Gambling Casinos, Gaming Ships, Online Gaming Industry Terminology

Affiliate Marketing

A performance-based user acquisition channel where third-party publishers drive traffic and new depositing players to an operator in exchange for CPA, revenue-share, or hybrid payouts. Includes tracking links, cookies, and attribution rules.

Negotiated a 40% rev-share with a top casino affiliate; SubID data shows this affiliate delivers higher ARPU; Updated affiliate T&Cs to prohibit targeting self-excluded players

AML (Anti-Money Laundering)

Policies, controls, and monitoring to detect and prevent laundering and terrorist financing through gaming activity, including CDD/KYC, source-of-funds checks, transaction monitoring, and SAR filings.

Triggered enhanced due diligence at a 3,000 USD cash-in threshold; Filed an SAR based on structured deposits; Updated AML risk assessment after launching crypto payment rails

Arbitrage Betting (Surebet)

A strategy exploiting price discrepancies across sportsbooks or exchanges to lock in profit regardless of outcome. Often limited by stake caps, market moves, and KYC.

Covered both sides of the tennis match across two books for a 2% guaranteed margin; Detected arbers via rapid price-chasing patterns; Adjusted odds latency to reduce arbitrage exposure

ARPU (Average Revenue Per User)

A key monetization metric: total revenue divided by active users over a period; used to gauge player value, product mix, and marketing efficiency.

Slots ARPU rose 12% after new bonus ladder; Country A ARPU lags due to lower limits; Improved ARPU after migrating VIPs to higher-RTP content

Bankroll Management

Player or operator discipline around staking and limits to manage volatility and risk of ruin. For operators, relates to credit lines, limits, and exposure management.

Implemented 1–2% bankroll bet sizing guidance in RG content; Set max table limits based on hold and volatility; VIP host adjusted credit line after a drawdown

Cage

The secure cash-handling center in a casino where chips, cash, markers, and TITO tickets are exchanged and reconciled.

Player settled markers at the main cage; Cage variance flagged during drop count; Implemented dual-control at cage windows

Cashless Gaming

Digital funding of play via e-wallets, accounts, or NFC devices instead of physical cash; often integrated with KYC and RG tools.

Launched cashless slots with daily deposit limits; Players load funds via PSP and tap to play; Cashless adoption improved slot handle by 8%

Chargeback

A payment reversal initiated by the cardholder through their bank; in gaming often tied to fraud, disputed deposits, or bonus abuse.

Chargeback rate exceeded card scheme thresholds; Implemented 3DS/SCA to lower chargebacks; Blacklisted device IDs linked to serial chargebacks

Comps

Complimentary benefits (rooms, F&B, show tickets) granted based on theoretical value or actual play to drive loyalty and share of wallet.

Issued suite comp for a whale with high theo; Shifted comps from buffet to resort credit; Tightened comp rules after overstated theo

CPA (Cost Per Acquisition)

Marketing payout or internal cost to acquire a first-time depositor or active user. Used to optimize channels and ROI.

Negotiated a 250 USD CPA cap with affiliates; Cut underperforming display campaigns above target CPA; Improved CPA after optimizing onboarding flow

Drop

Total cash and markers removed from table game drop boxes or slot bill validators for count; a core volume metric.

Blackjack drop up 10% post-floor reconfiguration; Slot drop seasonality aligns with cruise itineraries; Drop-to-win ratio improved after dealer training

Expected Value (EV)

The long-run average value of a wager or decision, accounting for probabilities and payouts; cornerstone of pricing and advantage play analysis.

Evaluated EV of an odds boost after vig; Poker players adopt +EV shove charts; Promo EV capped to protect margin

Flag State

The country of registry for a gaming ship, determining maritime law and gaming compliance requirements onboard.

Shifted registry to a flag state permitting onboard casinos; Audit aligned with flag-state gaming rules; Training updated for new flag-state AML guidance

GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue)

Stake minus payouts (player losses) before bonuses and taxes; primary topline gaming metric for operators and regulators.

Online GGR grew 15% YoY; Table GGR mix shifted to baccarat; Report GGR net of voids and canceled bets

Geolocation

Technology verifying a user’s physical location to comply with jurisdictional gaming laws (e.g., GPS, Wi‑Fi triangulation, IP, device signals).

