The iGaming Glossary
Written for the iGaming industry - operators, suppliers, regulators, investors. Every term ships with a B2B definition, why it matters, related concepts, and the questions newcomers usually ask next.
What's in the glossary
Licensing categories, regulatory bodies, commercial models, platform components, payments rails, and the M&A vocabulary that runs through industry analyst notes. Definitions are written for an industry audience - short on basics, long on what actually matters in practice.
- Terms
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- Categories
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8 categoriesA21 terms
Account Takeover (ATO)
ComplianceA category of fraud in which a third party gains control of a legitimate player account to extract funds, exploit bonuses, or launder money…
Read definitionAccumulator (Parlay)
ProductA single bet combining several selections, where every leg must win for the bet to pay. Known as a parlay in the US and an accumulator or a…
Read definitionActive Player
CommercialA registered customer who has placed at least one wager within a defined reporting period. A core operator KPI and one of the inputs into A…
Read definitionAdjusted EBITDA
CommercialA non-statutory profitability measure widely used in operator and supplier earnings, excluding items such as M&A costs, restructuring, shar…
Read definitionADM
RegulatoryAgenzia delle Dogane e dei Monopoli. The Italian customs and monopolies agency that licenses and regulates online and retail gambling. Succ…
Read definitionAffiliate
MarketingA third party that drives traffic and registrations to an operator in exchange for commission, paid as CPA, revenue share, hybrid, or tenan…
Read definitionAffordability Checks
ComplianceOperator-level financial vulnerability checks, formalized in some jurisdictions, that limit player spend based on income, credit, and behav…
Read definitionAGA (American Gaming Association)
RegulatoryThe US trade body representing commercial casinos, suppliers, and adjacent businesses.
Read definitionAGCC (Alderney Gambling Control Commission)
RegulatoryThe regulator of the Channel Island jurisdiction of Alderney, historically a hub for online gambling.
Read definitionAGCO
RegulatoryThe Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario, regulator of Ontario's regulated online market.
Read definitionAggregator
PlatformA B2B supplier that integrates content from many game studios and exposes it to operators through a single API, removing the need for indiv…
Read definitionAGLC
RegulatoryAlberta Gaming, Liquor and Cannabis. The provincial regulator and operator of gambling in Alberta, Canada.
Read definitionAmerican Odds
ProductThe US odds format, quoted as a positive or negative number relative to 100. Plus figures show profit on a 100 stake; minus figures show th…
Read definitionAML (Anti-Money Laundering)
ComplianceThe body of regulation, internal policy, and tooling operators must implement to detect and prevent the use of gambling products to launder…
Read definitionANJ
RegulatoryAutorité Nationale des Jeux. The French national gambling regulator established in 2020, replacing ARJEL with expanded scope across online…
Read definitionAPI
PlatformThe technical contract through which platforms, suppliers, and PSPs exchange data and trigger actions in real time. The currency of every B…
Read definitionAPP Fraud (Authorised Push Payment Fraud)
ComplianceFraud in which a player is manipulated into authorizing a payment to a criminal, increasingly relevant under open banking deposit flows.
Read definitionArbitrage Betting
CommercialBacking every outcome of an event across different operators at prices that guarantee a profit whatever the result. Widely restricted by sp…
Read definitionARJEL
RegulatoryAutorité de Régulation des Jeux En Ligne. The former French online gambling regulator, replaced by ANJ in 2020. Still referenced in older r…
Read definitionARPU (Average Revenue Per User)
CommercialNet or gross revenue divided by active player count over a period. Used to benchmark monetization efficiency and market quality.
Read definitionAsian Handicap
ProductA football handicap format that removes the draw by applying whole, half or quarter-goal starts, sometimes splitting a stake across two lin…
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B13 terms
B2B
CommercialBusiness-to-business. Suppliers that sell technology, content, and services to operators rather than directly to players. Includes platform…
Read definitionB2C
CommercialBusiness-to-consumer. The licensed operator that serves players directly and holds the regulatory relationship.
Read definitionBack Office
PlatformThe internal administrative system used by operators to manage players, bonuses, content, payments, risk, and reporting.
Read definitionBankroll
CommercialThe pool of money set aside specifically for betting or gaming, managed separately from everyday finances and staked in controlled units.
Read definitionBCLC
RegulatoryBritish Columbia Lottery Corporation. The Crown corporation that conducts and manages gambling in British Columbia, Canada, including the P…
Read definitionBet Builder
ProductA sportsbook product allowing players to combine multiple selections from a single event into one priced wager. A core differentiator acros…
Read definitionBetting Exchange
ProductA peer-to-peer marketplace where players bet against each other rather than against a bookmaker, with the platform earning commission on ne…
Read definitionBetting Levy
RegulatoryA statutory contribution paid by bookmakers, most notably the UK Horserace Betting Levy, used to fund the relevant sport.
Read definitionBGC (Betting and Gaming Council)
RegulatoryThe UK industry trade body representing licensed casinos, betting shops, and online operators.
