One of the most important and least understood distinctions in casino bonuses is whether an offer is "sticky" (also called "phantom" or "non-cashable") or "cashable" (also called "released" or "withdrawable"). This difference fundamentally affects what you can actually withdraw after completing wagering requirements, yet many casinos deliberately obscure which type you're receiving. Understanding this distinction before claiming a bonus can mean the difference between withdrawing your winnings or losing the entire bonus amount at the moment you request payout. Many players discover too late that the generous bonus they worked hard to clear disappears entirely when they try to cash out.
What Is a Cashable Bonus
A cashable bonus becomes fully withdrawable along with any winnings once you complete all wagering requirements.
How cashable bonuses work:You deposit $500 and receive a $500 cashable bonus (total: $1,000). Terms require 40x wagering on the bonus amount ($20,000 in total bets). You complete the wagering requirement and your balance is $1,200. You can withdraw the full $1,200—your original deposit, the bonus amount, and any winnings.
Key characteristic: The bonus funds convert to real cash after wagering completion. The bonus money becomes yours to keep or withdraw.
Example scenario:- Deposit: $500 - Bonus: $500 (cashable) - Wagering requirement: 40x bonus = $20,000 - Balance after completing wagering: $1,200 - Withdrawable amount: $1,200 (everything) Cashable bonuses provide the best value because you can withdraw both the bonus amount and winnings, assuming you complete all conditions.
What Is a Sticky Bonus
A sticky bonus remains with the casino when you request withdrawal. Only winnings above the bonus amount can be withdrawn, and the bonus funds themselves are deducted from your balance.
How sticky bonuses work:You deposit $500 and receive a $500 sticky bonus (total: $1,000). You complete the same 40x wagering and your balance is $1,200. When you request withdrawal, the casino removes the $500 bonus, leaving $700 withdrawable ($500 deposit + $200 in winnings).
Key characteristic: Sticky bonuses are temporary funds for wagering only. They disappear when you cash out, even after completing all requirements.
Example scenario:- Deposit: $500 - Bonus: $500 (sticky) - Wagering requirement: 40x bonus = $20,000 - Balance after completing wagering: $1,200 - Casino removes sticky bonus: -$500 - Withdrawable amount: $700 The term "sticky" means the bonus sticks to the casino—it never actually becomes yours to withdraw.
The Financial Impact Difference
The sticky versus cashable distinction dramatically affects actual bonus value.
Same scenario, different outcomes:Cashable bonus:- $500 deposit + $500 bonus - Complete 40x wagering - Final balance: $1,500 - Withdraw: $1,500 - Net gain: $1,000 above deposit
Sticky bonus:- $500 deposit + $500 bonus - Complete identical 40x wagering - Final balance: $1,500 - Casino removes $500 sticky bonus - Withdraw: $1,000 - Net gain: $500 above deposit Same deposit, same wagering effort, completely different withdrawal amount. The sticky bonus reduces your actual payout by the bonus amount.
Why Casinos Use Sticky Bonuses
Sticky bonuses cost casinos less while maintaining attractive marketing numbers.
Casino perspective:A $500 sticky bonus advertises well ("Get $500 bonus!") but ultimately costs the casino nothing. The bonus provides temporary playing funds that increase wagering volume and house edge exposure. When the player withdraws, the casino takes the bonus back.
Marketing advantage:Casinos can advertise larger sticky bonuses than they could afford with cashable structures. A "300% sticky match up to $3,000" sounds more attractive than "100% cashable match up to $500," even though the cashable bonus may provide better actual value.
Risk management:Sticky bonuses limit casino exposure to lucky players. If someone wins big while clearing wagering, the casino's loss is reduced by the sticky bonus amount they retrieve at withdrawal.
How to Identify Which Type You're Getting
Many casinos don't clearly state whether bonuses are sticky or cashable. This deliberate ambiguity hides the less favorable structure.
Terms to Look For
Cashable bonus indicators:- "Withdrawable after wagering completion" - "Bonus converts to real cash" - "Released bonus" - "Bonus becomes withdrawable" - Terms explicitly stating you can withdraw the bonus amount
Sticky bonus indicators:- "Non-cashable bonus" - "Phantom bonus" - "Bonus funds removed at withdrawal" - "Sticky bonus" - "Only winnings are withdrawable" - "Bonus amount deducted from withdrawal"
When Terms Are Unclear
If terms don't explicitly state the bonus type:
Test question: "After completing wagering, can I withdraw the bonus amount itself, or only winnings?" If the casino can't answer clearly or provides vague responses, assume sticky. Legitimate casinos using cashable bonuses prominently advertise this player-friendly feature.
Small deposit test: Some players make minimum deposits to test how bonuses actually work before committing larger amounts.
