Casino glossary
Plain-English definitions for terms you will see across our UK casino comparisons. These explanations are evergreen — they describe how things work in general, not specific operator promotions.
- Wagering requirement
- The number of times you must bet bonus funds before withdrawing winnings from a promotion.
- RNG
- Random Number Generator — software that determines slot and digital table game outcomes independently of previous spins.
- UKGC
- UK Gambling Commission — the regulator that licenses and monitors online gambling operators serving British customers.
- GamStop
- A free UK self-exclusion scheme covering all licensed operators; once registered, you cannot open new accounts for your chosen period.
- Live dealer
- Real-time casino games streamed from a studio with human croupiers, playable on desktop and mobile.
- Volatility
- How often and how large a slot tends to pay out — low volatility means frequent small wins; high volatility means less frequent but potentially larger hits.
- RTP (Return to Player)
- The theoretical percentage a slot returns to players over millions of spins. A 96% RTP means the game is designed to return £96 per £100 wagered long-term — individual sessions vary wildly.
- Paylines
- The patterns across a slot reel grid where matching symbols must land for a win. Modern slots often use ways-to-win mechanics instead of fixed lines, but the concept is the same.
- Self-exclusion
- A tool that blocks you from gambling on a specific site or across all UK-licensed operators (via GamStop) for a set period. Once active, the operator must prevent you from opening new accounts or placing bets.
- Free spins
- Complimentary rounds on a named slot, usually awarded as part of a welcome package or promotion. Winnings from free spins typically carry wagering requirements before withdrawal.
- Deposit match
- A bonus where the operator adds a percentage of your first deposit as bonus funds — for example, 100% up to £100 doubles a £100 deposit to £200 in playable balance. Wagering requirements apply to the bonus portion.