Casino bonus terms glossary
Every bonus terms page uses the same dozen or so pieces of jargon. Once you know what each one actually means, reading any casino's T&Cs takes under a minute — here's the full list, in plain English.
Terms about your money
Wagering requirement
How many times you must stake a bonus (or its winnings) before it's withdrawable, e.g. 30x. See our full explainer.
Maximum cashout
The most you can withdraw from bonus winnings, regardless of how much you technically won.
Game weighting
How much a bet on a given game counts toward wagering — slots are usually 100%, table games far less.
Bonus balance
A separate account balance holding unwithdrawable bonus funds and winnings until wagering clears.
Real balance
Your actual withdrawable funds, kept separate from the bonus balance.
Spin value
The fixed dollar stake each free spin represents, e.g. $0.10 per spin.
Terms about who and what qualifies
Eligible games
The specific game(s) a bonus can be used on, or that count toward its wagering requirement.
Bonus expiry
The window — often 24 to 72 hours — in which you must use a bonus before it's forfeited.
Geo-restriction
Countries or regions excluded from an offer, checked automatically by IP and account details.
One-per-household rule
A limit of one bonus claim per person, address or payment method, enforced via KYC.
No deposit bonus
A bonus credited without requiring a deposit first, usually as free spins or a small bonus balance. See our full guide.
Deposit match bonus
A bonus that matches a percentage of your deposit, up to a cap — see our comparison.
Terms about your account
KYC (Know Your Customer)
Identity verification required before a withdrawal, typically photo ID and proof of address. See our full guide.
Self-exclusion
A tool letting you block yourself from an account, or all licensed sites via BetStop. See our responsible gambling page.
Licence
The regulator that authorises an operator to run — see our licensing guide.
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find these terms for a specific bonus?
On the casino's own promotions or bonus terms page, and in our reviews — see all casino reviews for the exact figures we've verified.
Which term matters most for a no deposit bonus?
Wagering requirement and maximum cashout together — one tells you the effort, the other the ceiling. See our wagering guide.