iGaming Glossary (A–Z): Casino & Slot Terms Explained

TL;DR: This igaming glossary gives short, accurate definitions for casino, slots, live-dealer, sportsbook, and platform/B2B terms. It aligns player concepts (RTP, volatility, paylines, wagering) with operator language (PAM, risk engine, payment stack, GGR/NGR, handle/hold), so readers, reviewers, and devs share the same vocabulary.

Introduction

Jargon makes casino content hard to read and harder to trust. This igaming glossary fixes that with concise, plain-English definitions that match how the modern industry actually works—across RNG games, live casino, promotions, responsible gambling, and the platform stack (PAM, risk, payments, CRM, RGS). Use it as your evergreen reference and interlink hub across SlotDecoded.

Why this iGaming Glossary matters

This igaming glossary aligns player-facing terms (RTP, paylines, volatility) with operator/platform language (PAM, risk engine, CRM, UBO, payment gateway vs. processor vs. merchant account). It’s cross-checked against reputable B2B glossaries and platform pages to keep definitions current.

How to use it
Jump by letter, skim short definitions, and follow internal links to deeper SlotDecoded guides. Keep density for “igaming glossary” natural (you’re good at ~1%).

What this iGaming Glossary covers

Slot mechanics (Megaways™, cluster pays, scatter behavior), table-game rules (blackjack splits, double downs), promos (wagering ×, max bet, contribution%), live casino specifics (latency, rollback), compliance (KYC/AML, licensing), provider features (xWays/xNudge, X-iter™, GigaBlox, Dream Drop), and product tech (RNG labs, configurable RTP ranges, aggregation).

Table of Contents:

A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

• 243/1024 Ways — Wins on adjacent reels; no fixed paylines.
• A/B Test — Experimenting with two variants (e.g., bonus copy) to lift conversion/retention.
• Acquisition — Converting traffic into registrations and FTDs.
• Administration (Back Office) — Operator console for KYC/AML, payments, CRM, content, risk, reporting.
• Affiliate / Affiliate Program — Performance marketing that pays on depositing players or leads.
• Aggregator (Game Aggregation) — One API integrating many providers/games into a single lobby.
• AI Personalization — Recommenders that tailor lobbies/offers (must respect RG limits).
• AML (Anti-Money Laundering) — Controls that detect and prevent illicit financial activity.
• Ante / xBet — Extra stake each spin to boost feature odds (game-specific).
• API — Interfaces connecting wallet, RGS, KYC, payments, CRM, BI.
• Autoplay / Quick Spin — Automated/faster spin modes; often regulated.

B

• Back Office / UBO — Unified admin suite (PAM, payments, CRM, risk, BI).
• Balance (Cash/Bonus) — Separate wallets; bonus subject to wagering rules (WR×).
• Bankroll Management — Stake planning to survive variance.
• Base Game — Rounds outside features.
• Basic Strategy (Blackjack) — Optimal hit/stand/double/split grid.
• Bet Builder (Sports) — Same-game parlay combining multiple markets.
• Bet Limit / Loss/Deposit Limits — Player-set RG controls.
• Bonus Buy — Fixed price to trigger a feature instantly.
• Bonus Hunt — Collecting bonus rounds (e.g., in slots) and opening them later (popular with streamers).
• Bonus Engine/System — The promo framework (welcome, reload, free spins, cashback, missions, tournaments).
• Bonus EV — Expected value of a promo to player/operator.
• Bonus Money / Conversion — Bonus currency that converts to cash after WR×.
• Bonus Terms — The conditions tied to offers: wagering (WR×), eligible games, max bet, expiry, etc.
• B2B / B2C — Business-to-business (platform/providers) vs. business-to-consumer (operators/players).
• Break-Even RTP — The long-term theoretical return at which the house edge is zero (e.g., 100% in VP with perfect play).

C

• Cage / Cashier — Deposit/withdrawal hub and payment methods.
• Cascading/Avalanche Reels — Winning symbols vanish and new ones drop in a single paid spin.
• Cash Bonus — Bonus credited as withdrawable cash when conditions are met (vs. free bets/free spins).
• Cashback — % of net losses returned as bonus or cash.
• Cap (Win/Promo Cap) — Maximum payout permitted for a feature/promo.
• Cash Out (Sports) — Early bet settlement for a dynamic return.
• Casino CMS / Management — Pages, lobbies, banners, game configuration.
• Casino Payment Stack — Gateway (routes) → Processor (executes) → Merchant Account (settlement).
• Chargeback — Reversing a card deposit; can get accounts closed.
• Cluster Pays — Wins from symbol clusters (no lines).
• Cold/Hot Slot (Myth) — Perception of streakiness; actual RNG remains independent.
• Compliance / Compliance Officer — Ensures licensing, AML, RG, and data-protection adherence.
• Contribution % (WR Contribution) — How each game counts to wagering (e.g., slots 100%, roulette often less).
• Crash Game — Rising multiplier that can “crash”; cash out in time.
• CRM (Casino CRM) — Lifecycle marketing/personalization to lift retention and LTV.
• Cryptocurrency Casino — Operator accepting crypto alongside fiat (jurisdiction-dependent).
• Curacao eGaming / MGA / UKGC — Examples of licensing authorities (different standards and jurisdictions).
• Customer Due Diligence (CDD) — Risk-based identity checks within KYC.

