What is rollover?
Rollover (or wagering requirement) is the number of times you have to bet an amount before you can withdraw it. If you get a $100 bonus with 5x rollover, you have to bet $500 in total before withdrawing. It is not "losing $500": it is betting $500 (you can win or lose). But until you complete the rollover, you can't cash out the balance.
Rollover on the bonus vs on deposit + bonus
Two important modes: rollover on the bonus only ($100 bonus × 5 = $500 to bet) or rollover on deposit + bonus ($100 deposit + $100 bonus = $200 × 5 = $1000 to bet). The second is much harder. Before accepting, check which mode the bookmaker uses: the difference is huge.
Which odds count towards the rollover
Most bookmakers require minimum odds of 1.50 or 1.70. Bets at lower odds (1.30, 1.40) do NOT count towards clearing the bonus. This forces you to take on more risk than you normally would. Some bookmakers also exclude certain markets (small parlays, systems) or certain sports.
How to work out how long it will take
If you plan to bet $100 on average per pick and the total rollover is $500, you need 5 bets. If you bet 1 pick a day, that's 5 days. If you want to clear it fast you can stake higher but with more risk. The pragmatic rule: never bet more than 5% of your balance + bonus per pick, even if it takes longer.
What happens if I don't clear the rollover in time?
Almost all bonuses have a time limit (30, 60 or 90 days). If you don't clear the rollover in time, you lose the bonus and all the winnings generated with it. That really is losing cash. That's why it pays to calculate first: if you can't clear the rollover in time, don't accept the bonus. Better a smaller, achievable bonus than a giant, impossible one.
Legal tricks to clear the rollover
Bet at odds of 1.70-2.00: as close to the minimum as possible (less risk). Use small parlays (2-3 picks at odds of 1.50-1.70) — they double your volume with controlled risk. Keep a record: with a spreadsheet you can see how much you have left. Don't burn your bankroll chasing the rollover with poorly thought-out bets.
🧮 Work out if the bonus is worth it
Before accepting a bonus, calculate the real rollover. In the /bonos HUB we break it down match by match for you.
See the analysis →