Casino Glossary
New to online casinos? This glossary explains all the key terms you'll encounter. From wagering requirements to RTP, we've got you covered.
Bankroll
The total amount of money a player has set aside for gambling. Proper bankroll management means only gambling with money you can afford to lose.
Bonus Abuse
Exploiting casino bonus terms in unintended ways. Casinos have terms and conditions to prevent this, and offenders may have their accounts closed.
Cashback Bonus
A promotion that returns a percentage of a player's losses over a set period. For example, 10% weekly cashback on net losses.
Deposit Match Bonus
A bonus where the casino matches your deposit by a percentage. A 100% match on a R1,000 deposit gives you R2,000 to play with.
EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer)
A popular South African banking method for depositing and withdrawing at online casinos. Transfers directly between your bank account and the casino.
Free Spins
Bonus rounds on slot games that don't cost you money. They can be awarded as part of a welcome bonus, in-game feature, or standalone promotion.
House Edge
The mathematical advantage the casino has over players, expressed as a percentage. European roulette has a 2.7% house edge, meaning the casino expects to keep R2.70 of every R100 wagered over time.
Jackpot (Progressive)
A jackpot that increases every time a player bets on the game without winning it. Progressive jackpots can reach massive amounts and are pooled across multiple casinos.
KYC (Know Your Customer)
The verification process casinos use to confirm your identity. You may need to provide ID documents, proof of address, and payment verification before withdrawing.
Live Dealer
Casino games operated by real human dealers, streamed live via video. Players can interact with the dealer and other players in real-time.
Loyalty Programme
A rewards system that gives regular players points for their wagers. Points can be exchanged for bonuses, free spins, or other perks.
Maximum Bet (Bonus)
The highest bet amount allowed while playing with bonus funds. Exceeding this limit can void your bonus and any winnings.
Minimum Deposit
The smallest amount a casino allows you to deposit. Typically R25-R50 at SA casinos.
No Deposit Bonus
A bonus that doesn't require a deposit — you receive free money or free spins just for registering. Usually smaller amounts (R50-R200) with higher wagering requirements.
Payline
A line across the reels of a slot machine on which a winning combination must land. Modern slots can have 1 to thousands of paylines.
Payout Percentage
See RTP (Return to Player). The percentage of wagered money that a game returns to players over time.
Playthrough
Another term for wagering requirements. The number of times a bonus must be wagered before winnings can be withdrawn.
Random Number Generator (RNG)
Software used in digital casino games to ensure outcomes are random and fair. Certified RNGs are regularly audited by independent testing bodies.
Reload Bonus
A bonus offered to existing players on subsequent deposits (not just the first). Typically a lower match percentage than welcome bonuses (25-75%).
Responsible Gambling
Practices and tools that help players gamble safely and within their means. Includes deposit limits, self-exclusion, and helpline access (NRGP: 0800 006 008).
RTP (Return to Player)
A percentage indicating how much a game pays back to players over time. A 96% RTP means R96 is returned for every R100 wagered on average. Higher RTP is better for players.
Self-Exclusion
A responsible gambling tool that lets you block yourself from a casino for a set period (weeks, months, or permanently). Contact the casino's support or use their responsible gambling page.
SID Instant EFT
An instant online bank transfer payment method available at many SA casinos. Supports major banks including ABSA, FNB, Standard Bank, Nedbank, and Capitec.
SSL Encryption
Secure Sockets Layer technology that encrypts data between your browser and the casino's server. Look for the padlock icon in your browser address bar.
Sticky Bonus
A bonus that cannot be withdrawn — only the winnings generated from playing with it can be cashed out. Also called a non-cashable or phantom bonus.
Volatility
How a slot game distributes payouts. Low volatility = frequent small wins. High volatility = rare but large wins. Medium volatility is a balance between the two.
Wagering Requirement
The number of times you must bet a bonus amount before withdrawing winnings. A 30x requirement on a R1,000 bonus means wagering R30,000 total. Lower requirements are more player-friendly.
ZAR
The ISO currency code for the South African Rand. ZAR casinos accept deposits and process transactions in Rands, eliminating currency conversion fees.
18+ | Play Responsibly
Gambling can be addictive. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, contact the National Responsible Gambling Programme helpline: 0800 006 008