Last updated: 05.07.2026
This glossary exists because casino terminology is deliberately confusing. Wagering requirements, RTP, volatility, provably fair — these aren't intuitive concepts, and offshore operators like Dominos Casino don't always explain them clearly. Every definition below uses A$ examples where relevant. Terms are grouped by category and sorted alphabetically. Click any term to expand. If you're looking for a specific game, head to pokies, Aviator, Plinko, or Chicken Road.
Core casino terms
Bonus Round
A special feature triggered during gameplay — free spins, pick-and-click games, or wheel spins. Activated by landing specific symbols (usually scatters). The bonus round is where most big wins happen on high-volatility pokies.
Free Spins
Spins you don't pay for. Earned by landing scatter symbols (usually 3+) or awarded as part of a welcome bonus. Winnings from free spins often carry their own wagering requirement — at Dominos Casino, that's 40x on free spin winnings vs 35x on the cash bonus.
House Edge
The casino's mathematical advantage, expressed as a percentage. House edge = 100% minus RTP. A pokie with 96% RTP has a 4% house edge — for every A$100 wagered over time, the casino keeps A$4 on average. Lower house edge = better for the player. Plinko has the lowest at 1%.
Jackpot
The largest possible payout on a game. Fixed jackpots pay a set amount. Progressive jackpots grow with every punt placed across all players — the pool starts at a seed amount and climbs until someone wins. Progressive jackpot pokies typically have lower base-game RTP because a portion of every bet feeds the jackpot pool.
Payline
A line across the reels where matching symbols must land to count as a win. Classic pokies have 1–5 paylines. Modern pokies can have 20, 50, or 243+ ways to win. Some games like Sweet Bonanza use scatter pays instead — no paylines at all, just 8+ matching symbols anywhere.
RTP (Return to Player)
The percentage of all wagered money a game pays back over millions of rounds. RTP 96% means A$96 returned per A$100 wagered — on average, over the long term. It does not mean you'll get A$96 back on your next A$100 session. RTP is a statistical average across hundreds of thousands of spins. Short sessions can swing wildly in either direction.
Scatter Symbol
A symbol that pays regardless of position on the reels — doesn't need to land on a specific payline. Usually triggers bonus rounds or free spins when 3+ appear. Different from wilds, which substitute for other symbols.
Volatility (Variance)
How a game's returns distribute over time. Low volatility: small, frequent wins — your bankroll lasts longer. High volatility: rare, large wins — long dry spells followed by big payouts. Very high volatility (like Gates of Olympus) can go 200+ spins without a meaningful hit. Neither is "better" — it depends on your bankroll and patience.
Wagering Requirement (Playthrough)
The number of times you must wager a bonus before withdrawing winnings. At Dominos Casino: A$100 bonus × 35x = A$3,500 must be wagered. At A$2 per spin on pokies (100% contribution), that's 1,750 spins. Table games typically contribute only 5–10%, making wagering clearance far slower. Check the bonus page for full details.
Wild Symbol
Substitutes for other symbols to complete winning combinations — like a joker in cards. Types include expanding wilds (cover entire reels), sticky wilds (stay locked for multiple spins), and multiplier wilds (multiply the win value — Frozen Tropics has wilds up to 100x).
Bonus and promotion terms
Bonus Code / Promo Code
A text string entered during registration or deposit to activate a specific offer. Codes expire and are often tied to specific payment methods. If a code doesn't work, it's likely expired or already used — contact support.
Cashback
A percentage of your losses returned to your account over a qualifying period. Dominos Casino offers 10% Weekend Cashback on a minimum A$100 in deposits. Cashback usually has no wagering requirement or a lower one than standard bonuses — but check the terms.
Expiry Date
Every bonus has a time limit. If you don't clear the wagering requirement before expiry, the bonus and any associated winnings are forfeit. Typical expiry: 7–30 days from activation.
Game Contribution
How much each game type counts toward clearing a wagering requirement. Pokies: 100% (every A$1 wagered counts as A$1). Table games: typically 10%. Live casino: typically 5%. Crash games: often 0%. This means clearing A$3,500 wagering on table games requires A$35,000 in bets. Stick to pokies like Gold Rush for efficient clearance.
Match Bonus
The casino matches your deposit by a percentage. 200% match on A$100 = A$200 bonus added. Total balance: A$300. The match percentage and maximum bonus vary — Dominos Casino offers 200% up to A$500. Higher match isn't always better if the wagering requirement is also higher.
Max Bet Rule
While a bonus is active, there's usually a maximum punt per spin — typically A$5. Exceeding this can void the bonus and all winnings. The casino doesn't always warn you mid-session. Set your bet size before activating any bonus.
