Bonus terms and conditions are full of jargon that means very little the first time you read it. Here are the ten terms that show up most often, defined plainly.
Wagering requirement The total amount you must bet (not lose — bet) before bonus funds or their winnings become withdrawable, usually expressed as a multiplier like “30x.”
Playthrough Another name for wagering requirement — some operators use “playthrough,” others “rollover,” others “wagering.” They all mean the same clearance math.
Rollover A third name for the same concept as wagering requirement and playthrough. If an operator’s terms mix all three words in the same paragraph, they’re still describing one single number.
Max cashout A ceiling on how much you can actually withdraw from a bonus and its winnings, regardless of how much you technically won. Common on high-percentage bonuses like “500% match” offers — see max cashout limits explained for how these are usually structured.
Sticky bonus A bonus that stays locked to your account and can’t be withdrawn itself — only winnings generated from it (after wagering clears) become withdrawable. The bonus amount is effectively removed from your balance if you cash out early.
Non-sticky bonus A bonus that’s added directly to your withdrawable balance alongside your deposit, and can be withdrawn together with it — though usually only after wagering on the combined amount is cleared. See sticky vs non-sticky bonus explained for a full worked comparison.
Contribution percentage How much of a bet on a given game counts toward your wagering total. Slots often contribute 100%; table games like blackjack or baccarat often contribute only 5–20%, since they carry a lower house edge.
Bonus code A promo code entered at signup or in the cashier to activate a specific offer. Applying it after depositing almost always fails to retroactively attach the bonus.
KYC (Know Your Customer) The identity verification process — usually ID and proof-of-address documents — that licensed operators require before releasing withdrawals, bonus-related or otherwise.
Expiry window The time limit (commonly 7–30 days) within which wagering must be completed before an unfinished bonus and its winnings are forfeited. See casino bonus expiry rules for typical windows and what happens when the clock runs out.
Once the jargon makes sense, the actual numbers are easy to check — run any offer through the Wagering Calculator, and compare how clearly different operators disclose these terms on the Bonus Review page.