Learn how game weighting works in casino bonuses, why different games contribute different percentages to wagering requirements, and how to find and use weighting tables before you claim a bonus.
What Is Game Weighting?
Game weighting (also called game contribution) is the percentage of each bet that counts towards fulfilling a bonus wagering requirement. A 100% weighting means every 1 bet contributes 1 to wagering. A 10% weighting means you need to bet 10 to clear 1 of the requirement.
Casinos apply weighting because different games have different house edges. Slots have a 2-10% house edge. Blackjack with basic strategy can have below 0.5%. If all games contributed equally to wagering, bonus hunters could clear requirements cheaply by playing low-edge games — casinos would lose money.
Typical Weighting Rates by Game Type
| Game Type | Typical Contribution | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Video slots | 100% | Almost always full contribution |
| Live slots / jackpot slots | 50-100% | Progressive jackpots often excluded entirely |
| Live casino (blackjack, baccarat, roulette) | 0-20% | Often 0% on blackjack and baccarat |
| Virtual table games (RNG blackjack) | 10-20% | Slightly higher than live due to no dealer advantage |
| Video poker | 10-20% | High-strategy game, usually weighted down |
| Sports betting | 0-10% | Often 0%, or only on specific bet types/odds |
| Excluded games | 0% | Check the terms — specific titles can be excluded |
These are ranges — every casino sets its own weighting table, and it can change per bonus offer. Always check the specific terms for the bonus you're claiming.
How Weighting Affects Your Effective Wagering Cost
Suppose a casino offers a 100 bonus with 35x wagering, and slots contribute 100% but blackjack contributes 10%.
To clear via slots: 35 × 100 = 3,500 total bets required. At a 4% house edge (average slot): expected cost = 140.
To clear via blackjack: you need 35,000 in bets to satisfy the same 3,500 equivalent contribution (35,000 × 10% = 3,500). At 0.5% house edge: expected cost = 175.
In this example, slots are actually cheaper to clear through despite the higher house edge — because the weighting discount on blackjack effectively multiplies your required bet volume by 10x, more than offsetting the house edge advantage.
The crossover point depends on the relative house edges and weighting rates. Always do this calculation before choosing a clearing strategy.
Excluded Games
Beyond low weighting, some games are excluded entirely — any bets on them don't count at all AND can void the bonus if wagered above a certain proportion. Common exclusions:
- Progressive jackpot slots (Mega Moolah, Divine Fortune, Age of the Gods)
- Specific high-RTP slots (often listed by name in the terms)
- Table game variants with side bets
- Any game listed in the casino's bonus exclusions schedule
Playing an excluded game while a bonus is active can forfeit the bonus and all winnings accumulated during that session. This is the most common cause of bonus dispute complaints.
Finding the Weighting Table
The weighting table is part of the bonus terms and conditions. Look for it:
- In the specific bonus offer page (click "Terms" or "Full T&Cs" on the offer)
- In the casino's general bonus terms (usually linked from the footer)
- In the "Responsible Gambling" or "Promotions" section of the account settings
If the weighting table is not clearly published, contact support before claiming. A casino that cannot tell you the contribution rates for specific games before you claim the bonus is a red flag.
Wagering Requirements Calculator
To find the true expected cost of any bonus, you need:
- The wagering requirement multiple
- The contribution rate for the game you plan to play
- The house edge of that game
Formula: Expected cost = (Bonus amount × Wagering multiple) ÷ Contribution rate × House edge
A bonus is not worth claiming if the expected clearing cost exceeds the bonus value. For most slot bonuses with 35x+ wagering, the clearing cost routinely exceeds the bonus value unless the RTP is very high (>97%).
FAQ
- Does game weighting apply to deposit bonuses and free spins equally?
- Deposit bonuses: your real-money bets are weighted according to the table. Free spins winnings: the winnings are subject to wagering (often 100% since they convert to bonus funds which must be wagered on slots). Check whether free spin winnings can be played on table games at all before claiming.
- Can a casino change the weighting table after I've claimed a bonus?
- Terms and conditions can change, but changes after a bonus has been claimed should not apply to that active bonus. If a casino changes weighting retroactively on active bonuses, report it to the relevant gambling regulator.
- What happens if I play an excluded game by accident?
- It depends on the casino's terms. Most will void bets on excluded games but not necessarily the entire bonus. However, some terms state that playing excluded games voids the bonus entirely. Read the exclusions carefully before you start wagering.
- Are game weightings the same across all bonuses at the same casino?
- Not always. A casino can set different weighting schedules for different promotions. A welcome bonus may have different rates than a reload bonus or a VIP cashback offer. Always check the specific offer's terms rather than relying on the general bonus policy.