With an aleatory contract, a party may receive:

In an aleatory contract, the outcomes depend on an uncertain event, meaning that the performance of one party depends on the occurrence of a condition that is not guaranteed. This characteristic is what distinguishes aleatory contracts from standard contracts, where both parties exchange equal values. In the context of bail bonds, for example, a bondsman might charge a percentage of the total bail amount, providing the funds only if the defendant fails to appear in court. The bondsman could potentially make a profit that significantly exceeds the amount received in premium payments if the defendant does not default, illustrating the potential for one party (the bondsman) to receive more value than the amount they have initially given up (the premium). The nature of aleatory contracts inherently involves risk and uncertainty, which can lead to substantial variations in the value exchanged between the parties involved.