Sticky vs. Non-Sticky Bonuses: The Complete Guide (2025)

Sticky vs non-sticky bonus — this guide explains, in plain language, how each bonus type works, what happens to your balance when you win or withdraw, and how wagering requirements change the true difficulty of clearing a promotion. We’ll walk through step-by-step examples, show the math behind sticky and non-sticky (aka parachute) structures, highlight common pitfalls (max bet, expiry, game contribution), and give you an expert decision framework so you can pick the right offer for your budget, variance tolerance, and goals.

What Do “Sticky” and “Non-Sticky” Mean?

Before we compare, let’s define both clearly:

• Sticky bonus (a.k.a. “play-only” bonus):
  The bonus funds increase your playable bankroll but are never withdrawable. You can withdraw only your real-money balance and any winnings. On withdrawal, the sticky amount is removed from your balance.
  Mental model: Think of the sticky part as a loaner chip stack. You can use it to play; you can’t cash it out.
• Non-sticky bonus (a.k.a. “parachute” bonus):
  Your real money is used first. If you win with real money, you can usually withdraw immediately (subject to max-bet and other rules) without ever touching the bonus. If your real money is lost, the bonus then activates, and wagering rules apply.
  Mental model: It’s a two-phase wallet: Phase 1 (real funds), Phase 2 (bonus). The bonus is your parachute if things go south.

Why casinos use these models:

• Sticky emphasizes longer playtime and higher variance potential without risking a quick cashout of the promotional value.
• Non-sticky is player-friendly, encouraging signups because it doesn’t trap your initial deposit if you win early.

The Mechanics: How Balances Move in Each Model

Sticky Bonus Flow (Illustrative)

1. Deposit €100, get €100 sticky bonus → display shows €200 playable.
2. You run up to €380 total.
3. You request withdrawal. The casino removes the sticky €100 and pays out €280 (minus pending wagering constraints if any).
4. If wagering was required and not met, you may need to finish WR before withdrawing; the sticky amount itself is never paid.

Key property: Sticky increases your effective bankroll (good for high-variance strategies), but part of the stack isn’t yours.

Non-Sticky (Parachute) Flow (Illustrative)

1. Deposit €100, get €100 bonus (non-sticky) → wallet is €100 real + €100 bonus (locked).
2. The casino uses the €100 real first. If you hit €300 while still in real-money phase, you can cash out €300; the bonus is forfeited.
3. If you lose the €100 real, the €100 bonus activates. Now you must meet WR (wagering requirements) to cash out any wins produced during the bonus phase.

Key property: Non-sticky protects early wins. You can walk away before bonus T&Cs apply.

Wagering Requirements in Context

Wagering requirements (WR) determine how much turnover you must generate before withdrawing bonus-derived funds. For both sticky and non-sticky offers, casinos may use one of these bases:

• Bonus-only: Bonus × WR (e.g., €100 × 35× = €3,500)
• Deposit + Bonus: (Deposit + Bonus) × WR
• Winnings-only (common with free spins): Winnings × WR

Game contribution modifies the true target (slots 100%; blackjack 10–20%; some games 0%). A 35× bonus-only WR on slots (100%) is 35×, but the same WR on a 10% contribution game becomes effectively 350× relative to your stake volume in that game.

If you want a deeper dive, see our dedicated guide:
👉 Wagering Requirements: The Complete Explainer

Real Examples (Step-By-Step)

Example A — Sticky Bonus (High-Variance Play)

• Offer: €100 deposit + €100 sticky bonus, WR: 35× bonus-only (slots 100%).
• Bankroll shown: €200 (but €100 sticky is non-withdrawable).
• You spin high-volatility slots and your balance reaches €500.
• You want to withdraw now. Casino deducts sticky €100 → gross €400.
• If wagering is required on the bonus-derived portion of your wins, you may need to complete WR first. Once cleared, you can withdraw €400.

What made it possible? The sticky €100 increased your risk buffer, letting you weather downswings and potentially land a big hit. Ideal for experienced players comfortable with variance.

Example B — Non-Sticky (Parachute) Bonus, Early Win

• Offer: €100 deposit + €100 non-sticky, WR: 35× bonus-only (slots 100%).
• Start in real-money phase: you hit a nice line and your balance quickly grows to €260 while still in real.
• You withdraw €260 immediately; you lose the bonus (forfeit).
• No WR applies because you never dipped into the bonus.
• This is perfect if you value cashing out early over trying to grind the bonus.

Example C — Non-Sticky (Parachute) Bonus, Bonus Phase Activated

• Same offer as above. You lose the €100 real first.
• The €100 bonus activates; WR: €3,500 (100% slots).
• Now you must meet WR to withdraw any new winnings. If you run the €100 bonus up to €420 and finish WR, you can withdraw €420.

Pros and Cons (At a Glance)

Factor	Sticky Bonus	Non-Sticky (Parachute)
Cashout of early wins	Not ideal — sticky portion is removed on payout; wins often tied to bonus play	Excellent — if you win in real-money phase, you can cash out and ignore the bonus
Bankroll padding	Strong — larger stack for variance shots	Moderate — bonus is locked until real funds are lost
Clarity for beginners	Can be confusing (bonus never withdrawable)	Very clear two-phase model
Best for	Experienced players, high-variance slot fans, bigger bankrolls	Casuals, risk-averse players, “win and walk” strategy
WR difficulty	Varies; you’ll likely wager with bonus active	Varies; you can sometimes avoid WR entirely by winning early

How Game Contribution Interacts with Sticky vs Non-Sticky

• Sticky: Since you will often be wagering with bonus active, pick games at 100% contribution to avoid ballooning the target. High-variance slots are common here, but confirm they’re not excluded or reduced in contribution.
• Non-sticky: Your first goal is to hit during the real-money phase. High-variance titles can help spike a cashout. If you miss and drop into bonus phase, switch to 100% contribution games to clear WR efficiently.

