Gambling / Sportsbook Drain Tracker
Gambling Loss Calculator — Sportsbook Drain Tracker
What this calculator does
This calculator shows how quickly regular sports betting or gambling erodes your money based on your average wager and expected loss rate.
The math, with a worked example
Average loss per wager = wager × average loss percentage. Weekly loss = average loss per wager × wagers per week. Annual loss = weekly loss × 52. A $50 wager with an 8% average loss, placed 3 times per week, costs about $624 per year in expected losses.
Why this matters
Sportsbooks don't need you to lose big — they need you to keep betting small against a built-in edge. $50 wagers 3 times a week at a typical 8% average loss rate is $624 a year, paid in amounts small enough to never feel like a bill.
Methodology and transparency
Annual loss = wager × average loss % × wagers per week × 52. The 8% default models the house edge plus the vig across typical bets; your true rate depends on bet types (parlays run far worse than straight bets). The deeper assumption: expected loss compounds with volume, so doubling wager frequency doubles the annual burn regardless of any hot streak's feel. Everything runs in your browser; no data is sent or stored.
Last reviewed: 2026-08-08
Common questions
Is the loss percentage realistic?
Sportsbooks build a margin into odds, so even skilled bettors often face a 5–10% expected loss.
Can I win long-term?
Very few people do. The math of the vigorish works against almost everyone.
What is the vig?
The vigorish is the built-in profit margin sportsbooks charge on bets. It is why expected value is usually negative.