“100% bonus up to €200” sounds like free money until you try to withdraw and the casino suddenly turns into an HR department: policies, exceptions, and a mysterious thing called “bonus balance.”
Sticky vs non-sticky bonuses is basically about one question: when you win, is that money really yours yet?
This matters more than the bonus percentage, because it controls how withdrawals work, how risk is applied, and how often people end up angry on forums yelling “I got robbed” when they actually just got… terms-and-conditions’d. 😅
What is a sticky bonus?
A sticky bonus (also called non-cashable) is bonus money you can play with, but you can’t withdraw it. Ever.
You can only withdraw winnings after you meet the wagering requirement, and even then, some casinos cap how much you can withdraw from bonus-play winnings.
Think of a sticky bonus like a “play credit.” It boosts your balance so you can play longer, but it’s not part of your withdrawable funds until you clear the conditions, and even then, the bonus amount itself usually disappears.
Typical sticky bonus mechanics look like this:
You deposit money, get a bonus added, play with the combined balance, but the bonus is locked. When wagering is completed, the bonus is removed and only eligible winnings become cashable.
Sticky bonuses are designed to keep you playing. They’re not designed to help you withdraw quickly.
What is a non-sticky bonus?
A non-sticky bonus (often called cashable) is structured so your deposit remains your money and the bonus is treated more separately.
The most common “player-friendly” setup is:
You play using your real cash first, then the bonus balance kicks in after your cash is spent, or the bonus is locked until conditions are met, but your cash remains withdrawable depending on the casino rules.
Non-sticky bonuses are generally easier to understand and less likely to create withdrawal drama, because there’s a clearer separation between your money and the casino’s promo money.
If you’re a beginner, non-sticky is usually safer just because it produces fewer nasty surprises.
If you’re not sure how playthrough is calculated, read this first.
The key difference in one sentence
Sticky bonus: you’re playing inside a locked promo bubble until you finish the requirements.
Non-sticky bonus: your cash stays more “real,” and the bonus behaves more like an add-on.
That’s it. Everything else is just edge cases and fine print.
Why sticky bonuses cause so many “casino stole my winnings” stories
Because sticky bonuses often come with extra constraints stacked on top of wagering requirements.
The usual suspects:
- Maximum cashout limits. You can win, but only withdraw up to a fixed amount from bonus-derived winnings.
- Maximum bet rules. If you bet above a certain amount while the bonus is active, your winnings may be voided.
- Game contribution rules. Some games count 100% toward wagering, others count 10%, others count 0%.
- Time limits. Fail to complete wagering within X days, and the bonus (and sometimes associated winnings) can be removed.
- Excluded games. You’re allowed to play them, but they don’t count. Or worse, playing them breaks the bonus terms.
Sticky bonuses aren’t automatically “bad,” but they are more likely to punish normal human behavior like clicking the wrong game or raising your bet during autoplay.
Which one is better?
If your goal is more entertainment time for the same deposit, sticky bonuses can be fine. They often inflate your playable balance and help you last longer in high-variance games like slots.
If your goal is flexibility and the ability to withdraw without feeling like you signed a mortgage, non-sticky bonuses are usually better.
If your goal is “I want to cash out fast,” then the correct answer is: avoid bonuses entirely. Deposit, play, withdraw. Simple life. 😌
The hidden trick: “deposit + bonus wagering” matters more than sticky vs non-sticky
A bonus can be non-sticky and still be brutal if the wagering is calculated on deposit + bonus.
Example:
Deposit €100, get €100 bonus, 35x wagering.
If wagering is bonus-only: €100 × 35 = €3,500
If wagering is deposit+bonus: (€100 + €100) × 35 = €7,000
That’s not a small difference. That’s a lifestyle change.
So when comparing bonuses, don’t stop at “sticky vs non-sticky.” Look at what amount the multiplier applies to.
Beginner-friendly rules for choosing bonuses
If you’re new and you don’t want drama, prioritize bonuses that behave like this:
- Non-sticky or clearly explained cashable structure.
- Wagering 20x–35x (higher is usually a grind).
- Bonus-only wagering rather than deposit+bonus.
- No max cashout cap, or a cap that’s realistically high.
- Clear max bet rule that won’t trip you accidentally.
- Reasonable time window so you’re not forced to chase wagering.
And here’s the real beginner cheat code: if the rules take longer to understand than the bonus took to advertise, skip it.
Which ones to avoid (yes, I’m judging)
Avoid sticky bonuses when they stack multiple restrictions at once, especially:
High wagering like 50x+.
Deposit+bonus wagering.
Short deadlines like 7 days for large playthrough.
Low contribution rules that force you into narrow game choices.
Aggressive max bet rules that are easy to break.
Low max cashout caps that turn big wins into “cute wins.”
Those offers exist to look generous, not to be generous.
A promo that’s “300% up to €1,000” with 60x deposit+bonus and a max cashout of €200 is not a bonus. It’s a screenshot for an affiliate landing page. 😏
A simple example that makes it click
Two casinos offer “€100 bonus.”
Casino A: non-sticky, 30x bonus-only, slots count 100%, 30 days.
Casino B: sticky, 45x deposit+bonus, table games count 10%, 7 days, max cashout €300.
Casino A is predictable and survivable. Casino B is a chaos trap dressed as a gift.
Most beginners choose Casino B because “bigger bonus!” Then they learn the hard way that rules are the real price tag.
What to do if you accidentally claimed a sticky bonus and regret it
Don’t spiral. Just make a decision, fast:
If the rules are harsh and you wanted quick withdrawal, cancel the bonus if the casino allows it and continue with cash play.
If you’re okay treating it like entertainment credit, reduce bet size, play eligible games, and don’t rush.
The worst move is panic-playing bigger bets to “finish wagering” before a deadline. That’s when the bonus starts driving you instead of the other way around.
