements, playthrough requirements and rollover requirements all mean the same thing. They all refer to the number of times you must bet your bonus before withdrawing.
Which UK casinos have the lowest wagering requirements?
The best low wagering UK casino offers right now include PlayOJO (0x), MrQ (0x), Admiral Casino (1x), Sky Vegas (1x) and Virgin Games (1x). Browse all our Easy Casino Offers to see the full list.
Summary
Wagering requirements are simply a multiplier that tells you how much you need to bet before withdrawing bonus winnings. From January 2026 the UKGC capped all UK casino bonus wagering at a maximum of 10x — a major improvement for players.
Lower is always better — aim for 5x or under, and look for no wagering offers for the best value. See our guide to the UKGC’s new rules
At Casino Compare UK, every offer is rated for difficulty, risk and estimated value so you can quickly find the best offers for your experience level. Browse our Easy Casino Offers to find the lowest wagering deals available right now.
If you’re new to sports betting, our best free bet offers UK guide covers the top sign-up deals from UK bookmakers.
Remember, please gamble responsibly – Gamble Aware