Glossary

This pokies glossary explains the language used in game rules, casino offers and banking information. Look up a term, check what it means in that particular context, then follow the relevant guide for examples. The same word can describe different things: a payout might mean a game prize or an account withdrawal, while free spins might be a game feature or a restricted promotion.

18+. This page contains affiliate links, through which we may receive commission. Numerical examples are hypothetical explanations, not gambling results or forecasts. Availability and eligibility vary; the affiliate disclosure explains our commercial relationship.

How to use this glossary

Definitions are grouped alphabetically below. The Gambling Commission’s technical terminology distinguishes designed return, recorded return and turnover. Its sources describe Great Britain’s regulatory context; they do not certify the casinos in our table. For readers in Australia, ACMA’s information explains restrictions affecting online casino services. A payment logo or overseas licence does not establish Australian authorisation.

A–B

Actual RTP

The return measured from recorded prizes and stakes over a particular sample. It describes that sample, rather than the game’s designed long-term percentage. A short session can produce a very different result. See the RTP guide.

Affiliate link

A tracked link through which a publisher may receive commission. It identifies a commercial relationship; it does not establish the reader’s eligibility, a site’s reliability or an offer’s value. Our affiliate disclosure explains this relationship.

Anti-money laundering (AML)

Checks and procedures concerned with the origin and movement of money. In account reviews, this can involve additional questions beyond basic identity. The exact request, applicable requirements and accepted evidence depend on the business and situation.

Bankroll

Money set aside for gambling. It is a personal spending allocation, not a prediction of how long play will last. A deposit, a displayed bonus and an account balance are different figures, even when shown together.

Base game

The ordinary part of a pokie outside separately described bonus features. Some games include other states or modes within their rules. A base-game prize does not have to be large enough to exceed the stake.

Bet

The amount risked on a paid game round. The interface may show a line amount, denomination or extra feature charge alongside it. Use the final total stake to understand the actual cost of each round.

Bonus balance

Promotional funds credited subject to conditions. These may sit separately from deposited cash or appear within a combined balance. A bonus balance is not automatically withdrawable, even when the account total looks like available money.

Bonus buy

An option to pay a stated price to enter a feature directly. Its price can be many times the ordinary spin stake. Availability, eligibility and maximum-bet restrictions vary; see bonus-buy pokies.

Bonus code

A code used to identify or activate a promotion. Correct spelling alone does not guarantee eligibility. Account status, deposit amount, permitted games and the offer’s validity still matter. See the bonus-code guide.

Bonus round

A game feature reached under the paytable’s rules, such as free spins or a collection round. It is distinct from an account promotion. Feature rules determine what triggers it, what pays and whether it can retrigger.

Business day

A working day as defined by the business handling a payment or review. It is not necessarily a calendar day. A quoted processing period may exclude weekends and holidays and may begin only after required checks.

C

Cashable bonus

A promotional label suggesting that some bonus funds can become withdrawable after conditions are met. Read the actual definition: conversion rules, wagering, caps and excluded amounts can differ. The label alone does not tell you the final cash amount.

Cashback

An offer returning a stated portion of qualifying losses, spending or another defined amount. The return might be cash or restricted bonus funds. The calculation period, exclusions and claim conditions matter; see cashback bonuses.

Cashout cap

A ceiling on the amount that can be withdrawn from a particular promotion or balance category. It differs from a weekly payment limit and a game’s maximum prize. Read the withdrawal-limits guide for examples.

Coin value

The cash value assigned to one game credit or coin. Changing it can change the total stake. Ten credits at one denomination need not cost the same as ten credits at another denomination.

Contribution rate

The proportion of eligible stakes counted towards a wagering target. At 20% contribution, a $10 eligible stake counts as $2 of progress. A game listed in the lobby may still contribute nothing to a particular bonus.

Credits

Units used to display a stake, balance or prize. They can represent real money at a stated denomination or fictional demo funds. Check the unit before interpreting a number; 1,000 displayed credits does not necessarily mean $1,000.

Cryptocurrency confirmation

A recorded stage in a blockchain transaction’s acceptance. A casino can require a particular number before crediting a transfer. Confirmation and account approval are separate events; the crypto banking guide explains the wider payment process.

D–F

Demo mode

A version played with virtual funds rather than a withdrawable cash balance. It can help explain buttons and rules. Results do not establish what a later paid session will return. See free pokies.