No Deposit Bonus
A bonus given without requiring a deposit — typically free spins or a small cash amount. Comes with higher wagering (40x–50x) and a cap on maximum withdrawal. Check the Dominos Casino promotions page for current availability.
Reload Bonus
A bonus on subsequent deposits after the welcome offer. Dominos Casino runs a Wednesday Boost: 50% reload match + 50 free spins on a minimum A$50 deposit.
Sticky Bonus (Non-cashable)
A bonus that can be used for wagering but cannot itself be withdrawn — only the winnings generated from it. After clearing the wagering requirement, the sticky bonus amount is removed from your balance.
Welcome Bonus
The offer for new players on their first deposit. Dominos Casino: 200% match up to A$500 + 100 free spins (20/day over 5 days). Wagering: 35x on bonus, 40x on free spin winnings. Full breakdown on the bonus page.
Author's tip from Isabella Valli, Head of iGaming Compliance & User Safety: "The single most important number on this page is game contribution. If you're clearing a bonus, every dollar wagered on pokies counts fully. On crash games like Plinko or Aviator, it might count for nothing. Check before you play."
Payment and banking terms
AML (Anti-Money Laundering)
Regulations requiring casinos to verify the source of player funds. If you deposit large amounts or show unusual patterns, the casino may ask for proof of income or bank statements. Required by Curaçao eGaming licence conditions.
Chargeback
Reversing a deposit through your bank or card provider. Casinos treat chargebacks as fraud — your account will be permanently closed, winnings voided, and you may be blacklisted across operator networks. If you have a legitimate dispute, contact support first.
Cryptocurrency Withdrawal
Withdrawing winnings in Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, or other crypto. Typically the fastest method — processed within hours at Dominos Casino. Be aware of exchange rate volatility: your A$500 withdrawal in BTC may be worth A$480 or A$520 by the time it hits your wallet.
E-wallet
An online payment account that sits between your bank and the casino. Examples: Skrill, Neteller, MiFinity. Deposits are usually instant. Note: Skrill and Neteller deposits often disqualify you from bonus eligibility at Curaçao-licensed operators.
KYC (Know Your Customer)
Identity verification required before withdrawals. Documents: passport or driving licence (ID), utility bill or bank statement (proof of address). At Dominos Casino, KYC is typically requested before your first withdrawal. Processing takes 24–72 hours. Without KYC approval, withdrawals are held.
Minimum Withdrawal
The smallest amount you can withdraw. Exists to cover processing costs. At Dominos Casino: approximately A$30 for crypto, varies by method for fiat.
PayID / Osko
Australia's real-time payment system linked to your phone number or email. Deposits via PayID are instant. Many Aussie punters prefer it because it doesn't require sharing card details with the casino. POLi is a separate AU bank transfer method — also supported at Dominos Casino.
Pending Period
The waiting time between requesting a withdrawal and it being processed. During this period, the casino reviews the request, may trigger KYC checks, and the funds are locked. Typical pending period: 24–72 hours depending on method and KYC status.
Withdrawal Limit
The maximum you can withdraw per day, week, or month. Dominos Casino standard: A$10,000/week. Diamond VIP: A$50,000/week. Higher limits are a key benefit of VIP programmes.
Responsible gambling terms
BetStop (National Self-Exclusion Register)
Australia's national self-exclusion register for online gambling. Signing up blocks you from all licensed Australian operators. Note: offshore casinos like Dominos Casino (Curaçao-licensed) are not connected to BetStop.
Cool-off Period
A temporary break from gambling — typically 24 hours to 6 weeks — without permanently closing your account. Your account is frozen during this period. Different from self-exclusion, which is longer-term.
Deposit Limit
A cap you set on how much you can deposit per day, week, or month. Increases take 24–72 hours to apply (cooling-off period). Decreases apply immediately. Set this before your first session.
Problem Gambling
Gambling that negatively affects your finances, relationships, or mental health. Signs: chasing losses, borrowing to gamble, hiding gambling activity, inability to stop. In Australia, contact Gambling Help Online at 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.
Reality Check
A pop-up reminder showing how long you've been playing and how much you've wagered. Can be set to appear every 30, 60, or 120 minutes. Available in Dominos Casino's responsible gambling settings.
Self-Exclusion
Voluntarily banning yourself from a casino for a set period (6 months to permanently). Once active, it cannot be reversed until the period ends. Dominos Casino offers self-exclusion through account settings. For Australian-wide exclusion from domestic operators, use BetStop.
Author's tip from Isabella Valli, Head of iGaming Compliance & User Safety: "BetStop only covers Australian-licensed operators. Offshore casinos like Dominos Casino aren't connected to it. If you need to self-exclude from an offshore site, you'll need to contact their support directly and request account closure."
