Bonus tools
Bonus value calculator
A bonus is only as good as the terms attached to it. Enter the numbers from the offer and see how much you would really have to wager — and what the bonus is worth once you have.
Expected valueis the bonus you receive minus the expected cost of grinding through the required turnover at the game's house edge (bonus − turnover × edge). A positive figure means the offer is worth taking on average; a negative figure means the wagering will, on average, cost you more than the bonus is worth. Many casinos apply wagering to the bonus only; some to deposit + bonus — switch the selector to match the terms. Illustration only — 18+, gamble responsibly.
How the calculation works
Two figures do all the work. The first is the total turnover the operator requires: the wagering base — the bonus alone, or the deposit plus the bonus, depending on the terms — multiplied by the wagering requirement. The second is what that turnover costs you, which is the turnover multiplied by the house edge of whatever you play.
Subtract the second from the bonus and you have the expected value: bonus − (turnover × edge). It is an average over many repetitions, not a prediction of your session — you may finish well ahead or well behind. What it tells you reliably is whether the offer is structurally in your favour before variance is considered.
Where the estimate is optimistic
- It assumes full game weighting. Clearing on table games can multiply the real turnover several times over.
- It ignores caps on how much of a bonus win can be withdrawn, which can cut the upside sharply.
- It ignores expiry windows, which can make a requirement impossible to clear at a sane stake.
- It ignores max-bet rules, breaching which can void the bonus entirely.
All four are defined in the glossary, and all four are worth reading in the operator’s terms before you opt in.
Questions
What does “expected value” mean here?
It is the bonus you receive minus the expected cost of betting through the wagering requirement at your chosen house edge. If a $100 bonus requires $3,500 of turnover on games with a 3% edge, that turnover costs about $105 in expectation — so the offer's expected value is around minus $5, and taking it is expected to lose you money rather than make you money.
Does it account for game weighting?
No, and this matters. The calculator assumes every unit wagered counts fully toward the requirement. Many operators count table games at 10% or less, which multiplies the real turnover needed. If you plan to clear a bonus on anything other than full-weighted slots, treat the result here as the best case.
Should I always take the biggest bonus?
No — and this calculator exists largely to show why. A smaller offer with a low multiple frequently has a higher expected value than a headline-grabbing match with steep wagering. Compare the expected value figure, not the percentage on the banner.
Why can the expected value be negative?
Because many bonuses are, in expectation, worse than not taking one. The house edge applies to every bet you place to clear the requirement, and once the required turnover is large enough, its expected cost exceeds the bonus. A negative figure is the calculator telling you the offer is a cost rather than a gift.
An estimate, not advice.18+ only. This tool illustrates the mathematics of bonus terms. It cannot change the house edge, does not predict your results, and is not a recommendation to accept any offer.