Online Casino Terminology: Breaking Down Popular Gambling Terms & Phrases

The world of online casinos features a lot of unique terminology and jargon. For newcomers, this terminology may be especially confusing.

The more understanding players have of key terms and phrases, the more they can navigate the online casino environment. That may not guarantee success, but increased knowledge certainly makes the journey easier in any situation.

This wide-ranging guide explains the most common online casino terminology, providing clear definitions and information to help you become more familiar with the language of online gambling.

Basic Online Casino Terminology

• Bankroll: The total amount of money a player has set aside for gambling.
• Bet: The amount of money wagered on a game.
• Betting Limit: The minimum and maximum amounts that can be wagered on a game.
• Bonus: Additional funds or free spins given by the casino as a promotion. Online casino bonuses often come with specific terms and conditions.
• Casino Advantage: Also known as the house edge, this is the statistical advantage that the casino has over players in a game.
• Cash Out: The process of withdrawing money from your casino account.
• Deposit: The act of adding money to your casino account. There are many types of online casino payment methods.
• House Edge: The percentage of each bet that the casino expects to retain over the long term.
• Jackpot: The highest prize that can be won in a game, often associated with progressive jackpot slots.
• Payout: The amount of money a player receives from a winning bet.
• RNG (Random Number Generator): Software that ensures the random outcomes of casino games.
• Wagering Requirements: Conditions that players must meet before withdrawing funds. Typically, this involves betting a multiple of the bonus amount.

Slot Machine Terminology

• Autoplay: A feature that allows the game to spin automatically for a set number of spins.
• Bet Max: The maximum amount that can be wagered on a single spin.
• Bet Min: The minimum amount that can be wagered on a single spin.
• Bonus Round: A special feature in slot games that offers extra opportunities to win.
• Free Spins: Spins that do not require a wager, often awarded as part of a bonus. Many of the best U.S. online casinos have bonus offers that give players free spins.
• Multiplier: A feature that multiplies winnings by a specific amount.
• Payline: A line on which a payout will be awarded based on winning combinations.
• Progressive Jackpot: A jackpot that increases every time someone plays a game but does not win. Progressive jackpots continue to grow until someone wins it.
• Reels: The vertical sections that spin and display symbols in a slot game.
• Scatter Symbol: A special symbol that can trigger bonus features or payouts, regardless of its position on the reels.
• Wild Symbol: A symbol that can substitute for other symbols to create winning combinations.

Terminology for Online Casino Table Games

• Action: The total amount of money wagered during a game.
• Banker: In baccarat, the term used for the dealer or the house.
• Blackjack: A hand in blackjack consisting of an Ace and a 10-value card, totaling 21.
• Bust: In blackjack, when a hand exceeds a total value of 21.
• Call: In poker, to match the current bet.
• Check: In poker, to pass the action to the next player without making a bet.
• Double Down: In blackjack, to double the initial bet and receive one additional card.
• Fold: In poker, to discard your hand and forfeit the round.
• Hit: In blackjack, to take another card.
• House Rules: The specific rules and regulations of a casino game, which can vary between casinos.
• Pot: The total amount of money wagered by players in a poker hand.
• Push: In blackjack, when the player and the dealer have hands of equal value, resulting in no win or loss.
• Raise: In poker, to increase the current bet.
• Split: In blackjack, to separate two cards of the same value into two separate hands, with an additional bet.
• Stand: In blackjack, to keep your current hand and not take any more cards.

Terminology for Live Online Casino Games

• Bet Behind: A feature in live blackjack that allows players to bet on the hands of other players.
• Live Dealer: A real person who deals cards or spins the roulette wheel in real-time, streamed to players via video.
• Live Chat: A feature that allows players in live casino games to communicate with the dealer and other players in real-time.
• Shoe: A device used in card games to hold multiple decks of cards.

Poker Terminology

• All-In: Betting all of your remaining chips in a poker hand.
• Ante: A small, mandatory bet that all players must make before a hand begins.
• Bluff: To bet or raise with a weak hand to deceive opponents into folding stronger hands.
• Community Cards: Cards dealt face-up in the center of the table, used by all players to make their hands (common in Texas Hold’em and Omaha).
• Flop: The first three community cards dealt face-up in Texas Hold’em.
• River: The fifth and final community card dealt face-up in Texas Hold’em.
• Turn: The fourth community card dealt face-up in Texas Hold’em.

Bingo Terminology

• Bingo Card: A card with a grid of numbers used in bingo games.
• Coverall: A bingo game variant where players must cover all the numbers on their card to win.
• Daub: To mark a number on a bingo card.
• Jackpot: The top prize in a bingo game, often awarded for covering a specific pattern or all numbers.

General Online Casino Terminology

• Affiliate: A person or company that promotes a casino in exchange for a commission.
• Bonus Code: A code used to claim a specific casino bonus.
• Cashback: A promotion where players receive a percentage of their losses back as bonus money.
• Free Play: A promotion offering free credits to play games without risking real money.
• High Roller: A player who wagers large amounts of money.
• Loyalty Program: A program that rewards players for their continued play with points. Points earned with online casino VIP and loyalty programs can be redeemed for bonuses or other perks.
• Rollover Requirement: The number of times a player must wager the bonus amount before they can withdraw any winnings.

Online Casino Regulatory and Legal Terminology

• eCOGRA: An independent agency that tests and certifies the fairness and security of online casino games.
• Gambling License: A license issued by a regulatory authority allowing a casino to operate legally.
• Know Your Customer (KYC): A verification process that casinos use to confirm the identity of their players.

Responsible Online Gambling Terms

• Cooling-Off Period: A period during which a player can take a break from gambling.
• Self-Exclusion: A process that allows players to voluntarily exclude themselves from gambling for a set period.
• Problem Gambling: Gambling behavior that negatively affects a player’s life, often requiring professional help.

Being familiar with terminology used in the various forms of online casino gambling is key, whether you are a novice or an experienced gambler.

Armed with the knowledge provided by this guide and other online gambling resources, you will be better equipped to enjoy your casino experience and make the most of the exciting opportunities available.

Other Casino Content

In addition to our catalog of sports betting guides, we now have a collection of casino content that covers the basics of casino gambling, including this glossary of online casino terms.

• Casino Guides

If you would like to learn more about everything from online casino terminology, to how to play popular table games such as roulette, to tips for responsible gambling, we have you covered.

Also, if you are looking for a new site to play poker or other casino games, check out our reviews of the best online casinos for US players and the best real money online casinos., as well as our rundown of the best crypto casinos.