A rollover requirement (sometimes called a wagering requirement) is how many times a bonus must be staked before any winnings from it can be withdrawn. It is the single most important term on a welcome offer, and it is rarely in the headline.
How to calculate it
If an operator gives you a R100 bonus with a 5x rollover, you must place R500 in qualifying bets before the bonus or its winnings become withdrawable. The calculation is bonus amount multiplied by the rollover figure.
Some operators apply the rollover to the deposit and the bonus. A R100 deposit plus a R100 bonus at 5x would then require R1,000 in bets, not R500. The wording matters, and it differs between operators.
Minimum odds
Most offers only count bets above a minimum odds threshold — commonly around 1.50 to 2.00. Bets placed below that threshold do not contribute to the rollover, even though the money is at risk. This is the term that most often catches people out.
Expiry
Rollover must usually be completed within a set window, often 7 to 30 days. Unmet rollover at expiry generally means the bonus and any winnings from it are forfeited.
What to compare
A smaller bonus with 3x rollover and no minimum odds can be worth considerably more than a large bonus at 10x with a 2.00 minimum. Compare the terms, not the headline figure.