Bonuses are among the most confusing parts of online gambling because the offer on the banner is only half the story. The rest is in the terms. This glossary covers the words you will meet in those terms and what they mean in practice. Always read the specific bonus rules before you claim anything.
Types of bonus
- Welcome bonus
- An offer for new customers, often a deposit match, free spins or both.
- Deposit match bonus
- The operator adds a percentage of your deposit, such as 100% up to a stated limit.
- No-deposit bonus
- A small bonus given without a deposit, normally with strict conditions.
- Free spins
- Spins on a named slot at a fixed stake. Winnings often carry their own wagering requirement.
- Reload bonus
- A match offer for existing players on later deposits.
- Cashback
- A share of losses returned over a period, sometimes as bonus money rather than cash.
- Free bet
- A sportsbook credit to place a bet without using your own money.
- Loyalty or VIP scheme
- Rewards for regular play. Treat these carefully because they can encourage more play than you planned.
Conditions
- Wagering requirement (playthrough or rollover)
- The total you must bet before related funds can be withdrawn. A 30x requirement on a 50 bonus means 1,500 in bets.
- Game weighting
- The percentage of each bet that counts towards the requirement. Slots often count fully, table games less or not at all.
- Maximum bet
- The largest single stake allowed while a bonus is active. Breaking it can void the bonus and winnings.
- Maximum cashout (win cap)
- A limit on the amount you can withdraw from bonus winnings.
- Expiry
- The deadline for using or completing the bonus.
- Minimum deposit
- The smallest deposit that qualifies.
- Excluded games or methods
- Games or payment methods that do not qualify.
- Bonus abuse
- A term operators use for behaviour they forbid, such as opening several accounts or betting in a way that guarantees clearing the requirement. Read what the rules define as abuse.
Sticky and non-sticky bonuses
With a sticky (or non-cashable) bonus, the bonus itself can never be withdrawn; only winnings can. With a non-sticky (or cashable) bonus, your own deposit is used first, and if you win and withdraw before the bonus is touched, the bonus is removed. Each operator uses these terms slightly differently, so check.
Bonus balance versus cash balance
Many casinos keep two balances. Your cash balance holds your real money, while the bonus balance holds promotional funds. The order in which they are used, and what happens when you withdraw, are set in the terms. Look for the sentence that says which is used first.
How wagering works, step by step
- You claim a 50 bonus with a 30x requirement on the bonus.
- Total to wager: 30 x 50 = 1,500.
- Each qualifying bet adds its weighted amount to your progress.
- When progress reaches 1,500 within the time limit, the bonus funds convert to withdrawable cash, subject to any cashout cap.
This example is illustrative and not a real offer. Because games have a house edge, you will normally lose some money while wagering. A bigger multiple means a bigger expected cost. See our casino terms glossary for the meaning of house edge.
Bonuses and jackpots
Some operators exclude progressive jackpot games from bonus play, or limit the bet size while a bonus is active. If a jackpot is your target, check the terms first. Our explainer on progressive jackpots shows what else to look for.
Red flags in bonus terms
- Terms that are missing, hidden or contradictory.
- Rules that let the operator void winnings for unspecified reasons.
- Changing conditions after you accept.
- Requirements so high that clearing them is unrealistic.
Save the terms
Take a screenshot of the terms when you claim an offer. Conditions can change, and a record helps if you ever need to raise a question with support or a regulator.
Why terms differ between operators
There is no universal standard for bonus wording. One casino’s “cashable bonus” is another’s “non-sticky bonus”, and the same word can carry different conditions from one promotion to the next at the same site. The safest habit is to treat this glossary as a guide to what to look for, and then read the exact wording for the offer in front of you, including any separate general bonus terms page that may also apply.
Comparing two offers quickly
To compare offers, calculate the total you must bet for each and note the maximum bet, the expiry and the cashout cap. A smaller bonus with a low multiple and a longer deadline can be friendlier than a huge offer with a high multiple and a short window. Bigger is not automatically better, and it is always acceptable to skip the offer entirely.
Reading the terms quickly
Use the glossary above as a checklist. Look for the multiple, what it applies to, the game weights, the maximum bet, the cashout cap and the deadline. If any of these is not stated, ask support and keep the answer. If you are still unsure, decline the bonus, since you can play without one.
Betting bonuses use similar language. See sports betting terms for the sportsbook side, and remember that no bonus makes gambling profitable.
18+ (21+ where local law requires) only. Play responsibly. Gambling involves risk and no strategy or guide can guarantee a win. Only play with money you can afford to lose. If gambling stops being fun, see our responsible gambling page for tools and helplines.
