Bonus terms are written in their own dialect. “35x (D+B), max bet C$5, non-sticky, slots 100%, 7 days” is a complete sentence to a casino and a wall of code to everyone else. This glossary decodes 50 terms you’ll meet in Canadian-facing casino terms, each in one to three sentences, plus two worked examples that put them together. Definitions come from the operator terms we read and cross-checked; numbers in the examples are illustrative and labelled.
Jump to: A-C · D-H · I-M · N-R · S-T · U-Z · Worked examples
A to C
Active bonus. A bonus currently attached to your balance. While it’s active, the bonus rules (max bet, restricted games) apply to your play. Some casinos allow only one active promotion at a time, as MagicianBet does.
Bonus abuse. The catch-all term casinos use for play that breaks the bonus rules: multiple accounts, max bet breaches, low-risk betting. The usual penalty is losing the bonus and its winnings.
Bonus balance. The part of your balance made of bonus funds. It can be played but not withdrawn until wagering is complete.
Bonus buy. A slot feature that lets you pay to jump straight to the bonus round. Some casinos count a bonus-buy purchase as a single spin under the max bet rule, so a buy above the cap breaks it; V.Vegas states this in its terms.
Bonus code. A word you enter in the cashier or at sign-up to activate an offer. Our bonus codes page shows each code on the card.
Bonus funds. Money the casino credits as a bonus, as opposed to cash funds you deposited. Bonus funds turn into cash only once the wagering is done.
Cash funds. Your own deposited money and any winnings already released from bonus terms.
Cashback. A refund of a percentage of net losses over a period, usually paid as bonus funds with light wagering. See the cashback bonuses page.
Clearing. Finishing the wagering requirement, at which point the bonus and its winnings become withdrawable.
Contribution. Another word for game weighting: the share of each bet that counts toward wagering.
D to H
Deposit match. A bonus equal to a percentage of your deposit, up to a cap. A 100% match on C$50 adds C$50.
Deposit plus bonus (D+B). Wagering applied to your deposit and the bonus together. It doubles the target on a 100% match compared with bonus-only wagering.
Expiry. The window to claim, use or clear a bonus. Bonus funds left uncleared when it closes are removed.
Free spins. Spins on a named slot at a fixed stake, credited by the casino. Winnings usually go to your bonus balance with their own wagering. See free spins offers.
Game weighting. The percentage of a bet that counts toward wagering by game type. Slots usually count 100%; table games far less.
Gamble feature. The double-or-nothing option some slots offer after a win. Grizzly’s Quest and Casino Classic exclude it from wagering or count it against you.
High roller bonus. A deposit match built for large deposits, with a higher minimum deposit and cap.
House edge. The casino’s average margin on a game, equal to 100% minus the RTP. It is what makes clearing a bonus cost money on average.
I to M
Irregular play. Betting patterns a casino treats as a breach. Casino Classic flags single bets of 25% or more of the bonus; Jackpot City sets the line at 30%.
KYC. Know Your Customer: the identity and address checks casinos run before paying out. Our withdrawals guide explains what’s asked.
Low-risk betting. Bets that cover both outcomes, such as red and black on the same roulette spin. Usually banned while a bonus is active.
Loyalty program. Points or levels earned by betting, which unlock better rates on rewards. At V.Vegas, higher levels raise the cashback rate and lower its wagering.
Match percent. The ratio of bonus to deposit. 100% doubles your deposit; 50% adds half.
Max bet. The largest stake allowed while a bonus is active. Break it and the casino can void the bonus and its winnings, often discovered only at withdrawal.
Max cashout. A ceiling on what you can withdraw from bonus play, common on no deposit and spin offers.
Max win. A cap on what free spins can win, separate from max cashout at some casinos.
Minimum deposit. The smallest deposit that qualifies for the bonus. Deposit less and you get no bonus.
Multi-deposit package. A welcome offer split across several deposits, each a separate bonus stage. See our guide to every bonus type.
N to R
No deposit bonus. A bonus paid for signing up or verifying, with no payment. Usually small and capped. See no deposit bonuses.
Non-sticky bonus. Your deposit plays first. Win before touching the bonus and you can withdraw your own money and forfeit the bonus.
Opt-in. Ticking a box or pressing a button to accept a bonus. Some offers apply automatically; others need the opt-in before your deposit.
Package. The total of a multi-deposit offer. The first-deposit amount is often the more useful number.
Playthrough. Another name for wagering requirement.
Progressive jackpot exclusion. Many terms count jackpot slots at 0% toward wagering, or bar them while a bonus is live. Jackpot City lists progressives at 0%.
Reload bonus. A deposit match for existing players, often weekly. See reload bonuses.
Restricted games. Games you can’t play, or that count 0%, while a bonus is active. Playing them can void winnings at some casinos.
Rollover. Another name for wagering requirement.
RTP. Return to player: the share of all bets a game pays back over the long run. Many slots ship in several RTP settings, so check the in-game info screen. Our RTP and volatility guide goes deeper.
