Bonus EV Calculator
Quick Answer
How Rollover EV Works
A rollover requirement forces you to wager your bonus a set number of times before cashing out. Every wager is subject to the house edge, so the casino extracts a percentage of your bonus back. The formula is simple: expected loss equals total wagered times house edge. Real bonus value equals the bonus amount minus that expected loss.
Contribution percentages add complexity. If blackjack contributes only 10% to rollover, a $3,500 wagering requirement becomes $35,000 in blackjack bets. Even at 0.5% house edge, that costs $175 in expected losses on a $100 bonus. The contribution weighting can make low-edge games worse than slots for clearing bonuses.
The break-even edge shown in results is the maximum house edge at which the bonus remains positive expected value. If your preferred game exceeds this threshold, skip the bonus.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you calculate the expected value of a casino bonus?
EV = Bonus Amount minus (Bonus x Rollover Multiplier x Contribution% x House Edge%). A $100 bonus with 35x rollover, 100% contribution, and 1% house edge: $100 - ($100 x 35 x 1.00 x 0.01) = $100 - $35 = +$65 EV. The same bonus on 4% slots: $100 - ($100 x 35 x 1.00 x 0.04) = $100 - $140 = -$40 EV.
What is a rollover requirement?
A rollover (or wagering requirement) is the number of times you must bet the bonus amount before withdrawing. A 35x rollover on a $100 bonus means you must bet $3,500 total. The game you choose determines how much of that $3,500 is eaten by the house edge before you can cash out.
Which game gives the best bonus EV?
Crash and dice at 1% house edge with 100% rollover contribution give the best bonus EV. Clearing a 35x bonus on crash costs only 35% of the bonus in expected losses, leaving 65% in real value. Slots at 4-6% house edge make most bonuses negative EV. Blackjack has a 0.5% edge but typically contributes only 10%, making the effective edge higher.
Do all games count 100% toward rollover?
No. Most casinos restrict which games count toward wagering. Slots usually count 100%. Blackjack and roulette often count 10-20%. Live dealer games may be completely excluded. This "contribution percentage" is critical: at 10% contribution, you need to bet 10x more on blackjack to clear the same rollover as on slots. Enter the correct contribution % for accurate EV.