Online Casino Glossary

The world of online casinos can be highly confusing to new players. One of the most significant sources of confusion is the new words and phrases specific to the industry. While experts are well-versed in this online casino language, it can take a little while for newbies to pick up!

In this online casino glossary, we look at some of the terms you might encounter online. You don’t need to learn the entire glossary by heart. Yet, it might be helpful to skim over it before you start playing online casino games.

You can even bookmark the page on your device so that if you stumble across any language you’re unsure of, you can quickly head back here and discover the definition.

A

Advantage Player

Someone that uses legal methods to gain an advantage while gambling. For example, counting cards in blackjack or poker.

Ante

All players must place a compulsory upfront bet before cards are dealt or shown. This is only required in some card games.

B

Banker

The individual is responsible for collecting money from bets and paying out winnings. In land-based casinos, this is usually the dealer. In online casinos, this exchange happens automatically.

Bankroll

The money players have in their accounts is set aside to spend at online casinos.

Bet

The amount of money you stake with each online casino game. An alternative to the term Wager.

Betting Limits

The maximum and minimum amount a player can wager in a single hand.

Bonus

Extra funds are awarded to players for fulfilling some requirements. Bonuses are often awarded for creating an account, depositing, or wagering a set amount.

Bonus Symbols

The symbols on an online slot machine trigger a bonus game or free spins.

Burn Card

The card is removed from the top of the deck before the pack is dealt.

C

Card Counting

Technique players use to gain an advantage over the house. They track which cards have been dealt and the likelihood of the next cards on the table.

Card Shark/Card Sharp

An extremely skilled card player.

Cascading Reels

A feature of some online slot machines. The winning reels will continue to spin and be replaced with new symbols for another chance to win.

Cash Bonus

A bonus is given by online casinos that can be withdrawn as cash.

Cash Out

To withdraw online casino winnings. This phrase has a different meaning in online sports betting. In this setting, this refers to settling a bet before the event has concluded.

Casino Advantage

The mathematical advantage online casinos have over their casino games is to get profit. This is expressed as a percentage of the player’s original bet and is sometimes abbreviated to the edge, also called house edge.

Chasing

When players attempt to recover previous losses by gambling more money.

Chips

Tokens that represent real money at online casino table games.

Coat Tail

Following another player’s betting patterns

Cold Streak

A continued unlucky streak that results in losses.

Comp

Abbreviation for complimentary. Online award casinos give out as part of their loyalty rewards programmes. Examples include free drinks, hotel stays, or holidays.

Comp Hustling

Playing online casino games strategically to maximise comp points.

Comp Points

Loyalty points players earn with each real money wager. They can be exchanged for prizes—for example, free accommodation, dining experiences, or extra online casino credits.

Croupier

The casino dealer is responsible for running the gaming table. Also referred to as the dealer.

D

Dealer

The casino dealer is responsible for running the gaming table. Also referred to as the croupier.

Deposit

The process of transferring funds to an online casino account.

Deposit Bonus

A type of online casino bonus awarded to players for making a deposit.

Deposit Method

The payment method used to fund your online casino account. Popular examples in the UK include PayPal, debit cards, and bank transfers.

Down Card

A dealt card that lies faces down on the table—also known as a Face Down Card.

Download Casino

An online casino that requires the download of the software client. You need to download this to play casino games and place bets.

SW

ECOGRA

Acronym for eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance. An independent third party that focuses on responsible operations and player protection.

Edge

Abbreviation for House Edge. The advantage the online casino has over its casino games.

Encryption

A security method is in place at online casinos. It encodes personal and financial player information to protect against hackers.

Even Money Bet

A bet with payout odds of 1:1. Means the winnings from the bet will equal the value of the stake. For example, a winning £5 even money bet will give returns of £10.

Expanding Wilds

Symbols on online slots that expand to cover the entire reel. They can create more winning combinations to boost rewards.

Expected Win Rate

The amount you can expect to win back from a game over time is expressed as a percentage.

P

Face Card

Any jack, queen, or king card.

Face Down Card

A dealt card that lies faces down on the table. Also known as a Down Card.

Face Up Card

A dealt card that lies face-up on the table. Also known as an Up Card.

Flash Casino

A web-based online casino whose games can be played on your browser and is also known as an instant casino.

Flat Betting

A betting strategy whereby players wager the same amount on each hand.

Free Spin

A free opportunity to spin the reels of an online slot machine game. After wagering requirements are met, any winnings from the spins are the players to keep.

