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Casino Key Terms

January 27, 2025

There are many specialised languages used in the online gambling industry. This vocabulary might be particularly perplexing for new players. You will be more able to get around the online casino environment the more you comprehend important words and phrases. In order to assist you better understand the lingo of online gambling, this comprehensive guide provides definitions and information of the most frequently used casino key terms used in online casinos.

Bankroll

This is the overall amount of funds you have set aside for gambling. The bankroll feature in all online casinos is there to help you manage your funds and to prevent overspending on gambling.

Bet

This is how much money you wagered on one game. A ‘Bet’ does not mean the amount of money you’ve set aside to play with on multiple online casino games; it is just the amount you want to play with on just one game. Each type of game has a different amount of betting value. For example, players are likely to bet more on table games than slot games.

Bonus

Extra money or free spins are offered to you by the casino as a promotion. There are various types of bonuses you could be awarded by the casino, such as cashback, reloads, a no-deposit bonus, a welcome bonus, or codes that give you promotions.

House Edge

The statistical edge the casino has over you as a player. The ‘House Edge’ is present in every slot game, table game, and lotto in an online casino. It is determined by the games themselves, not by a specific online casino. Often, the house edge is shown as a percentage. For instance, if a certain game has an RTP of 96%, the house edge would be 4%.

RNG (Random Number Generator)

The software that guarantees the random results of casino games. This is an innovative system that provides fair play for players, as an algorithm produces entirely randomised figures so you can enjoy unbiased gameplay.

Wagering Requirements

These are the terms and conditions that you must meet before you withdraw your money, generally including betting a certain multiple of the bonus value. You need to wager the amount before you are able to convert the bonus money into withdrawable money. So, wagering requirements are only relevant for the games that offer a bonus. For example, at Pokerstars casino there are bonuses on most slot games, including Gates of Olympus and Starburst.

Payline

The line in which a payout is awarded based on winning combinations in online casino slot games. In order to win while playing a slot game, you need to land on a winning combination on a payline.

RTP (Return To Player)

This casino key term refers to the percentage of the total wagered money that a casino game or slot machine will pay back to you over time. The Return To Player percentage is one of the features that online casinos use to attract players. For instance, a good RTP percentage example is the Stars Sunday Jackpot game, which has a Return To Players percentage of 96.89%. The higher the percentage, the better.

VIP Program

Most online casinos have a ‘loyalty program’ that rewards recurring players with exclusive perks, bonuses, and other promotions. Such programs are tailored to boost your gaming experience by giving extra bonuses and promotions if you play at the same online casino often.

Live Dealer

A real person who acts as the dealer and runs online casino table games streamed to players online so you can enjoy an interactive and immersive experience. Before starting the role as a ‘live dealer’, they are fully trained on casino protocol to certify fair gambling. An example is the highly popular Live Roulette game.

Written By
David Lynch

Experienced writer and editor based in Ireland. Attends poker events, covers all casino games and slots, but is really a keen blackjack and roulette player at heart. A sports fanatic among all other things with a soft spot for soccer and F1