Sticky vs Non-Sticky Bonus: How Cash-Out Differs and Who Each Suits
A sticky bonus is one where the bonus amount itself can never be withdrawn, only the winnings made with it once the wagering is done. A non-sticky bonus lets you play with your own cash first and, if you win and withdraw before touching the bonus, you walk away with the winnings and the bonus disappears. Which is better depends on how you play, and the terms of each offer say which version you are getting.
This article is part of our slot guides, written to explain the maths and mechanics behind every spin.
This guide gives both definitions, works through a numbered example of each and sets out who each suits. It belongs to our slot guides and builds on the wagering requirements guide.
What is a sticky bonus?
A sticky bonus, also called a phantom or locked bonus, is added to your balance and stays attached to it. You can play with it, and you can win with it, but the bonus amount is not part of what you can withdraw. When you finish the wagering, the casino removes the bonus value and releases the rest.
Terms differ on the details, so there are two lines to find: what happens to the bonus if you withdraw early, and whether winnings made with the bonus are forfeited as well. Neither is standard across casinos.
Sticky bonuses tend to look generous, since the bonus is added straight to the balance. The catch is that the amount you take home is the balance minus the bonus.
What is a non-sticky bonus?
A non-sticky bonus, sometimes called a cash-first or parachute bonus, sits in a separate balance. The casino uses your own cash first. If you run out of cash before you win, the bonus is activated and the wagering requirement applies to it.
If you reach a satisfying balance with your own cash, you can withdraw and the bonus is cancelled. No wagering is needed because the bonus was never played.
The bonus in this design acts like a safety net that only comes into play if your cash runs out.
How does cash-out work with each type?
| Question | Sticky | Non-sticky |
|---|---|---|
| Which money is played first? | Bonus and cash together, as one balance | Your own cash first, bonus second |
| Can you withdraw the bonus amount? | No, it is removed from what you take out | Not after it is used. If unused, it is cancelled when you withdraw |
| What if you withdraw early? | Bonus and often the winnings linked to it are forfeited, per the terms | Bonus is cancelled, cash winnings are yours |
| When does wagering apply? | From the first spin | Only once the bonus is activated |
General description. Each operator’s terms define the exact mechanics.
Worked example: a sticky bonus
You deposit £100 and receive a £100 sticky bonus with a 10x requirement on the bonus. That is £1,000 of stakes, with £200 in your balance.
You play on a slot at 96% RTP (see our RTP guide) and £1 a spin. Over £1,000 of stakes the expected loss is £40, so on average you finish the wagering with about £160. The casino then removes the £100 bonus, and you can withdraw about £60.
In a good run you finish at £320. You withdraw £220, which is the balance minus the £100 bonus. In a poor run you finish with nothing and the bonus has been spent on playing. The extra £100 gave you more spins, and that is the product you paid for.
Worked example: a non-sticky bonus
The same £100 deposit with a £100 non-sticky bonus and a 10x requirement. You play with your £100 cash first at £1 a spin.
If you reach £220 using only cash, you withdraw £220. The bonus is cancelled, no wagering applies and you finish £120 up. If you lose the £100 first, the bonus activates and you face the £1,000 requirement with a £100 balance and an expected cost of £40.
Your outcome therefore branches. One branch gives you a clean exit, the other behaves like a smaller version of the sticky offer. The option to leave early is the whole value of the non-sticky design.
Which type suits which player?
A non-sticky bonus suits you if you play for a target. Say you want to turn £100 into £200 and stop. With cash first, hitting that number takes no wagering at all. It also fits high-volatility play, where a single big hit early can finish the session on your terms. Our volatility guide explains why those hits are rare but large.
A sticky bonus suits you if you plan to play a long, low-stake session anyway. The bonus raises the balance you spin with from the start, so you get more spins for the same deposit. That only pays if the multiple is low and the contribution is 100% on the games you like.
Neither suits you if you cannot keep track of two balances, or if the time limit is too short for your play. In that case, declining the bonus is a fair choice.
How can you tell which type an offer is?
Look for the order in which funds are used. Terms that say real money is used first, or that the bonus is only activated once your cash balance is zero, describe a non-sticky bonus. Terms that say the bonus amount is deducted from any withdrawal describe a sticky one.
If the offer page does not say, ask support before you deposit and keep the answer. The Commission requires terms to be "clear, transparent, and fair" (Social Responsibility Code 5.1.1, codes of practice), so an offer you cannot classify is a poor sign.
Once you can classify it, price it. If you clear the wagering, both types cost the same on average, stakes times the house edge: £40 on £1,000 at 96% RTP. The non-sticky version gives you a chance to avoid that cost by finishing ahead on cash, and the sticky version trades that chance for a larger balance. Run both through the wagering calculator, and use the UK slot bonuses compared page for live offers to test.
More slot guides
- how online slots work
- RTP explained
- slot volatility explained
- max cashout limits
- live dealer vs RNG
- wagering requirements explained
- bonus game weighting
- the max bet rule on bonuses
- how to value free spins
- wagering requirement calculator
- how crash games work
- Plinko odds explained
- the maths behind Mines
- slots maths course
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a sticky and a non-sticky bonus?
With a sticky bonus the bonus amount is removed from anything you withdraw and wagering applies from the start. With a non-sticky bonus your cash is used first and the bonus is only activated if the cash runs out.
Is a non-sticky bonus always better?
Not always. It gives you an early exit, but a sticky bonus gives you a larger balance from the first spin, which means more spins for the same deposit. The better one depends on your plan.
Can I withdraw my deposit while a bonus is active?
At UK-licensed casinos, yes. The Gambling Commission says players must be told they can withdraw their deposit balance at any time, including while a bonus is active. The bonus is normally forfeited.
What does phantom bonus mean?
It is another name for a sticky bonus. The bonus is visible in the balance and used for play, but it is removed when you withdraw.
Do both types have wagering requirements?
Yes, but at different times. In a sticky bonus the wagering runs from the first spin. In a non-sticky bonus it only starts if you use the bonus.
Which bonus type has the lower expected cost?
Once you play through the bonus the cost is the same, stakes times the house edge. The non-sticky bonus gives you a chance to avoid it by finishing ahead on cash.
How do I find out which type an offer is?
Read the terms for the order in which funds are used, and for whether the bonus amount is deducted when you withdraw. If it is unclear, ask support in writing before you deposit.
Responsible gambling. You must be 18 or over to gamble. A bonus is never a reason to deposit more than you planned, so set your limits before you opt in. GamCare offers free, confidential support on 0808 8020 133, and BeGambleAware provides further guidance. Our responsible gambling page lists the tools available.