Clarity before commitmentThe WhichBet knowledge base
A little less jargon.
A lot more clarity.
Practical explanations of odds, free bets and wagering requirements. Start with the question you came here to answer.
Educational examples only · Updated 2 October 2026 · 18+
01 / Wagering requirements
A wagering requirement describes how much qualifying betting must take place before a bonus or related winnings can be withdrawn. The multiplier is only part of the calculation: you also need to know what amount it applies to.
A £10 bonus with a 10× requirement on the bonus means £100 in qualifying wagers. If the same multiplier applied to a £10 deposit plus a £10 bonus, the figure would be £200.
Turnover is the total amount staked, not the amount you will lose or win. You can lose your balance before reaching the required turnover. Completing a requirement does not guarantee a withdrawable profit.
Read these conditions together
- The base amount: bonus only, deposit plus bonus, or another amount?
- Eligible bets: which markets, odds or games contribute?
- Contribution rate: does the full stake count, or only part of it?
- Stake restrictions: is there a maximum qualifying bet?
- Deadline: when does the bonus or requirement expire?
- Withdrawal rules: does withdrawing cancel the bonus?
If a £10 stake contributes at 50%, only £5 counts toward a wagering requirement. Always read the actual promotion’s terms; these examples do not describe a specific bookmaker.
02 / “Free bet” does not mean cash
A free bet is usually a restricted betting credit. It may require a real-money qualifying bet first, and that qualifying bet can lose. Eligibility rules, minimum odds, excluded markets and expiry dates can all apply.
Is the free-bet stake returned?
With a stake-not-returned free bet, the promotional stake is excluded from a winning payout. For example, a £10 free bet at decimal odds of 3.00 would produce £20 in winnings if it wins, assuming the terms allow this. A £10 cash bet at the same odds returns £30 in total, including the £10 cash stake.
Check before opting in: the required spend, how the bonus is issued, whether the stake is returned, when it expires and whether winnings have further conditions.
What happens to void bets or cash-outs?
A void bet or a bet settled through cash-out may not qualify. The treatment of promotional stakes also varies. Check the rules for the specific offer rather than assuming a refunded stake or early settlement meets the conditions.
03 / Understanding odds
Decimal odds include the original cash stake in the potential total return. A winning £10 cash bet at 2.50 returns £25: the £10 stake plus £15 profit. If it loses, the £10 stake is lost.
Fractional odds of 3/2 mean £3 of potential profit for each £2 staked. To convert fractional odds to decimal, divide the first number by the second and add one: 3 ÷ 2 + 1 = 2.50.
Try the numbers
Cash-bet return calculator
For one standard cash bet at decimal odds. Excludes free bets, taxes, fees, each-way bets and special settlement rules.
If it wins: £15.00 profit plus your £10.00 stake. If it loses: £10.00 lost.
Potential return is not a prediction. Changing the stake does not improve the chance of winning.
Implied probability is not a prediction
Divide 1 by decimal odds to get the implied probability. Odds of 2.50 imply 40%. That is a price-based calculation, not evidence that an outcome has a true 40% chance. Bookmaker margins and other factors affect prices.
04 / Deposits and withdrawals
Before depositing, read the operator’s identity-check requirements, accepted payment methods, processing times and withdrawal conditions. A quoted processing time may not include bank or payment-provider delays.
Confirm whether your chosen payment method is eligible for an offer. If the terms are unclear, ask the operator before depositing. Keep a copy of the offer and the terms you relied on.
Keep the decision in perspective
Understanding the maths does not make gambling a source of income. Only consider money you can afford to lose, never borrow to gamble, and stop if you feel pressure to recover losses.