Game contribution is the share of each bet that counts toward a playthrough requirement. At 100%, a $1 bet clears $1 of the requirement. At 20%, the same bet clears 20 cents, so the requirement takes five times as much play. Enter the rate in the wagering requirement calculator and it scales the total for you.
How contribution multiplies the betting you need
The total you must bet is the requirement divided by the contribution rate. For a $1,500 requirement (15x on a $100 bonus):
| Contribution | Total you must bet | Spins at $1 |
|---|---|---|
| 100% | $1,500 | 1,500 |
| 50% | $3,000 | 3,000 |
| 25% | $6,000 | 6,000 |
| 20% | $7,500 | 7,500 |
| 10% | $15,000 | 15,000 |
| 0% | Never clears | Never |
Total to bet = requirement ÷ contribution rate
The cost of all that extra play depends on the game’s house edge, which is the next part.
Why casinos weight games differently
The cost of clearing a bonus is the total you bet multiplied by the house edge. Games differ a lot in house edge, so if every game counted in full, the cheapest game would make the bonus almost free.
Take the same $1,500 requirement and three games with different edges. These are illustrative edges, not figures for any named game:
| Game’s house edge | Cost at 100% contribution | Cost at 20% contribution |
|---|---|---|
| 4% (a 96% RTP slot) | $60 | $300 |
| 1% | $15 | $75 |
| 0.5% | $7.50 | $37.50 |
At full contribution, a game with a 0.5% edge would clear the bonus for $7.50 and leave $92.50 of a $100 bonus in your pocket on average. Weighting that game at 20% lifts the cost to $37.50, closer to what the casino prices into the offer. Excluding it entirely removes the option. That is the logic behind most contribution tables: low-edge games count for less, or not at all.
Slots carry a higher house edge than many table games. The Wizard of Odds house edge table puts blackjack under half a percent with optimal play and the banker bet in baccarat at about 1%, against a range of 2% to 15% for slots. Slots are therefore the games casinos are happy to count in full, which is why they so often get 100% while other games get a fraction.
What regulated US terms look like
In the states that license online casinos, the regulator requires bonus terms to list the wagering requirements and limits by type of game, and the games that are eligible. New Jersey’s rule is N.J.A.C. 13:69O-1.12; Pennsylvania and Michigan have matching rules.
Terms can meet that rule with a percentage table or simply by naming the eligible games. One large regulated operator’s welcome terms, as published in late 2025, allowed play on “select slot games” only, barred bonus funds from craps, roulette, baccarat and sic bo, and listed individual slot titles that would not count toward clearing. So “slots count 100%” is a habit, not a rule: always check the list.
How to check before you play
- Find the eligible games list or contribution table in the bonus terms, not the promotion banner.
- Check the specific title you want to play. Excluded slots are often listed by name.
- Enter the real contribution in the calculator. A table game at 10% turns a short requirement into a long one.
- Use the game’s own RTP for the cost figure. A lower-RTP slot that counts in full can cost more to clear than a higher-RTP one.
For a broader checklist that covers cashout caps, void conditions and withdrawal checks as well as contribution, see 26casino.com’s guide to auditing casino bonuses before depositing. Then come back to what a bonus is worth to put a dollar figure on the offer.
Common questions
Do all slots count 100% toward wagering?
Not always. Bonus terms often limit play to slots, or to a list of selected slots, and some titles are excluded by name. A slot that is excluded counts nothing at all, so check the eligible games list rather than assuming every slot qualifies.
Does blackjack count toward a casino bonus?
Often for less than slots, and sometimes not at all. Table games with a low house edge would make a bonus almost free to clear if they counted in full, so casinos weight them down or exclude them. The bonus terms must say which games count and by how much.
How do I work out wagering with a contribution rate?
Divide the requirement by the contribution rate. A $1,000 requirement at 25% contribution needs $4,000 of bets. The wagering requirement calculator does this for you and shows the expected cost at the game's RTP.