Risk, Variance, and Bankroll Strategy

If you’re variance-tolerant (you can stomach swings)

• Sticky makes sense: bigger effective bankroll, more attempts at large multipliers.
• Use sensible bet sizing under the max-bet rule (often €5) to stretch attempts.
• Plan your session length: WR clearing can take thousands of spins.

If you’re risk-averse or time-limited

• Non-sticky is your friend: take a shot with real funds; cash out early if you hit.
• If you do fall into bonus phase, optimize: 100% contribution games, moderate stakes, watch the clock (expiry).

Common Pitfalls (Read This Before You Claim)

1. Max Bet During Wagering
   Most casinos cap wagering bets (e.g., €5 per spin/round). Exceeding this can void winnings. This applies to both sticky and non-sticky once bonus phase is active.
2. Expiry Windows
   Bonuses often expire in 7–30 days. Short windows make clearing harder; don’t accept if you can’t realistically finish on time.
3. Game/Provider Exclusions & Low Contribution
   Some popular high-RTP or high-variance slots are excluded or set to 0–10% contribution. Always check the table. If your favorites are excluded, you may not enjoy the grind.
4. Max Cashout Caps
   Common on no-deposit offers; occasionally seen elsewhere. If a max cashout is too low, the offer can be poor value.
5. Payment Method Restrictions
   Some promotions exclude deposits made via specific wallets or crypto. Check eligibility (or you may miss the bonus entirely).
6. Bonus Abuse Clauses
   Irregular betting patterns, multi-accounting, or violating max-bet rules can forfeit winnings. Play within the rules.

Which Bonus Should You Choose? (Decision Framework)

Casual player, small/medium bankroll

• Choose: Non-sticky (parachute)
• Why: Protect early wins; avoid long WR grinds.
• Plan: Take a shot in real phase; if you win, withdraw. If not, switch to 100% contribution slots to clear.

High-variance slot fan (comfortable with swings)

• Choose: Sticky
• Why: Larger effective bankroll to survive swings and chase big multipliers.
• Plan: Stick to eligible 100% contribution games; track WR and session time; obey max-bet rules.

Table-game-first player (roulette/blackjack)

• Choose: Non-sticky (and consider cashback/no-wager alternatives)
• Why: Table games often have low contribution; clearing WR is inefficient.
• Plan: Try for an early hit in real-money phase; otherwise, bonuses may not be worth the grind.

Time-poor/fast-withdrawal preference

• Choose: Non-sticky or no-wagering / cashback
• Why: Minimize friction; maximize chance to leave with a profit quickly.

Red Flags & Green Flags (Quick Checklist)

Green Flags

• Clear statement of sticky or non-sticky behavior
• Bonus-only WR (20×–35× typical) on 100% slots
• No max cashout on deposit bonuses
• Transparent contribution table and game list
• Reasonable expiry (≥14 days)

Red Flags

• Deposit+bonus WR at high multiples (e.g., 35× D+B)
• Low contribution on games you actually play
• Short expiry (≤7 days) with high WR
• Max bet unreasonably low or poorly signposted
• Ambiguous sticky/non-sticky language in the T&Cs

Sticky vs Non-Sticky Bonuses Comparison Table

Feature	Sticky Bonus	Non-Sticky (Parachute) Bonus
Withdraw early real-money wins	❌ (sticky removed; bonus phase often active)	✅ (you can cash out before touching bonus)
Bonus itself withdrawable	❌ never	❌ only wins after WR; bonus isn’t cash
Best for	High-variance strategies, experienced players	Casual players, “hit & run,” risk-averse
Typical WR experience	Often clearing while bonus is active	Can avoid WR if you win early
Key risks	Confusion about removal at cashout; long WR grinds	Forfeiting the bonus on early cashout (by design)
Pro tip	Use 100% contribution games; manage bet size	Try for early hit; if not, switch to efficient games

Worked Math: Effective Turnover & Bets

Let’s compare effective targets for a standard welcome structure:

• Offer A (Sticky): €100 deposit + €100 sticky bonus, WR 35× bonus-only, slots 100%
  • WR target = €100 × 35 = €3,500
  • If avg bet = €1, expect ~3,500 spins to clear
• Offer B (Non-Sticky): €100 deposit + €100 non-sticky, WR 35× bonus-only, slots 100%
  • If you win in real and withdraw → 0 WR
  • If you lose real and bonus activates: WR = €3,500 (same grind as sticky from this point)

Key insight: Non-sticky gives you an escape hatch; sticky gives you more attempts to land a big hit but almost guarantees you’ll interact with WR if you continue to play.

Responsible Play, Always

• Treat bonuses as entertainment value, not income.
• Set a session budget and time box.
• If you feel pressure to redeposit “just to clear,” pause. Chasing WR can turn fun into stress.
• Use reality checks, deposit limits, and cool-off tools if available.

FAQ

Resource Links

• UK Gambling Commission – consumer guidance on promotions/terms
• Malta Gaming Authority – player information & rights
• eCOGRA – testing and player protection