D

• Daily Drops / Must-Drop Jackpots — Time-boxed progressives that must pay before a cutoff.
• Deck Penetration (BJ) — Shoe depth before shuffle; not useful for online RNG.
• Demo Mode — Free practice play.
• Deposit Bonus — Match % or fixed bonus triggered by a qualifying deposit.
• Deposit/Bet/Loss Limits — Player-set RG caps.
• Disconnection Policy — How rounds resolve if your connection drops.
• Double Down — Double stake, take one card only (BJ).
• Dream-drop-style Progressives — Tiered network jackpot frameworks (generic description).
• Drops & Wins — Pragmatic Play network promo awarding random cash drops and tournament prizes.

E

• eCOGRA / GLI / BMM / iTech Labs — Independent labs certifying RNG and integrity.
• eSportsbook — Sportsbook focused on competitive video games.
• eWallets — Digital wallets (Skrill, Neteller, PayPal) often enabling faster payouts.
• EV (Expected Value) — Long-run average value of a bet/promo.
• Employees Training (RG/AML) — Staff courses to spot harm/fraud and apply procedures.
• eSports / eSportsbook — Betting on pro video-game competitions.
• Expected Bonus Consumption — Estimated wagering required to clear a bonus.
• Expanding Symbol/Wild — Growth to fill positions, typically during free spins.
• Expiry (Bonus) — The time window to complete wagering/claim spins.

F

• Feature Frequency — Average rate a feature triggers (e.g., 1/180 spins; estimated).
• Feature Gamble — Risking a feature for an upgrade (e.g., more spins).
• Feature Spins — Free spins with modifiers (multipliers, extra wilds, added rows).
• Fixed Jackpot — Set-value prize (not progressive).
• Free Bets / Free Spins — Sports/casino rewards with specific T&Cs.
• Friction (RG) — Cool-offs, session reminders, and timers that slow risky play.
• FTD (First-Time Depositor) — Core acquisition KPI.

G

• Gamble Feature (Slots) — Post-win 50/50 (or ladder) to double or lose.
• Game Provider (Studio) — Company that builds games (e.g., ELK, Hacksaw, Nolimit City, Pragmatic).
• GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue) — GGR = total stakes − total payouts (reporting varies by market/tax).
• Game Weight — WR limit reducing contribution from low-margin games.
• Gamification — Missions, levels, leaderboards to increase engagement.
• Gambling License / Jurisdiction — Permit and geography governing legal operation.
• Genuine RTP (Observed) — RTP measured from actual results over time (vs. theoretical).
• Grand/Minor/Mini — Tiered jackpot labels (sizes vary by game).
• Grid Slot — Non-traditional layouts (e.g., 6×6 clusters).
• GTD (Guaranteed) — Poker/sports promo guaranteeing a prize pool/payout.

H

• Hand (Table Games) — One dealt round (Blackjack, Poker).
• Handle & Hold — Handle = total staked; Hold = amount retained by house across a period.
• High Roller / VIP — High-stake player; enhanced due diligence applies.
• Hit Frequency — % of rounds with any win.
• Hold & Win — Respins that lock values and collect with limited misses.
• House Edge — Long-term advantage (100% − RTP).

I

• Identity Fraud — Stolen credentials/payment data used to defraud; stopped by KYC/AML/risk.
• In-Game RTP — RTP shown in the info panel (providers ship ranges; operators choose).
• In-Play Betting — Live, dynamic-odds wagering.
• Interoperability — Cross-device/orientation support.
• iFrame Sportsbook — Embedded sportsbook module within a host platform.

J

• Jackpot (Local/Network) — Prize funded at one casino (local) or across many (network).
• Jackpot Engine — System that manages tiers, triggers, and seeding.
• Jacks or Better — Baseline video-poker paytable variant.

K

• Keno — Lottery-style numbers game.
• KPI (Key Performance Indicator) — Money, people, or hybrid metrics tracking performance.
• KYC (Know Your Customer) — Tiered identity checks with escalating limits.

