iGaming Glossary

Regulations and procedures designed to prevent criminal money laundering through gaming operations. AML compliance includes transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting, customer due diligence, and maintaining detailed records. Essential requirement for all licensed gaming operators.

The process of connecting a casino platform with game provider systems via Application Programming Interface. A well-designed API enables seamless game launches, real-time data exchange, wallet integration, and player session management. Single API integration allows operators to access multiple game providers efficiently.

Total revenue divided by the number of active users, used to measure monetization effectiveness.

A single bet combining multiple selections where all picks must win for the bet to pay out. Also called parlay, combo, or multi-bet. Odds multiply together, offering higher returns but greater risk. Popular in football betting with enhanced odds promotions.

A feature that allows players to set the slot to spin automatically for a specified number of rounds or until certain conditions are met.

Commercial relationships between gaming companies rather than direct player services. B2B providers supply software, games, platforms, and services to casino operators. Platin Gaming operates as a B2B provider, supplying whitelabel solutions and game content.

Direct player-facing casino operations where operators hold licenses and serve end users. B2C operators manage player acquisition, customer service, and compliance directly. Most online casinos and sportsbooks are B2C operations.

A comparing card game played between player and banker hands, popular in Asian markets. Players bet on which hand will have a value closest to 9. Low house edge (1.06% on banker) and fast gameplay make it a high-volume game for operators.

The number of coins wagered per payline or bet way. Higher bet levels increase both the total bet and potential winnings.

A card game where players aim to beat the dealer by getting cards totaling closer to 21 without exceeding it. One of the lowest house edge casino games (0.5% with optimal strategy). Available in numerous variants including Spanish 21, Pontoon, and Live Dealer versions.

A special game mode triggered during regular gameplay that offers enhanced winning opportunities. Bonus rounds can include free spins, pick-and-click games, wheel spins, or cascading wins. They often feature unique mechanics, higher multipliers, and themed mini-games.

A feature that allows players to purchase direct access to a bonus round for a set price, typically 50-100x the bet amount.

A distributed network of servers that delivers game assets quickly to players worldwide by serving content from the nearest location.

An affiliate commission model where partners receive a fixed payment for each new depositing player they refer. CPA rates vary by market and player value, typically ranging from $50-$500. Often combined with revenue share in hybrid deals.

A game mechanic where winning symbols disappear and new symbols fall into their place, potentially creating chain reactions of wins from a single spin. Also known as tumbling reels, avalanche, or rolling reels. Popular in modern slots for extended win sequences.

A feature allowing players to settle bets before the event concludes, locking in a profit or minimizing losses. Partial cash out lets players settle a portion of the bet while keeping the rest active. Cash out value is calculated based on current odds and bet potential.

The percentage of players who stop playing on a platform within a given period.

A winning mechanic where payouts are based on clusters of matching symbols touching horizontally or vertically, rather than traditional paylines.

The monetary value assigned to each coin in a slot game. Adjusting coin value changes the total bet amount.

The percentage of registered players who make their first deposit, or free players who become paying customers.

A casino game where a multiplier increases from 1x until it randomly "crashes." Players must cash out before the crash to win. Popular titles include Aviator, Spaceman, and JetX. High-frequency gameplay with social elements and provably fair mechanics.

A gaming license issued by the Curacao Gaming Control Board. Lower barrier to entry than MGA or UKGC but less prestigious. Popular for operators targeting unregulated or emerging markets. New 2023 regulations increased compliance requirements.

A responsible gaming control allowing players to set maximum deposit amounts daily, weekly, or monthly. Once set, limits cannot be increased immediately — cooling-off periods apply. Mandatory feature under MGA and UKGC regulations.

Player-set or operator-mandated maximum amounts that can be deposited within specified time periods.

Wild symbols that expand to cover an entire reel when they land, increasing the chances of creating winning combinations.

An independent testing agency and player protection organization for online gaming. eCOGRA audits games for fairness, verifies payout percentages, and monitors operator conduct. The eCOGRA Safe and Fair seal indicates compliance with industry standards.

Bonus rounds where players can spin the reels without wagering their own money. Usually triggered by landing scatter symbols (typically 3 or more). Free spins often come with multipliers, expanding wilds, or other enhanced features that increase winning potential.

The total amount wagered minus the total amount won by players, representing the casino's gross profit before operational costs. GGR is the primary revenue metric for casino operators and is often used as the basis for gaming taxes and regulatory fees.

An independent testing laboratory that certifies casino games for fairness and regulatory compliance. GLI testing verifies RNG integrity, RTP accuracy, and game rule implementation. GLI certification is required for most regulated markets.

An optional mini-game that allows players to risk their winnings for a chance to double or multiply them, often by guessing card colors or outcomes.

A platform that consolidates games from multiple providers into a single API integration. Aggregators allow operators to access thousands of games from dozens of providers through one technical integration, simplifying operations and expanding game portfolios efficiently.