Read definitionBlack Market
RegulatoryOperators serving players in clear breach of local prohibition. Distinct from grey market activity and a focus of regulator enforcement and…
Read definitionBonus Abuse
CompliancePatterns of play designed to extract value from promotional offers without genuine engagement. A core fraud and risk discipline within oper…
Read definitionBonus Buy
ProductA slot feature allowing a player to pay a fixed multiple of their stake to enter the bonus round immediately, rather than waiting for it to…
Read definitionBookmaker Margin
CommercialThe structural profit margin built into sportsbook odds. Synonymous with overround in single-event analysis.
Read definition
C20 terms
CAC (Customer Acquisition Cost)
MarketingThe fully loaded cost of acquiring one paying player, including media, affiliate, and creative spend. Compared against LTV to assess unit e…
Read definitionCash Out
ProductA feature letting a bettor settle an open bet before the event ends, for a value calculated from current odds. Can be full or partial.
Read definitionCashier
PaymentsThe payments module inside an operator's product where players deposit and withdraw. Integrated with multiple PSPs and local payment method…
Read definitionCashless Gaming
PaymentsRetail casino payment models that replace cash on the floor with digital wallets, cards, and app-based funding. A major operational shift i…
Read definitionCDD (Customer Due Diligence)
ComplianceThe baseline KYC and risk assessment performed on every customer at onboarding. Distinct from Enhanced Due Diligence applied to higher-risk…
Read definitionCertification
PlatformThe lab and regulator approval process required for games, RNGs, and platform components to be made available in a jurisdiction.
Read definitionChargeback
PaymentsA reversal of a card transaction initiated by the cardholder's bank. A significant cost and fraud signal for operators, monitored closely b…
Read definitionChurn
CommercialThe rate at which active players stop being active over a defined period. A leading indicator of retention health and product fit.
Read definitionClosing Line Value (CLV)
CommercialThe difference between the odds a bettor took and the market's closing odds on the same outcome. The standard proxy for whether a betting p…
Read definitionCohort Analysis
CommercialA retention and revenue analysis method grouping players by acquisition period (week, month, campaign) and tracking their behavior over tim…
Read definitionColjuegos
RegulatoryColombia's national gambling regulator. The first Latin American authority to license regulated online operators (2016) and a benchmark fra…
Read definitionCollusion
ComplianceCoordinated play between accounts to defraud an operator or other players, particularly in poker. A core integrity issue.
Read definitionCompliance
ComplianceThe function responsible for meeting regulatory obligations across licensing, AML, responsible gambling, advertising standards, and reporti…
Read definitionConversion Rate
MarketingThe percentage of visitors who register, or of registrations who deposit. Tracked across the full acquisition funnel.
Read definitionCooling-Off Period
ComplianceA short, self-imposed break from gambling during which an account is locked. Shorter and less binding than self-exclusion.
Read definitionCPA (Cost Per Acquisition)
MarketingA flat fee paid to an affiliate or media partner for each qualifying new depositing player.
Read definitionCrash Game
ProductA game in which a multiplier rises from 1x and can stop at any moment, with players cashing out before it crashes to keep their accumulated…
Read definitionCRM (Customer Relationship Management)
MarketingThe systems and campaigns operators use to communicate with, segment, and retain players across email, SMS, push, and on-site messaging.
Read definitionCrypto Casino
ProductAn operator whose deposits, balances, and withdrawals are denominated in cryptocurrencies, typically licensed offshore and sometimes built…
Read definitionCuracao License
RegulatoryA long-standing offshore license historically popular with operators serving multiple grey and unregulated markets. Subject to significant…
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D12 terms
Data Feed
PlatformA real-time stream of odds, scores, or events supplied by a sports data provider to operators for use in pricing and settlement.
Read definitionDAU / MAU
CommercialDaily Active Users and Monthly Active Users. Engagement metrics borrowed from broader digital products, increasingly used alongside traditi…
Read definitionDecimal Odds
ProductThe European odds format, expressing total return per unit staked including the stake itself. Odds of 2.50 return 2.50 for every 1.00 stake…
Read definitionDemo Play
ProductFree-to-play access to real-money games, allowed in some jurisdictions and restricted in others (notably the UK for unregistered users).
Read definitionDeposit Limit
ComplianceA cap on the amount a player can deposit over a defined period, set by the player, the operator, or by regulator-mandated default.
Read definitionDFS (Daily Fantasy Sports)
ProductA US-originated product category where players pay an entry fee to build a virtual roster of athletes and win prizes based on real-world pe…
Read definitionDGE
RegulatoryThe New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the state regulator for online and land-based gambling and a benchmark US licensing authorit…
Read definitionDGOJ
RegulatoryLa Dirección General de Ordenación del Juego. The Spanish online gambling regulator within the Ministry of Consumer Affairs.
Read definitionDICJ
RegulatoryDirecção de Inspecção e Coordenação de Jogos. The Macau gaming regulator overseeing the world's largest casino market by GGR.
Read definitionDistribution Agreement
CommercialA B2B contract under which a studio or aggregator licenses content to an operator or platform, covering territories, commercials, and exclu…
Read definitionDormant Account
ComplianceA registered account with no activity for a defined period. Subject to operator and regulator rules around balance treatment, communication…
Read definitionDue Diligence
ComplianceThe pre-contract review of a counterparty covering license status, beneficial ownership, AML controls, and financial standing. Heavy in M&A…
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E13 terms
Each-Way Bet
ProductTwo bets in one, staking equally on a selection to win and to place. Standard in horse racing and increasingly common in golf and other out…
Read definitionEBITDA
CommercialEarnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and amortization. The headline profitability metric reported by listed operators and suppliers.
