Online casino platforms use a wide range of terms that may not always be familiar, especially if you’re new to the format. Understanding these terms makes it easier to navigate games, read bonus conditions and manage your account, and to explore live ways to play as they appear across modern platforms. While some are specific to certain game types, others appear across many parts of the site.
These terms are also standardised across most regulated casino sites, so once you understand the basics, you’ll recognise them on other platforms that follow licensing requirements.
Here are some of the most common terms you’re likely to come across.
RTP (Return to Player)
RTP stands for Return to Player. It’s a percentage that represents the average amount a game is expected to return to players over a large number of plays. For example, a game with an RTP of 96% means that, on average, 96 coins may be returned for every 100 staked over time.
RTP is calculated over long-term use and doesn’t predict outcomes in a single session.
Volatility
Volatility, also known as variance, refers to how frequently and how large payouts tend to be in a game. High volatility games may offer larger potential returns but less frequently. Low volatility games may have smaller but more frequent returns.
Knowing the volatility level helps you choose games that match how you prefer to play.
Wagering requirements
Wagering requirements are terms attached to bonuses. They state how many times you need to stake the bonus amount (and sometimes the deposit) before any related funds can be withdrawn. For example, a 30x wagering requirement on a 10-unit bonus means 300 units must be staked before the bonus can be converted into withdrawable funds.
These conditions are found in the bonus terms and need to be read carefully before accepting any promotional offer.
Paylines
A payline is the line or pattern across the reels where matching symbols need to land to create a return. Traditional Slot games often have a fixed number of paylines, while modern video Slots may have hundreds, or use systems like “243 ways to pay”.
Some games let you adjust the number of active paylines, while others have fixed layouts.
Bonus buy
Some games offer a bonus buy feature, where you can pay a set amount to access a bonus round immediately, rather than waiting for it to trigger during regular play. This feature isn’t available in all markets and may be restricted under certain regulatory guidelines.
Check the game rules to see if this feature’s included and what the cost is before using it.
Progressive jackpot
A progressive jackpot is a prize pool that increases each time the game is played and the jackpot isn’t triggered. These jackpots can grow across a network of linked games, sometimes reaching significant totals.
Not all versions of a game will be connected to the same jackpot pool, so the amount can vary between sites.
Free spins
Free spins are a type of bonus that lets you play Slot games without using your own funds. They may be awarded as part of a promotion, as a feature within a game, or during loyalty rewards.
Terms usually apply to free spins, including wagering requirements, expiry timeframes and capped outcomes. Read the terms carefully before using them.
House edge
House edge refers to the mathematical advantage that the casino has in a particular game. It’s the opposite of RTP. For example, if a game has a 96% RTP, the house edge is 4%.
The house edge varies by game type and can be influenced by how you choose to play (such as the number of paylines activated or the version of the game).
