Reading the result
Face value is not cash
Twenty spins at 10p are sold as "£2 of free spins". At 96% RTP the spins return about £1.92 on average, and that is before wagering or caps. Face value is the most you could reasonably expect, not what you will get.
Wagering eats the margin
If winnings must be wagered 10 times, every pound you won goes back through the slot ten times. At 96% RTP that costs about 40p per pound won. Without wagering, the whole expected win is yours.
The cap trims the top
A max-win cap rarely matters for the average player, but it matters a lot for the lucky one. If a big win is the only way an offer becomes worth more than a few pounds, a low cap takes that away.
Numbers the calculator flags
| Input | Flag | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Wagering above 10x | Not allowed | UKGC licensees may not set more than 10x since 19 January 2026. |
| Stake above £5 | Not allowed | Online slot spins are capped at £5 (£2 if you are 18 to 24). |
| Wagering time above your days | Watch | At about 10 spins a minute, check you can finish before the bonus expires. |
| Cap below expected winnings | Watch | The cap is cutting into even the average result. |