Read definitionEDD (Enhanced Due Diligence)
ComplianceA higher-tier KYC and source-of-funds review applied to high-risk customers, including PEPs and high-net-worth players.
Read definitionEEEP
RegulatoryΕπιτροπή Εποπτείας και Ελέγχου Παιγνίων, the Hellenic Gaming Commission. Regulator of all licensed gambling activity in Greece.
Read definitionEGBA (European Gaming and Betting Association)
RegulatoryThe Brussels-based trade body representing leading EU-licensed online operators.
Read definitionEGM (Electronic Gaming Machine)
ProductA land-based slot or video gaming machine. The dominant revenue driver in many US and Australian casino floors.
Read definitionEGR
RegulatoryeGaming Review, a long-running B2B publication and awards franchise covering the online gambling industry.
Read definitioneKYC
ComplianceFully electronic identity verification using database lookups, document scanning, and biometrics, replacing traditional manual document che…
Read definitionEndorsement Deal
MarketingA sponsorship structure where an athlete, celebrity, or influencer is paid to promote an operator. Subject to growing advertising restricti…
Read definitionEnforcement Action
RegulatoryA regulatory penalty (fine, license condition, suspension, or revocation) imposed on an operator or key person for breach of licensing cond…
Read definitionESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance)
CommercialA reporting and investment framework increasingly applied to gambling operators, covering responsible gambling, AML controls, advertising s…
Read definitionEsports Betting
ProductA vertical covering wagers on competitive video gaming. A growing product category with its own integrity bodies, data feeds, and youth-pro…
Read definitionExpected Value (EV)
CommercialThe average result of a bet if it could be repeated indefinitely, calculated by weighting each outcome by its probability. Positive EV is t…
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F10 terms
First Time Depositor (FTD)
CommercialA player who has just made their first deposit. The conversion of a registration into an FTD is a primary commercial KPI and a standard aff…
Read definitionFixed Odds Betting Terminal (FOBT)
ProductA retail betting machine offering casino-style content at fixed odds. Subject to high-profile UK stake limit reductions in 2019 that reshap…
Read definitionFOBT Stake Limit
RegulatoryThe regulatory cap on maximum stake per spin or hand on retail betting terminals. A reference case for stake limit policy in other markets.
Read definitionFractional Odds
ProductThe traditional British odds format, expressing profit relative to stake. Odds of 5/1 return five units of profit for every one staked, plu…
Read definitionFranchise Agreement
CommercialA long-term commercial arrangement granting a partner the right to operate under an established brand, common in retail betting and selecte…
Read definitionFraud Prevention
ComplianceThe teams and systems that detect bonus abuse, payment fraud, account takeover, multi-accounting, and collusion across an operator's player…
Read definitionFree Bet
MarketingA promotional stake credited by an operator, where any winnings are paid but the stake itself is not returned. The most common sportsbook a…
Read definitionFree Spins
MarketingA bonus mechanic that allows a number of slot spins at no cost to the player. Carries specific accounting treatment and is a major affiliat…
Read definitionFree-to-Play (F2P)
ProductA non-real-money product (social casino, free sportsbook game) used for acquisition, engagement, or in regulated US states pre-launch.
Read definitionFunnel
MarketingThe sequence of states a player moves through (visit, register, verify, deposit, wager, retain). The unit of analysis for acquisition and C…
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G15 terms
G2E (Global Gaming Expo)
CommercialThe annual Las Vegas trade event run by the AGA and Reed Exhibitions. The primary US-facing gaming industry conference.
Read definitionGambleAware
ComplianceThe UK-based charity that commissions research, education, and treatment for gambling-related harm, funded primarily by voluntary industry…
Read definitionGambling Commission (UKGC)
RegulatoryThe Gambling Commission of Great Britain, the UK statutory regulator established by the Gambling Act 2005.
Read definitionGame Studio
PlatformA B2B supplier that designs and develops casino games (slots, table games, live games, crash games) for distribution to operators via aggre…
Read definitionGaming Duty
RegulatoryThe tax levied on gambling activity. Structure varies dramatically by jurisdiction, from GGR-based to turnover-based to player-loss-based.
Read definitionGamStop
ComplianceThe UK national self-exclusion scheme, mandatory for all UKGC-licensed online operators. Allows players to self-exclude across all UK-licen…
Read definitionGCGRA
RegulatoryThe General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority of the United Arab Emirates, established in 2023 to regulate licensed gambling in the UA…
Read definitionGeo-Blocking
ComplianceTechnical restriction of access to a gambling service based on the player's geographic location, typically by IP address, device geolocatio…
Read definitionGGL
RegulatoryThe Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder, the joint German gambling authority for online gambling, operational since 2023.
Read definitionGGR (Gross Gaming Revenue)
CommercialTotal player stakes minus player winnings. The headline revenue figure for operators and the basis for many regulatory frameworks and taxes.
