How to Calculate the Real Value of a Casino Bonus: Sticky vs Non-Sticky
The size of a casino bonus headline rarely matches its real value. A 200 percent bonus up to 1,000 EUR sounds generous on the landing page, but the actual money you can extract depends on wagering requirements, bonus type, game weighting, and a string of smaller restrictions buried in the terms.
Two bonuses with the same headline figure can have wildly different expected values once you run the numbers. This guide shows you how to calculate the real value of a casino bonus and explains the most important split in bonus structures: sticky vs non-sticky offers.
What is a sticky bonus?
A sticky bonus is one where the bonus money cannot be withdrawn. You can use it to play, and you can win with it, but the original bonus amount stays locked. When you cash out, anything still tagged as bonus money is removed from the withdrawal total.
If you deposit 100 EUR with a 100 percent sticky bonus, you have 200 EUR to play with. However, you can only withdraw winnings on top of the bonus. The original 100 EUR bonus acts as house money and gets deducted when you cash out.
What is a non-sticky bonus?
A non-sticky bonus, sometimes called a parachute bonus, separates the deposit from the bonus money. You play with your deposit first, while the bonus stays untouched in the background.
If you build a profit before using the bonus, you can cancel the bonus and withdraw your winnings without completing wagering. If you lose your deposit, the bonus activates and the wagering requirements begin. This is why non-sticky bonuses are usually more player-friendly.
The formula for real bonus value
Real bonus value is the bonus amount minus the expected cost of clearing the wagering requirement.
Formula:
Real value = Bonus amount − (Wagering volume × House edge)
Wagering volume is the total amount you must bet before the bonus can be cleared. It is usually calculated by multiplying the bonus amount by the wagering multiplier.
Wagering volume = Bonus amount × Wagering multiplier
For example, a 100 EUR bonus with 35x wagering creates 3,500 EUR in wagering volume. If you clear it on slots with a 96 percent RTP, the house edge is 4 percent. The expected cost is therefore 3,500 EUR × 4 percent = 140 EUR.
That makes the real value:
100 EUR − 140 EUR = -40 EUR
Worked example: sticky bonus
You deposit 100 EUR and receive a 100 EUR sticky bonus with a 35x wagering requirement on the bonus only.
Calculation:
- Bonus amount: 100 EUR
- Wagering volume: 100 EUR × 35 = 3,500 EUR
- House edge on 96 percent RTP slots: 4 percent
- Expected wagering cost: 3,500 EUR × 4 percent = 140 EUR
- Real bonus value: 100 EUR − 140 EUR = -40 EUR
You are statistically losing 40 EUR by taking this bonus, even though it looks free on the promotions page.
Worked example: non-sticky bonus
Now use the same numbers, but with a non-sticky structure. You deposit 100 EUR with a 100 EUR non-sticky bonus and 35x wagering on the bonus.
You play your 100 EUR deposit first. If you double it before triggering the bonus, you can cancel the bonus and withdraw 200 EUR with no wagering. If you lose the deposit, you fall into the bonus and face the same -40 EUR expected value as the sticky example.
The difference is that the non-sticky bonus gives you an upside path before wagering begins. That makes its average expected value much better than the sticky version.
Why wagering requirements matter more than bonus size
A 100 percent bonus at 20x wagering is usually better than a 200 percent bonus at 50x wagering. The bonus headline drives the marketing, but the multiplier controls how expensive the offer is to clear.
The most important thing to check is whether wagering applies to the bonus only or to deposit plus bonus. Bonus-only wagering is much cheaper to clear. Deposit-plus-bonus wagering is a major red flag because it can roughly double the amount you need to bet.
Example comparison:
| Bonus A | Bonus B |
|---|---|
| 100 percent bonus | 200 percent bonus |
| 100 EUR bonus amount | 200 EUR bonus amount |
| 20x wagering on bonus only | 50x wagering on bonus only |
| 2,000 EUR wagering volume | 10,000 EUR wagering volume |
Even though Bonus B looks bigger, it is much harder and more expensive to clear.
Hidden cost factors
Three smaller rules can seriously change the real value of a casino bonus: max bet, max cashout, and game weighting.
The max bet during wagering limits how much you can stake per spin or round, often around 5 to 10 EUR. If you exceed this limit, the casino may void the bonus and any winnings linked to it.
The max cashout limits how much you can withdraw from bonus winnings. Some bonuses cap withdrawals at 5x or 10x your deposit, which can make a large-looking offer much less valuable.
Game weighting decides how much each game contributes toward wagering. Slots usually count 100 percent, table games often count 5 to 10 percent, and live dealer games may count zero. If blackjack contributes only 10 percent, every 100 EUR wagered may count as only 10 EUR toward the requirement, making the real wagering burden much higher.
Sticky or non-sticky, which is better for you
For most players, non-sticky is the better structure because it preserves the upside path. You can hit a good run with your own money, cancel the bonus, and walk away with no wagering.
Sticky bonuses can still make sense when the wagering is unusually low, the max cashout is high, and you genuinely want longer playtime rather than withdrawable value. In general, treat sticky bonuses as entertainment value and non-sticky bonuses as offers with real expected value.
The fastest way to compare two bonuses
To compare two casino bonuses, ignore the headline percentage and calculate the real value. Look at the bonus amount, wagering multiplier, game weighting, house edge, max bet, max cashout, and whether the offer is sticky or non-sticky.
This is especially important with familiar brands, where a welcome offer can look safe because the operator is well known. For example, the William Hill welcome bonus may appear straightforward at first glance, but its real value depends on the same details: wagering, game weighting, max bet rules, and withdrawal conditions.
Once you calculate the real value in EUR, comparing welcome offers becomes much easier. The best bonus is not always the biggest one. It is the one with the best expected value after wagering, game weighting, and bonus restrictions are included.
FAQ
What is the difference between a sticky and non-sticky bonus?
A sticky bonus cannot be withdrawn. Only winnings above the bonus can be cashed out. A non-sticky bonus separates your deposit from the bonus, allowing you to withdraw deposit winnings without wagering if you cancel the bonus before using it.
How do I calculate a casino bonus’s real value?
Subtract the expected cost of clearing the wagering from the bonus amount. The expected cost is the wagering volume multiplied by the house edge of the game you use.
Is a higher wagering requirement always bad?
Higher wagering usually reduces the real value of a bonus. However, a large bonus with reasonable wagering can still beat a small bonus with low wagering. The only reliable way to know is to run the numbers.
Do all games count equally toward wagering?
No. Game weighting varies. Slots usually count 100 percent, table games often count around 10 percent, and live dealer games may count zero. Always check the terms before choosing a game.
What is the worst red flag in bonus terms?
Wagering applied to deposit plus bonus is one of the biggest red flags. It can roughly double the cost of clearing compared to wagering applied only to the bonus.
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