Game weighting meaning: game weighting (or game contribution) is the percentage of each bet that counts toward a bonus's wagering requirement, set by game type. Slots usually count 100%, so a $1 spin clears $1. Table games and video poker often count far less, or are excluded, so the same $1 bet clears only a fraction or nothing.
Weighting sets how much of each bet counts toward wagering: 100% means full credit.
At 50% weighting, a $3,000 requirement takes $6,000 in bets.
Some casinos use a higher multiple instead, such as 60x for blackjack versus 30x for slots.
Playing an excluded game with bonus funds can void the bonus and its winnings.
Also called
Game contribution, wagering contribution
Slots
Usually 100%
Table games, video poker
Often reduced or excluded
Alternative form
Higher multiple on some games, e.g. 60x vs 30x
Where to find it
Bonus terms, often the general section
Game weighting meaning in casino bonus terms
Every bonus has a wagering requirement: a total you must bet before withdrawing. Game weighting decides how fast different games move you toward it. A slot spin at 100% counts in full. A blackjack hand at 10% counts for a tenth of its stake.
Casinos weight games because their house edge differs. Low-edge games like blackjack and video poker would let players clear bonuses cheaply, so they're discounted or barred. Our casino glossary has related terms, and the longer game weighting explained guide covers strategy limits.
Game weighting worked through in dollars
Take a $100 bonus with 30x wagering on the bonus: $3,000 must count toward the requirement. Here's how many dollars you'd actually need to bet at different weightings.
Bets needed to clear $3,000 of wagering at different weightings
The bets column is what matters for your money. At a 4% edge, $3,000 of slot betting costs about $120 on average. Video poker's reported 99.54% RTP for RTG's Jacks or Better means an edge near 0.46%, so even $6,000 at 50% weighting costs about $28 on average, but that figure assumes perfect strategy, and many casinos exclude video poker from bonuses entirely. European roulette, reported at 97.3% RTP, would cost about $810 over $30,000 at 10%.
Different multiples: game weighting in another form
Some casinos don't use percentages. They set a separate wagering multiple per game group, which works the same way. Silver Oak's offer page says 30x playthrough, but 60x on blackjack and video poker. That's equivalent to 50% weighting for those games.
Watch for conflicts. Silver Oak's terms and conditions (opens in a new tab) say 40x on slots, keno, bingo and scratch cards and 60x on table games and video poker, which doesn't match the offer page. When terms disagree, ask support which applies and save the reply.
Game weighting and exclusions at partner casinos
Published game rules for bonus play
Casino
Counts in full
Reduced or excluded
Source type
SlotoCash
Slots, Real Series slots, keno, scratch cards
Progressive jackpots, video poker, table and specialty games excluded by default
Casino's terms
Silver Oak
Slots (30x or 40x; terms conflict)
Blackjack and video poker 60x; roulette, baccarat, craps, Pai Gow, Sic Bo, live dealer and progressives excluded
Casino's terms
Planet 7
Slots at 30x on its free chip
Table and video poker 60x; baccarat, roulette and craps don't count
Third-party reviews
SlotoCash's bonus terms (opens in a new tab) warn that playing other games voids promotion winnings. Third-party reviews of Planet 7 also say Banana Jones and Fish Catch can't be played with coupon funds. Our what games count toward wagering answer covers more casinos.
How to check game weighting before you play
Open the bonus's own terms, then the casino's general bonus terms.
Search for "contribution", "weighting", "excluded" and "restricted games".
Note any game that counts less than 100%, or has a higher multiple.
Check which games are banned outright while a bonus is active.
If you prefer table games, compare the cost against playing without a bonus.
Game weighting compared: one $100 deposit at three casinos
Published weighting rules turn the same bonus into very different amounts of play. The table takes a $100 deposit and applies each casino’s own first-party terms. Miami Club’s package is a 100% match at 20x (deposit + bonus); SlotoCash’s first welcome deposit is a 200% match at 25x (deposit + bonus); Silver Oak’s offer page uses 30x on slots and 60x on blackjack and video poker. Bonus sizes here are the casinos’ own packages, not the headline offers via our links.
Bets needed on a $100 deposit, by game, from published terms
Miami Club’s terms also forbid roulette while a bonus is active. LCB lists 200x for blackjack and video poker on the same offer, which is close to what the 5% and 10% rates imply, but the casino’s own bonus terms are the figures to rely on. Miami Club’s Terms of Use (v2.1, section 1.6) list the United States as a prohibited jurisdiction, while the site owner’s affiliate program confirms US players are accepted, so confirm eligibility at sign-up.
