50x Wagering Requirement Meaning: Easy Guide for Beginners

Casino bonuses are widely advertised across many online platforms, but the small print may make them hard to understand. One of the most important terms is the “wagering requirement”, sometimes written as “50x wagering”.

If you have ever wondered what that phrase means, this guide will take you through it in simple steps. We will explain how wagering works, why casinos use it, what 50x looks like in practice, and what happens if the conditions are not met. By the end, you will be able to read bonus terms with more confidence and decide if they are right for you.

What Does 50x Wagering Requirement Mean In Simple Terms?

A wagering requirement is a rule that sets out how much money you must stake before you can withdraw any potential winnings that come from a bonus.

If you accept a £10 bonus with a 50x wagering requirement, you need to place bets worth £500 in total before any winnings tied to that bonus can be taken out. The “50x” is simply the number of times the bonus must be turned over in stakes.

The important point is that the requirement applies only to any winnings linked to the bonus, not to your deposited cash. You can withdraw your real-money balance whenever you like, unless the specific terms of that promotion say otherwise.

How Do Wagering Requirements Work in Online Casinos?

When you claim a bonus, the casino adds either bonus funds or free spins to your account. You can use them to play games, but any potential winnings from them remain locked until the requirement has been cleared.

Progress towards the requirement builds up over multiple bets. For example:

• A £2 spin on a qualifying slot counts as £2 towards your target, if slots contribute 100%.
• A £10 stake on a table game that contributes 10% would only count as £1.

This continues until the full total is met. The bonus terms normally include a time limit, often between 7 and 30 days. If the time expires before you reach the target, any bonus funds and winnings from them are removed. Your deposited balance, however, is not affected.

Why Do Casinos Use 50x Wagering Requirements?

Casinos offer bonuses to encourage play, not to provide instant withdrawals. If no conditions existed, players could claim free funds, cash them out immediately, and the promotion would lose its purpose. Wagering requirements ensure that bonuses are used for their intended purpose: to stake on games.

In the past, some promotions carried very high conditions, with 50x at the upper end of the scale. Larger bonuses often came with these heavier requirements, while smaller ones might have lower targets, depending on the casino.

UK regulations are now shifting. From 2026, the Gambling Commission will cap wagering at a maximum of 10x the bonus amount. This means that a £10 bonus can no longer require more than £100 in eligible bets before any bonus winnings become withdrawable. Offers using 50x wagering will no longer be allowed.

Is 50x Wagering Requirement Considered High?

Yes, 50x was considered high under previous practice. Many UK promotions were set between 20x and 40x, so 50x was tougher to complete. For example, meeting a £10 bonus with 50x wagering meant staking £500 in total, which was difficult for most players.

High requirements make it less likely that you will finish wagering with bonus funds still available, as the games themselves involve chance and you may lose your balance before the target is reached.

The new Gambling Commission rules mean that, going forward, 50x will no longer appear in licensed UK casinos. Players will instead see wagering requirements capped at 10x, which should make promotions easier to understand and more consistent across operators.

How to Calculate a 50x Wagering Requirement

The calculation itself is straightforward:

• Multiply the bonus amount by the wagering figure.
• The answer is the total amount of stakes required before any bonus-related winnings can be withdrawn.

It is important to note that this total does not mean you must deposit that much money. It means your bets must add up to that figure over time.

Example of a £10 Bonus With 50x Wagering

If you accept a £10 bonus with 50x wagering, the target is £500 in qualifying bets.

• Bonus: £10
• Wagering: 50x
• Total required stakes: £10 × 50 = £500

Do Different Games Count Towards Wagering?

Yes, and this is where many players can get caught out. Each casino sets its own contribution rates depending on the type of game.

• Slots usually contribute 100%. Every £1 staked adds £1 towards the target.
• Table games such as roulette, blackjack or baccarat often contribute less, commonly around 10%.
• Excluded games may not count at all, even though they can be played with bonus funds.

The reason for these differences is that each game type has its own potential return rate and level of volatility. Slots usually carry a wide range of outcomes, while table games such as blackjack tend to have a higher expected return. Because of this, casinos set different contribution rates to manage how wagering requirements are met and to limit the overall cost of promotions.

The list of eligible games is normally outlined in the terms and conditions. Checking this information makes it clearer which stakes will contribute and how progress towards the requirement is calculated.

What Happens If You Do Not Meet the 50x Wagering Requirement?

If you do not meet the wagering requirement within the time limit, the remaining bonus funds and any winnings linked to them are usually removed. Your deposited cash balance, however, remains available to withdraw, unless the promotion has specific restrictions.

This is why it is important to check the details before you accept a bonus. Factors such as the size of the requirement, the contribution rates of the games you prefer, and the deadline for completion will all affect whether a promotion is practical for you.

There is no guaranteed way to complete wagering successfully. Casino games are random, and winnings can never be guaranteed. Some players may find they meet the requirement, while others may use up their funds before getting close.

Bonuses can be appealing, but they are not free money. They come with conditions that make withdrawals more difficult. From 2026, UK rules will limit wagering to 10x the bonus value, which should make offers simpler to follow.

Gambling is a game of chance, not a source of income. If you decide to take part, set personal limits, only use money you can afford to spend, and step away when it stops being enjoyable.