Stake, return & profit: three betting numbers to keep separate
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.