Read definitionGibraltar License
RegulatoryA long-standing online gambling license issued by the Government of Gibraltar. Historically dominant for operators serving the UK market pr…
Read definitionGLI (Gaming Laboratories International)
PlatformA leading independent testing laboratory for gambling technology, certifying games, RNGs, and platform components against jurisdiction-spec…
Read definitionGRA (Gaming Regulatory Authority)
RegulatoryA generic acronym used by several regulators (Bermuda Gaming Commission, Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, others). Context determines which…
Read definitionGrey Market
RegulatoryOperating in a jurisdiction where the legal framework is unclear or doesn't specifically address online gambling. Contrasted with black mar…
Read definitionGSC (Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission)
RegulatoryThe Isle of Man's gambling regulator, licensing online operators serving multiple jurisdictions.
Read definition
H9 terms
Handle
CommercialTotal amount wagered over a period, before payouts. Standard US sports betting reporting metric, equivalent to turnover.
Read definitionHGC (Hellenic Gaming Commission)
RegulatoryAn alternative English-language reference to EEEP, the Greek gambling regulator.
Read definitionHit Frequency
ProductThe proportion of spins or rounds that produce any win, distinct from how much those wins pay. A core measure of a game's felt volatility.
Read definitionHold Percentage
CommercialGGR divided by handle, expressed as a percentage. The realized margin on sportsbook or casino activity over a period.
Read definitionHolding Company
CommercialThe parent corporate entity above operating subsidiaries holding gambling licenses. Used to structure tax, liability, and regulatory exposu…
Read definitionHorse Racing Betting Levy
RegulatoryA statutory contribution from bookmakers to fund horse racing, most prominently the UK Horserace Betting Levy.
Read definitionHouse Edge
ProductThe operator's structural mathematical advantage in a casino game, expressed as the percentage of each stake retained over the long run. Th…
Read definitionHouse-Banked Game
ProductA casino game where the operator is the counterparty to all player bets, as opposed to player-versus-player products like poker or peer-to-…
Read definitionHybrid Deal
MarketingAn affiliate commercial structure combining CPA and revenue share, balancing upfront predictability with long-tail upside.
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I12 terms
ICE
CommercialThe major annual international gambling trade event, historically held in London and now hosted in Barcelona.
Read definitioniGaming Platform
PlatformThe integrated technology stack that powers an online gambling operator. Typically combines PAM, payments, content management, bonus engine…
Read definitioniGB
CommercialiGaming Business, a major industry publication and event franchise covering online gambling commercially and editorially.
Read definitionIGB (Illinois Gaming Board)
RegulatoryThe Illinois Gaming Board, regulator of casinos, sports betting, and video gaming terminals in Illinois.
Read definitionIGRA
RegulatoryThe Indian Gaming Regulatory Act (US, 1988). The federal framework establishing tribal sovereignty over gaming on tribal lands.
Read definitionImplied Probability
ProductThe probability of an outcome implied by its odds. Derived by inverting the price, it is the bridge between a bookmaker quote and a percent…
Read definitionIn-House Studio
PlatformA game development capability owned by an operator group rather than a third-party supplier. Increasingly common at scale to differentiate…
Read definitionIn-Play Betting
ProductSports betting on events while the event is in progress, with odds updated in real time. The dominant share of sportsbook turnover in most…
Read definitionInfluencer Marketing
MarketingAcquisition and brand activity using social media creators with engaged followings, increasingly used in gambling alongside or in place of…
Read definitionInstant Payouts
PaymentsWithdrawal flows that pay winnings to the player in near-real-time, typically via faster payment rails, open banking, or wallet providers.
Read definitionIntegration
PlatformThe technical and commercial work required to connect a supplier's services to an operator's platform. The currency of B2B partnerships.
Read definitionIP (Intellectual Property)
PlatformBrands, characters, music, and content licensed by studios to create themed slot and casino content. A growing commercial category in B2B c…
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J4 terms
Jackpot Pooling
ProductCombining player contributions across operators or markets to fund larger progressive jackpots, increasing prize potential and player engag…
Read definitionJoint Venture
CommercialA jointly-owned operating entity created to combine partner capabilities, common in market entry and tribal-state arrangements.
Read definitionJunket Operator
CommercialA third party that brings VIP players to a casino, traditionally providing credit and travel arrangements. Historically central in Macau an…
Read definitionJurisdiction
RegulatoryA regulatory territory with its own licensing framework and gambling law. The fundamental unit of operator market analysis.
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K5 terms
Kahnawake Gaming Commission
RegulatoryThe gambling regulator of the Mohawk Territory of Kahnawake in Quebec, Canada. One of the longest-running offshore online gambling licensor…
Read definitionKPI (Key Performance Indicator)
CommercialA quantitative metric used to track and report business performance. iGaming uses a standardized set of operator KPIs covering acquisition,…
Read definitionKSA (Kansspelautoriteit)
RegulatoryThe Dutch gambling regulator. Opened the Dutch regulated online market in October 2021 and has been actively enforcing licensing and respon…
Read definitionKYB (Know Your Business)
ComplianceThe corporate-counterparty equivalent of KYC, applied to operator due diligence on suppliers, affiliates, and B2B partners.
Read definitionKYC (Know Your Customer)
ComplianceThe identification, verification, and risk assessment of players, performed at onboarding and refreshed periodically. The foundation of AML…
Read definition
L11 terms
Land-Based Casino
ProductA physical casino property. Distinct from online gambling, with different licensing, technical, and operational frameworks.