Hidden Sticky Structures
Some casinos use technically cashable bonuses but structure terms to create functionally sticky outcomes.
Maximum Withdrawal Caps
A "cashable" bonus with a maximum withdrawal cap of 10x the bonus amount functions similarly to a sticky bonus when you win significantly.
Example:- Deposit $500, receive $500 "cashable" bonus - Complete wagering, balance reaches $5,000 - Maximum withdrawal: 10x bonus = $5,000 - You can withdraw everything this time But if your balance reached $8,000: - Maximum withdrawal still $5,000 - Casino confiscates $3,000 - The excess becomes effectively sticky
Fairness consideration: Maximum withdrawal caps serve legitimate purposes (preventing abuse), but very low caps (5x or less) create sticky-like outcomes.
Withdrawal Triggers Bonus Forfeiture
Some terms state the bonus becomes cashable after wagering, but requesting withdrawal before completing additional conditions forfeits remaining bonus funds.
Example structure:- Bonus becomes "released" after 30x wagering - But remains "active" until you make 3 total deposits - Withdrawing before the third deposit forfeits the bonus amount This creates functionally sticky conditions despite cashable terminology.
Which Type Offers Better Value
The answer depends on specific circumstances, but cashable bonuses generally provide better value when completion is possible.
When Cashable Is Better
Small to medium wins:If you complete wagering with modest profit, cashable bonuses let you keep everything. Sticky bonuses reduce your withdrawal by the bonus amount.
Lower wagering requirements:With achievable requirements (30x-40x), completing wagering while maintaining the full bonus plus winnings is realistic. Cashable structures reward successful completion fully.
Smaller bonus amounts:With a $100 bonus, losing that amount at withdrawal (sticky) significantly impacts your result. With cashable, keeping the $100 plus winnings matters.
When Sticky Might Be Acceptable
Very large bonuses:A $2,000 sticky bonus with reasonable requirements provides significant playing funds. Even after removal at withdrawal, you've had extended entertainment value.
Higher risk tolerance:If you're betting larger amounts and seeking bigger wins, the temporary boost from sticky bonuses may matter more than withdrawing the bonus amount itself.
Lower wagering requirements:Some casinos offer sticky bonuses with reduced wagering (20x-25x instead of 40x-50x). The easier completion may offset losing the bonus at withdrawal.
Critical consideration: Even when sticky bonuses seem acceptable, cashable equivalents with similar terms always provide better actual value.
The Math: Comparing Value
Scenario: $500 depositOption A: $500 cashable bonus, 40x wagering- Total bankroll: $1,000 - Required wagering: $20,000 - If balance after wagering = $1,200: withdraw $1,200 - If balance = $800: withdraw $800 (still above deposit)
Option B: $1,000 sticky bonus, 30x wagering- Total bankroll: $1,500 - Required wagering: $30,000 - If balance after wagering = $1,800: - Remove $1,000 sticky bonus - Withdraw $800 - If balance = $1,200: - Remove $1,000 sticky bonus - Withdraw $200 Despite the larger sticky bonus, the smaller cashable bonus provides better value in most outcome scenarios.
Red Flags: When Sticky Terms Are Unfair
While sticky bonuses can be legitimate, some practices cross into unfair territory:
Undisclosed sticky structure:The biggest red flag is not clearly stating the bonus is sticky before you claim. If you only discover the sticky nature when requesting withdrawal, the casino deliberately deceived you.
Bait-and-switch marketing:Advertising "Get $1,000 bonus!" prominently while burying "non-cashable" in fine print constitutes deceptive marketing.
Sticky without lower requirements:Sticky bonuses should come with meaningfully lower wagering requirements or other player benefits to offset their reduced value. Sticky bonuses with the same or higher requirements than cashable equivalents offer poor value.
Retroactive sticky designation:Some casinos apply sticky rules to bonuses claimed under different terms. This represents fraudulent term changes and violates fair treatment principles.
Practical Recommendations
When evaluating bonuses:
Always ask before claiming:- "Is this bonus cashable or sticky?" - "Can I withdraw the bonus amount after completing wagering?" - "What exactly is deducted when I request withdrawal?"
Compare actual value:Calculate expected withdrawable amount rather than initial bonus size: - Cashable $500 with 40x wagering - Versus sticky $1,000 with 40x wagering - Which provides better realistic outcome?
Prefer transparency:Choose casinos that clearly disclose bonus structures upfront. Operators hiding whether bonuses are sticky likely have other unfavorable terms.
Read withdrawal sections carefully:The withdrawal or cashout section of terms reveals what actually happens when you request payout. This section often contains the sticky bonus disclosure.
Document bonus type:Screenshot terms showing whether the bonus is cashable or sticky when you claim. This protects against retroactive changes or disputes about what was promised.