, you will spot that they are described as welcome promotions, registration deals, match promos, boosts, top-ups and so on. But you will never see them named as sticky or non-sticky. Yet, you have surely encountered those terms, so there must be some reasonable explanation on what they actually represent. Probably coined by a player who wanted to help others make a difference between multiple types of casino offers and the associated payout rules, these two terms indicate whether a bonus is cashable or non-cashable. They also indicate whether a punter is obliged to deal with WRs to withdraw the funds.
Different types of Non-sticky Bonuses
Now that you can tell the difference between sticky and non-sticky casino bonuses, let’s take a closer look at parachute bonuses. Most commonly, players shall encounter these
two different types of non-sticky deals:
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- Forfeitable bonus- a punter is permitted to withdraw money before rollover requirements are met, but in that case, bonus credits are forfeited; as soon as a punter makes a withdrawal request, those complimentary funds are removed from the account
- Withdrawable bonus- in this scenario, a consumer can cash out the real money as well as the associated winnings before meeting the playthrough requirements; bonus remains on account and can be used for further playing
The only thing to keep in mind here is the timeframe or a deadline, as you wish, for completing WRs. If it passes, the bonus credits are removed from the balance, even if it is a non-sticky promo.
The two most common types of sticky bonuses include
- Phantom bonus- additional funds are added to the deposit immediately upon making a qualifying deposit, but upon making a withdrawal, that money is removed; for example, you deposit $20, get a $20 bonus, and you ended playing with $50 on your balance- you’d be able to withdraw $30, after $20 bonus is deducted
- Expiring bonus- these have limited duration, which means they stay on the balance as long as the wagering requirements allow it; while phantom bonuses us removed from the account the very moment a cashout is requested, bonuses with expiry date can be used for further betting, as long as they don’t break the WR deadline
What’s the Difference between Sticky and Non-Sticky Bonuses
It is essential that players understand the difference between sticky and non-sticky bonuses displayed in
online casinos in the first place. As the name itself hints,
a sticky bonus is the one that is “stuck” with the deposit. Also referred to as non-cashable, this type of bonus cannot be withdrawn unless wagering requirements are met. Also known as parachute bonuses,
non-sticky bonuses do not tie bonus funds and real money, and hence are cashable. A player can withdraw cash at any time, as he/ she is actually making bets using real money first. However, if a punter starts using bonus funds to place bets, then playthrough requirements enter the stage, and only after meeting them, a withdrawal is possible. The key to understanding the difference between these two types of promotional campaigns is in the order in which a punter plays that money, before becoming eligible to withdraw it. If bonus money is played first and used “for wagering only”, with no possibility to withdraw the bonus money, then it’s a sticky offer. In case real money is used primarily, and you can request a cashout without having to meet the WRs, then we are talking about a non-sticky promo. Also, bear in mind that even though all money is at the player’s disposal for wagering, not all the funds are kept in the same place. Most online casinos place real money and bonus money in separate accounts, so to help players track which funds are used for what.
Advantages of Non-Sticky Bonuses
While comparing different promo packages offered by the operators, you will undoubtedly notice that non-sticky deals come with slightly higher WRs than sticky ones. Despite that, they are still notably more popular among consumers, not only for that but for the following reasons as well:
- Opportunity to withdraw winnings at any time
- They are independent of the rollover requirements
- Real funds and bonus funds are not stuck together
The fact that a consumer can play his/ her real money part of the bonus first is one of the indicators that it’s a non-sticky promo. However, to be absolutely sure how it works, a customer should take the following steps:
- Read Terms and Conditions to see if there are any country restrictions regarding bonus eligibility
- See how high are the wagering requirements (if opting for a promo that has them attached)
- Check the duration of the promotion, meaning how much time is there to complete WRs
- Take a look at the contribution percentage per game genre and the list of permitted/ forbidden titles with an active bonus
- Find out if there are any limits for cashouts and specific payment methods
An important thing to bear in mind is that it is always wise to familiarize yourself with the rules before spinning and winning. It’s the only way to have a clear picture of what is offered and what to expect from a promotional campaign, after all. Bottom line is that bonuses should never be seen as schemes to get rich quickly. Don’t listen to those saying that it’s possible to become a millionaire by doing absolutely nothing. For what is worth, you do need to sit down and carefully investigate Terms, and that’s already something.
Sticky or Non-Sticky- Which One’s Better
Analyzing the promotional offers casinos-wide, you will notice that the majority of offers are sticky, which on the surface could seem slightly disappointing. However, if you choose a reputable casino to play in (which you always should, regardless of bonuses), it can turn out as a rather good opportunity. What one gets is a substantial balance to start with and
explore some slot games, which is an excellent opportunity to upgrade the experience. On the other hand, a non-sticky bonus allows you to lay your hands on winnings faster, without being obliged to stick with the casino for a longer period of time. Come to think of it, this also explains why “sticky” ones are called that way. As long as wagering requirements are not impossible to meet, you can choose any bonus you want. Generally speaking, those who are new to gambling and have limited bankroll will more often opt for non-sticky deals, while those with more experience will choose sticky promos, as it comes with more bonus money upfront.
