Game weighting, game by game
In short
- Game weighting (or contribution) is the share of each bet that counts toward wagering.
- Slots usually count 100%; table games often 10% or less; live casino is often excluded.
- Lower weighting multiplies the bets you need: at 10%, a bonus takes ten times the betting.
- Some slots count less, or nothing, and playing them can void the bonus.
Two bets of the same size can do very different work for a bonus. On one game the whole bet counts toward wagering. On another, only a fraction counts, or none at all. That share is called game weighting or contribution, and it can matter as much as the wagering multiple itself.
How weighting works
Each game type gets a percentage in the bonus terms. Multiply your bet by it to see how much of the requirement it clears.
| Bet | Game weighting | Counts toward wagering |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | 100% | 10 |
| 10 | 50% | 5 |
| 10 | 10% | 1 |
| 10 | 0% | 0 |
The effect on a full bonus is stark. Take a requirement of 2,000 in bets:
- At 100%, you need 2,000 in bets.
- At 50%, you need 4,000.
- At 10%, you need 20,000.
- At 2%, you need 100,000.
The wagering requirements guide explains where the 2,000 comes from; weighting decides how much real betting it takes.
Typical rates by game type
Every casino sets its own table, but the pattern is consistent across the terms pages we read:
| Game type | Common weighting |
|---|---|
| Most video slots | 100% |
| Some studios’ slots, re-spin and hold-and-win slots | 10% to 50% |
| Progressive jackpot slots | 0% |
| Keno and scratch cards | 100%, or as low as 2% |
| Roulette | 0% to 10% |
| Blackjack | 0% to 10%, sometimes lower for classic versions |
| Video poker | 0% to 10% |
| Baccarat, craps, sic bo | Often 0% |
| Live casino | Often 0% or excluded |
Rates of 2% and 8% for table games are common. Some casinos skip the percentages and simply exclude everything except slots.
Why casinos weight games
Weighting follows the house edge. A typical slot keeps a few percent of every bet on average. Blackjack played with good strategy keeps far less, and some even-money bets on baccarat or roulette sit near the low end too. If those games counted in full, a patient player could clear a bonus while losing very little. Lower weighting puts the casino’s expected cost back where it wants it.
Our guide to RTP and volatility covers the edge on each game type in more detail.
Slots that count less
Do not assume every slot counts 100%. Terms commonly reduce or remove:
- Jackpot slots, because a single win can dwarf the bonus.
- High-RTP slots, where the return is close to break-even.
- Games from certain studios, sometimes at half weighting.
- Re-spin, hold-and-win or bonus-buy features, sometimes at a low rate.
The list sits in the bonus terms, often as an attachment or a long paragraph. If your favourite slot is on it, the bonus is worth less to you.
Excluded is not the same as low
A game with low weighting still counts a little. An excluded game is different: playing it with bonus money may break the terms. Some casinos block excluded games while a bonus is active. Others let you play and then void winnings when you try to withdraw. Treat “excluded” as “do not touch until the bonus is finished”.
Mixing games
You can usually spread wagering across several games. Each bet counts at its own rate, and the progress adds up. A session of slots with a few hands of blackjack is fine, as long as both are allowed. Just keep in mind that the table game hands clear almost nothing, and that the max bet rule still applies to every one of them.
What it means for choosing a bonus
- Slot players can take most match bonuses at face value, after checking the excluded list.
- Table and live game players get little from wagered bonuses. A cashback offer or a wager-free bonus almost always fits them better.
- Anyone should check that the games they actually play count before depositing.
Weighting also interacts with the deadline. A requirement that looks easy on slots can become impossible in the time allowed if most of your play is on a game weighted at 10%. Work out the real betting needed for the games you will use, then check it against the days you have.
When the terms don’t fit your games, decline the bonus. Playing with your own deposit carries no weighting at all.
Questions players ask
What does 10% game weighting mean?
Only a tenth of each bet counts toward wagering. A bet of 10 on a game weighted at 10% clears 1 of the requirement, so you need ten times as much betting as on a slot weighted at 100%.
Why do table games count less toward wagering?
Because their house edge is lower. Blackjack played well and some roulette and baccarat bets return more on average than most slots, so casinos reduce how much they count to keep the bonus maths in their favour.
Can a slot count 0% toward wagering?
Yes. Progressive jackpots and some high-RTP or high-volatility slots are often excluded, and some studios' games count at a reduced rate. The bonus terms list them.
What happens if I play an excluded game with a bonus?
At best the bets don't count. At many casinos playing an excluded game while the bonus is active is a breach of the terms, and winnings can be voided.