Most online casinos, if not all, offer you bonuses. That's a given. The most common such reward is the welcome bonus, which is generally a match deposit bonus. This means the casino will match your deposit at a certain percentage up to a certain dollar amount. For example, 100% up to $100.
There are also other bonuses available at the majority of online casinos, at varying intervals, like reload bonuses and even cashback bonusea.
However, while pretty much all online casinos promote these offers it is unlikely they will do so using the adjectives sticky or non-sticky. Put more simply, while all bonuses are either a sticky bonus or a non-sticky bonus, these are not terms we've come across at any online casino, beyond perhaps, in the fine print of the T&C.
But whether a bonus is sticky or not is actually a fairly important differentiator. That's why it is important for you to educate yourself, and learn what the difference is - so you can be on the lookout for the types of bonuses you want, and where to find them.
Let's begin by defining our terms. What is a non-sticky bonus anyhow? A non-sticky bonus, also sometimes referred to as a parachute bonus, basically, is a deposit bonus that does not obligate you to complete the wagering requirement in order to withdraw real money from your casino account.
This is opposed to a sticky bonus, which requires you to meet the wagering conditions for the bonus you received, in full, before you can make a withdrawal.
"In other words, sticky is referring to two things. That your bonus money and real cash are stuck together in terms of being able to make a withdrawal. And also that you must stick with the casino itself for longer in order to cash out." Vienne Garcia, Author and Casino Expert
The sticky bonus is far more widespread, and we'd almost say you should assume a bonus is sticky at first glance - that's how prevalent the format is. However, there is no shortage of non-sticky bonuses out there, with more and more casinos offering them due to their popularity amongst players, as well as regulatory demands in countries like the UK.
At Wildz Casino you can play with a $500 Bonus + 200 Free SpinsMoreLess
In fact, we've done some serious research to help find some of the best casinos where Canadian players can claim non-sticky rewards. But outside of straight recommendations from a reliable source like our Casino.Guide experts, you will need to read the casino's terms and conditions in all likelihood to identify them. So make sure to always pay attention to details when claiming a bonus because it can definitely work to your advantage.
We can get a better understanding of the difference between a sticky bonus and a non-sticky bonus by taking a standard welcome bonus as an example.
Let's say this welcome bonus is for 100% up to $200 with a wagering requirement of 40X. If you decided to claim it in full, and made a $200 deposit, you would then have $400 available for you to gamble.
While all of that money is undoubtedly at your disposal for wagering, different casinos divide your money differently. The rare casino may pool all your money, but most online casinos place your real money and bonus money in separate accounts.
The key to understanding the difference between a sticky and non-sticky bonus is then the order in which you play that money, before you are eligible to make a withdrawal.
At Leo Vegas Casino players can find a Non-Sticky BonusMoreLess
Essentially, if your bonus money is played first, you pretty much know that you are dealing with a sticky bonus.
Or in other words, a bonus for which you will need to complete the wagering requirements before you can make a withdrawal. So in our case, you would need to playthrough the $200 in bonus money 40X before you can even think of cashing out.
On the other hand, if you can play with your real money first, then you are likely talking about a non-sticky bonus which will allow you to cash out before completing your playthrough requirements, or even gambling your bonus money at all. Similarly, the bonus wagering requirements will only kick in once you start wagering your bonus balance.
Of course, while being able to play your real money portion of a bonus first is a good indicator that this is not a sticky bonus, you absolutely must read the terms and conditions to be 100% sure.
There are two slightly differing forms that the non-sticky bonus may take.
The first is sometimes referred to as a forfeitable bonus in that while you are allowed to withdraw money before completing wagering requirements, you forfeit the bonus money in so doing. That means the bonus is simply cancelled and removed from your account upon making a withdrawal.
The other type of non-sticky bonus allows you to withdraw real money before completing wagering requirements and also lets you keep any associated bonus money. This needless to say is the preferable kind, as it's a true win-win situation that gives you the best of both worlds.
"Think about it like this, say you have $100 in bonus money and $100 in cash. You play your cash and win $100 as you do. You want to collect on this winning streak, because sometimes it's just really nice to have a little extra cash in-hand. So you withdraw that $200 and still have $100 in your bonus account. See what we mean?"
Just keep in mind, most online casinos also set a deadline for fulfilling the bonus provisions. If you let this deadline pass, the bonus amount will be forfeited, even if it is a non-sticky offer.
Everything that we have said until now certainly points to the advantages of a non-sticky bonus.
The main one for many players is that with a non-sticky offer you aren't so intricately tied to the casino. Bonus credit and your own money do not enter into a "connection" and can be accessed independently whenever you want.
So if you were hesitant in the past to claim a bonus because you were worried you would need to stick around for a long time to get your money out (or back), with a non-sticky reward you don't have to.
Here are all the advantages at a glance:
Access to your own money is possible at any time.
Your real money and bonus money aren't stuck together.
Real money winnings can be earned and paid out faster.
You aren't tied to the casino until you have completed bonus requirements - you can leave at any time without forfeiting cash or winnings.
Some online casinos even let you keep the bonus money for even higher value.
All of what we have written, of course, does not mean a sticky reward is in any way bad or less desirable. And since sticky is the predominant bonus form available, we certainly do not recommend that you look to avoid it.
A traditional bonus after all, does at the end of the day give you much more money in your casino account. And as long as the wagering requirements are fair, it can seriously boost both the amount of time and money you are able to play. That in turn, with a little luck, could also result in more opportunities to win. It simply demands a little more patience and perseverance to ensure a sticky bonus ultimately works for you.
So bottom line, if an online casino offers a sticky welcome reward and you like and trust the casino, then we say go for it.
And if you find an online casino with a non-sticky welcome bonus, even better! It's a great way to start your journey at a new casino on sure footing, knowing wagering doesn't need to be rushed through in order to withdraw winnings you've made along the way. Plus, it ensures you aren't wed to the casino for any longer than you desire, with the ability to cash out at any time.
While at some casinos you'll have to forfeit your bonus if you make an early withdrawal, some are flexible enough to give you an early cash out, while letting you keep the bonus as well. These of course are the absolute best kind, in our opinion, and bonuses you should definitely grab up if you can.
Non-Sticky Bonus was tested and reviewed by Vienne Garcia
I've been working in the online casino landscape in Malta for more than 10 years and have seen how the industry works from customer service roles to the backend of the business. While I am lucky enough to call myself a native on the sunny island called Malta, I also enjoy travelling and have travelled across Canada! After wandering through the great white north, I have decided to share my knowledge and now work with Canadian players to compile accurate casino reviews to help players navigate through the hundreds of gaming sites online.
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