Denomination

The monetary value of the unit used in a game. It helps connect displayed credits to cash. A denomination selection is not the whole stake calculation when lines, coins or extra options also affect the price.

Deposit match

A promotion calculated as a percentage of a qualifying deposit, usually subject to a maximum. A hypothetical 100% match on $30 adds $30 of bonus funds; it does not make the combined balance immediately withdrawable.

Deposit minimum

The smallest qualifying transfer accepted by a payment method or promotion. These can be different thresholds. An accepted deposit can still be too small for the advertised bonus. Compare the low-deposit guide with the offer terms.

Eligible game

A game permitted under a promotion’s rules. Eligibility may also depend on mode, stake or feature use. A provider logo or lobby listing does not prove that every game from that provider qualifies for the active offer.

Expiry

The point at which an offer, claim window or bonus balance ends under its terms. Check what starts the timer and which timezone applies. A deposit deadline and a deadline for completing wagering are not necessarily the same.

Feature

A named game mechanism beyond ordinary symbol payments, such as a multiplier or respin sequence. Features can be part of normal play or a separate mode. The title’s own rules determine their operation and price.

Fixed jackpot

A jackpot with a predefined prize or stake multiplier rather than a pot that continually increases through contributions. A fixed multiplier can still produce different cash amounts at different qualifying stakes. Check the displayed prize’s units.

Free spins

Either spins awarded by a game’s rules or promotional spins credited by an operator. These have different conditions. Promotional winnings may carry wagering, expiry and withdrawal caps. See no-deposit free spins for that specific offer type.

Funds available to withdraw

The amount an account currently permits you to request as a withdrawal. It can differ from the displayed total balance because of restricted funds, pending requests, minimums or unresolved checks. The cashier and current terms determine the applicable position.

G–H

Game mode

A particular rule state or selectable way of playing a title. Features, prices or volatility can differ between modes. A mode described in one game should not be assumed to exist, or operate identically, in another.

Game provider

The company supplying the game software or content. It differs from the operator managing the player’s account. A provider’s catalogue does not prove availability at a particular casino. Browse the software-provider directory for context.

Gross award

The amount credited from a result before comparing it with the cost of the round. If a $2 spin returns $1, the award is $1 but the net change is a $1 loss.

Hit frequency

How often a defined paying event occurs over the game’s mathematical model or measured sample. It is not the same as RTP or the frequency of profitable spins. Check whether the definition includes awards below the stake.

Hold and win

A family of features commonly involving held prize symbols and further chances to collect more. Grid size, resets, prize collection and jackpot rules vary between titles. See hold-and-win games rather than assuming one universal format.

House edge

The mathematical advantage represented by the game’s expected return below the amount staked. For a model returning 96%, the complementary figure is 4%. It describes expectation over repeated play, not a fixed deduction from every deposit.

I–L

Identity verification

A review intended to establish that account details correspond to the person using the account. It can be separate from address, payment ownership and funding checks. The account-verification guide explains these different requests.

Jackpot

A separately identified prize, which might be fixed or progressive. The word alone does not reveal its trigger, eligibility, funding or size. Read the specific rules and our progressive-jackpot guide before comparing headline amounts.

Know your customer (KYC)

A common label for customer identification and related checks. It does not describe one identical document list everywhere. AUSTRAC’s explanation of ID requests gives Australian regulated-business context, rather than certifying any listed offshore operator.

Line bet

The amount assigned to one payline where a game uses that pricing format. A $0.01 line bet across 20 paid lines would cost $0.20 before other charges. Modern games may instead show one combined stake.

Local jackpot

A jackpot limited to a defined operator, venue, group or installation rather than a wider shared network. The rules must establish the actual scope. A familiar game name does not mean every version shares the same pot.

M

Maximum win

The largest game award specified for a defined round or feature, often expressed as a stake multiplier. It is a ceiling, not a likely result. It differs from both a promotional cashout cap and an account’s withdrawal schedule.

Megaways

Big Time Gaming’s game system in which changing numbers of reel positions affect the available winning ways. The provider’s Dragon Born explanation illustrates the mechanism. Each title has its own limits and rules; see Megaways pokies.

Multiplier

A factor applied to a specified amount, such as a qualifying prize or stake. A 5× prize multiplier and a prize worth 5× the stake describe different calculations. Read what is being multiplied and whether limits apply.

N–Q

Net result

Awards received minus the amount staked over the period being examined. In a hypothetical session with $80 staked and $65 returned, the net result is minus $15. A large individual award can coexist with a losing session.