Read definitionLead Generation
MarketingThe process of generating prospective player records through marketing activity, before formal registration. Less common in iGaming than in…
Read definitionLicense
RegulatoryThe legal authorization to conduct gambling activity in a jurisdiction, issued by the relevant regulator after a defined application proces…
Read definitionLicense Suspension
RegulatoryA regulatory action temporarily preventing an operator from continuing to take new business while licensing concerns are resolved. A signif…
Read definitionLiquidity
ProductThe active player volume on player-versus-player products (poker, betting exchanges, peer-to-peer markets). Critical for product quality on…
Read definitionLive Casino
ProductCasino games hosted by live human dealers and streamed to players in real time. The fastest-growing casino category over the past decade, d…
Read definitionLiveOps
MarketingThe continuous operation and optimization of live promotions, events, and content drops, borrowed from mobile gaming terminology.
Read definitionLocalisation
MarketingAdapting product, content, and marketing to a specific market's language, payment methods, regulatory rules, and cultural preferences.
Read definitionLoss Limit
ComplianceA responsible-gambling control capping how much a player can lose over a set period. Set by the player, or imposed by the operator or regul…
Read definitionLoyalty Program
MarketingA structured engagement and rewards program tied to player activity, with tiered status, points accumulation, and progressive benefits.
Read definitionLTV (Lifetime Value)
CommercialThe projected total revenue from a player across their full relationship with the operator. Compared against CAC to assess acquisition unit…
Read definition
M15 terms
M&A (Mergers and Acquisitions)
M&ACorporate transactions combining operators or suppliers. A defining feature of iGaming over the past decade, with multiple major deals resh…
Read definitionMargin
CommercialThe structural profit built into operator pricing. Used distinctly for bookmaker margin (sportsbook), house edge (casino), and overall oper…
Read definitionMarket Access
RegulatoryThe right to operate in a regulated market, often acquired through partnership with a licensed local entity (US states), through licensing…
Read definitionMatch Fixing
ComplianceCorrupt arrangement of sporting outcomes to enable profitable betting, typically through coordinated betting and pre-arranged sporting acti…
Read definitionMedia Rights
CommercialThe commercial rights to distribute live or recorded sporting content, foundational for sportsbook in-play product and increasingly directl…
Read definitionMegaways
ProductA licensed slot mechanic using variable symbol counts per reel to change the number of winning ways on every spin, up to 117,649 in the sta…
Read definitionMGA (Malta Gaming Authority)
RegulatoryThe gambling regulator of Malta, the largest secondary licensing jurisdiction for European online gambling.
Read definitionMGCB (Michigan Gaming Control Board)
RegulatoryThe Michigan state gambling regulator, overseeing one of the larger US online gambling markets.
Read definitionMGCC (Massachusetts Gaming Commission)
RegulatoryThe Massachusetts state gambling regulator, overseeing the state's casino and online sports betting markets.
Read definitionMigration
PlatformMoving an operator from one platform to another, typically a major multi-year project with significant operational and regulatory complexit…
Read definitionMoney Mule
ComplianceA person whose payment account is used (knowingly or not) to move illicit funds. A specific AML risk vector that operators must detect and…
Read definitionMoneyline
ProductA bet on which side wins outright, with no handicap applied. The simplest wager in US sports betting, priced in American odds.
Read definitionMulti-Account Detection
ComplianceThe discipline of identifying when a single individual operates multiple accounts at an operator, breaching terms and conditions and enabli…
Read definitionMulti-Brand Strategy
CommercialOperating multiple consumer brands within a single licensed entity or operator group, targeting different segments or market positions.
Read definitionMulti-Channel
CommercialA strategy and capability of serving players consistently across web, mobile web, app, and (where relevant) retail channels.
Read definition
N9 terms
Net Cash Flow
CommercialA profitability proxy used in operator reporting, particularly in markets where GGR reporting is incomplete or where bonus accounting affec…
Read definitionNetwork
PlatformA shared platform aggregating player liquidity across multiple operators, used in poker, bingo, and some progressive jackpot products.
Read definitionNew Player Bonus
MarketingA promotional offer designed to convert newly registered players to first depositors and engaged ongoing players. Typically structured as d…
Read definitionNGB (National Gambling Board)
RegulatoryThe South African gambling regulator at federal level, working alongside provincial regulators. South Africa is one of the largest African…
Read definitionNGC (Nevada Gaming Commission)
RegulatoryThe Nevada Gaming Commission, the licensing body for Nevada gambling working alongside the Nevada Gaming Control Board (the operational reg…
Read definitionNGCB (Nevada Gaming Control Board)
RegulatoryThe Nevada Gaming Control Board, the operational regulator of Nevada gambling working alongside the Nevada Gaming Commission (the licensing…
Read definitionNGR (Net Gaming Revenue)
CommercialGGR minus the net cost of bonuses and other defined adjustments. The closer-to-commercial measure of operator revenue.
Read definitionNiche Operator
CommercialAn operator targeting a specific vertical, demographic, or aesthetic segment rather than the broad mass market. Bingo, poker, women-focused…
Read definitionNIGC (National Indian Gaming Commission)
RegulatoryThe US federal regulator of tribal gaming, operating under the Indian Gaming Regulatory Act framework.
