Gambling Terms: A Definitive Guide to Casino Terminology
Written by
Andrei SuttonPublished: 17 January 2025
Updated: 12 February 2025
Gambling offers a vast array of games, betting options, and industry-specific terms that can be a bit puzzling—especially if you’re just starting out. Whether you’re popping into your local UK casino or trying out various online casino software providers, it’s important to get to grips with the essentials. This guide aims to clear up common gambling expressions and concepts, acting as a handy reference for both newcomers and seasoned players alike.
Learning these terms, you’ll be better prepared to explore different types of casino games, pick up on sports betting strategies, decipher casino terms and conditions, and practise responsible gambling. While we’ve covered a wide range of definitions here, it’s certainly not exhaustive; the gambling landscape is always evolving, and we may update this article from time to time. Let’s dive in.
Terms | Definition |
| Accumulator (Parlay) | A single bet that combines multiple individual wagers. Each selection must win for the accumulator to pay out. |
| Action | Any bet or wager placed. If a player says they “have action on the game,” it means they have placed a bet. |
| Ante | A small forced bet placed by all players at the start of certain poker hands to seed the pot. |
| Baccarat | A classic casino card game where players bet on whether the Player’s hand, the Banker’s hand, or a Tie will have the highest total value closest to nine. |
| Banker (Dealer) | In games like Baccarat, the ‘Banker’ is one of the primary betting options. In other contexts, it refers to the house-dealt position. |
| Bankroll | The total amount of money a player sets aside for gambling. Managing your bankroll is a key component of Responsible Gambling. |
| Bet | Any money staked on the outcome of an event or game. |
| Blackjack | A popular card game aiming to beat the dealer by getting a hand total as close to 21 as possible without busting. Read our Blackjack guide here. |
| Bonus | A promotional offer from a casino or sportsbook (e.g., deposit match, free spins). Terms can vary widely, so always check the Bonus Terms. |
| Card Counting | A strategy often used in Blackjack, tracking the ratio of high to low cards. Although not illegal, many casinos have policies or Terms and Conditions that can restrict or penalize card counting. |
| Cashback | A rebate system in which a portion of a player’s losses or wagers is returned, typically as bonus funds or real money. |
| Casino Support | Various customer service channels (live chat, email, phone) offered by casinos. Learn more about Casino Support best practices. |
| Casino Terms and Conditions | The rules governing your experience at an online or land-based casino—covering gameplay, bonuses, withdrawals, dispute processes, and more. |
| Chip | A token used in place of cash for wagering at table games like Blackjack, Roulette, or Poker. |
| Comps | Short for “complimentary items,” such as free drinks, meals, hotel stays, or event tickets, awarded by casinos to loyal or high-stake players. |
| Craps | A dice game in which players wager on the outcome of one or more rolls using two dice, selecting from a range of existing bets. |
| Croupier | The official who manages the gaming table, especially in European games like Roulette. |
| Deposit Limit | A self-imposed cap on the amount of money a player can deposit over a specific period, part of Responsible Gambling measures. |
| Double Down | In Blackjack, an option allowing players to double their original bet in exchange for receiving exactly one more card. |
| Edge Sorting | A technique used by players who attempt to gain an advantage by identifying subtle irregularities on card backs. |
| Fold | In poker, withdrawing from a hand and forfeiting any bets already made. |
| Free Spins | A type of bonus often awarded on slot games, allowing players to spin the reels without placing an additional wager. |
| Hand | The set of cards dealt to a player in a card game. |
| High Roller (Whale) | A gambler who consistently wagers large amounts of money. High rollers often receive special treatment or comps. |
| Hit | In Blackjack, requesting another card to move closer to 21. |
| House | A common term for the casino or the organizer of a gambling event. |
| House Edge | The statistical advantage that the casino or sportsbook holds over players. Learn more about House Edge here. |
| In-Play Betting (Live Betting) | Placing bets on sporting events while the action is still ongoing. Odds change in real time. |
| Jackpot | A large cash prize, often progressive, that players can win in slots or certain table games. |
| Keno | A lottery-style casino game in which players choose numbers, hoping they match those randomly drawn. |
| Layoff | A bet made by a bookmaker or player to reduce liability on a particular outcome. |
| Live Casino | Online casino games streamed in real time with a live dealer. Players can often interact with dealers and other players via chat, recreating an authentic casino atmosphere. |
