What is the difference between a sticky and non-sticky bonus?
A non-sticky bonus keeps your deposit separate from the bonus, so you can withdraw your own money at any time and only touch the bonus once your real cash is gone. A sticky bonus merges the two and locks everything until you clear the wagering requirement.
Non-sticky (also "parachute") bonuses are far more player-friendly: if you hit a win early, you can cash out your balance without ever risking it on wagering. With a sticky bonus, your deposit and any winnings are trapped until the full playthrough is done, and if you fail, you can lose it all.
Always check which type a bonus is. A smaller non-sticky bonus is often worth more in practice than a huge sticky one, because you keep control of your own funds.
Key points
- Non-sticky: your deposit stays withdrawable; bonus used only after cash runs out.
- Sticky: deposit + bonus locked together until wagering clears.
- Non-sticky lets you cash out early wins risk-free.
- Sticky can trap your whole balance if you don’t clear wagering.
- A non-sticky bonus is usually better value than a bigger sticky one.
FAQ
What is a non-sticky bonus?
A bonus kept separate from your deposit: you play with your own cash first and can withdraw it at any time, and the bonus (with its wagering) only activates once your real balance is gone. Also called a parachute bonus.
What does a sticky bonus mean?
A sticky bonus merges the bonus with your deposit the moment you claim it, locking the whole balance until the wagering requirement is cleared. If you abandon the bonus or fail the playthrough, the locked funds, including your own deposit, can be forfeited.
Is a non-sticky bonus better?
Usually yes. Because your own deposit stays withdrawable, you can lock in early wins without completing wagering: far lower risk than a sticky bonus that traps everything.
Page contributors
Ole Skjaergaard, Head of Reviews, SLOTSBONUS. A self-confessed gambler and casino enthusiast with 26 years in the degen communities. His reviews are ranked through deep research and hands-on experience.
Reviewed this page on 2026-10-08. Corrections are applied to the underlying record rather than patched into the copy. More about the team on our about page.
Related
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