Read definition
O9 terms
Odds Feed
PlatformA real-time stream of priced betting markets supplied to operators by trading suppliers, enabling sportsbook product without in-house prici…
Read definitionOFAC (Office of Foreign Assets Control)
ComplianceA US Treasury Department agency administering economic sanctions. OFAC sanctions lists are checked by operators as part of CDD and ongoing…
Read definitionOffshore License
RegulatoryA gambling license issued by a jurisdiction outside the market where the operator's players are located. Used historically for grey-market…
Read definitionOmnichannel
CommercialA strategy explicitly integrating land-based and online operations, with shared loyalty, marketing, and player data across channels.
Read definitionOnboarding
ComplianceThe process of registering, verifying, and orienting a new player. The most heavily measured and optimized step in the acquisition funnel.
Read definitionONJN
RegulatoryOficiul Naţional pentru Jocuri de Noroc. The Romanian gambling regulator overseeing a licensed online market that has been one of Eastern E…
Read definitionOpen Banking
PaymentsA regulatory framework requiring banks to provide standardized API access to account data and payment initiation. Used in iGaming for KYC v…
Read definitionOperator
CommercialThe B2C-licensed entity offering gambling products to players. The accountable license holder regardless of which B2B suppliers provide und…
Read definitionOverround
CommercialThe amount by which the implied probabilities of all outcomes in a betting market sum to more than 100%. The technical measure of bookmaker…
Read definition
P21 terms
PAGCOR (Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation)
RegulatoryThe Philippine gambling regulator and operator. Issuer of POGO licenses for offshore gambling services, a politically charged segment.
Read definitionPAM (Player Account Management)
PlatformThe core platform layer holding the player account, balance, transaction history, KYC state, and bonus liabilities. The technical heart of…
Read definitionPari-Mutuel
ProductA pooled-betting model used primarily in horse racing, where bets are pooled and payouts calculated from the pool after the operator's comm…
Read definitionPay N Play
PaymentsA frictionless onboarding model pioneered by Trustly where the player's first deposit also performs identity verification through bank logi…
Read definitionPayment Orchestration
PaymentsA layer that routes transactions across multiple PSPs to optimize success rates, costs, and compliance signals. A standard tool for scaled…
Read definitionPayment Rails
PaymentsThe underlying networks (card, ACH, faster payments, crypto, e-wallets) that move money. The choice of rails shapes deposit flow, latency,…
Read definitionPEP (Politically Exposed Person)
ComplianceA category of higher-risk customer (senior public officials, their family members and close associates) subject to enhanced due diligence u…
Read definitionPGCB (Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board)
RegulatoryThe Pennsylvania gambling regulator. Oversees one of the largest US regulated online markets alongside Pennsylvania's land-based casino sec…
Read definitionPlatform Provider
PlatformA B2B supplier of the core PAM, back office, and (often) sportsbook or casino integration that licensed operators run on. The most strategi…
Read definitionPlayer Funds Segregation
ComplianceThe regulatory requirement that player balances be held in accounts separate from operator operating funds, often with additional protectio…
Read definitionPlayer Pool
ProductThe aggregate set of active players sharing a poker or bingo network. The fundamental input to product liquidity.
Read definitionPlayer Protection
ComplianceThe broader compliance discipline covering responsible gambling, affordability, vulnerability detection, and customer interaction. Often eq…
Read definitionPOC Tax (Point of Consumption Tax)
RegulatoryA tax levied based on where the player is located rather than where the operator is licensed. The dominant tax structure in mature regulate…
Read definitionPoint Spread
ProductA handicap applied to level a mismatch, requiring the favourite to win by more than a set margin for the bet to pay. The dominant US bettin…
Read definitionPPC (Pay-Per-Click)
MarketingDigital advertising paid on a per-click basis, typically via Google Ads and Microsoft Advertising. A core acquisition channel for operators…
Read definitionProgrammatic Advertising
MarketingAutomated buying of display, video, and native ad inventory through real-time bidding platforms. A scalable acquisition channel subject to…
Read definitionProgressive Jackpot
ProductA prize pool that grows by taking a small share of each qualifying stake until it is won, then resets to a seed value. Can be local to one…
Read definitionProprietary Technology
PlatformOperator-owned technology stack, in contrast to licensed third-party platforms. The choice between proprietary and licensed is a foundation…
Read definitionProvably Fair
ProductA cryptographic method letting a player verify that a game outcome was determined before their bet and not altered afterwards. Standard in…
Read definitionPSP (Payment Service Provider)
PaymentsA licensed payments company that processes deposits and withdrawals between players and operators. The B2B layer in the payments stack.
Read definitionPush Notification
MarketingA direct-to-device message delivered through mobile app infrastructure. A core CRM channel for app-based operators.
Read definition
Q2 terms
Qualifying Deposit
MarketingA deposit that meets minimum threshold and product criteria to trigger a welcome bonus, free bet, or affiliate CPA payment.
