Sticky vs non-sticky bonuses
A sticky bonus can be played with but never withdrawn: it's removed when you cash out. A non-sticky (or parachute) bonus keeps your deposit separate and uses it first, so if you win early you can withdraw and simply give up the bonus. For most players, non-sticky is worth more.
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Two bonuses can have the same match, the same wagering and the same expiry, and still be worth very different amounts. The difference is whether the bonus is sticky or non-sticky. This guide explains both, shows the difference in Rands and tells you how to spot each in the terms.
Sticky bonuses
A sticky bonus “sticks” to your account. You can bet with it, and it helps you play longer, but the bonus amount itself can never be withdrawn. When you cash out, the casino deducts it.
You’ll also see sticky bonuses called phantom bonuses or non-cashable bonuses. The terms usually say something like “the bonus amount is not withdrawable and will be removed upon withdrawal”.
Most sticky bonuses also combine your deposit and the bonus into one balance from the start, so every bet you make counts as bonus play and the bonus rules (wagering, maximum bet, excluded games) apply to your own money too.
Non-sticky bonuses
A non-sticky bonus keeps two balances:
- Your real money, which you play with first.
- The bonus money, which only comes into play once your real money is used up.
If you win while you’re still on real money, you can withdraw. You lose the bonus, but you walk away with your win, with no wagering. If your real money runs out, the bonus kicks in and you have a second chance, now under the bonus rules.
Non-sticky bonuses are also called parachute bonuses, because the bonus only opens when you’re falling. In the terms, look for “real funds are used first” or “you may forfeit the bonus at any time to withdraw your real balance”.
The difference in Rands
Say you deposit R500 and take a 100% bonus of R500, with 30x wagering on the bonus. Here are three ways the session could go.
Scenario 1: you win early
On your real money, you hit a feature and your balance goes from R500 to R1,500.
- Non-sticky: your bonus hasn’t been touched. You withdraw R1,500 and forfeit the R500 bonus. No wagering needed.
- Sticky: your balance is R2,000 (R1,500 plus the R500 bonus) but it’s all locked in the bonus. You still need R15,000 in bets before you can withdraw anything, and when you do, the R500 bonus is deducted.
Scenario 2: you lose your deposit, then win with the bonus
Your R500 is gone. You then play the R500 bonus up to R1,200 and complete the wagering with R1,200 left.
- Non-sticky: you withdraw R1,200 (subject to any max cashout).
- Sticky: the R500 bonus is deducted, so you withdraw R700.
Scenario 3: you lose everything
Both versions end the same way: the balance hits zero and nothing is owed.
Across these three, the non-sticky bonus is never worse and is often much better. That’s why it is the format to look for.
Why casinos offer sticky bonuses
A sticky bonus is cheaper for the casino. Because the bonus amount is always deducted, the most it can ever cost them is the winnings you make with it, and your deposit is tied into the wagering from the first bet. Sticky bonuses are often advertised with bigger percentages to compensate, which is worth bearing in mind when you see a very large match.
Non-sticky bonuses cost the casino more, because players who win early walk away with real money. Casinos that use them tend to compensate with higher wagering or a lower maximum bonus.
Comparing the two properly
The fair way to compare a sticky and a non-sticky bonus is to ask what you’d expect to withdraw, on average, from the same deposit.
| Non-sticky R500 bonus, 30x | Sticky R500 bonus, 30x | |
|---|---|---|
| Deposit used first | Yes | No, mixed balance |
| Can withdraw an early win without wagering | Yes, by forfeiting the bonus | No |
| Bonus deducted on withdrawal | No | Yes |
| Bonus rules apply to your deposit | Only once bonus is active | From the first bet |
A good rule of thumb: a sticky bonus is worth roughly the same as a non-sticky one of about half the size, sometimes less. If one casino offers a 100% non-sticky bonus and another a 200% sticky one, the first is usually the better deal.
How to tell which one you’ve got
The words “sticky” and “non-sticky” rarely appear in South African casino terms. Look for these phrases instead:
Signs of a sticky bonus
- “Bonus funds are non-withdrawable.”