No-deposit bonus

An offer not requiring a qualifying deposit to receive the stated promotional credit. Identity checks, wagering and cashout conditions may still apply. The phrase does not promise unrestricted cash; see no-deposit bonuses.

No-download play

Play through a web browser without installing a separate game app. It still uses an internet connection and may store browser data. The description concerns access, not account registration or free play. See no-download pokies.

Payline

A defined path through reel positions used to assess symbol combinations. A game may use fixed or selectable lines. Other games use ways or clusters instead, so a higher line count alone is not a measure of value.

Payout

A word used for a game award, return percentage or account withdrawal depending on context. Always identify which meaning applies. A game’s advertised payout figure does not specify how quickly a bank transfer will arrive.

Paytable

The game’s explanation of paying symbols, combinations, features and related conditions. It connects an outcome with its award. Read it alongside the displayed stake and game rules, especially where multipliers, jackpots or optional modes change the calculation.

Pending withdrawal

A withdrawal request that has not completed its stated processing stage. Pending does not mean paid to a bank or wallet. Review, approval, dispatch and receipt can be separate steps; see casino withdrawals.

Progressive jackpot

A prize pool that increases under its contribution rules until a qualifying event awards it. It may then reset to a seed amount. Funding, eligibility, triggers and any ceiling belong to the specific jackpot’s rules.

Qualifying deposit

A deposit meeting all relevant offer conditions, such as amount, method, timing and account eligibility. A successful transfer is not automatically a qualifying deposit. Read the applicable welcome-bonus conditions before comparing the advertised match.

R

Random number generator (RNG)

A system used to generate random inputs for game outcomes. Game mathematics maps those inputs to results; this does not make all visible combinations equally likely. Losing spins do not by themselves make the next prize due.

Reload bonus

A deposit-related offer for an existing player rather than necessarily a first-deposit offer. Its match, code and restrictions can differ from the welcome package. See reload bonuses and check the individual invitation or promotion.

Respin

Another spin awarded or purchased under a game’s rules, sometimes with particular symbols held. It need not behave like an ordinary full-grid spin. The trigger, number of attempts, resets and cost depend on the specific feature.

Retrigger

An event that extends or restarts a feature under its rules, such as adding free spins. It is not a promise that every feature can continue indefinitely. Limits and eligible symbols can differ from the original trigger.

Return to player (RTP)

The proportion of total stakes represented by returned prizes. Theoretical RTP describes the model; actual RTP describes recorded results. Neither guarantees a personal session. The Gambling Commission’s RTP explanation describes the long-term distinction.

Rollover

Another name commonly used for a wagering requirement. The crucial detail is the calculation base: bonus alone, deposit plus bonus or another specified amount. The same multiplier can produce different targets; see bonus terms.

S

Scatter

A symbol assessed under a game’s scatter rules, often without following a conventional payline. It may award a prize, trigger a feature or both. The required count and position restrictions are specific to the title.

Seed amount

The starting or reset value specified for a jackpot. It differs from the current pot and any maximum ceiling. A network jackpot’s seed is governed by that system’s rules, rather than assumed to be independently chosen by every operator.

Session

A chosen period of play used to track time, stakes and results. Its boundaries should be clear when comparing figures. One session’s outcomes do not demonstrate that a game’s long-term return has changed or predict the next session.

Source of funds

The economic origin of money used for a particular transaction. It is broader than naming the sending bank account. AUSTRAC distinguishes this from overall wealth in its funds and wealth explanation.

Source of wealth

How a person’s overall assets or wealth were accumulated. It differs from explaining the origin of a specific deposit. The evidence requested can depend on the actual review; an ordinary identity document answers a different question.

Sticky bonus

An informal label often used for bonus credit that itself cannot be withdrawn. Operators can define it differently. Check how the original credit, generated winnings and any deductions are treated when wagering finishes or a withdrawal is requested.

Sticky wild

A wild symbol that remains in a position for a specified sequence of rounds or feature steps. The holding period and substitution rules vary. Sticky describes a symbol mechanic here, not the treatment of an account bonus.

T

Theoretical RTP

The designed return represented by a game’s mathematical model over extensive play. Different approved or supplied versions may have different percentages. Check the version’s own information; do not assume a title has one identical configuration everywhere.

Total stake

The complete cost of a paid round after all selected components. It can include line settings, denominations or optional charges. When checking a bonus’s maximum bet, do not substitute a smaller headline line bet for this total.

