Sticky and non-sticky bonuses describe how promotional funds interact with your balance and withdrawals. The crucial questions are whether the original bonus can be cashed out, which funds are used first and what happens if you withdraw or cancel before completing the conditions.
The labels are not used consistently enough to replace those questions. This guide separates cashability, access to cash funds and wagering, with hypothetical examples showing why the balance on screen may differ from the amount eligible for withdrawal.
Sticky, non-sticky and cashable are not one rule
Sticky or non-cashable credit
Sticky is commonly used for bonus credit that can be played but is removed under the cashout rules rather than included in the withdrawal. Check whether the operator uses that meaning.
Non-sticky balance arrangement
Often describes separate cash and bonus funds, with eligible cash accessible before bonus playthrough is completed, usually subject to forfeiting the promotion. The precise consequences depend on the offer.
Cashable bonus credit
Describes whether the original bonus can convert into withdrawable funds after its conditions are met. This is a separate question from whether an early cash withdrawal is allowed.
You may also encounter “sticky” used more broadly for an arrangement that ties a deposit or winnings to bonus conditions until wagering is finished. That usage does not necessarily explain whether the original bonus credit is removed later.
Instead of relying on a single adjective, identify the actual cashout calculation. Ask what happens to the deposit, original bonus and winnings separately. A promotion can have more than one restriction operating at the same time.
Three balance examples
The following figures are hypothetical and illustrate different rules. They are not the terms of the offers listed later, predictions of results or statements about how every casino calculates balances.
Example 1: a non-cashable bonus is removed
Suppose a deposit and bonus have been played, all relevant wagering is complete and the displayed total is $250. If the terms require the original $100 bonus to be removed at cashout, the amount remaining under that simplified calculation is $150.
That example assumes the full $100 deduction applies and no other adjustment changes the result. A cashout cap, fees or different accounting could produce a different eligible amount. The purpose is to show why $250 on screen does not automatically mean $250 can be withdrawn.
Example 2: bonus credit becomes cashable
Now imagine the same $250 displayed total, but the written terms say the original bonus converts to cash after the conditions are met. If no other restriction or deduction applies, there is no $100 non-cashable-bonus removal in this example.
The contrast concerns the treatment of the bonus principal. It does not mean the second offer has no wagering, no verification or no withdrawal limit. Those conditions still need to be assessed independently.
Example 3: an early cash withdrawal forfeits a bonus
Suppose an account separately displays $70 in cash funds and $50 in bonus funds. If its terms allow the eligible cash to be withdrawn before bonus play but remove the promotion on withdrawal, the two displayed balances cannot simply be added into a $120 payout.
Ask whether any winnings linked to the bonus are also removed and whether the cash balance has other conditions. Separate balance labels alone do not establish the answer. Never use a hypothetical example as permission to cancel an actual account promotion.
Four welcome packages: check the full balance rules
Compare the packages below, then read the specific coupon for cashability, fund allocation and withdrawal consequences. These offers are not labelled sticky or non-sticky here because a headline percentage does not establish those rules.
We may earn commission through these links. Read our affiliate disclosure and the operator’s current terms.
| Casino | Welcome package | Bonus code | Offer page |
|---|---|---|---|
 | 300% + 50 free spinsCash Bandits 2 · minimum deposit $20 | 300-WELCOME | View offer |
 | 400% up to $4,000 + 20 spinsCash Bandits 3 · deposit bonus | 400CB20 | View offer |
 | 400% up to $4,000 + 100 spins40× rollover · no maximum cashout | BANDIT4000 | View offer |
 | 100% up to $1,000 + 40 spinsFortunate Buddha · min $20 · 30× · 48 hours | RC400 | View offer |
See the individual breakdowns for Fair Go, Ozwin, Uptown Pokies and Ripper Casino. The welcome bonus guide explains package structure, while deposit match bonuses covers percentages and qualifying deposits.
Which funds pay for the next bet?
Balance separation is only part of the answer
An account can display cash and bonus funds separately, but you still need to know which balance is debited first. Some arrangements use cash first; others can apply different allocation rules. Do not infer the order from whichever balance appears at the top of the screen.
As a concrete example of operator-specific accounting, LeoVegas’s Canadian help article describes cash funds being used before bonus funds. That is a source example of one arrangement, not a claim about availability to Australian players or the four listed offers.
Where do the winnings go?
Establish how winnings are allocated when cash is used, when bonus funds are used and when a bet draws on more than one balance. The result can affect whether funds remain subject to the promotion or can be withdrawn independently.
A win increasing the total balance does not identify its withdrawal status. Check the cash, bonus, wagering and withdrawable-balance records together. If they are unclear, ask support to explain the specific transaction rather than assuming the whole increase is unrestricted.
When does bonus play begin?
In a cash-first arrangement, the terms should explain when bonus funds become available for play and what changes at that point. A promotion described as non-sticky can still impose wagering and other rules once the bonus is used.
Do not treat non-sticky as a promise that every bet is outside bonus restrictions. Read when maximum stakes, game exclusions and other conditions apply, including whether any are active from the moment the offer is claimed.
Cashability does not determine wagering
Two promotions can both require 30× wagering while producing different calculations. If the basis is a hypothetical $50 bonus, the stated turnover is $1,500. If the basis includes a $50 deposit plus that $50 bonus, it is $3,000.
