Rakeback vs Cashback
Rakeback and Cashback are easy to mix up. Here are both definitions from the HighRisk Media glossary side by side.
Comparison table
| Term | Rakeback | Cashback |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | — | — |
| In short | Rakeback is a return to the player of part of the operator's commission. It originated in poker, and in casinos it means a portion of the amount lost or wagered is returned as cashback or bonus points. | Cashback in gambling and betting is a return to the player of part of their losses over a period, usually as bonus funds or real money, with or without wagering requirements. |
| Verticals | Gambling | Gambling, Betting |
What is Rakeback?
Rakeback comes from poker. The rake is the room's commission taken from each pot, and rakeback returned part of that commission to the player. In online casinos the term is used more broadly: it refers to returning part of the amount the player left with the operator through bets or losses.
What is Cashback?
Cashback is a retention mechanic in which the operator returns to the player a percentage of their losses over a set period: a day, a week, or a month. The calculation usually uses net losses (total stakes minus winnings), not total turnover. That is why cashback looks more attractive than rakeback, which is calculated from the volume of bets.