The process of having games tested and approved by accredited laboratories to ensure fairness and compliance with regulations.

A company that develops and supplies casino games to operators. Major providers include Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Evolution, Microgaming, and Play'n GO. Providers are typically licensed separately and integrated via APIs or aggregators.

The backend infrastructure that processes game logic, handles player actions, and communicates with wallet systems.

Live casino games inspired by television game shows, hosted by presenters in studio settings. Popular examples include Crazy Time, Dream Catcher, and Monopoly Live. Features multipliers, bonus rounds, and high entertainment value with lower complexity than traditional table games.

Technology that restricts access to gaming services based on player location. Operators use IP detection and GPS verification to comply with licensing restrictions and prohibit play from unauthorized jurisdictions. Essential for regulatory compliance.

The web technology standard used for modern casino games, replacing Flash. HTML5 games run natively in web browsers without plugins, work across desktop and mobile devices, and offer smooth performance with rich graphics. All Platin Gaming slots are built with HTML5.

A bet where one team is given a virtual advantage or disadvantage to level the playing field. Asian Handicaps use quarter and half goals to eliminate draws, while European Handicaps include whole numbers. Essential market type for professional sportsbook operations.

How often a slot machine produces a winning combination, expressed as a percentage. A 25% hit frequency means roughly 1 in 4 spins results in a win. Higher hit frequency means more frequent wins (usually smaller), while lower hit frequency indicates less frequent but potentially larger wins.

The percentage of total wagers retained by the casino as revenue. Related to but different from house edge due to player behavior.

The mathematical advantage the casino has over players, expressed as a percentage. House edge = 100% - RTP. A 4% house edge means the casino expects to retain $4 for every $100 wagered over time. Different games have different house edges based on rules and odds.

Live betting on sporting events while they are in progress, also known as live betting. Odds update in real-time based on match events. In-play betting typically generates 60-70% of total sportsbook turnover and requires sophisticated odds engines with sub-second update capability.

A method of embedding game content within a webpage, commonly used to display casino games within an operator site.

The top prize in a slot game. Fixed jackpots offer a set amount, while progressive jackpots grow with each bet until won, potentially reaching millions. Network progressives link multiple games or casinos, building jackpots faster. Local progressives are limited to a single casino.

A geographic region with its own gambling laws and regulatory requirements that operators must comply with to offer services.

Verification process required by gaming regulations to confirm player identity and prevent fraud, money laundering, and underage gambling. KYC typically requires ID documents, proof of address, and payment method verification. Strong KYC processes are mandatory under MGA and other licenses.

Casino games hosted by real dealers in professional studios, streamed in real-time to players. Live casino includes table games like blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, as well as game shows. HD video streaming and interactive chat create an authentic casino experience online.

A real human dealer who operates table games in real-time via video stream, creating an authentic casino experience from anywhere.

The regulatory body responsible for governing gaming activities in Malta, established in 2001. An MGA license is one of the most respected in the iGaming industry, recognized across Europe and beyond. MGA-licensed operators must meet strict requirements for player protection, fair gaming, and anti-money laundering.

The maximum potential payout of a slot game, usually expressed as a multiple of the bet (e.g., 10,000x). Higher max wins are typically associated with higher volatility games. This cap protects operators from unlimited exposure while still offering players significant win potential.

A licensed game mechanic by Big Time Gaming featuring dynamic reels where the number of symbols per reel changes each spin, creating up to 117,649+ ways to win. Megaways slots typically feature high volatility, cascading reels, and significant max win potential.

A feature that multiplies winnings by a specified amount. Multipliers can apply to single wins, entire bonus rounds, or cascading wins. They range from 2x to 10,000x+ in some games, significantly increasing win potential during bonus features.

Gross Gaming Revenue minus bonuses, chargebacks, and payment processing fees. NGR represents the actual revenue retained by the operator after player incentives and operational costs. Often used as the basis for affiliate revenue share calculations.

Real-time data service providing betting odds from data suppliers to sportsbook platforms. Includes pre-match odds, live odds, and settlement data. Integration quality affects latency, coverage, and competitive positioning. Major providers include Betradar, LSports, and Betgenius.

The lines on which matching symbols must land to create a winning combination. Classic slots typically have 1-5 paylines, while modern video slots can feature anywhere from 10 to over 100,000 ways to win. More paylines generally mean more opportunities to win per spin.

A service that processes deposits and withdrawals between players and gaming operators. Modern gateways support credit cards, e-wallets, bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies. Key considerations include processing fees, payout speed, and regional coverage.

The predicted total revenue a casino expects to earn from a player throughout their relationship.

A cryptographic method allowing players to verify game outcomes are fair and untampered. Uses hash functions and server/client seeds to prove results were predetermined before each bet. Popular in cryptocurrency casinos and crash games.

