Bonus Game Weighting: What Counts Towards Your Wagering Requirement
Bonus game weighting is the share of each bet that counts towards your wagering requirement, and it varies by game type. Slots commonly count 100%, table games 10% and live casino 5% to 10%, which means the same bonus can need ten or twenty times more stakes on a table than on a slot. Read the contribution list before you pick a game, because a bet on an excluded game counts for nothing.
This article is part of our slot guides, written to explain the maths and mechanics behind every spin.
The table below shows weightings taken from published UK terms, followed by how to read them. It is part of our slot guides, next to the explainer on wagering requirements.
What does bonus game weighting look like in published terms?
The columns show the game group, the contribution the terms state and where the figure comes from. All rows come from bonus terms read on 24 October 2026 at UKGC-licensed casinos; operators change them, so treat the table as a snapshot and check the live terms of any offer you take.
| Game group | Contribution stated | Source in the terms read |
|---|---|---|
| Slot games | 100% | One casino’s welcome offer terms: "Slot games: 100%". Another’s lists slots, jackpot slots, instant win, scratchcards and keno at 100%. |
| Table games (roulette, blackjack) | 10% | Both casinos above state 10%. |
| Live casino | 5% | Stated in the second casino’s table (section 9.1.4). |
| Video poker | 5% | Same table. |
| Baccarat | 0% | Same table. |
| Slots with RTP of 96.8% or higher | 30% | Section 9.1.1 of the same terms. It conflicts with the 100% slots line in section 9.1.4. |
| Other offers | Not stated | A third operator’s help page says each bonus lists its own wagering and time limit and that "All our bonuses are valid on specific game types", with no percentages on that page. |
Source: operators’ published bonus terms and help-centre pages, read 24 October 2026. Casino names are left out on purpose.
How does game weighting change the stakes you need to place?
Divide the base stakes by the contribution. A £100 bonus at 10x needs £1,000 on a game that counts 100%. At 10% the same bonus needs £10,000, and at 5% it needs £20,000. At 0% it can never be cleared on that game.
The formula is bonus × multiple ÷ contribution. If you want to see the effect on your own offer, the wagering calculator has a contribution field for exactly this.
The cost follows the stakes. At 96% RTP on a slot, £1,000 of stakes costs about £40 on average. Moving to a 10% game with a 99% RTP needs £10,000 of stakes, and the average cost is 1% of that, or £100. A better return per spin does not rescue you from a low contribution.
Why do casinos weight games differently?
Games return different shares of the money staked, and the casino’s cost of a bonus depends on what players do with it. If a game with a low house edge counted in full, a player could clear the bonus at very little expected cost. Reduced contributions on table and live games keep the bonus priced for the slot play it was designed around.
None of the terms we read explained its percentages. What the Gambling Commission does require is that the restrictions be "clearly" set out. Its guidance on promotional play restrictions says terms must "clearly specify all prohibited types or patterns of play" (promotional play restrictions), and a general reference to banned play "is too vague".
Why would a high-RTP slot contribute less than 100%?
A slot with a high return to player costs the casino less per £1 of stakes, which is the same logic as the table-game cut. One set of terms we read gives slots with an RTP of 96.8% or higher a 30% contribution. At 30%, a £100 bonus at 10x needs 100 × 10 ÷ 0.30, or about £3,333 of stakes instead of £1,000.
Check the RTP of the slot you intend to use before you start. Our RTP guide explains why the same game can be published at several RTP settings, and the figure is shown in the game’s info screen.
The rule is easy to miss because it often sits in a different clause from the main contribution table. That is the case in the terms above, where the two statements disagree.
How do you read the exclusion list?
Look for three separate lists: games that count in part, games that count nothing and games or features you may not use at all while the bonus is active. The last group often includes bonus-buy features and a short list of named slots.
Search the terms page for the words "excluded", "restricted", "contribute" and "weighting". If a list is on a separate page, open it before you opt in. The Commission expects significant conditions to be given "transparently and prominently" and no more than one click away for online promotions (Social Responsibility Code 5.1.9, codes of practice).
Copy the lines that matter into a note with the date. If a dispute comes up later, the version you saw when you opted in is the one you can point to.
Which games should you use to clear a bonus?
For most players the answer is a slot that counts 100% and is not on the exclusion list. Beyond that, the choice is between a steady game and a swingy one. A low-volatility slot tends to keep your balance moving within a narrow range while the stakes pile up, which is why it is often used for wagering. Our slot volatility guide explains the difference.
Bet size matters too. Larger stakes finish the requirement in fewer spins, but a maximum stake rule may cap them. The max bet rule guide covers the limits you may meet.
Do weighting rules apply to winnings from your own deposit?
At UK-licensed casinos, no. The Gambling Commission’s guidance says promotional play restrictions and wagering requirements "must not apply" to play with the deposit balance unless software automatically prevents a breach, and that deposit and bonus balances must be shown separately (restrictions on withdrawing deposit and deposit winnings).
In practice that means weighting concerns your bonus funds. Check which balance is being used when you play, because many casinos show them as separate lines.
See our current UK slot bonuses for offers to read against this checklist.
More slot guides
- how online slots work
- RTP explained
- slot volatility explained
- max cashout limits
- live dealer vs RNG
- wagering requirements explained
- sticky vs non-sticky bonuses
- the max bet rule on bonuses
- how to value free spins
- wagering requirement calculator
- how crash games work
- Plinko odds explained
- the maths behind Mines
- slots maths course
Frequently asked questions
What does game weighting mean in a casino bonus?
It is the percentage of each bet that counts towards the wagering requirement. A 10% game turns a £1 bet into 10p of progress.
Why do table games count less than slots?
The terms we read do not give a reason. The usual explanation is that games with a lower house edge would otherwise clear a bonus at very little expected cost, which the reduced percentage prevents.
What does 0% contribution mean?
Bets on that game do not reduce your requirement at all. One set of terms we read gives baccarat 0%.
Where do I find the weighting list?
In the bonus terms, usually in a section called game contribution or wagering. If the offer page links to a separate terms page, the list is there.
Can the weighting change after I opt in?
The Gambling Commission requires terms to be fair and clear, and says operators must not ban a form of play that was not clearly outlined to the player in advance. Keep a copy of the terms you saw when you opted in.
Do free spins winnings follow the same weighting?
Free spins are played on a named game, so the contribution question mostly arises when you move to other games to clear the wagering. The offer’s terms say which games count.
Responsible gambling. You must be 18 or over to gamble. Decide your stake and time limits before you opt in to any bonus, and stop if you notice you are playing to meet a deadline. GamCare offers free, confidential help on 0808 8020 133, and BeGambleAware has guidance and support. Our responsible gambling page lists the tools available.