A casino bonus is rarely “free money”. Enter the bonus and its wagering to see how much you’d have to bet — and, on average, what clearing it actually costs you.
This is a long-run average, not a promise: you could lose much more or hit a win. It also ignores max-cashout caps, time limits, maximum bet rules and game weighting — real terms that usually push the value lower. A bonus is marketing, not free money. Entertainment only — 18+, and never chase wagering. See bonuses & wagering explained.
Wagering requirements are the number of times you must bet a bonus (or deposit plus bonus) before you can withdraw. The calculator does two things: it multiplies out that total wagering, then applies the game’s house edge — 100% minus the RTP — to estimate the average cost of clearing it. The result deflates the headline: a “£50 free” offer with heavy wagering is worth far less than £50 once you account for what you typically lose betting it through.
It’s a long-run average, so a real attempt swings either way. And it deliberately leaves out the terms that make bonuses worse than they look — maximum cash-out, time limits, maximum bet rules and game weighting (table games often count little or nothing toward wagering). That’s exactly why Atlas publishes no headline “bonus value” figure — see bonuses & wagering explained.
How do you calculate wagering requirements?
Multiply what the wagering applies to by the multiplier. A £50 bonus at 35× wagering means £50 × 35 = £1,750 you must bet before you can withdraw. If wagering applies to deposit + bonus, use that combined figure instead — a £50 deposit + £50 bonus at 35× is £3,500.
What does the ‘average cost to clear it’ mean?
Every bet carries the game's house edge (100% minus its RTP). Betting £1,750 through a 96% RTP slot means, on average, you lose about 4% of it — roughly £70 — just to clear the wagering. That's the real, typical cost of unlocking a bonus, before variance.
Does a positive ‘real value’ mean a bonus is worth taking?
Not on its own. The figure ignores max-cashout caps, time limits, maximum-bet rules and game weighting — all of which usually lower the value in practice. A bonus is entertainment and marketing, not a way to make money. Treat this tool as a reality check, not advice.