Blocked bets outside the state via geofencing; False negatives reduced by SDK update; Compliance requires geolocation at bet placement

GLI Certification

Testing and certification by Gaming Laboratories International that games, RNGs, and systems meet technical standards and fairness requirements.

Slot titles passed GLI-11 suite; Wallet integration certified under GLI-33; Launched only after GLI test reports cleared

Handle

Total amount wagered by players over a period; used heavily in sports betting and pari-mutuel contexts.

Super Bowl handle set a new record; In-play handle now 70% of total; Promo dilution measured as bonus-to-handle ratio

House Edge

The built-in advantage to the casino or operator expressed as a percentage of the wager; inverse of RTP for many games.

Reduced blackjack house edge with liberal rules; Slot with 6% house edge underperforms VIP segment; Educated players on house edge vs variance

iGaming

Internet-based gambling encompassing online casino, poker, and sometimes sports betting, including mobile and desktop channels.

iGaming revenue outpaced retail tables; Migrated land-based loyalty to iGaming; New jurisdiction opened for iGaming with local servers

In-Play Betting

Wagering on events while they are live, with constantly updating odds and settlement; relies on low-latency data.

In-play now majority of sportsbook turnover; Suspended markets during VAR checks; Implemented cash-out for in-play soccer

International Waters

Maritime zones typically 12+ nautical miles offshore where gaming ships may lawfully operate casino floors under flag-state rules.

Tables open once in international waters; Closed pits before entering port limits; Scheduled tournaments around sailing windows

Junket

A program or promoter bringing groups of high-value players (often from overseas) to casinos, sometimes with rolling-chip programs; subject to strict AML oversight.

Suspended a junket over SOF concerns; Junket contributed 30% of baccarat GGR; Updated contracts to meet new regulator rules

KYC (Know Your Customer)

Identity verification and customer due diligence to meet AML and responsible gaming requirements, including age, PEP, and sanction screening.

Automated KYC pass rate hit 92%; Requested enhanced KYC for large markers; Blocked play pending KYC refresh

License (Gaming License)

Regulatory approval to operate gaming activities in a jurisdiction; covers ownership, systems, compliance, and suitability.

Obtained provisional license pending system tests; Report material changes to the regulator per license terms; License conditions mandate local data storage

Live Dealer

Online table games streamed from studios or casinos with human dealers, combining RNG for shuffles and video for authenticity.

Added Spanish-language live roulette; Upgraded to low-latency streaming for in-play side bets; Studio relocation required GLI recertification

Loyalty Program

Tiered rewards system granting points, comps, and benefits based on play or net win to drive retention and share of wallet.

Tier thresholds reset annually; Added cross-channel earn-and-burn with retail properties; Increased retention after tier-match promo

Marker (Casino Credit)

A short-term, interest-free credit instrument extended to players for wagering, repaid at the cage or via ACH; governed by strict controls.

Approved a 50k marker for a long-tenured VIP; Aging markers escalated to collections; Credit committee reviews marker limits monthly

Moneyline

A sports bet on which team or player will win outright, with prices expressed as American odds (e.g., +150, -180).

Took sharp action on the underdog moneyline; Balanced moneyline exposure with in-play; Converted moneyline odds to implied probability

NGR (Net Gaming Revenue)

GGR minus bonuses, promo credits, and sometimes gaming taxes or fees; used for affiliate rev-share and internal P&Ls.

Shifted affiliate deals to NGR-based rev-share; High bonus costs compressed NGR margin; Finance reconciles NGR by product

Odds Compiler

Trader or algorithm responsible for creating and updating betting odds, factoring probability, margin, and market moves.

Compiler shortened the home odds after injuries; Deployed automated models for low-tier leagues; Hedged exposure when limits were hit

Pit Boss

Floor supervisor overseeing table games operations, dealer performance, game protection, and dispute resolution.

Pit boss authorized a bet limit increase; Noted irregular play and called surveillance; Resolved a payout dispute at baccarat

Progressive Jackpot

A prize pool that increases as players wager, often linked across machines, tables, or sites, paying out when a trigger is hit.

Networked progressives lifted coin-in; Advertised seven-figure progressive on the homepage; Reset values after a jackpot was won

PSP (Payment Service Provider)

Third-party processor enabling deposits and withdrawals via cards, bank transfers, APMs, or wallets; includes risk tools.

