Casino bonus terms glossary: 20 terms in plain English

Bonus terms are written to be precise, not readable. This glossary turns the ones that matter into plain English.

Updated 24 October 2026

The short answer

The bonus terms that matter most are the wagering requirement (how much you must bet), the max bet (the biggest stake allowed), game weighting (which games count) and the expiry (how long you have). Read those four before claiming any offer.

The big four

Wagering requirement: how many times you must bet an amount before bonus money is withdrawable. See wagering explained.
Max bet: the largest single bet allowed while a bonus is active. Going over can cancel it.
Game weighting: how much each game counts towards wagering. Slots often count 100%, table games less or not at all.
Expiry: how long you have to activate the bonus and to finish the wagering.

Offer types

Deposit match: the casino adds a percentage of your deposit, e.g. 100% up to £50.
Free spins: spins on a named slot at a fixed value.
Wager-free spins: spin winnings are real money straight away. See wager-free spins.
Reload bonus: a deposit bonus for existing players.
Cashback: a share of losses returned, sometimes as bonus money.
Freeroll: a tournament that's free to enter.

Money terms

Real money balance: money you can withdraw.
Bonus balance: money that needs wagering first.
Released in steps: the bonus turns into real money bit by bit as you wager.
Minimum deposit: the smallest deposit that qualifies for the offer.
Max win: a cap on what you can win from a bonus or free spins.

Game terms

RTP: the share of stakes a game pays back over a very long time. See RTP and volatility.
Volatility: how often and how big the wins tend to be.
Excluded games: games that don't count towards wagering, often progressive jackpots.

Account terms

KYC: identity checks before you can play or withdraw.
Deposit limit: a cap you set on how much you can deposit.
Self-exclusion: blocking yourself from gambling sites. See GamStop and Spelpaus.

Questions

Which bonus term matters most?

The wagering requirement, because it decides how much you must bet.

What is a sticky bonus?

A bonus that can be played with but not withdrawn; only winnings above it can be cashed out. Check the terms for the exact rule.

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