How to calculate the real benefit of the bonus

Most bonuses look generous until you break them down into a vager, cap, games contribution, bonus type and wagering risks. Below is a compact but accurate technique to understand in advance: how much such a bonus is really worth it and whether it is worth taking it for your style and bankroll.

1) What affects the value of the bonus

1. Type:

Cashable: After WR, the bonus turns into "real" money.
Sticky: Only winnings over the bonus can be deducted.

2. WR basis: on bonus, on winning with FS, or on deposit + bonus.

3. WR-multiplier: x20/x30/x40, etc.

4. Cap (max cashout): The output ceiling from this promo.

5. Contribution of games: how much% of the bet is counted in WR (slots 100%, roulette 10%, etc.).

6. RTP games: the higher, the lower the "price" of the game.

7. Restrictions: bet limit, term, prohibited games, CCL/geo.

8. WR non-completion risk: probability to "burn out" before wagering is done with limited bankroll and high volatility.

2) Basic formulas (excluding the risk of "not reaching")

Designations:

B - bonus size (or expected gain from FS), W - WR coefficient (for example, 30), C - game contribution to WR (in shares: 100% → 1. 0; 10% → 0. 1), r is the RTP of the selected game (in fractions, for example 0. 96), edge = 1 − r - expectation of losses with each "real" bet, Cap - cap for output, type ∈ {cashable, sticky}.

2. 1. Required "posted" turnover WR

If WR for bonus: 'Required _ accounting = B × W'

If WR for winning FS: 'Required _ accounting = (winning _ from _ FS) × W'

If WR on deposit + bonus: 'Required _ account = (deposit + B) × W'

Since not all games count 100%, real betting turnover:


Required _ sales _ real = Required _ accounting/C

2. 2. Expected "wagering price"

Every real bet on 1₴ has an expected 'edge' loss. Then:


Wagering _ price ≈ Required _ turnover _ real × edge

2. 3. Coarse Expected Value (EV)

Cashable:


EV_syroy ≈ B − Wagering _ price
EV_realnyy ≈ min (EV_syroy, Cap )//if cap is active

Sticky: Bonus - "non-removable pillow." Its value is the ability to "drag" you through the WR. A conservative estimate is to consider that you are only monetizing earnings above B:


EV_syroy ≈ (B − Wagering _ price )//but remember that B cannot be displayed
EV_realnyy ≈ min (max (EV_syroy, 0), Cap)

💡 In practice, sticky gives a smaller EV than cashable with the same parameters.

Frispins: First, let's estimate the expected gain from FS:


E [win _ FS] ≈ N_spinov × spin _ bet × r_FS

(usually r_FS RTP base ≈ of the same slot). Next, we use the formulas as for WR to win.

3) Examples "on a napkin"

Example A: Cashable Bonus 200₴, WR x30 on Bonus

Game: slot with r = 0. 96 → edge = 0. 04

Games contribution: C = 1. 0 (100%)

Required record: 200 × 30 = 6 000₴

Real turnover: 6,000/1. 0 = 6 000₴

Wagering price: 6,000 × 0. 04 = 240₴

EV_syroy = 200 − 240 = −40₴ → bonus is expected to be unprofitable.

If Cap = 1 000₴, it does not limit (and so negatively).

Conclusion: at r = 96% and WR = 30 × such a cashable bonus is not a plus in itself. It becomes more interesting if the WR is lower, r higher, there are missions/tournaments, or the bonus goes "over" your already planned game.

Example B: Sticky 300₴, WR x25 per bonus, slot r = 0. 975

edge = 0. 025, C = 1. 0

Accounting: 300 × 25 = 7 500₴ → wagering price = 7,500 × 0. 025 = 187. 5₴

EV_syroy ≈ 300 − 187. 5 = 112. 5₴, but you cannot output B itself.

Cap = ₴500 → EV_realnyy ≈ min (112. 5, 500) = 112. 5₴ (if you get to WR).

Meaning: high RTP greatly reduces the price of WR - even sticky can give a positive expectation.

