Trixino: Online casino glossary
Casino terms and conditions are full of jargon. This glossary explains the words you are most likely to meet, grouped by topic, in plain English.
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Games and odds
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| RTP (return to player) | The share of all stakes a game is designed to pay back over the long run, for example 96% |
| House edge | The casino's built-in margin: 100% minus RTP |
| Volatility (variance) | How unevenly a slot pays: small frequent wins or rare big ones |
| Hit frequency | How often a slot produces any win, shown as a percentage or "1 in X" |
| RNG | Random number generator: the software that decides results in digital games |
| Payline | A line across the reels on which matching symbols must land |
| Ways to win | A system where matching symbols on adjacent reels pay in any row |
| Wild | A symbol that substitutes for others |
| Scatter | A symbol that pays or triggers features wherever it lands |
| Progressive jackpot | A jackpot that grows with a share of each bet until someone wins it |
| Bonus buy | A feature that lets you pay to enter a slot's bonus round directly, where permitted |
| Live casino | Games run by real dealers and streamed from a studio |
| Basic strategy | The mathematically best decision for each hand in blackjack |
Bonuses
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Wagering requirement | How much you must stake before bonus winnings can be withdrawn, shown as a multiplier such as 30x |
| Game contribution | The percentage of each bet that counts towards wagering, by game type |
| Max bet | The largest stake allowed while a bonus is active |
| Sticky bonus | A bonus that cannot be withdrawn itself and is removed at cashout |
| Non-sticky bonus | A bonus where your own money is played first and can be withdrawn without wagering if you have not touched the bonus |
| Free spins | Spins on selected slots at a fixed stake, usually with wagering on winnings |
| No-deposit bonus | A small bonus or spins given without a deposit |
| Cashback | A share of net losses returned, as cash or bonus funds |
| Win cap | The maximum you can withdraw from bonus winnings |
| Expiry | The deadline for using a bonus and finishing wagering |
Payments and accounts
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| KYC | "Know your customer": identity and address checks |
| Proof of address | A recent document, such as a utility bill or bank statement, showing your address |
| Source of funds | Evidence of where your money comes from, requested at higher deposit levels |
| Pending period | Time a withdrawal waits before processing begins |
| Withdrawal limit | The maximum you can withdraw per transaction, day, week or month |
| Closed loop | The rule that withdrawals go back to the method used to deposit, where possible |
| E-wallet | A digital wallet such as PayPal, Skrill or Neteller |
| Chargeback | A card payment reversed by your bank |
Safety and regulation
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Licence | Permission from a regulator to offer gambling |
| Regulator | The authority that licenses and supervises gambling operators |
| Offshore licence | A licence from a jurisdiction other than where the player lives |
| Deposit limit | A cap you set on how much you can deposit over a period |
| Reality check | A pop-up reminding you how long you have been playing |
| Time-out (cool-off) | A short, voluntary break from your account |
| Self-exclusion | Closing your access to gambling for a set period, at one casino or through a national scheme |
| ADR | Alternative dispute resolution: an independent body that handles complaints |
Where to read more
Each term is covered in more depth in our guides: RTP, volatility, wagering, bonuses and withdrawals. For limits and self-exclusion, see responsible gambling.
Frequently asked questions
What does RTP mean in a casino?
Return to player: the percentage of all money staked on a game that it is designed to return over the long run. A 96% RTP game keeps 4% on average.
What is the difference between a sticky and a non-sticky bonus?
A sticky bonus is mixed with your deposit and removed when you withdraw. With a non-sticky bonus, your own money is used first and you can withdraw it without wagering if you have not used the bonus.