Our casino expert team examined over 70 sites of online casinos that allow deposits and withdrawals of real money and analysed their first deposit bonuses for users from India. This research aims to gain insight into the differences between sticky and non-sticky bonuses, focusing on signup bonuses.
Quick Summary
The suitability of each bonus type depends on individual player preferences and strategies. For example, players who prefer flexibility in withdrawals might favour non-sticky bonuses, while those looking to maximise their bonus amount might find sticky bonuses more appealing. This statement is supported by the following findings from this study:
- Non-sticky bonuses are more prevalent and generally offer higher maximum bonuses and lower minimum deposit requirements.
- Sticky bonuses have slightly lower average wagering requirements but also offer slightly higher average bonus percentages.
- Strong correlations in specific areas suggest a consistent relationship between bonus structure components like bonus size, deposit requirements, and wagering requirements.
This analysis provides insights into the structure and characteristics of sticky and non-sticky bonuses as offered by various operators in our dataset.
Abstract
First deposit bonuses, aka welcome or signup bonuses, play an important role in determining which online casino to join. Casinos try to attract new players by offering an appealing amount of welcome bonuses.
Whilst these bonuses can be alluring at a glance, their terms and conditions are often complicated and need clarification at many casinos. This makes it difficult for users to understand the offers.
However, there is one common characteristic to remember among online casino bonuses—a sticky bonus or a non-sticky bonus. The rule of sticky and non-sticky bonuses applies to almost all casinos. Understanding the difference between these bonus types helps users assess the quality of each bonus and learn which type of bonus they prefer.
This is why this study compares the first time deposit bonuses currently available to users in India and aims to gain insight into the difference between sticky and non-sticky bonuses.
Definition of First Deposit Bonus, Sticky and Non-Sticky Bonuses
The study conducts analyses according to the definitions below and excludes minor variations that may be seen at a few casino sites.
First Deposit Bonus
- Casino bonus that can be activated upon the first time deposit.
Note: The study only considers the standard first deposit bonus and excludes any exclusive offers. Only the first deposit bonus is taken into consideration if a welcome offer includes multiple deposit bonuses.
Sticky Bonus
- Combined Balance: Bonus and real money are combined in the player's balance.
- Wagering Requirement (WR): Applies to the deposit and bonus sum.
- Wager Contribution: Any wager from real or bonus money fulfils the WR.
- Withdrawal Restriction: Players cannot withdraw any funds (bonus or real money) from their balance until the WR is completed.
Non-Sticky Bonus
- Separate Balances: Bonus and real money are kept separate.
- Wagering Requirement (WR): Applies only to the bonus money.
- Wager Contribution: Only wagers from the bonus balance contribute to the WR. Bets from the real money balance do not count.
- Withdrawal Flexibility: Players can withdraw their real money balance anytime, but doing so will forfeit the bonus.
Methodology
First deposit bonuses are important to players, but their rules are complicated. Understanding the sticky and non-sticky bonuses will help them assess the bonus quality and determine their preferred type.
Data Collection
To compare the first deposit bonuses, we investigated 77 online casinos and manually collected information on the following data categories:
-
Operators: Names of the operators.
-
Bonus Type: Type of bonus offered (e.g., 'Non-sticky', 'Sticky').
-
Minimum Deposit: The minimum deposit amount required to qualify for the bonus.
-
Bonus Percent: The percentage of the deposit that will be given as a bonus.
-
Max. Bonus: The maximum bonus amount that can be received.
-
WR (Wagering Requirement): The wagering requirement for the bonus.
-
Max Deposit for Max Bonus: The deposit amount required to receive the maximum bonus.
-
Total WR for Min Deposit: The total wagering requirement for the minimum deposit.
-
Total WR for ₹1000 Deposit: The total wagering requirement for a ₹1000 deposit.
-
Total WR for ₹2000 Deposit: The total wagering requirement for a ₹2000 deposit.
Collected Data
See below the data collected. 33 out of 77 brands seemed offering first deposit bonuses for Indian users, hence exclusion of the 44 brands. Data collection was conducted on 10/01/2024.
