Return (also called payout) is the total sum a bettor receives back from a winning bet. It encompasses both the profit (the amount earned from the bet) and the original stake (the money originally placed). Understanding the distinction between return and profit is essential for evaluating bets accurately.
The formula for return depends on the odds format. With decimal odds, it is simply: Return = Stake × Decimal Odds. A £50 bet at 4.0 returns £200 (profit of £150). With fractional odds, return equals Stake × (numerator/denominator) + Stake, or more simply: Stake × (fractional odds + 1).
Gross return vs net return matters when platform fees are involved. On a betting exchange, you pay commission (typically 2-5%) on your net winnings. Your gross return is the face value before commission; the net return is after commission is deducted. Most bookmakers do not charge commission — the margin is already built into the odds.
Expected return is the average return per bet over many identical bets: Expected Return = Stake × (True probability × Decimal odds). A bet with positive expected return means you expect to profit over the long run, even though individual bets can still lose.
Example
You place a £20 accumulator on three football matches. All three win. The combined odds are 8.50. Return = £20 × 8.50 = £170. Profit = £170 - £20 = £150. Your return (£170) is what you actually receive; your profit (£150) is what you actually gained above your original investment.