The idea in one sentence
Every bet has an expected cost, which is your stake times the house edge, and rakeback hands part of that expected cost back to you.
Why it's based on the edge
Casinos make money from the edge. Rakeback shares a slice of it. That means games with a lower edge generate less rakeback per bet, and games with a higher edge generate more. Stake sets its own rakeback rules. We don't print a rate, because it can change and can differ between accounts. Your VIP area is the place to check yours.
A worked example
These numbers are invented to show the method. They aren't Stake's rates.
Worked example (illustrative only)
| Item | Value |
|---|---|
| Total wagered this week | 1,000 |
| House edge of the game | 1% |
| Expected cost of that play | 10 |
| Rakeback share of the edge | 5% (example) |
| Rakeback earned | 0.50 |
| Expected cost after rakeback | 9.50 |
So rakeback lowered the expected cost from 10 to 9.50. It didn't turn a cost into a profit. That's true at any rate below 100% of the edge, and no casino pays 100%.
Rakeback and results
Rakeback is tied to wagering, so you can earn it on a winning week or a losing week. It doesn't refund losses. If you want a refund on losses, that would be cashback, which is a different reward and only exists where a casino offers it.
Claiming
Look for rakeback in the VIP or rewards area of your account. Stake's terms say whether you need to claim it and whether unclaimed rakeback expires.
Check and claim rakeback
- Open your account menu and go to VIP or rewards.
- Find the rakeback balance.
- Read any terms linked to it.
- Claim it if there's a claim button.
- Treat it as a small rebate, not a reason to keep playing.
How VIP level fits in
Higher VIP levels may bring a better rakeback share. That can make chasing a level look tempting. Run the example again with a bigger share and you'll see the expected cost still stays well above zero. Our level-up bonus page covers the one-off rewards that come with new tiers.
Rakeback compared with other rewards
Rakeback next to other rewards
| Reward | Based on | Steadiness |
|---|---|---|
| Rakeback | Your wagering and the edge | Builds every bet |
| Reload | Stake's offer to your account | Scheduled, can change |
| Level-up bonus | Reaching a tier | One-off |
| Raffle | Tickets from wagering | Random |
See the rewards guide for the full comparison.
Common misunderstandings
- "Rakeback covers my losses." It lowers the cost. It doesn't remove it.
- "Higher-edge games earn more, so they're better." They earn more rakeback because they cost more.
- "I should play more to earn more." Every extra bet costs more than the rakeback it earns.
Who rakeback helps
Players who would play anyway at stakes they've planned. For them it's a modest discount. For anyone tempted to play more because of it, it's a trap. Set a deposit limit first.
Rakeback across games, worked through
Edges differ by game, so the same rakeback share produces different amounts. Using invented figures and the same 5% share as above:
Same wagering, different games (invented numbers)
| Game type | Example edge | Expected cost on 1,000 | Rakeback at 5% of edge |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low-edge table bet | 1% | 10 | 0.50 |
| Typical slot | 4% | 40 | 2.00 |
| High-edge side bet | 10% | 100 | 5.00 |
The side bet earns ten times the rakeback of the low-edge bet, and costs ten times as much. Rakeback scales with the cost of play. It never makes a more expensive game the better choice. To compare edges properly, see RTP and volatility explained.
Tracking it over a month
If you want to see what rakeback is worth to you, note your total wagering and total rakeback for a month. Divide one by the other. The result is usually a small fraction of a percent of what you bet. Seeing that number written down helps keep rakeback in proportion.
Rakeback and bonuses together
If you're also clearing a bonus, your wagering may earn rakeback at the same time, depending on Stake's terms. That doesn't change the bonus math much. The expected cost of the wagering is still far larger than the rakeback it earns.
A note on dates
Checked against Stake's own pages on 13 October 2026. Rakeback rates and claim rules can change and can differ between accounts, so verify yours on Stake. 18+ only, or the higher legal age where you live. Stake.com isn't available in the US, the UK, Australia, Ontario or the other places on Stake's prohibited list, and that list can change. Treat every bet as money you can lose, rakeback or not.
FAQ
What's Stake's rakeback rate?
Stake sets it, and it can depend on your VIP level. Check your VIP area. We don't publish a figure.
Is rakeback paid on wins?
It's based on wagering, so it builds whether you win or lose.
Do I need to claim rakeback?
Check your VIP or rewards area. If there's a claim button, use it, and check whether unclaimed rakeback expires.
Does rakeback have wagering?
Check the terms linked to it in your account.
Is rakeback the same as cashback?
No. Rakeback is based on wagering. Cashback is based on losses, where offered.