S to T
Spin value. The stake of each free spin. Spins x spin value is what a spin offer is worth in play.
Stage. One deposit step in a multi-deposit package, with its own match, cap and often its own code.
Sticky bonus. A bonus that can’t be withdrawn itself. It’s removed when you cash out, so only winnings made with it can be kept. MagicianBet marks its welcome bonus as sticky.
T&Cs. Terms and conditions: the general terms plus the bonus-specific terms. Read both before you claim.
Turnover. The total amount you bet. A fixed turnover bonus sets that target in C$ (for example, bet C$2,000 before spin winnings can be withdrawn) instead of as a multiplier.
U to Z
Up to. The maximum bonus a match can reach. Deposit more than it takes to reach the cap and the extra gets no match.
VIP program. The top tiers of a loyalty program, with better reward rates.
Volatility. How a slot’s wins are spread: frequent small wins (low) or rare big ones (high). It changes the ride while wagering, not the average cost.
Wager-free. Winnings paid as cash with no wagering. See wager-free bonuses.
Wagering requirement. The multiple of a base (bonus, deposit, D+B or winnings) you must bet before bonus money becomes withdrawable. Full formula in our wagering requirements guide.
Welcome bonus. The offer for new accounts, paid on the first deposit or across several. See welcome bonuses.
Winnings-only wagering. Wagering applied to free spin winnings rather than to a deposit or bonus.
Withdrawal request. The moment the casino checks your bonus play against the terms, including the max bet.
🎰 Game weighting in practice
Weighting is the term that most quietly multiplies your bets. Here’s how much of a C$100 stake counts toward wagering at Jackpot City, from its own bonus terms.
How much a C$100 bet clears at Jackpot City
| Most slots | C$100 |
|---|---|
| NetEnt slots | C$50 |
| Re-spin slots | C$10 |
| Roulette, blackjack, video poker | C$8 |
| Classic Blackjack | C$2 |
| Baccarat, craps, progressives | C$0 |
Example 1: a welcome match
Illustrative offer: 100% up to C$200, 35x (D+B), max bet C$5, 7 days, slots 100%. You deposit C$200.
| Term | Reading | Result |
|---|---|---|
| Match percent, up to | 100% of C$200, within the cap | C$200 bonus |
| Wagering base | Deposit plus bonus | C$400 |
| Total to bet | C$400 x 35 | C$14,000 |
| Average cost at 96% RTP | C$14,000 x 4% | C$560 |
| Max bet | C$5 per spin | At least 2,800 spins |
| Expiry | 7 days | About 400 spins a day |
At C$5 a spin, C$14,000 takes 2,800 spins, around 400 a day to finish in a week. On average it costs more than the bonus adds, so it’s paid playtime with a shot at a hit, not value. The curve below shows where the expected value of this bonus crosses zero.
🧮 Example 1: what 35x D+B does to a C$200 bonus
Illustrative: C$200 deposit and C$200 bonus, wagering on both, at 96% and 97% RTP
Example 2: fixed-turnover spins
Illustrative offer: 100 spins at C$0.20, winnings capped at C$100. Version A wagers spin winnings 40x. Version B sets a fixed turnover of C$2,000.
You win C$30 from the spins. Version A: C$30 x 40 = C$1,200 to bet. Version B: C$2,000 to bet, whatever you won. Win C$60 instead, and version A rises to C$2,400 while B stays at C$2,000. A fixed turnover is harsher on small wins and gentler on big ones, and the C$100 cap applies either way. Paste either version into our wagering calculator to see the average cost.
🍁 One last term: your province
Every offer on BonusMadness is for players aged 19 or over outside Ontario and Alberta. Both run their own regulated markets, covered on our Ontario and Alberta pages. Set a deposit limit before you claim anything, and our responsible gambling page lists every provincial helpline.
FAQ
What is the most important bonus term to read?
The wagering requirement, read together with its base. 35x on the bonus and 35x on deposit plus bonus are very different targets. Right after it, check the max bet, because breaking it can void the bonus even after you've finished wagering.
What does sticky bonus mean?
A sticky bonus can't be withdrawn itself. It stays in your balance while you play and is removed when you cash out, so you only keep what you won with it. A non-sticky bonus lets your own deposit play first, and you can withdraw that money and drop the bonus.
What is the difference between wagering and turnover?
Wagering is a multiplier applied to a base, such as 35 times the bonus. A fixed turnover is a set amount in C$ you must bet before winnings can be withdrawn, whatever the bonus or your winnings were. Both measure total bets; they just set the target differently.
What counts as bonus abuse?
Each casino defines it in its terms. Common examples are multiple accounts, betting over the max bet, low-risk bets that cover both sides of an even-money game, and single bets above a set share of the bonus. The usual penalty is losing the bonus and any winnings made with it.
Why do I have to verify my identity before withdrawing a bonus win?
Licensed casinos must confirm who you are and that you are of age before paying out, and bonus terms often repeat the requirement. Expect to send photo ID and proof of address. Doing it before you play avoids a delay when you want to withdraw.
