Cashback: what comes back, and on which terms
Cashback sounds like the simplest bonus there is: you lose, and part of it is returned. In practice the value depends on a handful of details — how the loss is measured, over which period, whether the returned money is cash or bonus funds, and whether there is a ceiling. This page explains those details in general terms. It does not describe a specific MyStake offer; whether a cashback scheme is available to you, and on what terms, is shown in your account and the operator's promotion terms.
How cashback is usually measured
| Element | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Basis | Net losses (deposits or stakes minus wins) or total stakes |
| Period | Daily, weekly or monthly — and the exact cut-off time |
| Minimum and maximum | A loss threshold before anything is paid, and a ceiling per period |
| Form | Withdrawable cash or bonus funds with wagering |
| Games | Whether all games count, or only some |
A worked example without a currency
Suppose a scheme returns a share of weekly net losses. Over a week you deposit 200 and withdraw 50, so the net loss is 150. If the share were ten parts in a hundred, the return would be 15. If that 15 arrives as cash, it is simply yours. If it arrives as bonus money with a wagering requirement of 10 times, you would need to stake 150 before the 15 becomes withdrawable — and most of that play would carry the normal house edge. The same headline can therefore mean very different things. The percentages here are only for the arithmetic, not a description of any real offer.
Cash versus bonus cashback
The single most important line in any cashback scheme is the one that says how the money is paid. Cash cashback has no strings attached once it is credited. Bonus cashback behaves like any other bonus: wagering, deadlines, stake caps and sometimes a cap on what it can turn into. Some programmes also make cashback part of a loyalty or VIP tier, with the share rising as you play more. That structure is worth noticing, because it rewards volume rather than results.
Where cashback can mislead
Cashback is easy to read as insurance. It is not. The games keep the same house edge with or without it, and a scheme that pays back a part of losses still leaves the larger part lost. The risk is behavioural: knowing that some money comes back can make a bigger session feel acceptable. If you notice that you are planning sessions around a cashback period, or playing on to reach a threshold, that is a signal to step back.
Questions to ask before you count on it
- Is the cashback paid automatically, or do you have to claim it within a window?
- Are bonus-funded bets excluded from the loss calculation?
- Does a withdrawal during the period reduce or cancel the cashback?
- Is there a separate wagering requirement, and how long do you have?
Answers to all four should be in the promotion terms. If they are not, ask support in writing. See also our guide to bonus terms.
Cashback and your limits
A budget set before you play is worth more than any return after you have lost. Decide on a weekly or monthly limit, and keep it regardless of whether a cashback scheme exists. If losses start to feel like something you need to recover, read our responsible gambling page or contact Gambling Therapy for free, confidential support.