L

• Leaderboard — Points race; prizes by placement.
• Legacy “Book of” Mechanics — Expanding symbol during free spins.
• Licensing Authority / Jurisdiction — Regulator that issues and monitors licenses.
• Line Bet — Stake per payline; total bet = lines × line bet.
• Live Casino — Human-dealt games streamed in real time.
• Local Jackpot — Progressive prize scoped to one operator.
• Loss/Deposit Limits — Player-set RG caps.

M

• Max Bet (Bonus Rule) — Highest stake allowed while clearing a promo.
• Max Cash-Out — Cap on withdrawable promo winnings.
• Max Exposure / Max Win (×) — Actual money ceiling vs. advertised multiplier.
• Max Win (x) — The maximum advertised win multiplier (e.g., 10,000× stake).
• Megaways™ — BTG mechanic where reel rows vary each spin (often up to 117,649 ways).
• Megaclusters / Megaways™ / Megapays™ — Splitting tiles; variable reels; progressive layers.
• Mobile-First — Product designed primarily for mobile devices.
• Moneyline / Decimal / Fractional — Common sportsbook odds formats.
• Money Train–style Respins — Persistent-value respins with collectors/payers.
• Multiplier (x) — A value that multiplies a win or feature outcome.
• Mystery Symbol/Reveal — Symbol transforms into a randomly chosen match.

N

• Near Miss — Close-to-win outcome (psychologically impactful; not predictive).
• Network Promotion — Provider-funded drops/tournaments across casinos.
• NGR (Net Gaming Revenue) — NGR = GGR − bonuses/adjustments (operator policy may vary).
• Non-Sticky Bonus — Cash plays first; bonus balance activates only if cash is lost.
• Nudge — Reels/symbols shift to create or upgrade wins.

O

• Onboarding — Registration → KYC → first deposit (+ RG choices).
• Operator — Licensed brand/platform offering the services.
• Outright / Over-Under — Futures and total-points markets.
• Oversampling Bias — Reading short sessions as if they reflect long-run RTP.
• One-Touch / Turbo Spin — Reduced animation time between spins/rounds.
• OOP/IOP (Poker) — Out/In of position; betting order advantage.

P

• PAM (Player Account Management) — Core engine for accounts, wallet, KYC/RG, payments, CRM; often marketed with seamless wallet.
• Pay Both Ways (Win Both Ways) — Wins from left-to-right and right-to-left.
• Payline — A defined pattern that must be matched for wins.
• Paytable — The in-game rules: symbol values, features, paylines/ways, RTP.
• Payout Speed — The measured time from request to funds received.
• Payment Gateway / Processor / Merchant Account — Gateway routes, processor executes, merchant account settles.
• Persistence / Persistent State — Feature progress that carries between spins.
• Pick Bonus — Click-to-reveal prizes/progression.
• Plinko — Ball-drop instant game with risk bands.
• Progressive Jackpot — Prize grows with eligible bets until it’s won.
• Provider RTP Ranges — Same title shipped with multiple RTP options.
• Provably Fair — Crypto-based verification of outcomes (common in crypto casinos).
• Push (Sports) — Stake returned on tie/exact line.

Q

• Qualifying Deposit / Wager — Minimum deposit/bet required to trigger a promo.
• Qualifying Wager — A bet required to unlock a reward (e.g., “bet €20, get 20 spins”).
• Quick Spin / Turbo — Reduced animation time; sometimes restricted by regulation.

R

• Rake (Poker) — House fee from pots/tournaments.
• Random Number Generator (RNG) — Software that randomizes outcomes; certified by labs.
• Reality Check — Session-time pop-ups (jurisdictional).
• Reels/Rows — The slot grid dimensions (e.g., 5×3).
• Re-Spin — Extra spin(s) with locked symbols/modifiers.
• Return to Player (RTP) — Long-term theoretical return (e.g., 96.2%).
• RGS (Remote Game Server) — Provider server executing game logic/RNG via the platform.
• Risk & Anti-Fraud (Risk Engine) — Device/velocity checks, sanctions/PEP screening, fraud scoring.
• Rollback (Live) — Voiding a round due to technical issues.
• Rolling Reserve — PSP holds % of deposits to cover chargebacks/fraud.
• Roulette Contribution — Reduced WR% vs. slots.