Switched to a PSP with higher approval rates; Configured cascading PSP routing; PSP dashboard flagged unusual refund patterns

Responsible Gaming (RG)

Programs and tools to prevent and mitigate gambling harm, including limits, time-outs, self-exclusion, and behavioral analytics.

Nudged players to set deposit limits at registration; Triggered RG outreach after markers of harm; Published RG KPIs to the regulator

RNG (Random Number Generator)

Software or hardware that produces unpredictable outcomes for games like slots and card shuffles; must be tested and certified.

Updated RNG seed methodology per GLI; RNG cycles audited for fairness; Player communications explain RNG randomness

RTP (Return to Player)

Theoretical percentage of total wagers returned to players over time; RTP plus house edge sum to 100% for many games.

Marketed new slots with 96% RTP; Adjusted RTP settings by jurisdiction; Clarified that short-term results deviate from RTP

Self-Exclusion

A tool allowing players to ban themselves from gambling for a set period; operators must enforce across channels.

Added self-exclusion API to affiliate tracking; Synced retail and online self-exclusion lists; Trained support on cooling-off vs self-exclusion

Sportsbook

The business unit or platform that offers sports wagering markets, pricing, risk management, and settlement.

Expanded sportsbook to 30,000 events monthly; Consolidated risk under a managed trading service; Sportsbook margin improved after parlay focus

Spread

A handicap applied to even the perceived strengths of teams, with bets on the favorite giving points and underdog taking points.

Moved the spread from -3 to -3.5 after sharp money; Balanced spread exposure with alt lines; Spread hold outperformed moneyline

Sticky Bonus

A non-cashable bonus that can be used to wager but cannot be withdrawn; often tied to wagering requirements.

Offered a sticky 100% match with 30x WR; Reduced bonus abuse by limiting max bet with bonus funds; Labeled sticky vs cashable clearly in T&Cs

Surveillance

Monitoring of gaming areas via cameras and analytics to detect cheating, theft, or AML/RG issues; tightly regulated.

Surveillance flagged past-posting attempt; Upgraded to 4K cameras in the high-limit pit; Retained footage per regulatory timelines

Theo (Theoretical Win)

Expected operator win from a player based on game house edge and coin-in/average bet; used for comps and credit decisions.

Issued comps based on 20% of monthly theo; Theo calculations recalibrated after rules changes; VIP tiers aligned to rolling 90-day theo

TITO (Ticket-In, Ticket-Out)

Slot system allowing players to insert and redeem barcoded tickets instead of coins or cash, enabling faster play and accounting.

TITO breakage analyzed for accounting; Reduced jams with new printers; Integrated TITO with cashless wallet

Tribal Compact

Agreement between a tribal nation and a state defining scope of gaming, revenue sharing, and regulatory oversight.

Negotiated compact amendment to add sports betting; Compliance audits conducted under compact terms; Revenue share calculated per compact schedule

Underage Verification

Controls to prevent minors from gambling, including age checks, KYC, and in-venue ID scanning.

Implemented ID scans at shipboard entry; Matched DOBs via third-party data; Fined for failing underage test purchase, then remediated

Vig (Vigorish)

The bookmaker’s margin built into odds; the fee bettors effectively pay to place a wager.

Lowered vig on main markets to drive handle; Calculated implied vig from American odds; Boosted odds by shaving vig during promo window

VIP (High Roller)

High-value players managed by hosts with tailored limits, comps, and promotions; requires strong AML and RG controls.

VIP host approved higher bet limits; Dedicated VIP payment channels via PSP; Monitored VIP play for markers of harm

Volatility (Slots)

The variance of slot outcomes; high volatility means fewer hits but larger wins, low volatility yields frequent small wins.

Curated low-volatility games for casual segment; High-volatility titles boosted streaming engagement; Adjusted jackpot sizing to manage volatility

Wagering Requirements

Turnover conditions that must be met before bonus funds or winnings become withdrawable.

Set 35x WR on free spins; Disclosed WR contribution by game type; Reduced WR to improve bonus completion rates

Win per Unit/Day

Property metric of daily win per machine or table, used to optimize floor mix, layout, and limits.

Removed underperforming slots below target WUD; Raised limits on tables with high WUD; Compared WUD across cruise itineraries to plan placement