Rakeback is a refund on every stake, regardless of whether the round won or lost. The casino takes the theoretical house-edge share of each stake — the rake — and returns an agreed percentage of it straight to the balance.
How it differs from cashback
Cashback is calculated on the net loss: in a winning month nothing arrives. Rakeback is calculated on turnover, so it arrives even when you are up. For example, with 10,000 USDT of monthly turnover and a one per cent effective rake that is 100 USDT, regardless of the result. For a regular player with high turnover rakeback is mathematically the safer bet; for an occasional user, loss-based cashback gives more in a bad month.
What to check in the terms
- Is it real money or a bonus? Rakeback with a wagering requirement is not a refund but a new bonus — check the wagering term. - Which percentage actually applies? The advertised number usually refers to the top VIP tier; on the lower tiers it is many times smaller. - Do all games count? Live tables and some providers are often excluded, similarly to game weighting. - How and when does it arrive? Hourly, daily or weekly, automatically or on manual request; a claim window usually has a deadline after which the amount disappears.
What it does not change
Rakeback raises the effective RTP but does not make the house edge positive: in the long run the game still favours the casino. Growing turnover for the sake of the refund therefore always costs more than the refund brings back. We compare standing offers' terms on the offers page, and if the volume of play starts to grow because of the refund, it is worth re-reading the responsible gambling recommendations.