S

• Scatter / Scatter Pays — Pays anywhere; often triggers features.
• Seeded Jackpot — Reset value after a jackpot win.
• Session Volatility — Short-run swings vs. long-run RTP.
• Side Bet — Extra wagers (Perfect Pairs, 21+3).
• Single/Seamless Wallet — Same balance across products; typically a PAM feature.
• Slot Volatility (Variance) — Risk profile (low = frequent small, high = rare big).
• Social Casino — Virtual-coin play; monetized via in-app sales/ads.
• Spin — One play of a slot; cost equals total bet.
• Stake — Amount risked per spin/hand.
• Sticky Bonus — Bonus funds that cannot be withdrawn; only winnings may be cashable (if allowed).
• Sticky Wild — Wild symbol that remains for several spins.
• Streamers — Creators who broadcast play/bonuses and influence perceptions of risk.
• Studio (Provider) — Company building games.
• Super Bonus / Super Spins — Upgraded feature state.

T

• Table Limit — Min/max stake per table.
• Telegram Casinos — Bot-driven casino UX in Telegram; anonymity touted (compliance varies).
• Terms & Conditions (T&Cs) — Contract for play/promos; must be clear and fair.
• Tilt — Emotion-driven mistakes after losses.
• Time on Device — Total playtime; tracked for RG in some markets.
• Tournament (Slots) — Time-boxed competitions (points, multipliers, streaks).
• Turbo/Quick Mode — Faster gameplay; sometimes removed for RG compliance.
• Turnkey / White-Label — Bundled launch stacks (PAM, payments, CRM, CMS, content).
• Turnover — Total stakes placed; used in WR× and revenue metrics.

U

• UI/UX (Game) — Clear interfaces reduce misclicks and RG risk.
• UKGC-Style Reality Checks — Mandatory timers/pop-ups in regulated markets.
• Uplift (Promo/CRM) — Incremental value added by a campaign.
• Uptime (SLA) — Service-availability target for platforms/live streams.

V

• Variable RTP — Operator-selectable RTP within provider ranges.
• Variance (Volatility) — Dispersion of results around RTP.
• VLT (Video Lottery Terminal) — Centrally determined outcomes under local regulation.
• VR Casino — Virtual-reality casino experiences.

W

• Wager-Free / No-Wager — Rewards with no WR×; winnings are cash.
• Wagering Requirements (WR×) — Turnover needed before bonus funds are cashable.
• Wallet Segregation — Separate cash/bonus wallets for clarity.
• Ways to Win — Adjacent-reel payout systems (e.g., Megaways™).
• Whitelabel — Operate under another company’s license/stack.
• Wild — Substitute symbol; can expand, stick, or multiply.
• Win Both Ways — Pays left-to-right and right-to-left.
• Withdrawal Pending — Processing stage before funds are sent.

X

• X-iter™ (Bonus Menu) — Multiple buy-in modes at different prices.
• xWays / xNudge / xSplit / xBomb / xRip — Expansion, nudges, splits, symbol removal (extreme-volatility families).
• xBet / Ante Bet — Pay more per spin to increase feature odds.

Y

• Yield (Sports) — Profit as % of stakes.
• Young Person (Underage) — Below legal gambling age (jurisdiction-specific).

Z

• Zero-Lag Streaming — Low-latency tech for live casino.
• Zero-Sum — One side’s gain equals the other’s loss (certain markets).

KPIs & Formulas

• GGR = total stakes − total payouts.
• NGR = GGR − bonuses/adjustments (operator-defined).
• Handle = total staked; Hold = amount retained across a period.

Quick math & rules box

• House Edge = 100% − RTP.
• Expected Value (EV) = (Win Prob × Win Amount) − (Loss Prob × Stake).
• Session Volatility means short sessions can deviate wildly from RTP.

Provider Mechanics Cheat-Sheet

• Megaways™ / Megaclusters / Megapays — Variable reels, splitting tiles, and progressive layers.
• Hold & Win / Money Train–style Respins — Lock values and collect across limited lives.
• X-iter™ / Bonus Menu — Choose among several feature modes at different prices.
• xWays/xNudge/xSplit/xBomb/xRip — Expanding symbols, nudging stacks, reel splits, symbol removal, extreme caps.
• GigaBlox/GigaRise — Giant symbols and expandable reel heights.
• Dream-Drop–style — Tiered network jackpots with frequent lower tiers.

Conclusion

Bookmark this igaming glossary and interlink it across SlotDecoded education, reviews, and news. It keeps writers, players, and B2B readers aligned—whether you’re explaining RTP to beginners, comparing volatility between providers, or evaluating operator KPIs like GGR/NGR and handle/hold.

If a term evolves or a new mechanic launches, add a short entry here and link out to the deep-dive article.

iGaming Glossary FAQ

Responsible Gambling resources:

• BeGambleAware
• GamCare
• GAMSTOP (UK self-exclusion)
• NCPG (US)
• Gamblers Anonymous
• Gambling Therapy