This is an educational guide to how UK online gambling works. Figures such as RTP and house edge are typical industry values and vary by game and operator. No game can be beaten in the long run — play for entertainment, never as a way to make money, and only stake what you can afford to lose.
What Is a Sticky Bonus?
Not all casino bonuses work the same way, and “sticky” is one of the most important distinctions to understand. Here’s what a sticky bonus is.
How it works
With a sticky bonus, the bonus funds themselves can never be withdrawn — they “stick” to your account purely as playing money. You can play with them, and you can withdraw winnings made with them once you’ve met the wagering requirements, but the original bonus amount is always removed when you cash out.
Why casinos use them
A sticky bonus lets the casino give you extra funds to play with while ensuring the bonus money itself can’t simply be taken as cash. It’s a common structure for deposit matches.
Sticky vs cashable
The key contrast is with a cashable bonus, where the bonus amount itself can become withdrawable once requirements are met. Knowing which type you’ve got tells you what you can actually walk away with. See what a cashable bonus is, wagering requirements and how deposit bonuses work.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sticky bonus?
A bonus where the bonus funds themselves can’t be withdrawn — only winnings made with them, after wagering.
Why do casinos use sticky bonuses?
To give you playing funds while ensuring the bonus amount isn’t simply cashed out.
How is it different from a cashable bonus?
A cashable bonus can become withdrawable cash once requirements are met; a sticky bonus never is.
Related guides: what a cashable bonus is, wagering requirements and how deposit bonuses work.