Casino Bonus Glossary
Every casino bonus term that matters, in plain English. If a casino's small print loses you, it is probably defined here.
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Affordability check
A financial-risk check applied above a £150 net monthly loss threshold, with enhanced checks for higher spenders. See affordability checks.
Cashback
A return of a percentage of net losses over a period, frequently wager-free. The lowest-risk bonus type. See cashback bonuses.
Deposit match
A bonus that matches a percentage of your deposit, e.g. 100% up to £100. See deposit match bonuses.
Expected value (EV)
What a bonus is realistically worth after the cost of wagering: bonus − (wagering × bonus × house edge). Our ranking metric — see the methodology.
Free spins
A set number of spins on selected slots, often at a fixed value such as £0.10 each. May carry wagering on the winnings.
Fund protection
The level of safeguarding applied to customer balances (Basic, Medium or High). UK casinos must disclose it and remind you every six months.
GAMSTOP
The free UK national self-exclusion scheme that blocks you from all UKGC-licensed online gambling for a chosen period. Register at gamstop.co.uk.
Game weighting
How much each game type contributes towards wagering. Slots usually 100%; table and live games far less. See weighting.
House edge
The casino's built-in mathematical advantage on a game, the inverse of RTP. The edge is why bonuses, not gambling, are where the value lies.
Max bet
The maximum stake allowed while wagering a bonus, commonly £5. Breaching it can void the bonus and winnings. See max bet rules.
Mixed-product incentive
A promotion tying one product to another (e.g. sports bet for casino spins). Banned in the UK from January 2026 — see the explainer.
No deposit bonus
A bonus credited without any deposit, usually small and capped. The only truly free casino offer. See no deposit bonuses.
No wagering bonus
A bonus whose winnings are paid as withdrawable cash with no playthrough. The most valuable bonus type pound-for-pound. See no wagering bonuses.
RTP
Return to Player — the percentage of stakes a game returns over the long run. A 96% RTP game returns £96 per £100 staked on average. The remainder is the house edge.
Reload bonus
A bonus for existing players on a later deposit, beyond the welcome offer. See reload bonuses.
Stake limit
The statutory cap on online slot stakes: £5 per spin for over-25s, £2 for 18–24-year-olds, in force since 2025.
Statutory levy
A mandatory charge on UK operators (0.1%–1.1% of gross gambling yield) funding research, prevention and treatment of gambling harm, in force since 2025.
UKGC
The UK Gambling Commission — the statutory regulator that licenses and supervises all gambling in Great Britain.
Wagering requirement
The number of times you must stake a bonus before any winnings can be withdrawn. A £50 bonus at 10x needs £500 of total stakes. See our wagering guide.
Win cap
A limit on how much you can win or withdraw from a bonus, common on no-deposit offers (often £50).