🎰 Introduction: Why Acronyms Rule the iGaming World
If you’ve stepped into the world of online gambling, you’re already knee-deep in a sea of acronyms. Whether you’re talking about RTP, GGR, AML, or KYC, the iGaming industry practically has its own language.
And missing the meaning of just one of these abbreviations could mean the difference between a successful partnership and a regulatory violation.
This is your ultimate cheat sheet—a one-stop guide to decoding the iGaming industry’s most essential acronyms, whether you’re a founder, affiliate, compliance manager, or developer.
🎲 Gameplay & Development Terms
🎲 RTP – Return to Player
Definition: The theoretical percentage of wagers returned to players over time.
Example: 96% RTP = 4% house edge.
🎲 RNG – Random Number Generator
Definition: Algorithm ensuring fairness and unpredictability in game outcomes.
🎲 RGS – Remote Gaming Server
Definition: The backend infrastructure where the game logic and RNG reside.
🎲 UX/UI – User Experience / User Interface
Definition: How the game looks (UI) and feels to play (UX). Critical for retention.
🎲 SDK – Software Development Kit
Definition: Developer toolkit to build games compatible with gambling platforms.
🎲 HTML5 – HyperText Markup Language 5
Definition: A mobile-first, cross-platform coding standard used to build modern games.
🎲 FPS – Frames Per Second
Definition: A performance metric. A smooth gaming experience requires 30–60+ FPS.
💸 Financial & Revenue Terms
💸 GGR – Gross Gaming Revenue
Definition: Total wagers minus player winnings. The raw revenue figure before tax or fees.
💸 NGR – Net Gaming Revenue
Definition: GGR minus bonuses, fees, royalties—used to calculate profit share.
💸 ARPU – Average Revenue Per User
Definition: Total revenue divided by active users. A key metric for scaling.
💸 FTD – First-Time Depositor
Definition: A user who makes their first deposit. Often a benchmark for performance.
💸 LTV – Lifetime Value
Definition: Total net revenue generated from a player over their engagement life cycle.
💸 eCPA – Effective Cost Per Acquisition
Definition: How much you’re actually paying to acquire a depositor, factoring all costs.
💸 ROAS – Return on Ad Spend
Definition: Revenue generated per dollar of marketing spend.
🤝 Affiliate & Marketing Terms
🤝 CPA – Cost Per Acquisition
Definition: Flat fee paid for acquiring a new player (usually after FTD).
🤝 RS – Revenue Share
Definition: Affiliate earns a percentage of the net revenue generated by the referred player.
🤝 HYBRID – CPA + Rev Share
Definition: A combined commission model offering upfront CPA + long-term revenue share.
🤝 SEO – Search Engine Optimization
Definition: Practices that improve organic search rankings (critical for affiliates).
🤝 PPC – Pay-Per-Click
Definition: Advertising model where you pay only when someone clicks your ad.
🤝 CTR – Click-Through Rate
Definition: % of ad impressions that lead to clicks. Key metric for paid campaigns.
🤝 CR – Conversion Rate
Definition: % of clicks that result in the desired action (sign-up, deposit, etc.)
🤝 KPI – Key Performance Indicator
Definition: A measurable metric used to track marketing success (e.g., FTDs, CR, ARPU).
📜 Compliance & Legal Terms
📜 KYC – Know Your Customer
Definition: Identity verification required before allowing gambling access or withdrawals.
📜 AML – Anti-Money Laundering
Definition: Systems and protocols that detect and prevent illegal financial activity.
📜 RG – Responsible Gambling
Definition: Features and policies that promote safe and controlled play (e.g., time limits).
📜 PEP – Politically Exposed Person
Definition: High-risk customer designation; requires enhanced KYC checks.
📜 SOW – Source of Wealth
Definition: Evidence showing where a player’s funds come from, for AML compliance.
📜 SOF – Source of Funds
Definition: The immediate origin of a deposit (e.g., bank, crypto wallet).
📜 GDPR – General Data Protection Regulation
Definition: EU law that governs user data privacy and consent.
📜 ISO – International Organization for Standardization
Example: ISO/IEC 27001 is the top security certification for gaming companies.
🌍 Licensing & Regulatory Bodies
🌍 UKGC – United Kingdom Gambling Commission
Definition: Regulator of gambling in the UK. Known for its strict standards.
🌍 MGA – Malta Gaming Authority
Definition: Popular EU regulator known for balancing player safety and operator flexibility.
🌍 CGA – Curaçao Gaming Authority
Definition: New licensing framework in Curaçao replacing the old master license system.
🌍 AGCO – Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario
Definition: Oversees iGaming in the Ontario province of Canada.
🌍 DGA – Danish Gambling Authority
Definition: National gambling regulator for Denmark.
🌍 GGL – Gemeinsame Glücksspielbehörde der Länder
Definition: Germany’s new central authority for gambling regulation.
📡 Platform & Tech Infrastructure Terms
📡 CMS – Content Management System
Definition: The backend tool used to manage site content (e.g., WordPress, Strapi).
📡 CDN – Content Delivery Network
Definition: Optimizes loading speed by hosting files closer to users.
📡 DDoS – Distributed Denial of Service
Definition: A cyberattack flooding a service with requests to crash it.
📡 2FA/MFA – Two-Factor/Multi-Factor Authentication
Definition: Adds layers of security to user logins.
📡 API – Application Programming Interface
Definition: Allows different software platforms (games, KYC tools, wallets) to connect.
📡 SDK – Software Development Kit
Definition: Toolkit for building games, plugins, or integrations.
📡 CI/CD – Continuous Integration / Continuous Deployment
Definition: Automates software building and releasing processes for faster game updates.
🧠 Game Features & Mechanics
🧠 FS – Free Spins
Definition: Bonus feature that allows spins without spending player funds.
🧠 SC – Scatter Symbol
Definition: Triggers bonuses or free spins, often pays out regardless of line position.
🧠 WL – Wild Symbol
Definition: Substitutes for other symbols to help form winning combinations.
🧠 JP – Jackpot
Definition: High-payout prize. Can be fixed or progressive.
🧠 BOM – Bonus on Match
Definition: A deposit bonus that matches a percentage of the deposit amount.
🧠 G2N – Game to Network
Definition: Feature enabling a single game to plug into a wider jackpot network.
🧾 Summary Cheat Sheet
| Acronym | Category | Meaning |
| RTP | Gameplay | Return to Player |
| RNG | Gameplay | Random Number Generator |
| GGR | Finance | Gross Gaming Revenue |
| CPA | Marketing | Cost Per Acquisition |
| KYC | Compliance | Know Your Customer |
| UKGC | Regulatory | UK Gambling Commission |
| API | Tech | Software Communication Interface |
| FS | Mechanics | Free Spins |
📚 Final Thoughts: Know the Code, Speak the Industry
Acronyms in iGaming aren’t just buzzwords—they’re shorthand for how the industry functions. Whether you’re negotiating affiliate deals, building new slots, or preparing for a license audit, knowing these acronyms is like speaking the native tongue of gambling business.
Bookmark this guide. Share it with your team. Use it to train new hires.
Because in iGaming, fluency in acronyms = fluency in success.
