Every crypto casino advertises a big welcome bonus: 200% up to $1,000, 300% up to $20,000, 5 BTC over four deposits. The headline number grabs your attention. The wagering requirement determines whether the bonus actually has value.
This calculator does the math that most players skip. Input the bonus amount, the wagering requirement, and the RTP of the games you plan to play. The tool outputs the expected value in dollars: the average amount you'll win or lose after clearing the wagering. A positive number means the bonus is worth taking. A negative number means you'll lose money on average.
Most casino bonuses are negative EV. That doesn't make them worthless if you're going to play anyway (the bonus extends your bankroll), but it means treating bonuses as "free money" is mathematically wrong. This tool helps you make informed decisions about which bonuses to take and which to skip.
For a deeper explanation of the math, read our guide to casino bonus EV calculations.
EV Calculator Tool
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How to Use the EV Calculator
- Enter the bonus amount in dollars. If the casino offers 200% up to $1,000 and you deposit $500, your bonus is $1,000.
- Enter the wagering requirement as a multiplier. "40x" means you must wager 40 times the bonus amount before withdrawing.
- Set the game RTP. The default is 0.97 (97%) which represents average slots. Blackjack is ~0.995, video poker ~0.995, roulette ~0.973. Check if your bonus restricts which games count toward wagering.
- Read the result. A positive EV means the bonus produces an average profit. A negative EV means you'll lose money on average clearing the wagering.
Example Calculations
Stake: 200% up to $1,000, 40x wagering
Deposit $500, get $1,000 bonus. Total wager required: $1,000 x 40 = $40,000. At 97% RTP, expected loss: $40,000 x 0.03 = $1,200. EV = $1,000 - $1,200 = -$200. This bonus costs you $200 on average.
Shuffle: 100% up to $1,000, 35x wagering
Deposit $1,000, get $1,000 bonus. Total wager: $1,000 x 35 = $35,000. Expected loss: $35,000 x 0.03 = $1,050. EV = $1,000 - $1,050 = -$50. Much better than Stake's bonus despite a smaller percentage.
Cloudbet: 100% up to 5 BTC, 25x wagering
Deposit 1 BTC, get 1 BTC bonus. Total wager: 1 BTC x 25 = 25 BTC. Expected loss: 25 BTC x 0.03 = 0.75 BTC. EV = 1 BTC - 0.75 BTC = +0.25 BTC. Positive EV at 25x wagering on standard slots.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is expected value (EV) in casino bonuses?
Expected value is the average amount you can expect to win or lose from a bonus over the long run. It accounts for the bonus amount, wagering requirement, and the return-to-player (RTP) of the games you play. A positive EV means the bonus is worth taking; negative EV means you'll lose money on average.
How is bonus EV calculated?
EV = Bonus Amount - (Bonus Amount × Wagering Requirement × House Edge). For example, a $100 bonus with 40x wagering on 97% RTP slots: EV = $100 - ($100 × 40 × 0.03) = -$20. The house edge is 1 minus the RTP (for 97% RTP, the edge is 3% or 0.03).
What wagering requirement makes a bonus positive EV?
For standard slots with 97% RTP, the break-even wagering requirement is approximately 33x. Any wagering below 33x produces a positive EV. At 40x (the industry standard), the bonus is negative EV. Lower wagering requirements are always better, and bonuses below 20x are rare but genuinely valuable.
Does game RTP affect bonus EV?
Significantly. A 1% difference in RTP changes the expected loss dramatically when multiplied by a 40x wagering requirement. Playing 99% RTP blackjack instead of 97% RTP slots on a $100 bonus with 40x wagering improves EV from -$20 to +$60. Always check bonus terms for game weighting restrictions.
Are casino bonuses worth taking?
Most casino bonuses are negative EV, meaning you'll lose money on average. They're worth taking if you were going to play anyway (they extend your bankroll) or if the wagering requirement is low enough to produce positive EV. Use this calculator to check before depositing.
What is game weighting in wagering requirements?
Casinos often weight games differently toward wagering. Slots typically count 100%, but blackjack might count only 10%. If blackjack counts 10%, you'd need to bet 10x more on blackjack to clear the same wagering. This can negate the RTP advantage of table games. Always check the bonus terms.
Is this calculator free?
Yes, completely free with no signup required. All calculations happen instantly in your browser. No data is sent to any server.
What is the typical wagering requirement for crypto casino bonuses?
The industry standard is 35-45x for welcome bonuses. Anything below 30x is considered good. Requirements above 50x make bonuses very difficult to clear profitably. Some casinos like Shuffle offer 30-35x, while others like BC.Game go as high as 60x.