Read definitionQuality Assurance
PlatformThe discipline of testing software, content, and integrations before deployment. Particularly important in gambling given regulatory stakes…
Read definition
R15 terms
Real Money Gaming (RMG)
ProductGambling activity involving actual currency wagers and prizes, as distinct from social casino or free-to-play products with virtual currenc…
Read definitionReality Check
ComplianceAn on-screen reminder showing elapsed session time and often net position, interrupting play at set intervals. Mandatory in several regulat…
Read definitionReconciliation
PlatformThe accounting process of matching transactions across systems (PAM, cashier, PSPs, banks) to confirm financial accuracy and identify discr…
Read definitionRegulated Market
RegulatoryA jurisdiction with explicit licensing framework, technical standards, and regulatory supervision of gambling activity. The strategic focus…
Read definitionRegulatory Sandbox
RegulatoryA framework for testing new gambling products or technology in a controlled environment with regulator engagement before full market launch…
Read definitionReload Bonus
MarketingA promotional offer targeted at existing players to incentivize additional deposits beyond the welcome bonus. A core CRM retention mechanic.
Read definitionResponsible Gambling
ComplianceThe operator-level discipline and regulatory framework around preventing and mitigating gambling-related harm. One of the largest and faste…
Read definitionRetention
CommercialThe discipline and metrics around keeping acquired players engaged over time. The inverse of churn and the foundation of LTV.
Read definitionRevenue Share
MarketingAn affiliate commercial structure paying ongoing percentage of net revenue from acquired players. The historical affiliate model in most ma…
Read definitionReverse Withdrawal
ComplianceA feature allowing players to cancel pending withdrawal requests and return funds to playable balance. Removed or restricted in many regula…
Read definitionRGS (Remote Gaming Server)
PlatformThe B2B server-side platform that hosts game logic, RNG, and game state for casino content distributed to operators. The technical backbone…
Read definitionRisk Management Framework
ComplianceThe structured approach an operator uses to identify, assess, monitor, and respond to financial, regulatory, operational, and conduct risks…
Read definitionRNG (Random Number Generator)
PlatformThe certified algorithmic system generating random outcomes for casino game results. A foundational technical and regulatory component for…
Read definitionRoll-Up
M&AAn M&A strategy of consolidating multiple smaller operators or suppliers into a single larger group, common in B2B platform and content acq…
Read definitionRTP (Return to Player)
ProductThe long-run percentage of stakes returned to players in a given casino game. Mandatory disclosed in most regulated markets and a key compe…
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S19 terms
SaaS (Software as a Service)
PlatformA subscription-based software delivery model where the supplier hosts and operates the platform, with operators consuming via APIs. The dom…
Read definitionSanctions Screening
ComplianceThe continuous compliance process of checking player and counterparty records against OFAC, UN, EU, and other sanctions lists. A foundation…
Read definitionSAR (Suspicious Activity Report)
ComplianceA formal regulatory filing by an operator to the relevant Financial Intelligence Unit about suspected money laundering or financial crime.…
Read definitionSBC
CommercialSports Betting Community, a major industry trade publication and conference organizer. Heavy focus on betting industry conferences and awar…
Read definitionSegmentation
MarketingThe discipline of dividing the player base into actionable groups based on behavior, value, demographics, and risk. The foundation of CRM,…
Read definitionSelf-Exclusion
ComplianceA player-initiated mechanism preventing access to gambling services for a defined period. A foundational responsible gambling tool, increas…
Read definitionShared Liquidity
ProductPooling of player liquidity across multiple operators, markets, or jurisdictions to improve product quality on peer-to-peer products. Most…
Read definitionSister Site
CommercialA different brand operated by the same operator group, often on the same underlying platform but with differentiated positioning, design, o…
Read definitionSkin
PlatformA branded operator brand running on a licensed network or platform, particularly common in poker networks and US sports betting market acce…
Read definitionSOF (Source of Funds)
ComplianceThe compliance verification of where a player's gambling funds originated, distinct from source of wealth (which addresses overall wealth a…
Read definitionSOW (Source of Wealth)
ComplianceThe compliance verification of how a player accumulated their overall wealth, applied to higher-risk customers especially in VIP relationsh…
Read definitionSPA (Secretaria de Prêmios e Apostas)
RegulatoryThe Brazilian gambling regulator, established to oversee the regulated online sports betting and gambling market that launched January 2025.
Read definitionSpelinspektionen
RegulatoryThe Swedish gambling regulator. Sweden re-regulated its online gambling market in 2019, with Spelinspektionen as the regulator overseeing t…
Read definitionSpillemyndigheden
RegulatoryThe Danish gambling regulator. Denmark has had one of Europe's most mature licensed online gambling markets since the 2012 regulatory refor…
Read definitionSportradar
PlatformA major sports data, integrity, and content supplier to operators, sports leagues, and media companies globally. One of the two dominant B2…
Read definitionSportsbook Platform
PlatformThe B2B technology stack providing sportsbook product: pricing, trading, market management, customer-facing UI components, and risk managem…
Read definitionStickiness
CommercialA measure of how habitually a player engages with a product, often calculated as DAU/MAU or similar engagement intensity metric.