G

Gross Winnings

The total amount of money received from online gambling. Refer to the winnings from a single bet or a series over time.

H

High Roller

A player that spends large amounts of money on placing high stake bets.

Hot Streak

Continued winning hands.

House

Alternative to the word casino.

House Edge

The mathematical advantage online casinos have over their casino games is to get profit. This is expressed as a percentage of the player’s original bet and is sometimes abbreviated to the edge, also referred to as casino advantage.

House Rules

A set of rules set by an online casino. These can vary between sites.

I

Instant Casino

A web-based online casino whose games can be played on your browser, also known as a flash casino.

J

JaWckpot

The largest prize is available from casino games. Jackpots are usually associated with slot machines.

L

Live Dealer Casino Games

Games where footage of live dealers is streamed to your device. Players can interact with the dealers and one another. This makes for an authentic land-based experience at home.

Lobby

The online casino page is where players can select a game to play.

Loyalty Programme

A rewards programme is in place to thank loyal players. Points are earned with every real money wager and exchanged for prizes and bonuses. The more money spent, the bigger the rewards. Also known as a VIP programme or rewards scheme.

M

Maximum Bet

The highest single bet available to stake.

Minimum Bet

The lowest single bet available to stake.

Multi-Hand Game

A casino game where players can play multiple hands simultaneously.

Multi-Player Game

An online casino game that more than one player can play at once.

N

Net Winnings

The profit received from a winning bet or series of bets over time.

O

Odds

Refer to the definitions of Payout Odds and True Odds

Optimal Strategy

The strategy that gives players the best chance at maximising winnings. This does not exist for all online casino games.

P

Payout

The winnings that the player receives.

Payout Odds

The amount that a player will receive back if their bet wins. This is based on the initial stake. For example, payout odds of 2:1 mean £2 will be won for every £1 spent. Similarly, odds of 1:2 mean that £0.50 will be won for every £1 spent.

Payout Percentage

The total amount an online casino game pays back to players over time. This is expressed as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the higher your chances of winning. They are also referred to as a return to player or RTP.

Payout Table

A display of the different winning combinations. This shows paylines for an online slot machine or winning bets for an online table game.

Play Bonus

An online casino bonus that cannot be withdrawn as cash. The bonus amount must be used on the site to place more bets.

Play for Fun

Online casino games can be played for free without wagering real money.

Progression Betting

Where players increase the value of their bets over time, positive progression is where the stake increases after a winning hand. Negative progression is where the stake increases after every losing hand.

Progressive Jackpot

A jackpot amount that increases over time until it is won. There are progressive jackpot slot machines and table games.

R

Random Number Generator (RNG)

A computer algorithm is used to determine the outcome of games. Their use ensures game fairness and randomness at online casinos.

Reload Bonus

An online casino bonus is available for existing players. It is awarded when players deposit to their account.

Return to Player (RTP)

The total amount an online casino game pays back to players over time. It is expressed as a percentage. The higher the percentage, the higher your chances of winning. Also referred to as payout percentage.

Rewards Scheme

A programme online casinos use to reward their players. See Loyalty Rewards Programme.

S

Scatter Symbols

Symbols in an online slot machine that do not need to fall in a payline to payout. They payout regardless of their position on the reels.

Side Bet

A bet is not directly based on the outcome of the casino game.

Sign Up Bonus

A bonus is awarded to new players when first creating an online casino account. Alternative term to Welcome Bonus.

Slot Machines

A gambling machine that allows players to win money by matching symbols on the spinning reels.

Stake

The value of a wager.

T

True Odds

The odds of winning a bet are based on mathematical probability. These odds are usually higher than payout odds as there is no deduction of the house edge.

U

Up Card

A dealt card that lies face-up on the table. Also known as a face-up card.

V

VIP Player

A high-value player. These are usually high rollers that regularly gamble online.

VIP Programme

A programme online casinos use to reward their players. See Loyalty Rewards Programme.

W

Wager

The amount of money you stake playing online casino games. An alternative term to bet.

Wagering Requirements

The number of times you must wager the value of the bonus. You need to meet the wagering requirements before making a withdrawal. The lower the wagering requirements, the easier to clear the bonus.

Welcome Bonus

A bonus is awarded to new players for creating an online casino account—an alternative term to sign-up bonus.

Whale

A player of high value regularly places high-stakes wagers.

Wild Symbols

Online slot machine symbols are substituted with other symbols. They help form winning combinations.

Withdrawal

The process of requesting funds from your online casino account.