Example C: 50 2₴ freespins, WR x35 per win

Let's estimate E [gain _ FS]: 50 × 2 × r (let r = 0. 96) → 96₴

Required record: 96 × 35 = 3 360₴

Wagering price (edge = 0. 04): 3 360 × 0. 04 = 134. 4₴

EV_syroy ≈ 96 − 134. 4 = −38. 4₴

If Cap = 1 000₴ - does not play a role (waiting is already negative).

Example D: Cashable 100₴, WR x20, contribution of games C = 0. 5 (50%), slot r = 0. 97

Accounting: 100 × 20 = 2 000₴

Real turnover: 2,000/0. 5 = 4 000₴ edge = 0. 03 → price WR = 4,000 × 0. 03 = 120₴

EV_syroy = 100 − 120 = −20₴

Lesson: the low contribution of games makes WR 2 × more expensive - watch out for contribution!

4) How to take into account the risk of "not reaching" the game

The formulas above assume that you will always complete the WR (albeit with a mathematical "price"). In reality, with limited bankroll and/or high volatility, there is a chance to "reset" earlier.

Practical completion factor (very simplified)

Enter P_finish - probability score to complete WR at your BR bankroll, s rate, profile volatility and time limit. Coarse heuristic:


Buffer = BR/s//" spin margin "
Demand = (Required _ sales _ real )/s

If Buffer ≪ Demand with high volatility → P_finish low

For low/medium volatility, aim at Buffer ≈ 0. 5–1. 0 × Demand.

For high volatility - the closer to 1 × and higher, the better.

Then adjusted EV:


EV_corr ≈ P_finish × EV_realnyy

(Pessimistic, but better than ignoring the risk.)

Which increases P_finish:

Low/medium volatility games at WR time.
Lower rate (live longer with a fixed BR).
High RTP (edge less).
The total contribution of games (C = 1. 0).
Time reserve to deadline.

5) Mini calculator (steps)

1. Define the type (cashable/sticky/FS) and the WR base.

2. Calculate Required _ accounting = basis × W.

3. Consider the contribution of the games: Turnover _ real = Required _ accounting/C.

4. Take RTP games: edge = 1 − r.

5. Price WR = Sales _ real × edge.

6. EV_syroy:

cashable: 'B − WR price'
sticky: '(B − Price WR)', but remember that B is not output
FS: change 'B' to 'E [win _ FS]'
7. Apply Cap: 'EV _ real = min (EV_syroy, Cap)' (and ≥ 0).
8. Estimate P_finish (buffers/oxen/limits) → EV_corr = P_finish × EV_realnyy.

6) What to look at in the rules (so as not to spoil the math)

WR to what? Bonus/Win FS/B + D.

Contribution by game (look for 100%).

Max bet at WR (never break).

Cap and currency.

Dates (activation/WR).

Forbidden games and mechanics.

Bonus type (sticky vs cashable).

KUS/geo (you cannot display without it).

7) Quick thumb rules

WR ≤ x20 and RTP ≥ 97% at slot C = 100% - usually "healthy" conditions.

WR ≥ x35 for FS bonus/win with RTP ≈ 96% - often expected minus, take it only for entertainment/missions.

Sticky requires higher RTP or lower WR than cashable to be profitable.

Contribution <100% sharply increases the cost of WR (divides by C).

If your bankroll is small to the required turnover, EV actually falls due to low P_finish.

8) Frequent errors

Count EV excluding Cap.

Ignore Contribution (half contribution = double "price" WR).

Choose a high oxen for WR time with a small BR.

Break max bet with one spin - resets all progress.

Confuse WR on bonus and WR on FS win.

9) Short checklist (save)

Bonus type: cashable/sticky/FS
WR base and W multiplier
Contribution (look for 100%)
RTP of the selected game (or at least 96-97%)
Cap and output currency
Max bet, deadlines, game bans
Is bankroll sufficient for P_finish?

10) The bottom line

Real bonus benefit = face value minus the cap-limited wagering price and multiplied by the chance to complete the WR. The higher the RTP, the lower the WR, the more complete the contribution and the lower the volatility for the payoff period - the closer the bonus is to real value. Count by the formulas above, check the rules and play at the pace that suits your bankroll and time.