The lesson is the same at every casino: if your game is weighted at 5% or 10%, the required betting usually costs more than the bonus is worth. Our bonus vs no bonus page and the bonus value method show how to decide.
Slot-focused offers via our links
All three casinos are offshore and not licensed by any US state, so no state regulator reviews disputes over which games counted. The casino's terms decide. Check your state's law, and read our guide to how to read casino terms before you claim.
Decode Casino: $5,000 Welcome Bonus + 50 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Decode doesn't publish game weighting or bonus terms on its site; third-party reviews report codes at 25x to 50x with $25 to $50 minimums, and say it refuses players in Maryland, New Jersey, New York and Washington. Check the terms at sign-up. See the Decode welcome bonus.
Silver Oak Casino: $2,500 Welcome Bonus + 50 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Its offer page says 30x (60x on blackjack and video poker) and no max withdrawal, while its terms say 40x on slots, so confirm which applies. Silver Oak names an Anjouan license (Primrose Media Limited), and Michigan named it on April 9, 2025. See the Silver Oak welcome bonus.
Planet 7 Casino: $2,750 Welcome Bonus + 45 Free Spins, via our link (new players, 21+ or 18+ where allowed, terms apply). Third-party reviews report a 200% welcome match at 30x (bonus + deposit) on slots with a $1,000 max cashout; the casino's own current terms weren't verified. Michigan named Planet 7 on April 9, 2025. See the Planet 7 welcome bonus.
These bonuses are slot-focused; table games are often excluded or weighted lower. Losses are the likely result over time. Help: 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).
Ad21+ (18+ where allowed). Ranked by us in a commercial order; we earn commission from these links. Advertiser disclosure
These casinos are offshore and none is licensed by a US state; check your state's law. 21+ (18+ where allowed), terms apply.
Published terms (reported): Decode advertises a $111 free chip and crypto bonuses on its own site; deposit-bonus codes and terms vary. Eligible games: Mainly slots; check each code.
Who runs it: License not shown on its site; third parties report Curaçao. Regulator notes: Third parties report it refuses players in MD, NJ, NY and WA.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $25 (reported). Wagering Varies by code (25x–35x reported). Max cashout: Varies by code. Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Silver Oak Casino#4 on our listBonus on 10 deposits
Published terms (casino terms): Silver Oak advertises a 100% match on each of its first ten deposits (up to $10,000 in total) with codes SILVEROAK1–10. Eligible games: Slots, keno, scratch cards (table games at 60x; many games excluded).
Who runs it: Primrose Media Limited, licensed in Anjouan (its terms). Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, April 9, 2025.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30. Wagering 30x on the offer page; 40x in the terms. Max cashout: None stated. Withdrawal cap From $2,500 / week. Terms source: casino terms. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
Planet 7 Casino#5 on our listRealTime Gaming slots
Published terms (reported): Third-party reviews report a 200% match with code WELCOME200; the casino site could not be checked directly. Eligible games: Slots (reported).
Who runs it: License not shown; third parties report Costa Rica or none. Regulator notes: Named in a Michigan Gaming Control Board cease-and-desist release, April 9, 2025.
21+ (18+ where allowed). New players. Min deposit $30 (reported). Wagering 30x deposit + bonus (reported). Max cashout: $1,000 (reported). Withdrawal cap $2,500 / week (reported). Terms source: reported. Terms apply. Offer checked October 28, 2026.
These casinos are offshore operators. They are not licensed or regulated by any US state, and state consumer protections do not apply. Check the law in your state before you play. Terms marked “reported” come from third-party reviews; the terms shown at sign-up apply.
21+ (18+ where allowed). Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: responsible gambling tools and free help. Gambling problem? Call or text 1-800-MY-RESET (1-800-697-3738).
Frequently asked questions
What does game weighting mean in a casino bonus?
It means each game type counts toward the wagering requirement at a set percentage. Slots usually count 100%, while table games and video poker may count 10% to 50% or not at all. A lower weighting means you must bet more to clear the bonus. Our bonus game weighting page lists common rates.
Why do slots count 100% toward wagering?
Because their house edge is usually higher than most table games, so the casino expects to keep more of each dollar bet. A typical slot with 96% RTP keeps about 4 cents per dollar on average, enough to fund the bonus. Low-edge games are discounted for the opposite reason. See our how slot RTP works guide.
Does blackjack count toward wagering requirements?
Often only partly, and sometimes not at all. Some casinos count it at 10% to 20%; others, like Silver Oak, set 60x for blackjack instead of 30x for slots. Many exclude it entirely, and playing it with bonus funds can void winnings. Our table games bonus page covers what to look for.
