The terms and conditions are where apps hide the rules that decide whether you ever see your money again. Here is a plain-English glossary so the fine print cannot surprise you.
The words that matter
- Turnover / rollover / wagering requirement: how many times you must bet an amount before withdrawing. “40x turnover on bonus” means betting the bonus forty times over first.
- Sticky bonus: a bonus you can play with but never withdraw — only winnings above it may be cashed out, if you clear the terms.
- Locked / restricted balance: money you cannot withdraw yet because conditions are unmet.
- Maximum bet while wagering: a cap on bet size during a bonus; exceed it and you can forfeit everything.
- Game weighting: how much each game counts toward turnover; some games count 10% or 0%.
- Maximum cashout: a cap on how much you can withdraw from bonus winnings, no matter how much you won.
How to read terms in two minutes
Before claiming anything, find four numbers: the wagering multiple, whether it applies to bonus or deposit-plus-bonus, the expiry time, and the maximum cashout. If any of these is missing, extreme, or you cannot find it at all, treat the offer as a trap and skip it.
The golden rule: if you do not fully understand the conditions on your own money, do not deposit it.
Get help or report a scam
If you’ve lost money to a scam app, report it at cybercrime.gov.in or call 1930. If gambling is affecting your life or someone you love, you can reach the free, confidential mental-health helpline Tele MANAS at 14416. Asking for help early is a strength, not a weakness.
This article is for consumer awareness and harm prevention. It is not legal or financial advice.