Casino & Gambling Glossary

Table of Contents

Bonuses

Welcome Bonus: A promotional offer credited to a new player after registering and making a qualifying first deposit. Compare the best welcome bonuses.
No Deposit Bonus: Free bonus cash or spins credited to an account without requiring any deposit. See current no deposit offers.
Free Spins: A set number of spins on selected slots that a player can use at no extra cost. Browse free spins bonuses.
Wagering Requirement (Playthrough): The number of times a bonus, or a deposit plus bonus, must be wagered before any winnings can be withdrawn. Find low wagering casinos.
Match Bonus: A deposit bonus that adds a percentage of a player's deposit as extra bonus funds, such as a 100% match. View current match bonuses.
Cashback Bonus: A partial refund of a player's net losses over a specific period, usually paid as bonus funds. Explore cashback casinos.
Reload Bonus: A bonus offered to existing players on a deposit made after their initial welcome offer has been used.
Bonus Abuse: Exploiting promotional terms in bad faith, such as opening multiple accounts, which can lead to forfeited winnings or account bans. Learn what counts as bonus abuse.

RTP (Return to Player): The theoretical percentage of all wagered money a game is designed to pay back to players over the long run. See the highest RTP slots.
Volatility (Variance): A measure of how often and how much a game pays out, ranging from low volatility (frequent, smaller wins) to high volatility (rarer, bigger wins).
Megaways: A slot mechanic that changes the number of symbols and paylines on every spin, creating thousands of possible ways to win. Try Megaways slots.
Progressive Jackpot: A jackpot that increases every time the game is played until a player wins it. Chase a progressive jackpot.
Live Dealer Casino: Casino games such as blackjack or roulette streamed in real time with a human dealer rather than software. Play with a live dealer.
Paylines: The specific patterns across a slot's reels that need to line up with matching symbols to produce a win.
Scatter Symbol: A symbol that pays out or triggers a bonus feature regardless of where it lands on the reels.
Wild Symbol: A symbol that can substitute for most other symbols to help complete a winning combination.

House Edge: The built-in mathematical advantage a casino holds over players on any given bet, expressed as a percentage. Find games with the best odds.
RNG (Random Number Generator): The certified software that produces unpredictable, fair outcomes in digital casino games.
Odds: A way of expressing how likely an outcome is, shown as a ratio, fraction, or moneyline figure depending on the game or sportsbook. Try our odds calculator.
Expected Value (EV): The average amount a player can expect to win or lose on a bet if it were repeated many times.
Kelly Criterion: A staking formula that calculates the ideal bet size based on a player's edge and bankroll. Try the Kelly Criterion calculator.
Payout Percentage: The share of total wagers a game or casino returns to players as winnings over time, closely related to RTP. See the highest RTP slots.

Minimum Deposit: The smallest amount a casino will accept when funding an account. See low minimum deposit casinos.
Instant Withdrawal: A payout that is approved and sent to a player's account almost immediately after being requested. Find instant withdrawal casinos.
eCheck: An electronic transfer directly from a player's bank account, often used for deposits and withdrawals. Compare payment methods.
Trustly: A direct bank-transfer payment method that lets players deposit and withdraw without a card or e-wallet. See Trustly casinos.
Crypto Casino: An online casino that accepts cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin alongside, or instead of, traditional currency.
KYC (Know Your Customer): The identity verification process casinos run, typically before a first withdrawal, to confirm a player's age and identity.

Gambling Age: The minimum age at which a person can legally gamble, which varies by state and by activity. Check the gambling age in your state.
Self-Exclusion: A voluntary program that lets a player block their own access to gambling sites or venues for a set period. Learn about responsible gambling tools.
Responsible Gambling: The tools, limits, and practices designed to help players keep gambling controlled and within their means.
Geolocation: Technology that verifies a player's physical location to ensure they are gambling legally within a licensed state. Learn how geolocation works.
Problem Gambling: A pattern of gambling behavior that causes harm to a player's finances, relationships, or wellbeing. Find help for problem gambling.
Gambling Tax: The tax obligations that apply to gambling winnings, which vary by state and jurisdiction. See how gambling winnings are taxed.
Terms and Conditions: The official rules governing a bonus, promotion, or account, including wagering requirements and eligibility. Understand bonus terms and conditions.
Online Casino Complaint: A formal report filed about a dispute with a casino, such as a delayed withdrawal or a rejected bonus. Find out how to file a complaint.

Last updated: 07/24/2026