Online Gambling Glossary
Your A-Z reference guide to online gambling terminology. Over 100 terms explained in plain language, from basic concepts to advanced technical jargon.
Understanding how this works helps you make informed decisions and get more value from your experience.
A-D
Accumulator: A single bet combining multiple selections. All must win for the bet to pay out. Also called a parlay.
Bankroll: The total amount of money you have set aside for gambling.
Bonus: A promotional offer from a casino, typically matching a percentage of your deposit.
Cashback: A percentage of your losses returned to you, usually by VIP programs.
CPA: Cost Per Acquisition — an affiliate commission model where the affiliate earns a fixed fee per referred player.
Deposit Limit: A tool that limits how much you can deposit in a set period (daily, weekly, monthly).
Double Down: In blackjack, doubling your bet and receiving exactly one more card.
E-H
eCOGRA: An independent testing agency that audits online casino game fairness.
Expected Value (EV): The average outcome of a bet calculated mathematically. Negative EV means the house has an edge.
Free Spins: Bonus spins on slot games awarded by the casino at no cost to the player.
GamStop: UK's national self-exclusion scheme for online gambling.
High Roller: A player who wagers large amounts. Also called a whale.
House Edge: The mathematical advantage the casino has over players, expressed as a percentage.
I-L
In-Play Betting: Placing bets on a sporting event while it is in progress. Also called live betting.
Jackpot: The top prize in a casino game, especially slots.
KYC: Know Your Customer — identity verification required before withdrawals.
Live Dealer: Casino games streamed in real-time with human dealers.
Loss Limit: A tool that limits how much you can lose in a set period.
M-P
MGA: Malta Gaming Authority — a top-tier gambling licence issuer.
Multiplier: A feature that multiplies your winnings by a specified amount.
No Deposit Bonus: A bonus awarded without requiring any deposit.
Overround: The bookmaker's margin — the amount by which implied probabilities exceed 100%.
Payline: A line across the reels where matching symbols must land to create a win.
Progressive Jackpot: A jackpot that grows with each bet placed, funded by a small percentage of every wager.
Provably Fair: A cryptographic system that lets players verify game fairness independently.
Q-T
Rake: The commission taken by a poker room from each pot.
Reload Bonus: A deposit match bonus for existing players on subsequent deposits.
Return to Player (RTP): The theoretical percentage of wagered money returned to players over time.
Revenue Share: An affiliate commission model where the affiliate earns a percentage of player losses.
Scatter: A special slot symbol that triggers bonuses regardless of payline position.
Self-Exclusion: Voluntarily banning yourself from gambling for a set period.
Stablecoin: A cryptocurrency pegged to a fiat currency (e.g., USDT pegged to USD).
True Value: Our metric for bonus quality — bonus amount divided by wagering requirement.
U-Z
UKGC: UK Gambling Commission — the UK's gambling regulator.
Volatility: A measure of how a slot distributes its payouts. Low volatility = frequent small wins. High volatility = rare large wins.
VIP Program: A loyalty scheme that rewards regular players with perks like cashback and personal support.
Wagering Requirement: The number of times a bonus must be bet through before withdrawal.
Wild: A slot symbol that substitutes for other symbols to create wins.
Win Cap: The maximum amount you can win from a bonus or free spins offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Gamble Responsibly
Gambling should be fun, not a way to make money. Set limits, take breaks, and never bet more than you can afford to lose. If you need help, visit BeGambleAware.org or call 1-800-522-4700.