When a bonus carries a wagering requirement, the headline number is only half the story. The other half is the contribution table, which says how much of each stake actually counts towards clearing it. This piece explains the idea with invented figures. It is meant for adults only and is general information, not a description of any one offer.
What a contribution percentage means
Say a bonus needs £300 of qualifying bets. If slots count at 100 per cent, a £1 spin moves you £1 closer. If a table game counts at 10 per cent, a £1 hand moves you just 10p closer. To finish the same £300 on that game you would need to stake £3,000.
That is the reason a bonus can look easy on paper and still take ages in practice.
Typical patterns you will see
Terms differ, so always read your own, but the shape is usually similar:
- Slots often count in full, though some individual titles are excluded. - Roulette, blackjack and other table games tend to count at a reduced rate. - Live dealer games are frequently reduced further or left out. - Jackpot slots and certain bonus-buy features may be excluded entirely.
A worked example
Imagine a £20 bonus with a 20x requirement, giving a £400 target. You split your play: £200 of stakes on a fully weighted slot, then £200 on a game counting at 20 per cent.
- Slot: £200 x 100% = £200 progress - Other game: £200 x 20% = £40 progress - Total: £240 of £400
You are still £160 short despite staking the full £400. Had everything gone through the weighted slot, you would be done.
Watching for maximum stake rules
Contribution is only one condition. Many terms also cap the bet size while a bonus is active. Going over the cap can void winnings, so check the limit before raising the stake to speed things up.
Where to find the figures
At Luckywave Casino, as with most operators, the weighting list sits within the bonus terms or the promotions help section. Take a screenshot of it before you accept an offer, so you have the wording to hand if something looks wrong later.
A quick routine
Before opting in, note the target, the game weightings, the maximum bet and the expiry. Work out roughly how many spins that implies. If the total looks unrealistic for your budget, skipping the offer is a perfectly reasonable choice.