| Operators | Bonus Type | Minimum Deposit (₹) | Bonus Percent | Max. Bonus (₹) | WR (times) | Max Deposit for Max Bonus (₹) | Total WR for Min Deposit (₹) | Total WR for ₹1000 Deposit (₹) | Total WR for ₹2000 Deposit (₹) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| BlueChip.io | Non-sticky | 300 | 100% | 20000 | 50 | 20000.0 | 15000.0 | 50000.0 | 100000 |
| Dafabet | Sticky | 750 | 100% | 20000 | 20 | 20000.0 | 30000.0 | 40000.0 | 80000 |
| Maharaja Fortune | Non-sticky | 500 | 100% | 25000 | 35 | 25000.0 | 17500.0 | 35000.0 | 70000 |
| MELbet | Non-sticky | 870 | 50% | 31000 | 40 | 31000.0 | 17400.0 | 20000.0 | 40000 |
| Betwinner | Sticky | 75 | 100% | 24000 | 28 | 24000.0 | 4200.0 | 56000.0 | 112000 |
| Lilibet | Sticky | 2000 | 100% | 50000 | 30 | 50000.0 | 120000.0 | N/A | 120000 |
| CricBaba | Non-sticky | 800 | 100% | 25000 | 35 | 25000.0 | 28000.0 | 35000.0 | 70000 |
| PureWin | Sticky | 500 | 100% | 30000 | 35 | 30000.0 | 35000.0 | 70000.0 | 140000 |
| 10Cric | Sticky | 1000 | 150% | 15000 | 35 | 10000.0 | 87500.0 | 87500.0 | 175000 |
| Parimatch | Non-sticky | 350 | 150% | 105000 | 30 | 70000.0 | 15750.0 | 45000.0 | 90000 |
| Rabona | Non-sticky | 1000 | 150% | 45000 | 35 | 30000.0 | 52500.0 | 52500.0 | 105000 |
| Bons | Non-sticky | 500 | 200% | 20000 | 20 | 10000.0 | 20000.0 | 40000.0 | 80000 |
| LeonBet | Sticky | 1000 | 150% | 60000 | 30 | 40000.0 | 75000.0 | 75000.0 | 150000 |
| 4rabet | Non-sticky | 500 | 100% | 10000 | 30 | 10000.0 | 15000.0 | 30000.0 | 60000 |
| 1xBet | Non-sticky | 200 | 100% | 30000 | 35 | 30000.0 | 7000.0 | 35000.0 | 70000 |
| Megapari | Non-sticky | 800 | 100% | 30000 | 35 | 30000.0 | 28000.0 | 35000.0 | 70000 |
| BCGame | Non-sticky | 832 | 180% | 1600000 | 40 | 888888.9 | 59904.0 | 72000.0 | 144000 |
| Casino Days | Non-sticky | 500 | 100% | 50000 | 35 | 50000.0 | 17500.0 | 35000.0 | 70000 |
| Powbet | Sticky | 1600 | 100% | 40000 | 40 | 40000.0 | 128000.0 | N/A | 160000 |
| JackpotGuru | Non-sticky | 2000 | 100% | 100000 | 30 | 100000.0 | 60000.0 | N/A | 60000 |
| Becric | Non-sticky | 500 | 120% | 5000 | 25 | 4166.7 | 15000.0 | 30000.0 | 60000 |
| Vbet | Non-sticky | 500 | 150% | 10000 | 35 | 6666.7 | 26250.0 | 52500.0 | 105000 |
| Jeetcity | Non-sticky | 1700 | 100% | 70000 | 40 | 70000.0 | 68000.0 | N/A | 80000 |
| Hello Casino | Non-sticky | 500 | 100% | 30000 | 35 | 30000.0 | 17500.0 | 35000.0 | 70000 |
| 20bet | Non-sticky | 900 | 100% | 10000 | 40 | 10000.0 | 36000.0 | 40000.0 | 80000 |
| Fun88 | Sticky | 1000 | 300% | 10000 | 35 | 3333.3 | 140000.0 | 140000.0 | 280000 |
| 9Winz | Non-sticky | 500 | 150% | 50000 | 30 | 33333.3 | 22500.0 | 45000.0 | 90000 |
| Jeetwin | Non-sticky | 500 | 200% | 10000 | 20 | 5000.0 | 20000.0 | 40000.0 | 80000 |
| 22Bet | Non-sticky | 85 | 100% | 25000 | 50 | 25000.0 | 4250.0 | 50000.0 | 100000 |
| Khelo24Bet | Sticky | 100 | 100% | 100000 | 25 | 100000.0 | 5000.0 | 50000.0 | 100000 |
| Fairplay | Non-sticky | 300 | 300% | 10000 | 30 | 3333.3 | 27000.0 | 90000.0 | 180000 |
| Betshah | Sticky | 500 | 100% | 30000 | 40 | 30000.0 | 40000.0 | 80000.0 | 160000 |
| Bettilt | Non-sticky | 500 | 100% | 30000 | 40 | 30000.0 | 20000.0 | 40000.0 | 80000 |
Disclaimer: First deposit bonuses are ever-changing. Any changes can be made at the discretion of casinos without prior notice. Therefore, the data collected this time cannot guarantee the most updated information.
Data Analyses
To analyse the differences between the sticky and non-sticky bonuses in the collected data, we conducted the following analyses.
- Average Wagering Requirement Comparison: Calculate the average WR (Wagering Requirement) for both sticky and non-sticky bonuses. This will give an insight into which type of bonus typically has higher wagering demands.
- Maximum Bonus Analysis: Compare the maximum bonus amounts offered under each type. This can help understand if one bonus type tends to offer larger bonuses than the other.
- Minimum Deposit Requirement: Analyze the minimum deposit required for each type of bonus. This can reveal which bonus type is more accessible based on the deposit amount.
- Wagering Requirement for Different Deposit Amounts: Compare the total WR for different deposit amounts (minimum, ₹1000, and ₹2000) between sticky and non-sticky bonuses. This will show how the bonus type impacts the wagering requirement as the deposit amount increases.
- Bonus Percentages: Examine the bonus percentages offered for each type. Higher percentages might be more attractive to players but could have higher wagering requirements.
