Casino words explained

A to Z

Bonus balance

Bonus money, kept apart from your cash until wagering is done.

Cashier

The page where you deposit and withdraw.

Demo

A free version of a game with pretend credits.

Deposit limit

A cap you set on what you can pay in.

Free spins

Spins on a slot at no cost; winnings may or may not carry wagering.

GAMSTOP

Free self-exclusion from all UK-licensed gambling sites.

House edge

The share of stakes a game keeps over time.

KYC

Know your customer: identity checks.

Lobby

The casino's menu of games.

Opt in

To choose to take a bonus.

Paytable

A slot's list of what each combination pays.

Reality check

A reminder of how long you have played.

RTP

Return to player: the share of stakes a game pays back.

Stake

The amount you bet on one round.

Volatility

How unevenly a game pays.

Wagering

The stakes required before bonus winnings become cash.

Autoplay

Automatic spins; banned on UK online slots.

Bet behind

Betting on another player's hand at live blackjack.

Closed loop

Withdrawals returning to the method you deposited with.

Commission

The 5% taken from winning banker bets in baccarat.

Dispute resolution

The free, independent service for unresolved complaints.

Even-money bet

A bet paying 1 to 1, such as red or black.

Max bet rule

A limit on stake size while a bonus is active.

Pending

A withdrawal requested but not yet processed.

Qualifying deposit

The amount needed to trigger an offer.

RNG

Random number generator: the software that decides results.

Scatter

A slot symbol that pays anywhere and often starts a feature.

Soft hand

A blackjack hand with an ace counted as eleven.

Time-out

A short break from your account, from 24 hours.

Wild

A slot symbol that stands in for others.

In use

The six steps and how to play.

Keep reading: Step 4: take or decline the welcome offer, How to play baccarat and Real money play.

Go further: How to play live roulette, How to place roulette bets and How to use PayPal at a casino.

Also useful: How online casinos work and What to do after a win or a loss.

Offer terms were read from each casino's published conditions and dated 5 October 2026. Game rules and house edges are standard published figures. Casino details other than offers come from independent reviews; we have not opened real-money accounts. How we check. 18+. Free help: 0808 8020 133 or safer gambling.