Read definitionSub-Affiliate
MarketingA second-tier affiliate working through a primary affiliate's network, receiving a share of commissions on traffic referred through the pri…
Read definitionSweepstakes
ProductA product structure using virtual currency mechanics with prize redemption to operate under sweepstakes law rather than gambling law, parti…
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T9 terms
Take Rate
CommercialThe percentage commission a B2B supplier (aggregator, payment orchestrator, platform provider) charges on revenue flowing through their inf…
Read definitionTier 1 Market
RegulatoryAn informal industry classification of the highest-priority regulated markets by size, profitability, and strategic importance. Commonly th…
Read definitionTipster
MarketingA content creator, often a social media personality, who shares betting picks and predictions. A specific category of affiliate marketing w…
Read definitionTotals (Over/Under)
ProductA bet on whether a combined statistic, most often total points or goals, finishes above or below a line set by the sportsbook.
Read definitionTrading
PlatformThe discipline of setting and adjusting prices, managing liability, and responding to market signals in a sportsbook. Combines quantitative…
Read definitionTransaction Monitoring
ComplianceThe ongoing analysis of customer financial activity to detect patterns indicative of money laundering, fraud, or other financial crime. A c…
Read definitionTribal Gaming
RegulatoryGambling operated by Native American tribes under the federal Indian Gaming Regulatory Act framework. The largest single segment of US casi…
Read definitionTurnkey Solution
PlatformA complete operator offering bundled by a B2B supplier, typically including platform, content, payments, and operational services, enabling…
Read definitionTurnover
CommercialTotal amount wagered over a period, also called "handle" in sportsbook contexts. The volume metric that precedes margin to produce GGR.
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U6 terms
UA (User Acquisition)
MarketingThe discipline of acquiring new players through marketing investment across channels. The strategic complement to retention in the LTV/CAC…
Read definitionUKGC (UK Gambling Commission)
RegulatoryThe UK gambling regulator. One of the most influential gambling regulators globally, with regulatory standards that influence frameworks wo…
Read definitionUnderage Gambling
ComplianceGambling by persons below the legal age threshold (typically 18 or 21 depending on jurisdiction). A categorical operator failure with sever…
Read definitionUnique User
CommercialA distinct person across the operator's analytics measurement, typically identified through account, device, or cross-channel reconciliatio…
Read definitionUnlicensed Operator
RegulatoryAn operator offering gambling services in a market without holding the local license required by that market's framework. May hold an offsh…
Read definitionUnregulated Market
RegulatoryA jurisdiction without a defined licensed gambling framework, where operator activity is neither explicitly authorized nor explicitly prohi…
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V6 terms
Vendor Risk Management
ComplianceThe discipline of assessing, monitoring, and managing risks arising from supplier relationships. A core component of modern operator compli…
Read definitionVerification Tier
ComplianceA defined level of customer identity verification, typically corresponding to permitted activity levels. Operators apply tiered verificatio…
Read definitionVertical
ProductA major product category within gambling: sports betting, casino, poker, bingo, lottery, esports. The primary axis of operator strategy and…
Read definitionVGCCC (Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission)
RegulatoryThe gambling regulator for the state of Victoria, Australia. One of several state-level Australian gambling regulators.
Read definitionVIP Management
CommercialThe dedicated function managing the highest-value player relationships, including personalized service, tailored bonuses, and host relation…
Read definitionVolatility
ProductA characteristic of casino games describing the variance of outcomes around the expected return. High-volatility games produce larger wins…
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W7 terms
Wagering Requirement
MarketingThe amount a player must stake before bonus funds or winnings from them can be withdrawn, usually expressed as a multiple of the bonus.
Read definitionWallet
PaymentsThe player's account balance and associated transaction infrastructure. May be a single-product wallet, a unified multi-product wallet, or…
Read definitionWallet Provider
PaymentsA third-party financial services company offering hosted wallets for consumer payments. Major providers in iGaming include Skrill, Neteller…
Read definitionWatchlist Screening
ComplianceThe discipline of checking customers and counterparties against multiple risk lists beyond sanctions: PEPs, adverse media, criminal records…
Read definitionWebhook
PlatformAn HTTP callback mechanism by which one system notifies another of events. Standard infrastructure in B2B iGaming integrations.
Read definitionWhite Label
PlatformA model where a B2B supplier provides the full operator platform (license, technology, content, payments, operations) and a brand operator…
Read definitionWithholding Tax
ComplianceTax withheld at source on player winnings, paid by the operator to tax authorities on behalf of the player. Applied in some jurisdictions a…
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X2 terms
XML Feed
PlatformA data integration format used historically across iGaming B2B integrations, particularly for sports data and odds. Largely supplanted by J…
Read definitionXR Gambling
ProductExtended reality (VR, AR) gambling experiences. An emerging product category with limited current commercial traction but ongoing experimen…
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Y3 terms
Yield
CommercialA term used variably in gambling contexts: in racing, the bookmaker's percentage return; in casino, sometimes a synonym for hold; in genera…
Read definitionYouth Protection
ComplianceThe compliance discipline focused on preventing gambling exposure of persons below the legal age threshold. Encompasses age verification, a…
Read definitionYoY (Year-over-Year)
CommercialYear-over-year comparison, measuring change from the same period one year prior. The standard time-comparison frame in operator reporting a…
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Z2 terms
Zero-Tolerance Compliance
ComplianceA compliance posture treating certain categories of breach (underage gambling, sanctions violations, self-exclusion failures) as absolute p…
Read definitionZoned Licensing
RegulatoryA regulatory framework that restricts gambling activity to specific geographic zones or specific licensee categories. Common in land-based…
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