[Experts Explain] Sticky vs Non-Sticky Bonuses Explained – What You Should Know and Avoid

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Online casinos offer a huge variety of bonuses: free spins, no deposit, match play, free chip and others. However, you can split all of those bonuses in 2 groups – sticky bonuses and non-sticky. And it is very important to know the difference between the two. After all, if you don’t know which type of bonus you are playing, you might be misled about having more money in your balance than in reality.

Sticky or Non-Sticky Bonus. What’s the difference?

Regular, non-sticky bonuses are straightforward. You deposit funds, you get additional money locked in the “bonus balance”. After you complete wagering requirement, you’ll be able to withdraw your funds. This is what players expect from all of the bonuses, unless stated otherwise. This, however, is a complete opposite of a sticky bonus.

A sticky bonus is a bonus that cannot be withdrawn from your account, even after you meet the wagering requirements. You can only use it to play games and win real money, but once you request a withdrawal, the bonus amount will be deducted from your total winnings. So this is not a bonus at all, it is a way to leverage your current account at a bigger risk.

How I got “scammed” by a Casino into using Sticky Bonus

So, naturally, my first encounter was very unpleasant. When I found a beautiful-looking promotion at an undisclosed casino – 500% with 3x wagering requirement – I had to try it. It was too good to be true. Nowhere it had stated (in an obvious manner) that a bonus might be sticky. Well, I didn’t even know bonuses like this exist.

Therefore, it seemed like a very good deal. My 20EUR deposit became 120EUR balance and it didn’t take me long to wager it. At the end, my balance was around 100EUR, which seemed like a win.

But the moment I tried to withdraw it, it said that payout was 0EUR. Confused, I asked support team in the chat about this. They explained that the bonus was sticky and I was incredibly disappointed.

Advantages of using Sticky Bonuses

Sticky bonuses are great because they give you more bonus money to play with, which is awesome if you want a bigger chance to win big prizes. The cool thing is that these bonuses have lower requirements, so you don’t have to bet as much money to withdraw your winnings – saving you time and cash.

With sticky bonuses, you can use the bonus money first, and if you don’t win, you can switch to your real money without losing much. It’s like having a safety net, so you don’t risk your own money too much.

The best part is that sticky bonuses work for lots of games like slots, table games, and live casino games. This means you can try different games and have more fun. It really makes the gaming experience more exciting, letting you enjoy the thrill of playing with a big bonus and the chance to win huge prizes.

Disadvantages of using Sticky Bonuses

Sticky bonuses have a catch – you can’t take them out of your account, even if you meet all the betting requirements. When you ask for a withdrawal, the bonus amount is subtracted from your total winnings, making the cashout less.

These bonuses are a bit risky because if you lose the bonus money before meeting the requirements, you can’t use the bonus anymore. You’re left playing with your own money.

Be careful with sticky bonuses because they come with strict rules. There are limits on games, time, and how much you can bet. These rules can affect your gameplay and winnings, so it’s crucial to understand them before accepting any bonus offer.

Finding and claiming sticky bonuses can be tricky. Not all online casinos offer them, and some have hidden or confusing rules. It’s essential to do some research and compare different bonuses before picking one.

Conclusions

I highly recommend avoiding sticky bonuses. They mislead players about their tru balance, can be very dangerous when it comes to bankroll management, and can be a risk for new players. Only claim such bonuses if your are absolutely sure about what you are doing, and you have a decent plan for playing.

Robert Terekhovich

5+ Years in iGaming, Co-founder and Editor of BrilliantCasinos.com.