Stake, return & profit: three betting numbers to keep separate
Last reviewed · Editorial policy
The stake is the amount risked. The return is the amount paid back after settlement. Profit is the return minus the stake. They are different numbers.
An ordinary €10 cash bet at 3.00
| Settlement | Return | Profit or loss |
|---|---|---|
| Wins normally | €30 | €20 profit |
| Loses normally | €0 | €10 loss |
| Voided with full stake refunded | €10 | €0 |
The winning calculation is €10 × 3.00 = €30 return. The €10 stake is already inside that €30. Subtract it once to calculate €20 profit.
A bigger return is not always a better result
Bet A returns €120 from a €100 stake: €20 profit. Bet B returns €30 from a €10 stake: also €20 profit. The headline returns are different, but so are the amounts risked.
Track the amount risked as well as the result
Across several bets, add all stakes & all settled returns. Subtract total stakes from total returns. Counting only winning returns hides the money spent on losing bets.
A three-bet record
You stake €10 three times: €30 total. One bet returns €25, one returns €0 & one is voided with €10 refunded. Total return is €35. Overall profit is €5.
Special terms change the calculation
Some free bets exclude the promotional stake from the return. Exchange commission, deductions, partial settlements & taxes can also change the amount received. Read the actual settlement rules.
Sources
Sources checked 2026-09-05. Examples are illustrative unless labelled otherwise.
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