Bonus Value Comparator
Headline percentages lie — compare real value
A “200% bonus” with 45× wagering is often worth less than a “100%” with 35×. This tool prices both in real money: it turns the wagering requirement into the amount the house expects to take from you while you clear it, then subtracts that from the bonus. What is left is the offer’s actual value.
Offer A
Best value- Bonus received
- $100
- Total to wager
- $3,500
- Expected cost to clear
- −$140
Real value
-$40
Real value vs bonus: -40%
Offer B
- Bonus received
- $200
- Total to wager
- $9,000
- Expected cost to clear
- −$360
Real value
-$160
Real value vs bonus: -80%
Verdict
Offer A — is better by $120
Real value = bonus − (total wagering × house edge). It is an expected value: a single session can land far above or below it, but over many bonuses this is what you actually keep.
Estimates based on the numbers you enter. Always read the terms: max bet while wagering, game restrictions, expiry dates and maximum cash-out can all reduce an offer’s value further. 18+ — a bonus with negative real value is a cost, not a gift.
How it works
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Enter both offers: deposit, bonus percentage, cap, wagering multiplier and what it applies to.
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Set the contribution and house edge of the game you would clear it on.
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Read the real value of each offer and the verdict on which one wins.
About this tool
The size of a bonus tells you almost nothing about its worth. What matters is how much you must wager to release it, and how much the house expects to take from you along the way. A 200% match locked behind 45× wagering can easily be worth less than a modest 100% at 35× — and no headline on a casino homepage will tell you that.
This comparator does the arithmetic properly: bonus received, total wagering required once game contribution is factored in, expected cost of that wagering at the house edge you choose, and finally the real value left over. It is an expected value, not a promise — but across many bonuses it is exactly what you keep. 18+, play responsibly.
Frequently asked questions
Why can a bigger bonus percentage be worth less?
Because the wagering requirement scales with the bonus. A 200% match on a 100 deposit gives you 200 in bonus, but at 45× that is 9,000 of wagering — and on a 4% edge game the house expects to take 360 from you along the way. The smaller 100% at 35× costs far less to clear.
What house edge should I enter?
Use the game you actually plan to clear on. Most slots sit between 3% and 6% (a 96% RTP slot has a 4% edge). Stake originals are around 1%. Live blackjack played well is under 1%, but many bonuses exclude it or count it at 10%.
Does a positive real value mean the bonus is free money?
No — it means the bonus is worth more than it costs you on average. Any single attempt can still end badly; expected value only shows up over many bonuses. And terms like max cash-out or max bet during wagering can reduce it further.
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Open toolThis tool is for entertainment and education. It does not predict outcomes and cannot beat the house edge. 18+ — play responsibly.