- Wagering Requirement
- The number of times you must bet bonus funds before withdrawing winnings. A £50 bonus with 35x wagering means betting £1,750 before cashing out. Lower multiples are generally fairer.
- Game Weighting
- Not all games contribute equally toward wagering. Slots often count 100%, while table games like blackjack may count 10% or be excluded entirely. Always check which games count before accepting a bonus.
- RTP (Return to Player)
- The theoretical percentage a game returns to players over millions of spins. A slot with 96% RTP keeps £4 of every £100 wagered on average. RTP is a long-term statistical measure, not a session guarantee.
- Free Spins
- Complimentary slot rounds, usually tied to a specific game. Winnings may be paid as bonus funds with wagering attached, or as cash with no playthrough — the distinction matters enormously.
- Matched Deposit
- The operator adds a percentage of your deposit as bonus funds — e.g. 100% up to £100 means depositing £100 gives you £100 in bonus. The match amount and wagering terms together determine real value.
- UKGC Licence
- Permission from the UK Gambling Commission to offer gambling services to UK residents. Licensed operators must meet strict standards for fairness, responsible gambling tools and dispute resolution.
- GamStop
- A free UK self-exclusion scheme covering all licensed operators. Once enrolled for your chosen period, you cannot open or use accounts at any UKGC-licensed gambling site.
- Volatility
- How a slot pays out. Low-volatility games return smaller wins frequently; high-volatility games pay less often but with larger potential hits. Neither is better — it depends on your preference and bankroll.
- Live Casino
- Real-time table games streamed from a studio with human dealers. Evolution, Playtech and Pragmatic Play Live are major providers. Quality depends on stream stability, table variety and betting limits.
- Cashback
- A percentage of net losses returned as bonus funds or cash, usually weekly. Cashback often carries lower wagering than matched-deposit offers, making it easier to extract value.
- Expiry Period
- How long you have to use a bonus or complete wagering before it is forfeited. Short windows (7 days) pressure play; 30-day periods give more room to meet requirements at a comfortable pace.
- Maximum Bet Rule
- A cap on individual bet size while a bonus is active — often £5 per spin. Exceeding it can void the bonus and any associated winnings, even accidentally.
Reference
Casino Glossary
Plain-English definitions for terms used across our UK casino comparisons, especially around bonuses and wagering.
