Two casino welcome offers can both promise a 100% match up to $200 and still be worth very different amounts. One of the biggest reasons is a detail buried in the terms: whether the bonus is sticky or non-sticky. The label decides what happens to your own deposit, when you can withdraw, and whether the bonus money can ever leave the casino. This guide explains both types with simple examples so you can tell which one you are being offered.
Sticky bonuses
A sticky bonus, sometimes called a phantom bonus, is added to your balance and mixed with your deposit, but the bonus amount itself can never be withdrawn. It “sticks” to the account. When you request a withdrawal after meeting the wagering requirement, the bonus is deducted from your balance and only the rest is paid out.
Example. You deposit $100 and receive a $100 sticky bonus, giving a $200 balance. After completing the wagering, your balance is $350. When you withdraw, the $100 bonus is removed and you receive $250.
With a sticky bonus, your deposit and the bonus are usually treated as one combined balance from the start, and the wagering requirement applies before anything can be withdrawn, including your own deposit. Withdrawing early typically cancels the bonus and any winnings attached to it.
Non-sticky bonuses
A non-sticky bonus, also known as a parachute or hybrid bonus, keeps your cash and the bonus in separate balances. You always play with your own money first. The bonus only comes into play if your cash balance runs out.
This produces two very different paths:
- You win while still playing with your cash. You can stop and withdraw your real money balance at any time, without meeting any wagering requirement. The bonus is simply forfeited.
- You lose your cash. The bonus balance becomes active and you continue with it. Now the wagering requirement applies, and if you complete it, the remaining bonus funds convert to withdrawable cash, often subject to a maximum conversion limit.
Example. You deposit $100 and receive a $100 non-sticky bonus. After a few spins your cash balance has grown to $300. You can withdraw the $300 immediately and walk away, with the bonus cancelled. If instead your $100 cash had fallen to zero, you would continue with the $100 bonus under the wagering terms.
Side by side
| Feature | Sticky | Non-sticky |
|---|---|---|
| Balances | Combined | Separate, cash played first |
| Can you withdraw the bonus itself? | No, it is deducted at withdrawal | Yes, once wagering is complete |
| Can you withdraw early without wagering? | Usually no | Yes, while playing with cash |
| Wagering applies to | The combined balance from the start | Only once the bonus balance is in play |
| Flexibility for the player | Low | High |
Which is better value?
For most players, a non-sticky bonus is the more flexible and player friendly structure. It gives you a free option: if your own money does well, you keep it on your own terms; if it does not, the bonus gives you a second chance. The worst case is that you finish exactly where you would have without the bonus.
A sticky bonus is not necessarily bad, but it is less flexible. Your deposit is tied up until the wagering is finished, and the bonus amount never becomes yours. It can still suit a player who expects to play through the full requirement anyway and values the larger balance for longer sessions.
Whichever type you are offered, the wagering multiple, the game weighting, the maximum bet, and the time limit still apply, and they matter as much as the sticky or non-sticky label. A non-sticky bonus with a 60x requirement can be worse value than a sticky bonus with 10x.
How to tell which one you have
Casinos do not always use these names. Look in the bonus terms for phrases like these:
- “The bonus amount will be deducted upon withdrawal” or “the bonus is non-cashable” means sticky.
- “Real money is wagered first” or “bonus funds are used once your cash balance is depleted” means non-sticky.
- “Withdrawing before the wagering is complete will forfeit the bonus and associated winnings” appears in both, but in a non-sticky offer it only affects the bonus side.
Your account page is another clue. Separate lines for “cash balance” and “bonus balance” usually indicate a non-sticky structure. If the terms are unclear, ask customer support before depositing and keep a copy of the answer.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a big balance is withdrawable. With a sticky bonus, part of what you see on screen will never be paid out.
- Breaking the maximum bet rule. One oversized bet during wagering can void winnings under either type.
- Forgetting to opt out. If you would rather play without a bonus, decline it at the deposit stage. Removing one later can cancel winnings.
Play with your eyes open
Bonuses change how your money is handled; they do not change the house edge or guarantee a profit. Online gambling is for adults aged 18 and over, or the legal age where you live. Decide on a budget before you deposit, take a bonus only when you understand its terms, and remember that declining one is always an option. If gambling stops being fun, free confidential help is available from GamCare, BeGambleAware or the National Council on Problem Gambling (1-800-GAMBLER).