What happens if I play an excluded game with a bonus?
The casino can cancel the bonus and any winnings made while it was active. SlotoCash's terms, for example, say playing games outside the eligible list voids promotion winnings. Bets on excluded games also don't count toward wagering. Check the restricted list first, and see why was my bonus removed.
Is game weighting the same as RTP?
No. RTP is how much a game returns to players over time, while game weighting is a bonus rule set by the casino. They're related, because casinos give lower weighting to games with higher RTP, but weighting doesn't change a game's odds. Read our RTP meaning entry for the difference.
How do I calculate wagering with game weighting?
Divide the wagering requirement by the game's weighting. A $3,000 requirement at 100% needs $3,000 in bets; at 20% it needs $15,000. Then multiply the bets by the game's house edge to estimate the average cost. Our guide to the expected value of a bonus walks through the full sum.
Does video poker count toward wagering requirements?
Video poker usually counts only partly toward wagering, and at some casinos not at all. SlotoCash’s terms exclude it by default, Miami Club’s bonus terms count it at 10%, and Silver Oak’s offer page sets 60x for video poker against 30x for slots. Third-party reviews report the same 60x on Planet 7’s free chip. At 10%, every $1 hand clears just 10 cents, so a $4,000 requirement takes $40,000 in bets. Casinos discount it because returns like 99.54% on Jacks or Better leave little edge. See our video poker bonus page and full pay entry.
Does roulette count toward casino bonus wagering?
Roulette rarely counts toward bonus wagering, and it’s often banned outright while a bonus is active. Miami Club’s bonus terms forbid roulette with an active bonus, Silver Oak’s terms exclude it, and a third-party review says roulette doesn’t count toward Planet 7’s free chip. Spinning the wheel with bonus funds can void the bonus and any winnings, not just fail to count. If roulette is your game, playing without a bonus is often simpler. Our European roulette entry covers the game’s cost, and best roulette casinos compares options.
Do progressive jackpot slots count toward wagering?
Often not: progressive jackpot slots are commonly excluded from bonus wagering even when regular slots count 100%. SlotoCash’s welcome terms include slots and Real Series video slots but leave out progressive jackpot slots, and Silver Oak’s terms exclude progressives too. Bets on an excluded jackpot game won’t reduce your requirement and may put bonus winnings at risk. Check the restricted list before you chase a jackpot with bonus money. Read our progressive jackpot entry and the best progressive jackpot casinos list.
Does keno count 100% toward wagering?
At several partner casinos, yes, keno counts in full toward bonus wagering, alongside slots and scratch cards. SlotoCash’s welcome terms list keno and scratch cards among eligible games, and Miami Club’s bonus terms weight keno, scratch cards and regular slots at 100%. Silver Oak’s terms group keno, bingo and scratch cards with slots at 40x. RTG doesn’t publish a return figure for its keno, so you can’t price that wagering in advance the way you can with a listed slot RTP. Our how to play keno guide and best keno casinos page explain the costs.
Do live dealer games count toward bonus wagering?
Live dealer games usually don’t count toward bonus wagering. Silver Oak’s terms list live dealer among games excluded from bonus play, alongside roulette, baccarat and craps. Many RTG-based casinos don’t run a live dealer section at all; LCB reports none at Silver Oak or Planet 7, and Decode has none. Where live tables exist, expect them to be excluded or heavily discounted, and check before using bonus funds. Our live dealer entry and do RTG casinos have live dealer answer cover what’s offered.
Can I use a casino bonus on blackjack in Ohio?
No state-licensed online casino operates in Ohio, so there’s no Ohio-regulated bonus to use on blackjack. The Ohio Casino Control Commission oversees the state’s four casinos and its online sports betting, which launched January 1, 2023, while an iGaming bill, HB 298, remains stalled. The commission says illegal sites offer “no consumer protections”. At offshore casinos, blackjack is often weighted at 5% or set at 60x. Third-party reports also say some offshore brands refuse Ohio players. See our Ohio guide and best bonus for blackjack.
Where do I find a casino’s game weighting rules?
Game weighting is usually in the casino’s general bonus terms, not on the promotion banner. Look for words such as “contribution”, “weighting”, “restricted games” or a table of percentages, and read both the offer’s own terms and the general section, since they can conflict. Silver Oak’s offer page and full terms give different slot multiples, for example. Some casinos, such as Decode, don’t publish weighting on their site at all, so ask support and save the reply. Our how to read casino terms guide and bonus terms red flags page help.
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