Reviewed by TipsterCheck Editorial TeamLast checked 29 October 2026MethodologyCorrections
Betting glossary · Tipsters
What is ROI (Return on Investment)?
What is ROI (Return on Investment)?
How ROI works
ROI is calculated by dividing net profit by total amount staked, then multiplying by 100 to produce a percentage. The formula is: ROI = (Net Profit ÷ Total Staked) × 100. If a tipster advises bets totalling £1,000 in stakes and returns £1,080 in winnings, the net profit is £80 and the ROI is 8%. A figure above zero is profitable; zero means break-even; anything below zero represents a loss on total stakes.
Because ROI is expressed as a percentage rather than a cash figure, it allows fair comparison between tipsters who recommend different stake sizes. A tipster staking £10 per bet and one staking £100 per bet can both be judged on the same ROI scale. However, ROI must always be read alongside the number of bets in the sample — a 20% ROI from 15 bets tells you very little, whereas the same figure from 500 bets carries considerably more weight.
A worked example
Suppose a tipster posts 200 bets over six months, each advised at one point (one unit) per bet, giving total stakes of 200 points. Their winners return 218 points in profit, so net profit is 18 points. Dividing 18 by 200 and multiplying by 100 gives an ROI of 9%. That means for every £1 staked at the advised odds, the tipster generated 9p in profit on average.
It is worth noting that ROI figures can shift noticeably depending on whether results are recorded at advised odds, starting price, or Betfair SP. A tipster may quote an ROI calculated at the price they tipped — which you may not always have obtained — while your actual ROI could be lower if you consistently got shorter prices. Always check which odds basis a service uses when publishing its ROI figures, as this can meaningfully alter the headline number.
Why ROI matters when judging a tipster
ROI is a useful headline metric because it cuts through the noise of raw profit figures and stake sizes, letting you assess efficiency directly. A long-term ROI of 5–10% across a large, independently verified sample is widely considered solid for a tipster operating at standard bookmaker odds. Double-digit ROI figures are exceptional and should be treated with scepticism unless backed by a substantial, proofed record — small samples can produce flattering ROI by chance alone.
When following a tipster, your personal ROI will almost certainly differ from the published figure. Factors such as account restrictions, failing to match advised odds, and timing of bets all affect your real-world returns. ROI should therefore be used alongside other measures — including yield, drawdown, strike rate, and sample size — rather than as the sole basis for a decision. At TipsterCheck, we always encourage readers to verify ROI figures through independent proofing services before committing to any paid subscription.
Example: A tipster who stakes 300 points in total and finishes with a net profit of 24 points has an ROI of 8%, meaning they returned 8p profit for every £1 wagered at their advised odds.
FAQs
What is a good ROI for a tipster?
There is no universal threshold, but a sustained ROI of 5–10% over several hundred bets is generally considered respectable. Anything consistently above 15% across a large sample is exceptional and warrants close scrutiny of the verification method used.
Is ROI the same as yield?
The two terms are often used interchangeably in UK betting, and the calculation is identical. Some services apply them in subtly different contexts, but for practical purposes when reviewing a tipster's record, ROI and yield refer to the same percentage-profit-per-pound-staked measure.
Why might my ROI differ from the tipster's published figure?
Published ROI is usually based on advised odds that you may not always obtain. Getting shorter prices, placing bets late, or having accounts restricted by bookmakers can all reduce your actual ROI below the headline figure shown in the tipster's record.
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