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Extra guide page

Casino terms in plain English

This glossary keeps language practical. If a term appears in our comparison tables, you should be able to read it once here and recognise what it means on an operator page.

Glossary cards illustration

Core gameplay terms

TermMeaning
RTPReturn to Player: the theoretical long-run return percentage of a game, usually shown over a very large number of rounds.
VolatilityHow a game tends to distribute wins: lower volatility usually means smaller, more frequent wins; higher volatility means larger swings.
PaylineA pattern that symbols must land on to form a winning combination in many slots.
Bonus roundAn in-game feature sequence, often triggered by symbols, with separate mechanics from base play.

Offer and terms language

TermMeaning
Wagering requirementHow many times bonus funds or winnings must usually be played before withdrawal conditions are met.
Game weightingHow much different games count toward wagering requirements.
Maximum bet clauseA cap on stake size while certain bonus conditions are active.
Offer expiryThe period in which an offer must be used or completed before it lapses.

Safety and account terms

TermMeaning
Self-exclusionA formal block on account access for a fixed period; in the UK this can include GamStop across participating operators.
Cooling-offA shorter temporary break from account activity.
Reality checkAn on-screen reminder showing session time or spend context, depending on operator setup.
Source of funds checksCompliance checks operators may request under UK regulatory obligations.