Pokie mechanics terms
Buy Bonus (Feature Buy)
Paying a premium (usually 100x your bet) to skip straight to the free spins round. At A$1 per spin, the buy costs A$100. Available on Sweet Bonanza, Sugar Rush, Gates of Olympus, and others at Dominos Casino. Average return is typically below the buy cost — it's a convenience feature, not a value play.
Cascading Reels (Avalanche / Tumble)
After a win, winning symbols disappear and new ones drop from above. If the new arrangement forms another win, it cascades again. One spin can produce multiple consecutive wins. Used by Sweet Bonanza, Sugar Rush, and Frozen Tropics. Same mechanic, different names across providers.
Cluster Pays
Instead of paylines, wins are formed by groups of identical symbols touching horizontally or vertically. Sugar Rush requires 5+ touching symbols. Larger clusters pay more. Common on 7×7 grid pokies.
Hold and Win
A bonus mechanic where coin symbols lock in place and you receive respins to land more. Each new coin resets the respin counter. Fill the entire grid for a jackpot. Aussie punters know this from Lightning Link and Dragon Link in pubs. Online version at Gold Rush with Johnny Cash.
Max Win
The absolute maximum a game can pay on a single spin, expressed as a multiplier of your bet. Sweet Bonanza: 21,175x. At A$1 per spin, that's A$21,175. Reaching max win requires perfect multiplier stacking — it's exceedingly rare.
Megaways
A mechanic by Big Time Gaming where the number of symbols per reel changes every spin, creating up to 117,649 ways to win. The win potential shifts dynamically — some spins have 324 ways, others have 117,649. Licensed to many providers including Pragmatic Play.
Multiplier
A value that multiplies your win. Types: win multiplier (applied to a specific win), progressive multiplier (grows with consecutive wins), and bet multiplier (multiplies your total bet). In Sugar Rush, Multiplier Spots start at 2x and double each time — up to 128x in base, 1,000x in the 1000 variant.
Crash game terms
Auto Cashout
A preset multiplier target — the game automatically cashes you out when it's reached. Available in Aviator. Removes the emotional pressure of deciding when to cash out manually. Set it at 1.5x–2x for consistent small wins.
Cash Out
Pressing a button to lock in your current multiplier and secure your winnings before the round ends. In Chicken Road, you cash out between steps. In Aviator, you cash out while the plane is still climbing. Miss the moment, lose the punt.
Crash Game
A game category where a multiplier climbs and the player must cash out before the round "crashes." No reels, no paylines — just a multiplier and a decision. Examples at Dominos Casino: Aviator (97% RTP), Chicken Road (98% RTP), Plinko (99% RTP). Higher RTP than most pokies.
Dual Bet
Placing two simultaneous bets in a single round. Aviator exclusive. Common strategy: Bet A on auto cashout at 1.5x (safe) + Bet B manual for higher multipliers. Hedges risk — one bet covers consistent returns while the other chases bigger payouts.
Instant Bust
A round that crashes immediately at 1.00x before any player can cash out. Happens approximately 3% of the time in Aviator. The bet is lost regardless — there's no way to avoid it. It's built into the game's mathematical model.
Provably Fair
A verification system that lets players independently check that a game result wasn't manipulated. Uses cryptographic hashing (SHA-512 in Aviator). After each round, you can verify the result using the server seed and client seed. Available on Aviator, Chicken Road, and Plinko. It doesn't guarantee wins — it guarantees the results are genuine.
Author's tip from Isabella Valli, Head of iGaming Compliance & User Safety: "Any website or app claiming to 'predict' Aviator or Chicken Road results is a scam. Provably fair means the outcome is determined by a cryptographic hash before the round starts — no external tool can predict it. Don't share your login details with prediction sites."
| Game Type | RTP Range | House Edge | Loss per A$1,000 | Strategy Matters? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plinko (BGaming) | 99% | 1% | A$10 | Risk level only | Lowest house edge available |
| Chicken Road | 98% | 2% | A$20 | Cashout timing | Push-your-luck format |
| Aviator (Spribe) | 97% | 3% | A$30 | Cashout timing + dual bet | 200+ rounds/hour |
| DOND Go All The Way | 97.36% | 2.64% | A$26 | Banker offer decisions | Best-value pokie |
| Pokies (average) | 95.8–96.5% | 3.5–4.2% | A$35–42 | No | 100% bonus wagering contribution |
| Blackjack | 99.5% | 0.5% | A$5 | Yes — basic strategy | ~10% bonus contribution |
| European Roulette | 97.3% | 2.7% | A$27 | No | ~5% bonus contribution |
Gambling is an 18+ activity. If gambling is causing problems, contact Gambling Help Online at 1800 858 858 or gamblinghelponline.org.au. Explore the pokies library, check the 200% welcome bonus, or log in to your account. Download the mobile app for biometric login and push notifications.