Whether the original $50 is removed or converted at the end is another rule. A cashable bonus can still have substantial wagering, and a non-cashable bonus can use a different multiplier. Compare the multiplier, basis and contribution before comparing final balance treatment.
The wagering calculator guide separates those inputs. For promotional spins, the basis may instead be their winnings; see free-spins winnings wagering.
Maximum cashout is another separate limit
A maximum cashout can restrict the eligible payout even after wagering is complete. It is different from removing the original bonus credit. Both rules can exist together, and the terms need to explain how they interact.
Likewise, “no maximum cashout” does not establish that the bonus principal is cashable. It answers a cap question, not the treatment of the original promotional amount. Read the bonus withdrawal limits guide for the different kinds of limits.
For example, Fair Go’s general terms explain how a maximum cashout can affect conversion to a withdrawable balance for capped promotions. That does not establish the same cap or accounting for every offer.
Ask what cancellation removes
Before clicking a cancellation or withdrawal button, ask about all three components: the remaining deposited funds, the original bonus and any winnings attributed to it. A short confirmation prompt may not show a full balance calculation.
Do not assume cancelling only removes unused bonus credit. Depending on the terms, related winnings or other amounts may also be affected. Establish the account-specific consequence first rather than relying on another casino’s non-sticky description.
Withdrawal and cancellation are also not necessarily interchangeable actions. A withdrawal request may trigger forfeiture automatically, while a separate cancellation process may have different steps. Ask which action changes the promotion and when it becomes effective.
If the bonus is near expiry, establish the deadline and what expiry does to the balance. Continuing to play solely to avoid losing a promotion is not a requirement of reading the offer; do not let a timer substitute for understanding the conditions.
How this applies to chips and free spins
A free chip is a credit allocation, but its cashability still needs to be checked. A free-spins promotion provides spins, while resulting winnings can enter a bonus balance with further conditions.
The free spins versus free chips guide explains those starting formats. Neither format supplies a universal answer about bonus removal, balance separation or early withdrawal.
For no-deposit offers, account eligibility and cashout caps can be especially relevant to the comparison. Do not assume that no qualifying deposit means no verification, no wagering or unrestricted withdrawal.
Five questions to get answered in writing
Can the bonus itself be withdrawn?
Ask whether the original promotional credit is removed or can convert to cash after the conditions are met.
Which balance funds bets?
Identify the order of cash and bonus use and how winnings are allocated between them.
What happens to an early withdrawal?
Ask which funds remain eligible and whether the bonus and related winnings are forfeited.
What playthrough applies?
Record the multiplier, basis, eligible games, contribution and maximum stake.
What else limits the payout?
Check expiry, cashout caps, verification, payment methods and any applicable withdrawal minimum or fee.
Use the exact coupon name when contacting support and keep the response with the offer terms. A general answer about the casino’s usual bonuses may not resolve an exception in a particular promotion.
If a code is rejected, funds appear in an unexpected balance or an offer is missing, use the bonus-code troubleshooting guide. Do not make another deposit to resolve an unexplained balance or assume a new coupon will release funds.
The banking hub covers payout routes, while the guides hub brings together the related calculations. Comparing the actual rules is more useful than choosing a bonus solely because a label sounds flexible.
For Australian readers: a bonus label or accessible offer does not establish Australian authorisation. ACMA lists online pokies and casino-style services among illegal online gambling services. See the official guidance and our responsible gambling information.
Sticky versus non-sticky bonus FAQs
What is a sticky casino bonus?
Sticky is commonly used for bonus credit that cannot itself be withdrawn and is removed under the offer’s cashout rules. The word is also used more loosely for bonuses that restrict withdrawals during playthrough, so check the exact written conditions.
What is a non-sticky bonus?
Non-sticky often describes an arrangement that keeps cash and bonus balances separate and allows eligible cash funds to be withdrawn while forfeiting the bonus. It does not automatically mean the bonus amount becomes cashable or that all winnings are unrestricted.
Is non-sticky the same as cashable?
No. Cashable describes whether the original bonus credit can be converted or included in a withdrawal after the conditions are met. Non-sticky can describe balance separation and early-withdrawal treatment. Check both rules independently.
Can my displayed balance be larger than my withdrawal amount?
Yes. A combined balance can include non-cashable bonus credit or funds still subject to conditions. A withdrawal cap, bonus deduction or other stated rule can reduce the eligible amount.
Does no maximum cashout mean the bonus is cashable?
No. A cashout cap and the treatment of the original bonus are separate conditions. An offer can have no stated maximum cashout while still removing non-cashable bonus credit.
Can I cancel a bonus and keep my winnings?
That depends on the specific terms and which balance produced the winnings. Ask what happens to the deposit, bonus and related winnings before cancelling. Do not assume every displayed balance will remain.
Which balance is used first when I play?
The operator’s rules determine whether cash funds, bonus funds or another allocation is used first. Separate balance displays do not by themselves explain bet allocation or how winnings are recorded.
Does a sticky bonus have higher wagering?
Not necessarily. Cashability, balance access and wagering are different rules. Compare the multiplier, the amount it applies to and game contribution rather than inferring turnover from the label.
Are free chips always sticky?
No universal rule should be assumed. Check whether the chip itself is withdrawable, how winnings are treated, what wagering applies and whether a cashout cap exists.
How can I confirm the terms before claiming?
Read the specific coupon and general bonus terms, then ask support to confirm cashability, bet allocation, early-withdrawal consequences, wagering basis and cashout caps for that exact offer.