Casino and pokies-style promotions frequently advertise matched deposits or free spins. Behind the headline sits a wagering requirement (playthrough): you must bet the bonus (and sometimes the deposit) a set number of times before any remaining balance becomes withdrawable. Australian-facing sites vary widely in how clearly they publish these rules. Reading the promotion terms—not just the banner—is the only reliable way to know what you are agreeing to.
Wagering multiples in plain language
A 35× bonus rule means you must place bets totalling thirty-five times the bonus amount before the bonus-derived winnings unlock for withdrawal. Some operators apply the multiple to deposit + bonus, which materially increases the amount you must turn over. Check whether the multiple applies to the bonus alone, the combined total, or winnings only. Terms should state the time limit (for example seven or thirty days) and what happens to unused bonus funds when the window closes. See our guide to bonus expiry and opt-in rules for opt-in and forfeiture wording tied to those timers.
Hypothetical worked example (not any operator’s current offer): suppose you receive a A$50 bonus with 35× wagering on the bonus only. You would need A$1,750 in qualifying bets (50 × 35) before bonus-derived winnings could unlock for withdrawal. If the same promotion instead applied 35× to deposit + bonus on a A$50 deposit, the turnover target becomes A$3,500 (100 × 35)—always read the live promotion sheet for the exact base and multiple.
Use a simple checklist before you opt in:
- Write down the multiple, eligible games, and expiry time.
- Estimate your planned stake size and session length—do not rely on “one big win to clear playthrough.
- Confirm whether maximum bet caps apply while the bonus is active (common in terms sheets).
Game contribution percentages
Not every game counts equally toward playthrough. Terms often include a contribution table: pokies may count 100% of each bet, while table games, live dealer titles, or certain high-RTP games may count 10% or be excluded entirely. If you switch games mid-promotion, you can unintentionally slow progress or void the offer. Open the contribution list before you start and stick to eligible categories if your goal is to clear the requirement.
Hypothetical contribution math (illustrative weights only): with A$100 left to clear on playthrough, A$100 on pokies at 100% counts as A$100 progress, but A$100 on a game at 10% counts only A$10—so the same stake clears the requirement ten times slower. Real contribution tables vary by title and promotion.
Cross-check contribution rules with our overview of how pokies bonuses and features work and keep bankroll limits from setting a gambling budget in mind—chasing playthrough can push spend beyond what you intended.
Withdrawals, verification, and limits
Even after playthrough is met, operators may require identity verification, source-of-funds checks, or payment-method matching before releasing funds. Minimum and maximum withdrawal amounts, processing times, and fees should be listed in banking or promotion terms. If an offer looks unusually generous but withdrawal rules are vague, treat that as a reason to pause rather than deposit.
Offshore sites marketed to Australians may not offer the same dispute channels as locally licensed wagering services. The ACMA maintains public information on illegal gambling websites and interactive wagering registers—useful context before you share payment details anywhere.
Sources consulted
Swipe sideways to read the full sources table.
| Source | URL | Accessed | Used for |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK Gambling Commission — LCCP 4.2.1 (customer information) | https://www.gamblingcommission.gov.uk/licensees-and-businesses/lccp/condition/4/2/1 | 2026-10-15 | How regulators describe presenting game/bonus information to players (not AU law) |
| ACMA — Online gambling services hub | https://www.acma.gov.au/online-gambling-services | 2026-10-15 | Offshore consumer-risk context in withdrawal section |
| ACMA —Check if a gambling operator is legal (register) | https://www.acma.gov.au/check-if-gambling-operator-legal | 2026-10-15 | Licensed interactive wagering vs other products |
Numeric wagering examples (e.g. 35× are illustrative patterns seen in promotion terms; always read the operator document tied to the offer you are considering.
