Game Weighting Percentages And Casino Bonuses

If you didn’t know already, a game’s weighting percentage can have an enormous impact on your chances of cashing out a bonus.

In this article, we’re going to explain how it works, and why table games should be avoided unless you’re playing with your own funds. 

Let’s begin.

Game Weightings Explained

Unless specified, all bonuses, match, no deposit, and free spins, come with wagering requirements. 

This is a rule that says you have to wager so much (a multiplication of your bonus’ value) before you can cashout your bonus winnings. 

However, did you know that not all games contribute to the wagering requirements at the same rate?

This is where the term ‘game weighting percentages’ comes into play. 

Essentially, high odds games contribute only a fraction of your stake to the wagering requirements. 

Slot games – unless specified – contribute your entire bet. 

The amount of your bet that contributes depending on the game you play is reflected by its game weighting percentage. (These are found in your bonus’ Terms & Conditions).

While slots contribute 100%, table games may contribute between 0 and 25%. 

As we’ll explain below, this leads to severe disadvantages.

How Game Weightings Play Out 

We already know that when the odds are high, the game contribution is low. 

But without examples, it’s hard to fully understand how radically a low game weighting wrecks your chances of winning. 

The examples below will help to illustrate:

1. Slot Games (100%)

Most of the time, slots are weighted at 100%.

Subsequently, all of your bets on slot games will have their value taken away from the wagering requirements.

In other words, a $1 bet will take $1 away from the sum-total you have to wager.

A $100 bet will take away $100.

Therefore, if you were to claim a bonus worth $25 in bonus credits with wagering requirements of 20x, you’d have to bet ($25 x 20) $500 on slot games before you could cash out.

2. Table Games (5%)

Anyone that wants to play table games has to factor in the low game contribution.

We’ll reuse the prior example to provide a more precise comparison.

As previously stated: you claim a bonus worth $25 in bonus credits. The wagering requirements are 20x. You have to wager $300.

However, this time, you want to play table games.

In the T&Cs you find that table games are weighted at 5%.

Therefore, simply wagering $300 is not enough, as only 5% of that $300 will go towards the wagering requirements.

Subsequently, after wagering $300 on table games, only $15 will actually be taken away from the requirements.

If you wanted to be able to withdraw your winnings with this bonus by playing table games, you’d have to wager an unreasonable $6,000 with your $25 bonus.

We’re fairly certain that, when you compare the two examples given, you’d agree that you shouldn’t play table games with a casino bonus.

That is – you shouldn’t play table games if you care about winning real cash. 

Playing slots is more likely to be ultimately profitable when you are using a casino bonus. 

To Conclude

Our conclusion is rather simple: don’t play table games; only play games that contribute 100%. 

If you want to play table games with your bonus, please feel free to do so – but don’t expect to win.

FAQ

In most cases, no. You can only use free spins on slot games. Bonus credits, on the other hand, may be eligible on more games but different game weightings will apply.

To find out which games you can play with a bonus, please consult its eligible games list.

Principally, the best odds come from table games like blackjack and roulette – though only when played optimally.

By fulfilling the wagering requirements. This rule asserts how much you have to wager before you can withdraw your bonus winnings.

For example, if you get a R15 bonus with 30x wagering requirements, you’d have to bet a sum total of (R15 x 30) R450 before attempting to cash out.

Published on: 2023/01/25

Our Expert

Hi, I'm Michael. As the Senior Writer here at BangBonus777, I write objective reviews and articles to ensure you get the best possible gaming experience. Here at BangBonus777, we're constantly looking out for you by recommending the best gambling practices, casinos and bonuses!