Online casino glossary: terms every player should know

News | 10/09/2025

Discover the essential online casino terms to play better, understand the games and maximise your chances on Swiss platforms.

Whether you're a beginner or an experienced player, understanding the specific vocabulary of Swiss online casinos is essential to maximise your chances and avoid unpleasant surprises. Here are some essential terms to know before wagering your first Swiss francs!

RTP (Return to Player)

The RTP, or «return to player», represents the theoretical percentage that a game redistributes to players over the long term.

Volatility

A game's volatility, also known as variance, refers to the frequency and size of potential winnings.

Low volatility means that the game offers small but regular winnings, ideal for players who prefer to limit risk and prolong their gaming session.

High volatility, on the other hand, implies rarer but potentially very high winnings, which is more suitable for players looking for a thrill and prepared to accept periods without winnings.

Choose your level of volatility according to your playing style: cautious or daring?

Welcome bonus

A welcome bonus is a special offer reserved for new players when they make their first deposit. It can include a bonus cash amount as well as free spins to use on popular slots.

A great way to start your online casino experience!

At PASINO.ch we offer you a welcome bonus of up to CHF 500 + 350 free spins!

Wagering (or wageringrequirement)

Wagering is the number of times you have to play a bonus before you can withdraw your winnings. A crucial criterion to check before accepting a bonus.

Free spins

Free spins are gratis spins offered on slots. Ideal for testing a slot without risk!

They can be included in a welcome bonus, unlocked during special game features, or even awarded during regular promotions.

Progressive jackpot

A progressive jackpot is a large cumulative win that increases with each stake placed by players, on a specific slot or on a network of interconnected slots - sometimes even between several online casinos.

Each wager contributes to the jackpot until one lucky player hits it.

Some progressive jackpots can reach several hundred thousand Swiss francs, especially on very popular slots!

Live Casino

Live Casino lets you play classic table games (roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, etc.) with real croupiers filmed live from a professional studio or land-based casino.

It's the perfect option for those who want to rediscover the authentic atmosphere of a physical casino, while enjoying the comfort of their own living room.

Payline

This is the line on which the symbols must line up to generate a win.

Some slots offer hundreds of different paylines.

Slot

The slot machine is the emblematic game of online casinos. Easy to learn, it is based on a simple principle: spin the reels and hope to line up the right symbols to win.

Today, slots come in hundreds of themes: mythology, adventure, fruit, films, animals, etc.

Gaming licence

The licence guarantees that the casino is regulated and reliable.

🇨🇭 In Switzerland, only sites associated with a licensed land-based casino are legal.

RNG (Random NumberGenerator)

The RNG ensures that the results of the games are 100% random and fair.

It is the basis for transparency in online gambling.

Wild

The Wild symbol replaces any other symbol (except special ones like the Scatter) to form a winning combination. It increases your chances of winning, rather like the joker in a card game.

Scatter

The Scatter symbol often triggers bonus features or free spins when it appears more than once, regardless of its position on the reels.

It's often the symbol everyone hopes will land 3 times or more!

Multiplier

A multiplier increases your winnings by a given factor: x2, x5, x10, etc. based on winnings or stakes depending on the slots.

Respins

Respins are free relaunches of certain reels after a spin.

This mechanism is often triggered after a winning combination or a particular symbol, in an attempt to improve the win.

With these terms in mind, you are now well equipped to understand how online casinos work, enjoy the games to the full and make informed choices.

Ready to take action? Join PASINO.ch now and take advantage of our welcome bonus of up to CHF 500 + 350 free spins to get your adventure off to a good start!