Online casino bonus offers are so varied that it’s hard to understand the differences between them at first sight. One big question that players often ask themselves is “What’s the difference between a sticky and a non-sticky bonus?”
Non-sticky bonus |
Sticky bonus |
Min. wagering: bonus money |
Min. wagering: deposit + bonus money |
Lower match bonus % |
Higher match bonus % |
Freedom to withdraw winnings |
More playtime for your deposit |
Since this is one of the most important aspects of choosing a welcome bonus offer, we want to help you to be well-informed before making any big decisions when playing with real money.
Not only that, we’ve compiled a list of the best non-sticky bonus offers from online casinos licensed in the UK. Remember that you can read detailed reviews of all these casinos, and even compare them side by side using our Comparator tool.
Clicking on any link to a casino on this page will apply a bonus code to register an account.
Sticky vs. non-sticky: two types of bonus
There are two main types of casino bonuses: sticky and non-sticky. Both of these are match-deposit bonuses.
Non-sticky bonuses are match deposit bonuses that let you cash out real money separately from bonus funds.
Non-sticky bonus wagering requirements apply only to bonus money.
While sticky bonuses will combine your initial deposit with the bonus balance and apply all conditions and requirements to the full sum, non-sticky bonuses give you more freedom to choose how to wager and withdraw your money.
Sticky bonus
Sticky bonuses lump your initial deposit together with the bonus money. The minimum wagering requirements apply to the total sum. So while having more money to play might increase your chances of winning, you have to wager more money before you can withdraw any winnings from the bonus.
(For the purpose of the examples, real money is green, bonus money is orange, and combined funds are brown.)
Let’s look at the example of a sticky bonus of 300% match deposit with 30x minimum wagering. Let’s say you deposit £100:
300% sticky bonus with 30x minimum wagering:
(£100 + £300) x 30 = £12000 wagering on full amount
Sticky bonuses have higher match percentages, but the minimum wagering applies to real money + bonus money.
Non-sticky bonus
With a non-sticky bonus, your deposit and the bonus money are always separate. Wagering requirements apply only to the bonus money.
You decide whether to wager real money or bonus money, and the winnings and losses apply to the different amounts. So if you don’t lose any bonus funds and you win with real money, you can cash out your deposit and your winnings and just cancel the bonus.
Let’s see an example of a non-sticky bonus of a 100% match deposit with a 60x minimum wagering. Again, you deposit £100 and you receive £100, for a total of £200 to play. Only this time, there are no wagering requirements for your real money —the requirement applies only to the bonus funds:
100% non-sticky bonus with 60x minimum wagering:
£100 + £100 x 60 = £6000 wagering on bonus money
The thing is, as long as you don’t wager any bonus money and lose, you’re free to withdraw your real money deposit and winnings.
Non-sticky bonuses have lower match percentages, but the minimum wagering only applies to the bonus money.
How does it work?
You’ll notice that we used different match percentages and minimum wagering requirements for the bonuses in the examples. That’s because non-sticky bonuses have lower match percentages and higher wagering requirements that only apply to the bonus money. That means that you have more freedom to withdraw your deposit and your winnings much sooner than with a sticky bonus.
At first sight, wagering requirements for non-sticky bonuses look higher, but the actual cash amounts you must wager are lower.
Most importantly, you’re under no obligation to wager the bonus money. So real-money winnings are not stuck to the bonus conditions.
With so many casinos offering non-sticky bonuses, it’s hard to tell which ones are the best for players.
At FeedBACK Casino, we’ve compiled a list of the best non-sticky bonus offers at online casinos. All these casinos are FeedBACK Certified, and they all have licenses to operate in the UK. We’ve tested each and every one of them to make sure they offer the best games, support and security.
You can see more details in our in-depth reviews, or compare casinos side-by-side to see other features that will help you choose the best welcome bonus offer for you.
Since they’re regulated by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC), all these casinos are fair and safe to play. Failure to meet the UK Gambling Commission’s fairness and safety standards can result in heavy fines, or even being banned from the UK market.
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Choosing the best bonus and avoid common mistakes
When it comes down to it, it’s all a matter of preference.
Broadly speaking, if you want to be able to quickly cash out on winnings with real money, then you’ll want a non-sticky bonus. But if you prefer to play for a longer amount of time with a lower initial deposit, then you might want a sticky bonus.
Keep in mind that there are more terms and conditions (T&Cs) that define the quality of a bonus than simply “sticky vs. non-sticky”. The most common mistake players make is to skip reading the T&Cs and start playing for real money.
Make sure to read and understand the T&Cs of any bonus offer before you accept it.
This article is meant to help you understand the fundamental concepts, but it is not a substitute for taking the time to read the general and specific T&Cs that apply to a bonus offer.
Make sure that you’re comfortable with the conditions before accepting any promotions, no matter how much bonus money is offered. And don’t forget that you’re free to opt out of any bonuses, if you like the casino but don’t want the hassle of T&Cs.
What is a non-sticky casino bonus?
A non-sticky casino bonus is a bonus that can be separated from the player’s main cash balance, allowing them to withdraw their own deposited funds without forfeiting the bonus.
How do non-sticky bonuses differ from sticky bonuses?
With a sticky bonus, the bonus amount is combined with the player’s cash balance, and the entire balance must be wagered before any withdrawals can be made. Non-sticky bonuses provide more flexibility.
Do all online casinos offer non-sticky bonus options?
No, not all online casinos offer non-sticky bonuses – some may only provide sticky bonus offers. Players should check the bonus terms carefully.
What are the benefits of claiming a non-sticky casino bonus?
The main benefit of a non-sticky bonus is the ability to withdraw your own deposited funds without risking the forfeiture of the bonus funds, providing more control over your bankroll.