Which Casino Games Actually Count Toward Your Wagering
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You received a bonus and started playing, hoping to meet the wagering requirement right away. But you notice it’s taking longer and longer. Wondering why? We’ll tell you, you chose the wrong game! Let’s find out together how different games contribute to meeting the wagering requirement.
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Why Don’t All Casino Games Count the Same?
Operators set the contribution rate based on the house edge and the game’s volatility. That’s the rule. We’ve seen that slots generally have a house edge of about 2-8% and produce random results, but with high volatility.
In Blackjack, if you use basic strategy, you can lower the house edge to under 1%. The same goes for video poker, when you play it correctly, of course. For you as a player, this is an advantage. However, for the casino, it can be a problem. When the house edge is low, you can meet the wagering requirement at a very low actual cost, and for the casino, this means you haven’t generated much activity.
Well, this is where contribution percentages come into play. You may have noticed that games with a higher house edge and high volatility almost always have a full contribution. However, games with a low house edge that also require you to apply a strategy have a reduced contribution, perhaps even an insignificant one.
How Different Casino Games Count Toward Wagering
You should know that contribution rates aren’t standardized in fact, they can even vary between two bonuses offered by the same casino. We’ve noticed a fairly clear pattern among casinos, and Alexandra Camelia Dedu, the editor of this article, has prepared a table to clarify this:
| Game Type | How Much It Usually Counts Toward Wagering | Real-World Example |
|---|---|---|
| Slots | ~100% | At operators such as BetMGM and LeoVegas, every dollar wagered on slots counts in full toward meeting bonus wagering requirements. |
| Blackjack (RNG) | ~10% or less | BetMGM counts software-based blackjack at just 10%. In practical terms, if you wager $100, only $10 is credited toward the wagering requirement. |
| Video poker | ~10% or less | LeoVegas applies the same approach to Video Poker, with only 10% of eligible wagers contributing toward its welcome bonus requirements. |
| Roulette / baccarat | ~10-20%, live-dealer versions often 0% | BetMGM gives both games a 20% contribution rate. At LeoVegas, RNG versions of roulette and baccarat contribute 10%, while live-dealer versions are excluded from the standard welcome offer altogether. |
| Crash / fast games (e.g. Aviator) | Often 0% | LeoVegas excludes Crash and Mine-style games from bonus wagering calculations, meaning bets placed on them do not help clear the bonus. |
| Live dealer | Varies significantly by operator | LeoVegas excludes live casino games from its standard welcome bonus but may allow up to 100% contribution in promotions designed specifically for live casino players. BetMGM uses a flat 20% contribution rate. |
The line above, which refers to live dealer games, is the one that might mislead you. Why? An operator may apply two different percentages. It depends on which promotion you’ve activated. Keep in mind that a standard welcome bonus and one for live games are not the same. The rules differ, so be careful.
The Real Cost of Picking the Wrong Game
Let’s think again about the €100 bonus with a 30x wagering requirement. At first glance, this means you have to wager €3,000 before you can withdraw the bonus, right? If you choose to play slots where the contribution rate is 100%, you’ll need exactly €3,000 to meet the wagering requirement.
However, if you try to meet the requirement by playing blackjack, where the contribution rate is only 10%, the situation changes. Every €1 you wager will count as only €0.10 toward the €3,000 wagering requirement. What does this mean? You’ll need to wager €30,000 to meet the wagering requirement, that’s ten times more than the amount you might expect when you see a 30x wagering requirement.
| Path | Contribution | Actual Wagering Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Slots only | 100% | €3,000 |
| Blackjack only | 10% | €30,000 |
The irony is that the house’s small edge in Blackjack is also the reason why its contribution to the wagering requirement is so low. However, many players don’t know this, and that’s precisely why they choose this game.
The Mistake Players Actually Make
Unfortunately, many players assume that all games contribute equally, meaning both slots and table games. The truth is quite different slots contribute much more than blackjack.
Another common mistake is when players misread the bonus terms and conditions. We recommend that you go directly to the specific terms for the bonus, there you’ll find the details that apply to your offer. Don’t rely on the general terms.
Be careful not to switch games during the wagering period, if you do switch, keep in mind that the contribution percentage will change as well.
How to Pick Games That Clear Wagering Fast
If you want to switch from one game to another, it’s best to recalculate your remaining wagering requirement every time you chang games. That way, you can estimate how much you have left to go and know what to expect.
Why not check the bonus contribution table before you start playing? Look for it directly on the bonus page that’s where you’ll find it.
Have you chosen the right game, but the wagering requirement still seems difficult? It’s best to compare the low-wagering bonuses currently available. If you choose an offer from here, the wagering multiplier is lower than at the start, so you can unlock the bonus much more easily. However, if you notice that you’re starting to play more and more, and gambling is no longer fun for you, you should consider taking a break.
The Bottom Line
The contribution percentages for each game show you how quickly you can meet a bonus’s wagering requirements. However, we’ve noticed that this information is often not very visible.
From our experience, we can tell you that slots are the fastest way to meet the wagering requirements. At the other end of the spectrum are blackjack and video poker, as well as most table games.
The best advice we can give you is to check the contribution table before placing your first bet. That way, you’ll know you’ve made the right choice.
How We Verified This
To write this guide, we carefully analyzed the terms and conditions of bonuses offered by well-known casinos such as BetMGM and LeoVegas. We also reviewed the tables detailing the contribution rates for different games. We didn’t stop there, we also consulted specialized publications in the gambling industry.
We’d like to note that contribution percentages can vary from one operator to another, as well as from one bonus to another. That’s why we always recommend that you check the bonus terms and conditions yourself.
In this article, we’ve provided only examples for informational purposes. However, you can review the bonuses that interest you on your own before activating them.