| Marker | A line of credit extended by a casino to a player. |
| Match Bonus | A promotional offer in which a casino or sportsbook matches a percentage of a player's deposit, effectively boosting their available funds for betting. |
| Money Line | A sports betting format focusing purely on which team or player will win, disregarding point spreads. |
| Payout | The amount a player receives from a winning bet or combination. Often expressed as a multiple or ratio of the stake (e.g., 2:1). |
| Payout Percentage | The average amount of money a machine or game returns to players, often used interchangeably with RTP. |
| Payment Methods | Various banking options (e-wallets, credit cards, bank transfers, cryptocurrencies) offered by casinos or sportsbooks. Explore Payment Methods here. |
| Pit (Pit Area) | The section in a land-based casino where table games are clustered and overseen by a pit boss. |
| Pit Boss | The casino employee supervising the pit area, ensuring fair play and handling disputes. |
| Poker | a card game in which players bet on the strength of their cards to form the highest-ranking hand or induce opponents to fold. |
| Progressive Jackpot | A prize pool that grows each time a bet is placed and not won, often linked across multiple slot machines or games. |
| Progressive Slot | A slot machine with a linked jackpot that increases every time a player makes a wager. |
| Prop Bet (Proposition Bet) | A side wager often based on specific events or statistics within a game, unrelated to the final score (e.g., which player will score first). |
| Providers | Companies that develop casino games, payment platforms, or technology. See our guide to Providers here. |
| Push | When a bet (often in Blackjack) ends in a tie between the player and the house, resulting in a return of the original wager. |
| Responsible Gambling | Policies and practices that promote safe gambling, including deposit limits, self-exclusion, and more. Read our Responsible Gambling article. |
| RNG (Random Number Generator) | The software or hardware that ensures casino game outcomes (especially slots) are random and fair. |
| Roulette | A classic table game where players bet on where a small ball will land on a spinning wheel divided into numbered pockets. Bets may be placed on single numbers, ranges, colors, or odd/even outcomes. |
| Round Robin | A series of smaller parlay bets linking multiple teams or selections in different combinations. |
| RTP (Return to Player) | The percentage of all wagered money a casino game will return to players over time. Learn more in our RTP guide. |
| Self-Exclusion | A formal process allowing individuals to ban themselves from gambling activities as part of Responsible Gambling programs. |
| Slots | A casino game featuring spinning reels and symbols, where players aim to line up winning combinations on paylines. They often include bonus features and may offer progressive jackpots. |
| Spread | The predicted margin of victory in sports betting. Gamblers bet on whether the favourite will win by more (or less) than the assigned margin. |
| Stake | The amount of money placed on a wager. |
| Stand | In Blackjack, opting not to receive any more cards (also called “stick” or “stay”). |
| Table Limit | The minimum and maximum betting limits set for a specific table game. |
| Terms and Conditions | The legal rules outlined by a betting site or casino, covering everything from gameplay to bonuses and withdrawals. Always review the Casino Terms and Conditions. |
| Toke | A tip given to a dealer by a player, often in chips. |
| Video Poker | A digital casino game blending elements of slots and poker, in which players aim to form the highest-ranking five-card hand from an initial deal. |
| Void | A bet or wager declared invalid, usually resulting in a refund of the stake. |
| Volatility (Variance) | In slots and other games, a measure of risk. High-volatility games produce fewer but larger wins, while low-volatility games yield frequent but smaller payouts. |
| Wager | Another term for bet or stake, commonly used in casino and sports betting contexts. |
| Wagering Requirements | The number of times a bonus amount must be wagered before winnings can be withdrawn. See our full Wagering Requirements guide. |
| Welcome Bonus | A special promotional offer given to new players by an online casino or sportsbook, typically in the form of bonus credits, free spins, or match deposit offers. Terms usually include specific Wagering Requirements. |
| Withdrawal | The process of transferring your casino or sportsbook winnings to your chosen Payment Method. |
Conclusion
We trust this glossary serves as a valuable starting point for anyone exploring the gambling landscape in the UK. Keep in mind that individual casinos, sportsbooks, and regulatory bodies may have their own unique definitions and rules, so it’s always prudent to review each operator’s terms and conditions. Understanding these essential terms and staying informed will help you enjoy a safer and more rewarding gambling experience.
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