Casino glossary
Plain-English definitions of the terms you'll encounter when researching online casinos in New Zealand.
From wagering requirements to RTP, the casino industry has its own language. This glossary explains the most common terms so you can make informed decisions.
Bonuses & promotions
- Welcome bonus
- An offer made to new players when they first deposit, typically matching a percentage of the deposit amount (e.g. 100% up to $200).
- No-deposit bonus
- A bonus awarded without requiring a deposit — usually a small amount of free credit or free spins given just for registering.
- Free spins
- Complimentary rounds on a pokie machine, awarded as part of a promotion. Winnings from free spins are usually subject to wagering requirements.
- Wagering requirement
- The number of times you must bet a bonus amount before you can withdraw winnings. A $100 bonus with a 30x requirement means you must wager $3,000 before cashing out.
- Cashback bonus
- A refund of a percentage of net losses over a set period, returned as bonus credit or cash.
- Reload bonus
- A deposit bonus offered to existing players on subsequent deposits, typically smaller than a welcome bonus.
Games & fairness
- RTP (Return to Player)
- The percentage of all wagered money a game pays back to players over time. A pokie with 96% RTP returns $96 for every $100 wagered on average.
- House edge
- The mathematical advantage a casino holds over players, expressed as a percentage. The flip side of RTP — a 96% RTP game has a 4% house edge.
- Volatility
- How frequently and how much a game pays out. High-volatility games pay less often but in larger amounts; low-volatility games pay more frequently but in smaller amounts.
- RNG (Random Number Generator)
- Software that produces random outcomes for each game round, ensuring results are fair and unpredictable. Licensed casinos use certified RNGs.
- Provably fair
- A cryptographic method used by some casinos to let players independently verify that game outcomes were not manipulated.
- Live casino
- A game streamed in real time from a studio, with a human dealer managing the action. Players interact via chat and place bets through the interface.
Payments & accounts
- KYC (Know Your Customer)
- The identity verification process casinos use to confirm a player's age and identity, typically requiring a photo ID and proof of address.
- Withdrawal limit
- The maximum amount a player can withdraw per day, week, or month. Limits vary by casino and payment method.
- Pending period
- A delay between requesting a withdrawal and the casino processing it, during which the request can sometimes be reversed.
- E-wallet
- A digital payment service (e.g. PayPal, Skrill, Neteller) used to deposit and withdraw funds without sharing bank details directly with the casino.
- Cryptocurrency
- Digital currencies such as Bitcoin or Ethereum accepted by some online casinos as a payment method.
Regulation & licensing
- DIA (Department of Internal Affairs)
- The New Zealand government agency responsible for regulating gambling under the Gambling Act 2003.
- Gambling Commission
- An independent body that hears appeals and reviews decisions made by the DIA regarding gambling licences.
- Class 4 licence
- The licence category under the Gambling Act 2003 that covers gaming machines (pokies) in pubs and clubs.
- Offshore casino
- An online casino licensed in another jurisdiction (e.g. Malta, Gibraltar) that accepts NZ players. These are not regulated by the DIA.
- AML (Anti-Money Laundering)
- Regulations requiring casinos to monitor and report suspicious financial activity to prevent money laundering.
- Responsible gambling tools
- Features offered by licensed operators to help players manage their gambling, including deposit limits, session time limits, self-exclusion, and reality checks.
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