Bonus balance vs real balance: what is the difference?
Real balance is withdrawable cash with no strings attached, while bonus balance is locked promotional funds that must clear a wagering requirement before they (and their winnings) can be withdrawn — and which one the casino spends first depends on its terms.
The split matters because almost every other bonus question comes back to it. On a non-sticky bonus, your real balance stays separate and is usually spent first, so you can withdraw it any time and only touch the bonus once your cash is gone. On a sticky bonus, the two are merged and everything is locked until wagering is met. Winnings from bonus-funded bets are typically credited as bonus balance too, subject to the same playthrough and any max-cashout cap.
Knowing which balance your bets are drawing from tells you what you can withdraw right now, whether cancelling the bonus frees your cash, and how close you are to clearing the requirement. Check the cashier — good casinos show real and bonus balances separately.
Key points
- Real balance = withdrawable cash, no wagering.
- Bonus balance = locked funds until wagering is cleared.
- Non-sticky: real balance stays separate, usually spent first.
- Sticky: real and bonus funds are merged and locked together.
- Bonus-funded winnings are usually bonus balance too.
FAQ
Which balance does a casino use first, bonus or real?
It depends on the terms. Non-sticky bonuses usually spend your real balance first (so it stays withdrawable); sticky bonuses merge the two and lock everything until wagering is met.
Related
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