CURRENT EDITION
US guide · Bonus basics
US casino bonus glossary in plain English
These terms describe promotional accounting and eligibility. Definitions in an actual offer may be more specific, so use this glossary as a reading aid.
- Turnover, loss, and deposit describe different quantities.
- Restricted credit is not automatically cash.
- State authorization and promotional eligibility are separate checks.
Money and progress terms
Deposit means money added to the account. Bonus credit means a promotional amount governed by conditions. Withdrawable balance means the amount the platform currently identifies as available for a withdrawal request, subject to applicable checks. Turnover means the sum of stakes counted under a defined rule.
Wagering requirement, playthrough, and rollover commonly describe a qualifying-turnover target. The base is the amount multiplied; the multiplier is the factor applied. Contribution is the portion of an eligible stake that counts toward the target.
Award and restriction terms
Deposit match describes an award linked to an eligible deposit. Free spins describe a set number of game rounds at a stated denomination. Cashback or lossback describes an award calculated from a defined loss measure; it may still be restricted credit. Reload means a promotion for an existing account.
Maximum cashout or conversion cap limits a defined eligible amount. Maximum bet restricts wager size while an offer is active. Expiry ends a particular claim, use, or conversion period. Forfeiture means removal of amounts under the specified condition.
Account and jurisdiction terms
Opt-in is an affirmative action to enroll in a promotion. KYC is shorthand for identity and related verification processes. Geolocation concerns the device's physical location. Self-exclusion is a formal restriction intended to prevent participation within the program's scope.
An operator accepts wagers under the relevant authorization; a supplier may provide technology without accepting player wagers. A state license is tied to its jurisdiction and product. A national brand name does not establish nationwide casino permission.
Words that deserve extra care
Cash, free, guaranteed, risk-free, and gift can be misleading without their conditions. Ask what the word means in the specific offer. A guaranteed award can still require qualification, and a free award can still lead to losses or restricted winnings.
RTP describes a theoretical game-return model; it is not a personal payout promise. Variance describes the spread of outcomes around an average. Neither term tells you that a bonus can be completed or that a particular session will be profitable.
Worked example · hypothetical
Hypothetical example
In a fictional sentence, '20x bonus-only playthrough with 50% contribution' on a $10 award means a $200 counted target. If every eligible stake contributes one-half, $40 of settled stakes adds $20 of progress. This translates terminology without predicting game results.
Common questions
Are rollover and playthrough always identical?
They often refer to wagering requirements, but use the offer's actual definition.
Does cash in a promotional headline mean withdrawable funds?
Not necessarily. Check the ledger, conversion rules, and withdrawal conditions.
Sources & further reading
Read the source alongside the explanation. Rules and published terms can change; check the current official position where you live.
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