The algorithm that ensures all game outcomes are completely random and fair. RNG systems generate thousands of numbers per second, determining where reels stop and which cards are dealt. All legitimate casino games use certified RNGs, tested by independent labs like GLI, eCOGRA, and BMM.

Digital table games where outcomes are determined by Random Number Generators rather than live dealers.

The percentage of all wagered money that a slot machine will pay back to players over time. For example, a 96% RTP means the game returns 96 for every 100 wagered on average. RTP is calculated over millions of spins and is a key metric for operators evaluating game performance.

A responsible gaming feature that displays notifications to players about their session duration and spending at regular intervals.

Industry practices and tools designed to prevent problem gambling and protect vulnerable players. Includes deposit limits, loss limits, session time reminders, self-exclusion options, reality checks, and cooling-off periods. Responsible gaming compliance is mandatory under MGA and other major licenses.

An affiliate commission model where partners receive a percentage of the NGR generated by their referred players, typically 25-50%. Revenue share creates ongoing income streams and aligns affiliate incentives with player lifetime value.

A table game where players bet on where a ball will land on a spinning wheel with numbered pockets. European roulette (single zero) has 2.7% house edge; American roulette (double zero) has 5.26%. Live dealer roulette includes variants like Lightning Roulette with multipliers.

Encryption technology that secures data transmission between player browsers and casino servers. SSL certificates (now TLS) protect personal information and financial transactions. 256-bit encryption is the industry standard for gaming platforms.

A special symbol that can trigger bonus features regardless of payline positions. Unlike regular symbols, scatters pay anywhere on the reels. Landing multiple scatters (usually 3+) typically triggers free spins, bonus rounds, or instant cash prizes.

An integration architecture where game providers query the operator wallet in real-time for every bet and win. Eliminates the need for fund transfers between systems. Provides instant balance updates and simplified reconciliation.

A responsible gaming tool allowing players to voluntarily ban themselves from gambling for a set period or permanently. Operators must implement self-exclusion mechanisms and honor exclusion requests across their platforms. Often integrated with national exclusion registries.

A unique identifier assigned to each player gaming session. Session IDs enable tracking of gameplay, wallet transactions, and responsible gaming monitoring. Session management is critical for security and regulatory reporting.

A device that holds multiple decks of cards in table games like blackjack and baccarat, used to deal cards during play.

An additional wager placed alongside the main bet in table games, offering higher payouts for specific outcomes like perfect pairs or 21+3 in blackjack.

A branded front-end for an existing gaming platform, sharing the same back-end infrastructure and license. Multiple skins can operate on one platform with different branding and marketing strategies. Cost-effective market entry strategy for new brands.

A platform or facility where players can place bets on sporting events. Modern B2B sportsbooks offer pre-match and live betting across 50+ sports, with thousands of markets per event including handicaps, totals, and proposition bets. Key features include odds management, risk control, and multi-channel delivery.

Wild symbols that remain in place for multiple spins, commonly during free spins bonus rounds.

An integration architecture where funds are transferred to the game provider before play. Requires explicit balance transfers and periodic synchronization. Less common than seamless wallet but simpler to implement initially.

A complete, ready-to-launch gaming platform including software, games, payments, and often licensing. Turnkey solutions minimize time-to-market and technical complexity for new operators. Similar to whitelabel but may include additional customization options.

The total amount of money wagered by players, also known as handle or betting volume.

The regulatory body overseeing gambling in Great Britain. UKGC licenses are among the strictest globally, with requirements for source of funds checks, advertising restrictions, and enhanced responsible gaming tools. UK market access requires separate UKGC licensing.

Computer-generated sporting events with realistic graphics and fair RNG-based outcomes. Virtual sports offer 24/7 betting opportunities with events every few minutes. Popular virtual sports include football, horse racing, greyhound racing, and motorsports.

A measure of the risk level of a slot game, also known as variance. High volatility slots pay out less frequently but with larger amounts, ideal for players seeking big wins. Low volatility slots pay out more often but with smaller amounts, providing steady gameplay. Medium volatility offers a balanced experience.

The number of times bonus funds must be bet before winnings can be withdrawn. For example, a $100 bonus with 30x wagering requires $3,000 in bets. Lower wagering requirements are more player-friendly. Also known as playthrough or rollover requirements.

A communication protocol enabling real-time, bidirectional data exchange between game servers and players, essential for live games.

A ready-made gaming platform that operators can brand as their own. Whitelabel solutions include the complete technical infrastructure (sportsbook, casino, payment processing) under the provider's license, allowing faster market entry without the need for operators to obtain their own license.

A special symbol that can substitute for other symbols (except scatters and bonus symbols) to create winning combinations. Wilds come in various types: standard wilds, expanding wilds (cover entire reels), sticky wilds (remain for multiple spins), and multiplier wilds (multiply wins).