Calculate the real expected value of casino bonuses
Casino bonuses look attractive, but you need to account for losses incurred while meeting the wagering requirements.
Bonus EV = Bonus Amount - (Total Wagered × House Edge)
A $100 bonus with 30× wagering requires $3,000 in total bets before withdrawal. At 2.5% house edge, you'll lose an average of $75. So the real value of the bonus is $25.
Most casinos count slots at 100% but blackjack at only 10-20%. Playing low-contribution games dramatically increases the effective wagering needed.