Casino Bonus Glossary
A plain-language guide to the terms you will encounter when reading casino bonus offers. Understanding these terms helps you compare bonuses fairly and avoid surprises.
B
Bonus Abuse
When a player exploits bonus terms in unintended ways to guarantee profit. Casinos may void winnings or close accounts if bonus abuse is detected.
C
Cashback Bonus
A bonus where the casino returns a percentage of your net losses over a period. For example, 20% cashback on weekly losses means you get back €20 for every €100 lost.
D
Deposit Bonus
A bonus added to your account when you make a deposit. A 100% deposit bonus on a €100 deposit gives you €100 extra, for a total balance of €200.
E
Expiry Period
The time limit within which you must meet the wagering requirement. If you do not complete the wagering before expiry, the bonus and any related winnings are forfeited.
F
Free Spins
Bonus spins on slot games given by the casino, either as part of a welcome package or a standalone promotion. Winnings from free spins usually have their own wagering requirements.
G
Game Weighting
The percentage of each bet that counts toward the wagering requirement. Slots typically count 100%, while table games may count only 10-20%. Always check which games contribute fully.
H
House Edge
The mathematical advantage the casino has over the player in any given game. A 3% house edge means the casino expects to keep €3 for every €100 wagered over time.
K
KYC (Know Your Customer)
Identity verification required by licensed casinos before processing withdrawals. You may need to submit ID, proof of address, and payment method documentation.
L
Live Casino
Casino games streamed in real-time with human dealers via video feed. Includes live blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and game shows.
M
Match Bonus
A type of deposit bonus where the casino matches your deposit by a certain percentage. A 200% match on €100 gives you €200 in bonus funds.
Max Bet Rule
The maximum bet size allowed while playing with bonus funds. Exceeding this limit (typically €5 per spin) can void your bonus and winnings.
Max Cashout
The maximum amount you can withdraw from bonus winnings. If a bonus has a €500 max cashout and you win €2,000, you can only withdraw €500.
Minimum Deposit
The smallest deposit amount required to activate a bonus offer. Common minimum deposits range from €5 to €20.
N
No Deposit Bonus
A bonus credited to your account without requiring a deposit. Usually small amounts (€5-€20) or free spins. Higher wagering requirements typically apply.
Non-Sticky Bonus
A bonus structure where your real money is used first. If you win using your deposit, you can withdraw without completing wagering. The bonus only activates when your deposit is gone.
P
Progressive Jackpot
A jackpot that grows every time a player places a bet and does not win. Progressive jackpots can reach millions of euros and are won randomly or through specific game conditions.
R
Reload Bonus
A bonus offered on deposits after your initial welcome bonus. Usually smaller percentages (25-50%) given weekly or monthly to retain existing players.
Responsible Gambling
Practices and tools designed to help players gamble safely. Includes deposit limits, session time limits, self-exclusion, reality checks, and access to support organisations.
RTP (Return to Player)
The theoretical percentage of wagered money a game returns to players over time. A slot with 96% RTP returns €96 for every €100 wagered on average. Higher RTP is better for players.
S
Self-Exclusion
A voluntary tool that blocks your access to a casino for a set period (6 months, 1 year, or permanently). Available at all licensed casinos and through national schemes like GAMSTOP.
Sticky Bonus
A bonus that cannot be withdrawn — only the winnings above the bonus amount can be cashed out. After meeting wagering, the bonus value is removed from your balance.
T
Turnover
Another term for wagering requirement. A 30x turnover on a €100 bonus means you must place €3,000 in total bets before withdrawing.
V
Volatility
How risky a slot game is. High volatility slots pay larger amounts less frequently. Low volatility slots pay smaller amounts more often. Medium volatility is a balance between the two.
W
Wagering Requirement
The number of times you must bet the bonus amount (or bonus + deposit) before you can withdraw winnings. 30x wagering on a €100 bonus = €3,000 in total bets required.
Welcome Package
The combined bonus offer for new players, often spread across multiple deposits. For example: 1st deposit 100% up to €200, 2nd deposit 50% up to €100, plus 50 free spins.
