Betting Rollover: What You Need to Know

Today, we’re going to answer the question ‘What is rollover in betting?’ We’ll tell you what it is, how to spot it and how to make sure you fulfil it in order to get the most out of your sports betting bonuses.

Ready to find out more? Let’s get down to business. 

What is Rollover in Sports Betting? 

If you've ever bet with online gambling sites before, chances are you've heard of a rollover. Also known as a ‘wagering’ or ‘playthrough’ requirement, a rollover is a stipulation attached to almost every bonus you'll come across.

Simply put, the rollover requirement is the number of times you must wager a specified amount of money or winnings before you can cash out successfully using a bonus.

Wagering requirements do not apply to your real money balance, but you must understand the wagering requirement on a bonus to use it correctly. You’ll find the rollover requirement in the terms and conditions of an online sports betting bonus, usually a number marked with a small x.

For example, let's say you find a free bet offer at a popular gambling website. In the terms and conditions, you see that any winnings from your free bet are subject to a ‘10x’ rollover. This means that you must now bet the amount of winnings you received from the bonus ten times over before you can cash out successfully.

Failure to complete rollover requirements, as well as any other terms and conditions attached to the bonus, may result in you losing your winnings. 

Why Do Sportsbooks Have Rollover Requirements? 

There are multiple reasons why bookmaker websites put rollover requirements on their bonuses. Let's take a look at some of these reasons in a little more detail.

Encouraging bettor engagement 

By requiring punters to roll over their bonus funds, the sports book encourages you to bet on more events, matches and markets.

This can be an incredibly fun experience, especially if the wagering requirement isn't too high. It’s a great way to discover new sports and tournaments that you may not have seen before, and it's a good incentive to explore the sportsbook in more depth.

Protecting the bookmaker from bonus abuse

Unfortunately, there are some people out there who are looking to abuse bonuses. By employing wagering requirements, online betting platforms can prevent bonus abuse whereby people claim the bonus and then immediately try to withdraw the amount and/or winnings gained from things like free bets. 

Risk management 

Quite frankly, a sportsbook cannot afford to give out bonuses where bettors could win too much for nothing. Things like free bets always come with rollover requirements, otherwise the betting platforms would start to haemorrhage profits and go out of business pretty quickly! 

How to Calculate Rollover?

The good news is, calculating rollover requirements is a super easy process that involves multiplying the deposit and/or bonus amount by the specified rollover multiple.

Here are two examples of what is a rollover in betting:

●    If the rollover is on the deposit + bonus: For a $100 deposit with a $100 bonus and a 5x rollover: ($100 + $100) x 5 = $1,000

●    If the rollover is on the bonus only: For a $100 bonus with a 5x rollover: $100 x 5 = $500.

These totals represent the amount you need to wager before you can withdraw any bonus funds and/or winnings.

Tips for Managing and Completing Rollover Requirements

●    Read the T&Cs: Before accepting a bonus, carefully read the terms and conditions to understand the rollover requirements, eligible games, and any other restriction

●    Bet strategically: Focus on bets with lower house edges and higher winning probabilities to maximise your chances of meeting the rollover requirement without annulling your bonus

●    Track your progress: Keep a record of your wagers to monitor how close you are to meeting the rollover requirement. Many wagering sites also provide tools to help you do this

●    Avoid high-risk bets: While these bets can offer larger payouts, they also come with a greater chance of loss. Stick to safer bets to manage your bankroll effectively

●    Check eligible games: Ensure the bets you place count towards the rollover requirement. Some sportsbooks exclude certain games or bet types from contributing to the rollover.