This guide is informational only and not gambling or financial advice. If gambling stops being fun, seek help (see the support resources at the end).
How to use this glossary
Skim the categories that matter right now—safety, fairness, payments, or bonuses. Each entry gives a plain-English definition plus a quick “why it matters,” with links to authoritative sources.
Safety & Regulation
KYC (Know Your Customer)
Identity checks used by licensed operators to verify your age and identity before you gamble. In Great Britain, online operators must verify age/ID up front.
Why it matters: Passing KYC is required to deposit, play, and withdraw with reputable casinos.
AML (Anti-Money Laundering) & the Travel Rule
Global standards that require businesses to collect and transmit sender/receiver information on certain value transfers. Recent FATF updates (June 2025) clarified Recommendation 16 (“Travel Rule”) for virtual assets.
Why it matters: Crypto withdrawals and deposits may trigger extra info requests or limits.
Licence check (Public Registers)
Before you play, confirm the site’s licence on a public register (e.g., UK Gambling Commission).
Why it matters: A valid, searchable licence is your first line of defence against fake or unsafe sites.
Curaçao LOK (new regime)
Curaçao replaced its old master-licence model with the LOK (National Ordinance on Games of Chance) effective December 24, 2024, modernising online gaming oversight.
Why it matters: Many crypto casinos operate from Curaçao; LOK aims to lift compliance and transparency standards.
Self-exclusion & safer gambling tools
In Great Britain, GAMSTOP blocks you from all GB-licensed online operators; GamCare provides the National Gambling Helpline.
Why it matters: If you need a break (or support), use these tools before you’re at risk.
Fairness & Game Math
RTP (Return to Player)
The long-run percentage of stakes a game is designed to pay back (e.g., 96% RTP returns £96 per £100 staked over time). Regulators explain how actual RTP is calculated from turnover and wins; games are monitored to ensure performance matches design.
Why it matters: Higher RTP generally means better value over the long run—though results vary session-to-session.
House edge
The casino’s built-in advantage; mathematically, house edge ≈ 100% − RTP. For gaming machines in Britain there’s no statutory minimum RTP, but the %RTP must be stated and achieved.
Why it matters: Lower house edge = more player-friendly.
RNG (Random Number Generator) testing
Independent labs (e.g., eCOGRA) certify casino RNGs and game software. Regulators (e.g., Malta Gaming Authority) require a valid RNG test certificate for new games.
Why it matters: Certification helps ensure outcomes aren’t biased.
Provably fair
A cryptographic “commit-and-reveal” process that lets players verify each round using seeds (server seed hash shown before play, combined with a client seed and a nonce). The HMAC construction used in many schemes is specified by RFC 2104; some on-chain games use verifiable randomness like Chainlink VRF.
Why it matters: You can independently check results rather than just trusting the operator.
Chainlink VRF (Verifiable Random Function)
An oracle service that returns random values with on-chain proofs verified before use in a smart contract.
Why it matters: It’s a transparent way for blockchain games to prove randomness.
Crypto Payments 101
Confirmations (Bitcoin)
A transaction is confirmed when included in a block; each additional block adds another confirmation, making reversal exponentially less likely. Low-value payments can settle with fewer confirmations; larger amounts typically wait for ~6.
Why it matters: Casinos may require a certain number of confirmations before crediting deposits.
Lightning Network (BTC)
A second-layer protocol enabling faster, low-fee BTC payments by settling off-chain and later reconciling to the blockchain.
Why it matters: Some casinos accept Lightning for near-instant deposits/withdrawals.
Bech32 addresses (bc1…)
SegWit address format defined by BIP-0173; more efficient and designed to reduce errors.
Why it matters: Many BTC wallets and casinos prefer Bech32 for lower fees and better UX.
Gas fees (Ethereum)
Under EIP-1559, every transaction pays a base fee that is burned plus a priority fee (tip).
Why it matters: Your ETH or token withdrawal costs depend on network congestion and fee mechanics.
ERC-20 tokens
The standard for fungible tokens on Ethereum; ensures wallet/exchange interoperability.
Why it matters: Many casino deposits use ERC-20 tokens, so network/contract details matter.
Stablecoins (USDC, USDT)
USDC is a fully reserved, redeemable 1:1 USD stablecoin issued by Circle; Tether’s USDT is a long-standing USD-pegged stablecoin. Always verify the network (e.g., Ethereum, Tron) requested by the casino before sending.
Why it matters: Stablecoins reduce crypto price volatility when funding your account.
Bonuses & Promotions
Wagering requirement / rollover
The multiple you must bet before bonus-derived winnings can be withdrawn (e.g., 30× on a £100 bonus = £3,000 total bets). UK guidance stresses fair, clear terms; operators cannot block withdrawal of winnings made with your own deposited funds even if bonus wagering isn’t completed.
Why it matters: High wagering can make a “big” bonus poor value—read the T&Cs carefully.
Game weighting / contribution
Different games may contribute different percentages toward wagering (e.g., slots 100%, live games less). Check the operator’s bonus terms (and any cap on max bet while wagering).
Why it matters: Picking the wrong games can stall your progress toward meeting requirements.
RTP disclosures in terms
Operators publish game RTPs and regulators monitor live performance versus theoretical design.
Why it matters: You can compare games objectively rather than guessing.
Gameplay Mechanics You’ll See
Volatility / variance
Describes how “swingy” a game is—high volatility = fewer but bigger hits; low volatility = smaller, more frequent wins. Check paytables and help pages.
Progressive jackpot
A prize pool that grows with play until it’s won; contributions slightly lower base returns.
Hit rate & multipliers
Hit rate = chance of any win on a spin/round; multiplier = how many times your stake a win pays.
(These concepts are typically documented in each game’s rules and paytable page.)
Quick “trust-but-verify” checklist
- Look up the licence on the regulator’s public register (name, number, status, conditions).
- Scan T&Cs for wagering requirements, game weighting, max bet, expiry, and withdrawal rules.
- Check fairness signals: independent RNG certification and/or a clear provably-fair page (ideally with reproducible HMAC/seed instructions or on-chain VRF proofs).
- For crypto, confirm the exact network and address format (e.g., ERC-20 vs TRC-20; BTC bech32).
- If you need a break, enable self-exclusion (e.g., GAMSTOP in GB) and seek support.
Support if you need it
- Great Britain: GamCare (National Gambling Helpline) and local services via GambleAware’s National Gambling Support Network.
- United States: National Problem Gambling Helpline 1-800-GAMBLER (call/text/chat 24/7).
FAQ
Is “provably fair” better than certified RNG?
They solve similar problems in different ways. Certified RNGs are audited by accredited labs and often required by licence (e.g., MGA needs an RNG certificate). Provably fair lets you verify each round via cryptography; on-chain VRF adds public proofs. Many reputable operators use one or both.
Why are my Ethereum withdrawals sometimes expensive?
Under EIP-1559, the base fee adjusts per block and is burned; you also add a small priority fee. When the network is busy, base fee rises.
How many confirmations do I need?
Policies vary by site and amount, but one inclusion = 1 confirmation; six confirmations is a common high-value benchmark.
