Sticky vs Non-Sticky Casino Bonuses

What Is a Sticky Bonus at an Online Casino?

When you claim a sticky bonus at an online casino your cash deposit and the credited bonus funds are tied together and will reflect as one singular playing balance in your account. So, for instance if you deposit £100 and the casino matched it with a 100% sticky bonus of £100, your total playing balance would come to £200. Now, you can’t cash any of this out immediately or withdraw parts of it as doing so would mean forfeiting the entire amount. When you start playing games, every spin is played using this total balance and a sticky bonus usually also comes with fairly high wagering requirements.

For the sake of our example, let’s say you started playing a slot game and immediately won another £100 then you would not be able to withdraw those immediately. If your bonus then came with a 35x wagering requirement on the bonus funds you would need to clear this requirement first and play through £3,500 first before any of your balance would be eligible for withdrawal. If you were to try and cash out the £100 you won before that you would lose your entire balance.

Sticky online casino bonuses do often give you a higher starting balance to play, but don’t disregard the attached wagering requirements and only choose a sticky bonus offer if you think you’ll be able to clear them.

What Makes a Bonus Non-Sticky?

A non-sticky bonus is credited separately from your deposited funds, so you end up with two distinct playing balances. Usually, your cash balance will be used first to play games. When you play with this balance and win, you can immediately cash out your profits without any attached wagering requirements. The bonus only comes into play as a backup if your deposit runs out.

Once you play with your bonus balance you will need to complete the relevant wagering requirements before you can withdraw any winnings you might make. Non-sticky bonuses are usually less complicated and, similarly to no deposit bonus spins, they are a better entry point for new players that are just trying to learn the ropes.

Pros and Cons of Sticky and Non Sticky Bonuses

Pros and Cons

• Sticky bonuses are usually bigger
• Both bonuses give you a larger playing balance

• Sticky bonus funds are not withdrawable
• Early cashout with non-sticky bonuses

Conclusions: Choose Your Casino Bonuses Wisely

A non-sticky bonus isn’t necessarily better than a sticky one as both offers bring some valuable bonus funds to the table. The difference lies in how you want to use and access these bonus funds. Whereas a sticky bonus lets you play from one combined balance, a non-sticky bonus allows you to play with your cash funds first whilst keeping the bonus balance as backup. This also means that you can cash out any potential winnings whereas with a stick bonus you’ll have to meet all applicable wagering requirements first. It all comes down to what you want to get out of a session.

A sticky bonus is better suited to players who want a larger balance and a longer playtime to start out with. In return these offers usually come with higher wagering requirements and higher risks of losing those funds. A non-sticky bonus is best for new players who want to test a platform and still have the option to walk away with some of their money.

Whichever bonus you choose, make sure you read through the terms and conditions first so you know exactly what to expect. You can also check the banners for specific casino bonus offers.

Sticks Vs Non-Stick Casino Bonuses FAQs

Gamble Responsibly

Playing at online sportsbooks, real money casinos, and sweepstakes sites should always be safe and enjoyable. Keep control of your activity by following responsible gambling guidelines such as:

Set a Budget:

Decide on a budget you’re comfortable with and stick to it. Once it’s gone, stop playing.

Don’t Chase Losses:

Trying to recover losses often leads to overspending.

Play with a Clear Head:

Avoid playing under the influence, or when angry, stressed, or tired.

Set Time Limits:

Take breaks and ensure gambling doesn’t cut into time with family or friends.

Know Your Stuff:

Learn the rules, bet types, odds, and payouts before playing to avoid mistakes.

Use Responsible Gambling Tools:

Make use of features like budget limits and self-exclusion.

If you or someone you know is struggling to gamble responsibly, these free, confidential resources can help:

Gamblers Anonymous

National Council on Problem Gambling

Gaming Addicts Anonymous