Language is crucial for effective communication between two parties. This is the same in the world of gambling. According to Statista, the global population of users in the gambling industry is projected to reach about 1 billion. This constitutes an estimated 12% of the entire population.
With most countries legalizing gambling, the current user penetration of 11.7% in 2025 is expected to continue in an upward direction. This represents a population of people with a common interest and who have to speak the same language.
Hence, understanding the lingo of online gambling is vital for exploring the industry. Online casinos present users with an array of options. This article explores some of the most commonly used gambling terms that are a must-know for any casino enthusiast.
House Edge
Just like every business, the aim is to make a profit. Think of the house edge in its most literal form of expression, that is, the house has an edge over you. It does not matter how you do it, the house always wins, as the saying goes.
For every wager, the odds are designed such that the chances of the casino winning your money outweigh you winning the bet. For example, a typical roulette wheel is numbered 1 to 36. This means that the chance of you winning is almost 0. The odds become even lower when playing American roulette with an additional zero.
Hence, understanding the meaning of House Edge is crucial to help you choose the right online casinos and games to play. This is why you must only stick to these top 10 online casinos that offer you favorable chances of winning. You will find many game options with favorable odds, thus improving your chances.
Return To Player (RTP)
There is often a misconception that Return to player (RTP) is the amount a casino is expected to pay back to the player after a gaming session. Rather, it is calculated based on accumulated plays
from multiple users over time. For example, if the Return to Player for a particular game is 95%, it means that players are most likely to receive an average of $95 for every wager of $100. Knowledge of RTP helps players in making the right game selection.
For instance, slot games offer the best RTP in most online casinos. Even more, they offer hundreds of options to players. An RTP of 96% and above is considered to be very good. Anything below 95% is generally considered to be low.
Wagering Requirements
Also called “playthrough” requirements, it is a multiplier often attached to bonuses and promotional offers in online casinos. A wagering requirement is the number of times a player is expected to play/wager a bonus amount before making any withdrawal.
Knowledge of wagering requirements is crucial for every player, especially when claiming bonuses. Most times, offers are not as good as they look. Some online casinos offer what appears like a very generous bonus but include steep wagering requirements to make it difficult for any chance of success.
For example, a wagering requirement of 30x the bonus amount means you must play through 30 times the bonus amount received. Let’s say you received $500 with a 30x playthrough requirement. This means you must play with $500 x 30 = $1,500 before you are eligible to withdraw any winnings.
Even more, this is often accompanied by additional restrictions such as selected games and time restrictions. So, check the wagering requirements when you see a juicy offer.
Wager/Stake
This simply refers to the amount of money you stake on an outcome. Every online casino has its minimum and maximum wager amount, which depends on many factors. For instance, the amount is much lower when using a casino bonus.
It means that until the bonus playthrough requirements are met, you do not have the liberty to stake any amount of your choice. However, when not using a bonus, there is a minimum wager amount. Nevertheless, depending on your bankroll, you can wager more as you see fit.
Payout
Once you have wagered on an outcome, the payout is the amount you get if you win the bet. For some games, it is straightforward. For instance, in sports betting, if the odds for the Cavaliers to win an NBA game against Celtic is +200, a wager of $100 would offer a payout of $200.
Likewise, if the odds is, say -150, then you need to wager $150 to get a profit of $100. For table games like blackjack and poker, the payout depends on the final hand. For instance, the Royal Flush is the highest-paying hand in poker. So, before you play any game, understand how it works and the payout system.