Expected Value (EV) is the most useful metric for comparing casino app bonuses. It tells you, on average, how much you expect to receive or lose from a bonus after completing wagering. Positive EV = worth claiming. Negative EV = it costs more than it's worth.
The Formula
EV = Bonus Amount − (Wagering × Bonus × House Edge)House edge for UK slots: typically 3–6%. We use 4% as a conservative standard average.
Worked Examples
10Bet: £50 at 8×
EV = £50 − (8 × £50 × 0.04) = £50 − £16 = +£34
Lottoland: £10 at 1×
EV = £10 − (1 × £10 × 0.04) = £10 − £0.40 = +£9.60
Playzee: £150 at 10×
EV = £150 − (10 × £150 × 0.04) = £150 − £60 = +£90
Limitations of EV
EV is an average over many sessions — not a guarantee for a single playthrough. In any single bonus, results can vary significantly from the EV figure. Use it for comparison between offers, not as a prediction of your personal outcome. Post-UKGC cap, all 10x-or-below bonuses from licensed operators have positive expected value — claiming is always better than not claiming, assuming you intended to play anyway.
→ Use our sidebar calculator to find the EV of any bonus in seconds.
