What Is Expected Loss in Online Gambling?
Written by: Ingrid Pastore, Casino Content & Glossary Specialist
Last updated February 28, 2026, 3:18 PM
Expected Loss in online gambling is the average amount of money a player can expect to lose over a given period of betting, calculated from the house edge, bet size and number of bets. It helps players understand how much a particular game or strategy is likely to cost in the long term, and supports informed decisions about bankroll management and game choice.
How Expected Loss Works
Expected Loss is derived from the house edge of a game and the total amount wagered. For example, if a game has a 2% house edge and a player bets $100 in total, the expected loss is $2 over the long run. This is a statistical average and individual sessions can vary widely above or below this figure.
