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iGaming Glossary: 10 Terms Every New Entrepreneur Needs to Know

Entering the iGaming industry means speaking a new language, fast. Terms that seem interchangeable at first—GGR and NGR, White Label and Turnkey—actually carry very different implications for cost, control, and risk. Here are the 10 terms that come up in nearly every conversation with a provider, licensing body, or investor.

📊 1. RTP (Return to Player)

The theoretical percentage of all wagered money a game returns to players over the long run. A 96% RTP slot returns $96 for every $100 wagered on average over millions of spins—it says nothing about any single session.

💰 2. GGR (Gross Gaming Revenue)

Total amount wagered by players minus winnings paid out. This is the core financial metric regulators and operators use to assess a business's actual performance, before any costs are deducted.

📈 3. NGR (Net Gaming Revenue)

GGR minus bonuses, promotional costs, and player incentives. NGR reflects what an operator actually keeps after the cost of acquiring and rewarding players.

🤝 4. Revenue Share

A commission model (common in both affiliate marketing and White Label agreements) where a partner earns a percentage of the revenue generated by the players or business they bring in, for as long as the relationship continues.

🏭 5. Turnkey Solution

A nearly-complete platform—games, payments, and back office already integrated—that an operator can customize and launch in weeks rather than building from scratch over 12-18 months.

🏹️ 6. White Label

An even faster path than turnkey: an operator rebrands an already-built, already-licensed platform and launches under their own name, often within 2-4 weeks.

🔑 7. Wagering Requirements

The number of times a player must bet a bonus amount before withdrawing any winnings from it. A "20x wagering requirement" on a $50 bonus means $1,000 in total bets before that bonus becomes withdrawable—this is what actually protects operators from bonus abuse.

🔑 8. KYC (Know Your Customer)

The identity verification process required before a player can withdraw funds, mandated by nearly every licensing jurisdiction to prevent fraud and money laundering.

🛡️ 9. AML (Anti-Money Laundering)

The broader compliance framework—transaction monitoring, suspicious activity reporting, source-of-funds checks—that KYC is one part of. Licensing bodies audit AML compliance closely, and gaps here are one of the fastest ways to lose a license.

🏆 10. Provably Fair

A cryptographic system, common in crypto casinos, that lets players independently verify a game's outcome wasn't manipulated—without needing to trust the operator's word for it.

💡 Why This Vocabulary Matters

Misunderstanding even one of these terms can lead to a bad contract, an unrealistic budget, or a compliance gap that costs a license. Speaking the language fluently isn't just professional polish—it's the first real filter between operators who launch successfully and those who get outmaneuvered in negotiations they didn't fully understand.

FAQ

Q: What's the difference between GGR and NGR in practice?

A: GGR is the raw amount wagered minus winnings paid, while NGR subtracts bonuses and promotional costs from that—NGR is a more accurate picture of what an operator actually keeps.

Q: Is White Label the same as Turnkey?

A: They're related but distinct—White Label typically means an even more complete, pre-branded package launched in 2-4 weeks, while Turnkey usually allows more customization and takes slightly longer.

Q: Why do wagering requirements exist?

A: Without them, players could claim a bonus and withdraw it immediately without ever really playing, which would make bonus promotions financially unsustainable for operators.

Summary

RTP, GGR, and NGR are the core financial and fairness metrics used across the industry.
Revenue Share, Turnkey, and White Label describe the main business and partnership models operators encounter.
Wagering Requirements, KYC, and AML are the compliance terms that protect both operators and players.
Provably Fair is the trust mechanism unique to crypto-native gaming platforms.

Ready to Put This Vocabulary Into Practice?

Want a partner who can walk you through these terms in the context of your own launch plan? Get in touch with our team →

Disclosure: This blog may include references to services we offer. Our team develops Professional iGaming Platforms, and provides consulting for gaming operators on analytics, compliance, and platform setup.

Author: Roman K
CMO at Betdevel. 12+ years of experience in iGaming.