Online Gambling Glossary: A–Z of Key Terms
Online gambling comes with its own language. Whether you’re a first‑time player or a seasoned high‑roller, understanding the terminology will help you make smarter decisions, avoid misunderstandings, and improve your overall experience. Use this glossary as a quick reference into the concepts, mechanics, and slang that shape the modern iGaming world.
A
The total amount of money wagered during a session or over a specific period.
A third‑party marketer that drives traffic to a casino or sportsbook in return for a commission.
Combined pricing from multiple bookmakers, used to offer the most competitive line.
A middle‑person who places wagers on behalf of bettors, common in some markets.
A compulsory bet that every player must post before an online poker hand begins.
A slot feature that automatically spins the reels for a set number of rounds.
B
A last‑minute winning combination completed on the turn and river in poker.
The casino or house against which bettors play.
The total funds a player has set aside for gambling.
Any wager placed on the outcome of a game, hand, or event.
A button that stakes the highest possible amount on a slot spin or table round.
The digital or paper ticket that lists all selections and stakes in a sportsbook wager.
An online casino that accepts cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals.
Extra funds or perks awarded by a casino, usually tied to wagering requirements.
A string of letters/numbers a player enters to unlock a specific promotion.
Unclaimed or leftover balances that revert to the operator.
The amount needed to join a poker tournament or table.
C
The cashier’s office where players exchange chips for cash.
To match the current bet in poker.
To withdraw winnings or settle a bet early for a reduced return.
The statistical edge the house holds over players, expressed as a percentage.
A casino table game based on Texas Hold’em where players face the dealer.
A rebate on losses or wagering volume, returned as cash or bonus funds.
Tokens representing monetary value used at table games.
A prolonged run of losses.
Loyalty points earned through wagering, redeemable for rewards.
Funds advanced by the casino to approved players.
The maximum amount of credit a player can draw.
D
The person (live or virtual) who manages the game and handles transactions.
A promotion that matches a percentage of a player’s deposit.
A bet that either doubles the stake or loses it all, common in video poker.
In online blackjack, to double the original bet in exchange for one additional card.
The total money exchanged for chips at a table.
E
Any statistical advantage over the house or other players.
A bet that pays 1:1.
The long‑term average outcome of a wager, expressed as profit or loss per unit.
F
A novice or weak player who often loses money.
Odds that remain the same once the bet is placed.
Legacy term for instant‑play casinos once powered by Adobe Flash.
Slot spins offered at no cost, often linked to online casino bonuses.
]A poker tournament with no entry fee but real‑money prizes.
G
A double‑or‑nothing side game found on some online slots.
Probability theory describing the risk of a finite bankroll eventually hitting zero.
A regulatory body overseeing gaming activity within a jurisdiction.
A game where outcome is primarily determined by player ability rather than chance.
Playing a large volume of low‑risk wagers to generate steady profit.
H
A complete round of cards dealt to players.
A digital record of every action in an online poker hand.
A player who routinely wagers large sums.
To request another card in blackjack.
The amount the house retains from wagers after payouts.
See Casino Advantage.
I
Wagering on a sporting event after it has begun; also called live betting.
Browser‑based casino games that require no download.
A side bet in blackjack offered when the dealer shows an Ace.
J
A top prize, often progressive, awarded for rare outcomes.
The commission a sportsbook charges on losing bets; also called vig.
K
In poker, a side card used to break ties between similar hands.
A lottery‑style game where players pick numbers hoping they match those drawn.
L
A strategy of rolling winnings into progressively larger wagers.
Internet delay impacting real‑time play.
A wager against a particular outcome, common in exchange betting.
The minimum or maximum stake allowed at a table or slot.
Real dealers streaming games via video to online players.
An online slot with a high RTP or high hit frequency.
M
A betting system that doubles the stake after each loss.
The highest allowable wager on a given game.
A platform optimized for smartphones and tablets.
The ability to play several hands simultaneously, usually in blackjack or video poker.
Online poker liquidity shared across multiple legal jurisdictions.
N
A promotion granting bonus credits without requiring a deposit.
Extremely high betting limits.
O
The probability of an outcome expressed as a ratio or price.
Unified player experience across desktop, mobile, and retail venues.
A totals bet on whether the combined score is above or below a set line.
P
A multi‑selection wager where winnings roll over to the next leg.
The money returned on a winning bet.
A pattern on a slot that triggers a win when matching symbols land.
A slot machine with a minimum stake of one cent per line.
A rare situation where a player gains a statistical advantage.
The starting hand of two hole cards in Texas Hold’em.
A prize pool that grows with each wager until triggered.
A tie where the stake is returned.
Q
Four of a kind in poker.
R
Algorithm producing random outcomes for games.
The fee taken by the house from poker pots or tournament entries.
Purchasing additional chips while a tournament is still in its early phase.
The vertical column of symbols in a slot machine.
An online casino deposit match bonus offered to existing customers.
Percentage of stakes that a game is designed to pay back over time.
The potential profit relative to the stake.
The spinning device used to determine winning numbers in roulette.
S
A slot icon that pays regardless of payline alignment.
A continuous period of play.
A highly skilled player who profits from weaker opponents.
In poker, a player with comparatively few chips.
An auxiliary wager offered in table games.
A blackjack option to forfeit half the bet and end the hand early.
The amount wagered on a single bet.
A bonus that cannot be withdrawn, only the winnings from it.
T
Casino classics like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat that were traditionally played on a felt table.
Emotional frustration that leads to poor decision‑making.
Extra time allotted to make a decision in online poker.
A competitive event with entry fees and prize pools.
V
The degree to which results deviate from the expected average.
A machine‑based hybrid of poker and slots.
A tiered rewards program for loyal or high‑stakes players.
The risk level of a game, influencing payout size and frequency.
W
Another term for bet; the act of staking money on an outcome.
The amount a player must bet before bonus funds become withdrawable; also known as a playthrough or rollover.
A promotional package offered to new players upon signup.
A slot icon that substitutes for others to complete a payline.
The process of cashing out funds from an account.
A bank‑to‑bank electronic funds transfer.
Y
The sportsbook’s hold percentage on a set of wagers.
Z
An online baccarat variant where standard commission on banker wins is removed.
