John Ford | December 21, 2020 | Updated on: February 1st, 2024
The terms sticky bonus and non-sticky bonus are used to refer to bonus structures used at online casinos. It doesn’t matter what sort of bonus the casino gifted you; each casino bonus falls under either of the two.
A sticky bonus offer appears to benefit the player while playing in favor of the house at the same time. Most of the biggest internet casinos only offer sticky bonuses, even if players are unaware of this. If you would like to find out more about sticky bonuses and non-sticky bonuses, and how they work, then keep reading.
Top USA Casino Bonuses
Sticky Bonus Content:
- Top Casinos for Bonuses
- What is a Sticky Bonus?
- How Sticky Bonuses Work
- What is a Non-Sticky Bonus?
- Sticky or Non-Sticky Bonuses – Which is Better?
- How to Choose the Best Casino Bonus
- Sticky and Non-Sticky Bonuses FAQs
What is a Sticky Bonus?
A sticky bonus is a term used to describe a particular casino bonus structure used by most online casinos. Players can use this bonus money to play casino games but can never actually withdraw the bonus amount.
While this may seem confusing, it just means that you cannot withdraw the bonus amount along with your winnings. This bonus structure attempts to appeal to players but still provides an advantage to the house.
Players often miss these terms when making their way through a casino’s bonus conditions. A casino can reference a sticky bonus in many ways. Another popular term is a non-cashable bonus or lines such as “for wagering purposes only.”
How Sticky Bonuses Work
As mentioned above, the concept of sticky bonuses can seem a little hard to understand. The best way to make it easier is by making an example. So, we’ll get straight into it with a hypothetical situation.
Let’s say a casino gave you a $400 bonus, and after meeting the playthrough requirements, you have $500 in your account that you want to withdraw. You will only receive $100 upon withdrawal as the casino’s bonus terms do not allow you to withdraw the bonus amount itself.
Before withdrawing, look at what you have to do to meet the wagering requirements governing the bonus. These bonuses are meant to allow players to bet as much as they would like until they withdraw. After that, the bonus amount disappears, and players must wait until the next bonus offer comes along to get more cash.
With this idea in mind, players need to think wisely about when to make a withdrawal. This is because withdrawing might mean losing their remaining bonus.
Different Types of Sticky Bonus
Phantom Sticky Bonus
The phantom sticky bonus is the bonus added to your casino account once you make a deposit. The purpose of this bonus is to help you make bets; it is subtracted from your bonus when you withdraw your funds.
For example, if you make a minimum deposit of $30, and get a $30 bonus, you will have $60 to play. If you win another $60 and have a total of $120 and then decide to withdraw, the casino will take back its $30 bonus balance. You will thus only be left with $90 to withdraw.
Expiring Sticky Bonus
Expiring sticky bonuses remain in your account until a set expiring date. You can use the bonus to make bets and can withdraw your winnings. The bonus will only disappear when it expires or, of course, if you lose it.
Advantages of Sticky Bonuses
- Sticky bonuses give you an opportunity to make larger bets.
- This bonus can help increase your chances of winning.
- Casinos often do not dictate the games you should play to complete the wagering requirements.
Disadvantages of Sticky Bonuses
- You cannot withdraw your bonuses.
- You might have to make large deposits to get large sticky bonuses.
What is a Non-Sticky Bonus?
Now that we have explained sticky bonuses, it should be easy to deduce what a non-sticky casino bonus is. If you’re not sure, it is a bonus offer that allows players to withdraw the bonus amount in addition to their winnings.
Again, “non-sticky bonus” is a term used to describe a structure for casino bonuses. They could be any bonus, even common types such as loyalty, match, or welcome bonuses. You can also withdraw a non-sticky bonus in real money.
These bonus offers tend to be in favor of the player. At the very least, it makes players think they are receiving more from the casino.
Advantages of Non-Sticky Bonuses
- You can withdraw your bonus money.
- Less complicated wagering requirements.
Disadvantages of Non-Sticky Bonuses
- Often has demanding wagering requirements.
- You have to deposit before receiving this bonus.
Sticky or Non-Sticky Bonuses – Which is Better?
It depends on what type of player you are. Given the definitions provided above, it may seem as if non-sticky bonuses are the way to go, as you get to withdraw more money, but it’s not that simple.
Often sticky bonuses provide players with more cash, meaning more money to play games and more opportunities to win bigger prizes. Players with more money in their casino account will likely play games with higher odds and larger jackpots. This is not the case with a player with a bankroll of $100, for example. So, it’s really a matter of perspective and personality.
How to Choose the Best Casino Bonus
One thing to consider when making a choice is the duration of time you intend to spend playing on the casino. If you choose a non-sticky bonus, you will get the bonus money but leave the casino with fewer benefits. If you want to use the bonus to win big and gain other casino benefits, you can go for a sticky bonus.
Ultimately, if you know you will withdraw once you get to a specified number of winnings, it doesn’t matter which bonus you choose. Both bonuses can get you to your end goal. You must also remember to read the terms and conditions for online casino bonuses to see if the offer is worth it. You always want to avoid phantom bonuses.
Check out our other casino bonus guides:
Sticky and Non-Sticky Bonuses FAQs
A non-sticky bonus is essentially a bonus you can ultimately be able to withdraw.
Sticky bonuses are bonuses meant to help you make more or larger casino bets but cannot be withdrawn.
We have listed casinos with the best bonuses in the above table. However, here are some of the casinos with higher welcome bonuses:
1. Sun Palace Casino
2. Jackpot Capital Casino
3. Exclusive Casino
4. Wild Coins Casino
5. El Royale Casino
Yes, you can. You can cash out non-sticky bonuses once you meet the wagering requirements but cannot cash out sticky bonuses. Read through the terms of the casino bonus to understand if the bonus is sticky or non-sticky.
Many online casinos these days will give you free money in the form of a bonus when you sign up.
This often depends on the banking option you choose to withdraw your funds using. Crypto and E-wallet withdrawals are often instant, whilst banking options such as wire transfers will take a day to process.