- “The bonus amount will be deducted from your balance upon withdrawal.”
- “Only winnings are cashable.”
Signs of a non-sticky bonus
- “Real money is wagered before bonus money.”
- “You can withdraw your real balance at any time; doing so will forfeit the bonus.”
- Separate “cash” and “bonus” balances shown in your account.
If you can’t tell, ask live chat before you deposit and save the reply. It’s a fair question and a good casino will answer it plainly.
What about free spins and free bets?
Free spins don’t fit neatly into either box. The spins themselves have no cash value; what matters is what happens to the winnings. If the winnings are paid as cash with no wagering, as with Betway’s 10 free spins, there’s nothing to stick. If they are paid as bonus money with wagering, they behave like a small bonus balance.
Sports free bets are almost always “stake not returned”: a R50 free bet at odds of 3.00 pays R100, not R150, because the R50 stake isn’t yours. That works a lot like a sticky bonus: the stake is never withdrawable, only the winnings. See free bet in the glossary and our free bets page for current offers.
Cashback: the simplest alternative
If sticky and non-sticky feels like more fine print than you’d like, cashback paid as real money avoids the question entirely. 1Win advertises casino cashback of up to 30% with 0x wagering, and several South African sites pay weekly cashback on net losses. Check whether it’s paid as cash or as a bonus with its own wagering. Current offers are on our cashback bonus page.
A quick checklist
- Find out whether real money is used first.
- Check whether the bonus amount is deducted when you withdraw.
- Compare wagering on the bonus, not on deposit plus bonus.
- Look for a maximum cashout.
- If in doubt, ask support and keep the answer.
The honest bottom line
A non-sticky bonus gives you your deposit back on your own terms if you get lucky early, which is as good as a casino bonus gets. A sticky bonus mostly gives you longer play. Either way, the games keep their house edge and most sessions end with less than you started. Decide your budget before you claim, and if you find yourself redepositing to keep a bonus alive, take a break. Free help is available on 0800 006 008, and our wagering requirements guide shows what any bonus will cost you to clear.
| Brand | Bonus | Wagering | Min deposit | Code | Claim |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 1Win | 500% up to R75,000 over 4 deposits Welcome bonus | — | — | — | Claim bonus |
 Wanejo Bets | 150% up to R1,000 + 100 free spins Welcome bonus | 5x | R50 | — | Claim bonus |
 Duelbits | 500 free spins on Selected Pragmatic Play slots Welcome bonus | No wagering | — | — | Claim bonus |
| Duelbits | 100% up to $1,000 Welcome bonus | — | — | — | Claim bonus |
 PantherBet | 100% up to R15,000 + 450 free spins · over 3 deposits Welcome bonus | 35x | R30 | — | Claim bonus |
Frequently asked questions
What is a sticky bonus?
A sticky bonus is bonus money that can be wagered but not withdrawn. When you cash out, the bonus amount is deducted from your balance and only the winnings above it are paid.
What is a non-sticky bonus?
A non-sticky bonus keeps your real money and bonus money in separate balances. You play with your deposit first; if you win, you can withdraw it and forfeit the bonus. Only when your real money runs out does the bonus come into play.
Is a non-sticky bonus better?
Usually, yes. It gives you two chances: your deposit with no strings attached, and then the bonus. A sticky bonus ties your deposit into the wagering from the first spin.
How do I know if a bonus is sticky?
Look in the bonus terms for phrases like 'bonus amount is non-withdrawable', 'bonus will be deducted on withdrawal' (sticky) or 'real money is wagered first' and 'you may forfeit the bonus to withdraw' (non-sticky). If the terms don't say, ask support before you deposit.
What is a phantom bonus?
It's another name for a sticky bonus: the bonus amount 'disappears' when you withdraw. You might also see it called a cashable-only-winnings bonus.
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Mark has been writing about online gaming since 2007, covering everything from sportsbooks to casino and slot reviews, offering insights for players of all levels.