What game weighting is
When a casino grants a bonus, it attaches a wagering requirement — a total amount you must bet before withdrawing. But not all bets count equally. Game weighting (also called game contribution) is the percentage of each bet that counts toward that total.
A 100% contribution means the full bet value counts. A 10% contribution means only one-tenth of each bet counts. A 0% contribution means bets on that game do not count at all.
Typical contribution rates by game category
| Game type | Typical contribution |
|---|---|
| Slots (standard) | 100% |
| Slots (high RTP, often >97%) | 0–50% |
| Video poker | 10–20% |
| Roulette | 10–20% |
| Blackjack | 5–10% |
| Baccarat | 5–10% |
| Live dealer games | 5–10% (sometimes 0%) |
| Scratch cards / instant win | 25–50% |
| Excluded games | 0% |
These are industry norms. Every casino sets its own rates, and they are published in the bonus terms and conditions. Read them before claiming.
The real cost of playing low-weighted games
Suppose you claim a $100 bonus with x30 wagering. The headline requirement is $3,000 in bets. Here is what that actually means across different game choices:
| Game | Contribution | Bets needed to clear $3,000 requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Slots (100%) | 100% | $3,000 |
| Roulette (10%) | 10% | $30,000 |
| Blackjack (5%) | 5% | $60,000 |
Playing roulette while clearing a slot bonus effectively multiplies the requirement tenfold. This is one of the most common ways players unintentionally make a bonus impossible to complete.
How to read a game weighting table
Bonus terms typically present a table or list. Look for:
- Which games contribute 100% — usually “all slots except those listed below”
- Specifically excluded slots — high-RTP titles are often named
- Table game rates — often grouped as “table games: 10%”
- Live casino rates — frequently listed separately, often lower than RTP
- Excluded games — any game listed at 0% should be avoided while a bonus is active
If no weighting table is provided, contact support before claiming the bonus.
Connection to wagering requirements
Game weighting is one half of the bonus-value equation. The other half is the wagering multiplier itself. For a complete explanation of how multipliers work and how to calculate real bonus value, see wagering requirements explained.
Understanding both together — multiplier × weighting — gives you the actual number of bets needed to clear any bonus, regardless of what game you prefer.
Practical advice
- Default to slots when clearing a bonus, unless the terms explicitly allow table games at favourable rates.
- Check for excluded titles before you start. Playing an excluded slot for an entire session advances the requirement by zero.
- Calculate the effective requirement before claiming: headline wagering ÷ contribution rate = actual bets needed.
- Compare casinos on the casinos page — some operators offer genuinely favourable weighting tables, especially for table game fans.
For context on how crypto deposits interact with bonus terms, see crypto casino deposits and withdrawals.