🎰 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