Transaction reference

An identifier used to locate a payment or account entry. A bank reference, casino request number and blockchain transaction identifier are different records. Keeping the appropriate reference helps distinguish a transfer inquiry from a bonus or game query.

Tumble

A mechanic in which qualifying symbols disappear and replacements enter the grid, potentially creating further awards. The sequence and feature conditions depend on the game. Pragmatic Play’s Sweet Bonanza description provides a named example.

Turbo play

An interface option that shortens some animations or speeds presentation where offered. It does not mean a better mathematical return. Faster rounds can also increase spending per minute when the stake and time spent playing remain unchanged.

Turnover

The sum of stakes placed during the measured period, including money won and staked again. It differs from deposits and net losses. Depositing $20 and repeatedly staking returned funds can create more than $20 of turnover.

U–V

Unbonused deposit

Deposited funds used without an attached promotional credit. General account, payment and game rules still apply. Removing a bonus is not the same as bypassing identity checks, withdrawal limits or a game’s underlying mathematical disadvantage.

Verification review

The assessment of requested account evidence. Submission, acceptance of a document and approval of a withdrawal are separate events. Check the stated review stage before treating an estimated document-review period as a promise of payment arrival.

Virtual reel

A mathematical representation of reel positions used by a software game. The visible reel picture is not necessarily a complete list of equally probable stops. Appearance alone cannot establish symbol probabilities or a game’s return percentage.

Volatility

The degree of variation in game results, commonly discussed through the distribution of small and large awards. It differs from average return and hit frequency. Read the volatility guide and compare high and low-volatility games.

W–Z

Wagering requirement

The eligible betting target attached to a promotion before specified funds can be withdrawn. The multiplier, calculation base, contribution rate and expiry all matter. Finishing the target does not guarantee a profit or remove other withdrawal conditions.

Ways to win

A method of assessing qualifying symbol combinations across positions, commonly on adjacent reels. It differs from predetermined paylines. The headline number describes possible combinations under the rules, not the probability of a profitable round or a return percentage.

Welcome bonus

An offer intended for new eligible customers, often covering one or several initial deposits. A package total can combine separate claims with separate codes and thresholds. See welcome bonuses for the distinction between one deposit and a package.

Wild

A symbol that substitutes for specified symbols under the paytable. It may exclude scatters, jackpot symbols or other special icons. Wilds can also have separate prizes or features; the artwork alone does not establish substitution rules.

Withdrawal

A request to transfer eligible account funds to an accepted destination. It differs from a game award and from the operator approving the request. Method availability, minimums, checks and receipt timing all influence the final process.

Withdrawal limit

A restriction on a request amount or a total paid during a defined period. It can create instalments even where the balance exceeds the limit. It differs from an offer’s cashout cap; see withdrawal limits.

Zero contribution

A rule under which stakes on a specified game or mode make no progress towards a bonus’s wagering target. It does not mean the game costs nothing. Restricted or forbidden games may also have consequences beyond simply contributing zero.

Reading terms in context

Separate the three different limits

Imagine a game advertising a maximum award of 5,000 times the stake, a promotion limiting eligible cashout to $500, and an account allowing $250 of withdrawals each week. These hypothetical figures answer different questions. The first concerns the game award, the second concerns promotional funds, and the third concerns the payment schedule. None can be substituted for another. The amount displayed in the game is not automatically the amount immediately transferable to a bank.

Translate a bonus before comparing it

For a hypothetical $20 deposit with a $20 match, a 30× deposit-plus-bonus condition produces a $1,200 eligible wagering target. A 30× bonus-only condition produces $600. Neither figure is a required deposit or an expected loss. Contribution rates can increase the actual amount staked to make that progress, and the available balance can run out first. Our bonus-terms guide works through these calculations; low-wagering bonuses explains why the multiplier alone is insufficient.

Identify the version and the record

Read the game information for the specific version and mode being used. A provider can supply different RTP configurations, and an operator can select from those available configurations; that does not mean outcomes can be individually chosen or a losing session is due to recover. Jackpot seed amounts, ceilings and network arrangements also belong to the stated system. The progressive-jackpot standard illustrates the information these systems can need to explain.

For an account query, keep the relevant offer wording, date, total stake and transaction reference. Ask which rule or processing stage applies if the language is unclear. Our review methodology explains how we assess published information. If play is becoming difficult to control, the responsible-gambling page provides practical next steps.

