Guide
Casino Glossary: 40 Terms in Plain English
At a Glance
- Forty terms grouped by money and odds, slots, table games and bonuses.
- Knowing the words helps you read rules and terms correctly.
- Definitions are general; each game and site has its own details.
- Read the actual terms on the brand's site before relying on any word.
- 18+ only
- Official partner site
- Updated 5 Nov 2026
- Play within limits
Casino language can feel like a private club's slang. Terms fly around in promotions, game screens and chat, and a misread word can cost you money. This glossary collects forty of the most common ones, grouped so you can find them quickly. Definitions are general; for any specific offer or game, the rules on the brand's own site are what count.
Money and odds
These ten words appear on bet slips, game screens and promotion pages. Understanding them helps you plan your stake and understand what a price really says. For worked examples, see our cricket odds guide.
Remember that definitions are simplified. Where a number matters, read the specific rules.
| Term | Plain meaning |
|---|---|
| Bankroll | The total money you set aside for gaming. |
| Stake | The amount you bet on one round or spin. |
| Bet slip | The panel that shows your selections and potential return. |
| Odds | The price that tells you the payout for a bet. |
| Decimal odds | Odds shown as the total return per unit staked. |
| Implied probability | The chance suggested by a price. |
| Margin | The built-in sportsbook cut inside prices. |
| House edge | The average share of bets a game keeps over time. |
| RTP | Return to player, a long-run theoretical percentage. |
| Volatility | How wide the swings are between wins and losses. |
Slot words
Slots come with their own vocabulary. Most of it is explained in each game's info screen, but knowing the basics makes that screen far easier to read. Our slots hub covers the practical side of browsing the lobby.
If a word on a game screen is not in this list, look at the paytable first.
| Term | Plain meaning |
|---|---|
| Paytable | The game screen listing symbol values and rules. |
| Payline | A line on which matching symbols pay. |
| Reel | A vertical column of symbols in a slot. |
| Scatter | A symbol that often triggers a bonus anywhere on screen. |
| Wild | A symbol that substitutes for others. |
| Multiplier | A factor that increases a win. |
| Free spins | Spins awarded without a new stake. |
| Cascade | Winning symbols clear and new ones fall in. |
| Jackpot | A top prize, fixed or progressive. |
| Progressive | A prize pool that grows with bets. |
Table and live game words
Live and table games borrow words from card rooms and dice tables. A few of them, like push and bust, decide whether you win, lose or get your stake back, so they are worth learning. See the live casino hub for the games themselves.
If a table uses a term differently, the rules panel overrides this list.
| Term | Plain meaning |
|---|---|
| Autoplay | A setting that spins repeatedly for you. |
| Demo mode | Practice play with pretend credits. |
| Live dealer | A real host streamed from a studio. |
| Table limits | Minimum and maximum bets at a table. |
| Side bet | An optional extra bet on a table game. |
| Push | A tie where the stake is returned. |
| Ante | A small forced bet to start a hand. |
| Bust | Going over the limit, as in blackjack. |
| Banker | One of the two hands in baccarat. |
| Tie | A level result in a card or dice game. |
Bonus and account words
Terms around bonuses and accounts matter most, because misunderstanding them can mean a bonus you cannot withdraw or a delay you did not expect. Read the real terms on the brand's site before you rely on any word here. Our wagering requirements guide gives a worked example.
Keep this page handy, and when in doubt ask support through the brand's official site.
| Term | Plain meaning |
|---|---|
| Wagering requirement | Turnover needed before bonus winnings can be withdrawn. |
| Turnover | The total amount wagered over a period. |
| Cashback | A refund of part of your losses or bets. |
| Rebate | A return of a share of turnover. |
| Promo code | A code entered to claim an offer. |
| Verification | Confirming identity before certain actions. |
| Cashier | The section for deposits and withdrawals. |
| Withdrawal | Moving funds from your account to your own wallet or bank. |
| Stop-loss | A loss limit set before play. |
| Self-exclusion | A request to block your own access for a period. |
Using the glossary well
Use this list as a bookmark rather than a lesson. When a promotion or game screen uses a word you do not recognize, look it up before you act. If it is not listed, ask support or skip the offer.
Also be wary of words that sound friendly but hide cost, such as free, bonus or boost. Free spins still have rules; a bonus may carry wagering. Good habits start with good vocabulary. For limit tools and warning signs, visit our responsible gaming page.
In short: know the word, read the rule, then decide.
Step by step
Use the glossary in 3 steps
- 1Spot the unfamiliar word
Note any term in a promotion or game screen you do not know.
- 2Look it up here
Find the plain meaning, then compare it with the rule on the brand's site.
- 3Decide with clarity
Proceed only when you understand the term and its cost.