19+ only. Stake is not available in Ontario, the UK, the US, Australia and other countries. Full list.
Expected value of a bonus = B − B × R × h, where B is the bonus, R the rollover multiple and h the house edge of the game you must wager it on.
$100 bonus, 40x rollover, played on a 96% slot (h = 4%): you must wager $4,000, the house expects to take $160 of it, so the bonus is worth $100 − $160 = −$60.
Same $100 at 40x on Stake Originals (h = 1%), if the terms allowed it: $4,000 wagered, $40 expected loss, worth +$60. That is why bonus terms almost always exclude or heavily weight low-edge games.
Break-even rollover = 1 ÷ h: 25x at 4%, 100x at 1%, about 170x at 0.6% blackjack.
Two further catches. Rollover often applies to deposit plus bonus, which doubles the required wagering. And a maximum bet rule during rollover means you cannot shortcut with a few big bets, so the full expected loss is paid.
Rakeback = wager × house edge × 3.5%. $4,000 on a 4% slot returns $5.60. $4,000 on a 1% Original returns $1.40. Over a year of $50,000 a month on slots it is $840. It never requires anything, never expires, and it is paid whether the bets won or lost.
| $100 bonus at 40x, slots | Rakeback, slots | |
|---|---|---|
| Wagering required | $4,000 (forced) | None (you choose) |
| Expected house take on that wagering | $160 | $160 (same bets) |
| What you get back | $100 | $5.60 |
| Net expected value of the perk | −$60 | +$5.60 |
| Can you withdraw mid-way? | No, until rollover is done | Yes, any time |
The bonus gives back more in absolute dollars but forces you to buy it with $160 of expected loss you may not have chosen to incur. Rakeback gives back less but costs nothing extra. If you were going to wager $4,000 on slots anyway, take both where the terms allow. If you were not, the bonus is the thing that talked you into it, which is its job.
The bonus rollover calculator runs the formula for any bonus, rollover and game, and shows the rakeback on the same play next to it.
"Rakeback beats every bonus" is true for the typical 30x to 50x slot bonus and false for a low-rollover reload or a genuine no-strings drop. Run the number; the number decides.
Only if rollover × house edge is below 1. A $100 bonus at 40x on a 4% slot requires $4,000 of wagering with $160 expected house take, so it is worth about −$60.
Wager × house edge × 3.5%, credited on every casino bet whether it wins or loses, claimable any time from the VIP page.
1 divided by the house edge: about 25x on a 4% slot, 100x on a 1% Stake Original, roughly 170x on low-edge blackjack.
Usually not until the rollover is complete, which is the main practical difference from rakeback, which is cash you can claim at any time.
Sign up to Stake with code CANDB and rakeback can be switched on from day one instead of waiting for Bronze: message Stake support with the affiliate username after you register. The code costs you nothing and it is how this site gets paid.
Sign up with CANDB Rules and giveaway terms
19+ (18+ in AB, MB, QC). Not for Ontario, the UK, the US, Australia or any restricted country. Gambling has a house edge; set a number before you deposit and stop at it.