Casino offers and their terminology

The comparison table below provides real examples of welcome-offer language. Read the complete terms for the chosen offer, including its calculation base, game contribution, maximum stake, expiry and cashout conditions. A match percentage alone does not rank the cost or suitability of a promotion.

Casino offers, bonus codes, key conditions and affiliate links

Casino	Welcome offer	Casino link
Fair Go Casino	100% up to $200 per deposit Code: WELCOME Minimum $20 deposit. 30x (deposit + bonus) wagering; $10 maximum bonus bet. Redeem on the first five qualifying deposits for up to $1,000 in total bonus funds.	View offer
Ozwin Casino	400% up to $4,000 + 100 free spins Code: OZWELCOME-B / OZWELCOME-C Two 200% matches up to $2,000 plus 50 spins each. Minimum $20 deposit; general wagering is 35x (deposit + bonus), with a $10 maximum bonus bet. Spin and coupon conditions apply.	View offer
Ripper Casino	150% up to $1,500 on your first deposit Code: RIPPER150 Minimum $20. 30x (deposit + bonus) wagering; $5 maximum bonus bet for non-VIPs; 20x bonus cashout cap; 72-hour expiry. Up to $7,500 across the four-deposit welcome package.	View offer
Uptown Pokies	250% welcome bonus up to $2,500 Code: UNPACK First deposit only; minimum $25. 30x (deposit + bonus) wagering and $10 maximum bonus bet. The UNPACK promotion advertises no bonus cashout cap; account withdrawal limits still apply.	View offer

The welcome-bonus guide explains the specific offer conditions, including the difference between Ozwin’s general 35× wording and its specific welcome FAQ’s 30× wording. See the individual Fair Go, Ozwin, Ripper Casino and Uptown Pokies reviews for the relevant operator context. A listed offer does not guarantee account eligibility or a particular gambling outcome.

Pokies glossary FAQs

What is the difference between RTP and volatility?

RTP describes the proportion of stakes represented by returned prizes over the model or measured sample. Volatility concerns how results vary, including the distribution of different award sizes. Two games can have similar theoretical RTP but very different patterns of results. Neither measure predicts a particular session.

Does a win always mean a profit?

No. A displayed award can be smaller than the stake paid for the round. If a $2 round returns $1, the gross award is $1 and the net result is a $1 loss. Session profit or loss compares all awards with all stakes over the same period.

Are free spins always a no-deposit bonus?

No. Free spins can be a feature within a game, a promotion attached to a deposit or a promotion requiring no qualifying deposit. These uses have different conditions. Promotional spin winnings can have wagering, expiry and cashout restrictions that do not describe an ordinary in-game feature.

Is a cashout cap the same as a withdrawal limit?

No. A promotional cashout cap limits the eligible amount that can be withdrawn from the specified offer. A withdrawal limit can restrict the amount requested or paid during a period. A game maximum win is a third, separate limit on an award under the game rules.

What does 30× deposit plus bonus mean?

It means the stated wagering multiplier applies to the combined qualifying deposit and bonus. In a hypothetical example, a $20 deposit plus a $20 bonus produces a $1,200 target at 30×. Eligible games, contribution rates, expiry and maximum stakes still matter, and the balance can be lost before completion.

Does a high hit frequency mean a high RTP?

Not necessarily. Hit frequency counts defined paying events, while RTP concerns the value returned relative to stakes. Some counted events can return less than the stake. Check the definition used by the game rather than assuming frequent awards mean frequent profitable rounds or a higher expected return.

Can the same pokie have different RTP versions?

Yes, some providers supply more than one configuration, and an operator can select from the versions made available. Read the information for the actual game version and mode. That selection is different from choosing individual outcomes, and the same game name does not prove identical settings at every operator.

What is the difference between a wild and a scatter?

A wild substitutes for specified symbols under the paytable, with exceptions that vary by game. A scatter is assessed under its own counting or position rules and can award a prize or trigger a feature. The title’s rules determine the exact behaviour of both symbols.

Does KYC completion mean a withdrawal has been paid?

No. Identity review and withdrawal processing are separate stages. A request can also involve address, payment ownership or funding information. Distinguish documents submitted, evidence accepted, withdrawal approved, transfer dispatched and money received when interpreting an account status or quoted processing period.

Does RNG mean a jackpot is due after many losing spins?

No. A sequence of losses does not by itself make the next random result more favourable. Features with an explicitly defined collection state or must-drop condition have their own rules, but a general losing streak is not evidence that a jackpot or profitable session must follow.