- Distribution Analysis: Assess the distribution of operators offering each type of bonus. This can indicate the prevalence of each bonus type in the market.
- Max Deposit for Max Bonus Comparison: Compare the deposit amount required to receive the maximum bonus for both sticky and non-sticky bonuses.
- Correlation Analysis: Investigate if there's any correlation between the bonus type and other factors like WR, maximum bonus, etc.
Each of these analyses can provide valuable insights into the characteristics and differences between sticky and non-sticky bonuses.
Analysis
Average Wagering Requirement Comparison
The vertical axis unit of Wagering Requirement (WR) is multiplier. For example, the WR of Bluchip.io is 50 which means 50 times the bonus money a player receives is their toal amount to wager to complete the requirement. The average WR for the different types of bonuses in our data is as follows:
- Average WR for Sticky Bonuses: Approximately 31.8
- Average WR for Non-Sticky Bonuses: Approximately 34.57
Interestingly, the average wagering requirement is slightly higher for non-sticky bonuses compared to sticky bonuses in this dataset. This could be an attribute of the specific operators and bonus schemes included in our data.
Maximum Bonus Analysis
The average maximum bonus amount offered for each type of bonus in the dataset is as follows:
- Average Maximum Bonus for Sticky Bonuses: Approximately ₹37,900
- Average Maximum Bonus for Non-Sticky Bonuses: Approximately ₹1,01,783
This analysis shows that, on average, non-sticky bonuses tend to offer a significantly higher maximum bonus amount compared to sticky bonuses. This could be a factor for operators to make non-sticky bonuses more appealing despite potentially higher wagering requirements.
Note: The average figure for the non-sticky bonuses is hugely affected by the extremely high bonus from BC.Game. The average amount excluding BC.Game is ₹33,682. To stay consistent, all the analyses conducted in this study consider the BC.Game bonus in question.
Minimum Deposit Requirement Comparison
The average minimum deposit requirement for each type of bonus in our dataset is as follows:
- Average Minimum Deposit for Sticky Bonuses: Approximately ₹852.5
- Average Minimum Deposit for Non-Sticky Bonuses: Approximately ₹658.13
This analysis indicates that, on average, non-sticky bonuses tend to have a lower minimum deposit requirement compared to sticky bonuses. This could make non-sticky bonuses more accessible or appealing to players who prefer to deposit smaller amounts.
Wagering Requirement for Different Deposit Amounts
The average total wagering requirements for different deposit amounts (minimum deposit, ₹1000, and ₹2000) for each type of bonus in our dataset are as follows:
For Minimum Deposit:
- Sticky Bonuses: Average WR is approximately ₹66,470.
- Non-Sticky Bonuses: Average WR is approximately ₹26,524.
For ₹1000 Deposit:
- Sticky Bonuses: Average WR is approximately ₹74,813.
- Non-Sticky Bonuses: Average WR is approximately ₹43,191.
For ₹2000 Deposit:
- Sticky Bonuses: Average WR is approximately ₹1,47,700.
- Non-Sticky Bonuses: Average WR is approximately ₹84,957.
This analysis reveals that for all deposit levels (minimum, ₹1000, and ₹2000), sticky bonuses tend to have a significantly higher total wagering requirement compared to non-sticky bonuses. It suggests that sticky bonuses generally impose a heavier wagering burden on players, regardless of the deposit amount.
Bonus Percentages
The average bonus percentage offered for each type of bonus in our dataset is as follows:
- Average Bonus Percentage for Sticky Bonuses: Approximately 130%
- Average Bonus Percentage for Non-Sticky Bonuses: Approximately 128.26%
This analysis shows that, on average, sticky bonuses offer a slightly higher bonus percentage compared to non-sticky bonuses, though the difference is not substantial.
Distribution of Bonus Types Analysis
The distribution of bonus types among the operators in our dataset is as follows:
- Number of Operators Offering Sticky Bonuses: 10
- Number of Operators Offering Non-Sticky Bonuses: 23
This indicates that in our dataset, non-sticky bonuses are more prevalent, being offered by more than twice as many operators as sticky bonuses.
Max Deposit for Max Bonus Comparison
The average deposit amount required to receive the maximum bonus in the dataset is as follows:
- Average Deposit for Maximum Bonus (Sticky Bonuses): Approximately ₹34,733
- Average Deposit for Maximum Bonus (Non-Sticky Bonuses): Approximately ₹66,843
Non-sticky bonuses generally require a higher deposit to achieve the maximum bonus compared to sticky bonuses.
Correlation Analysis
Correlation measures how two variables move in relation to each other. A positive correlation means that as one variable increases, the other tends to increase as well, while a negative correlation means that as one variable increases, the other tends to decrease. The correlation value ranges from -1 (perfect negative correlation) to 1 (perfect positive correlation), with 0 indicating no correlation.
Here is the correlation analysis for each bonus type.
For Sticky Bonuses
- Minimum Deposit and Total WR for Min Deposit:
Positive correlation indicates that operators requiring a higher minimum deposit for sticky bonuses also tend to set higher total wagering requirements for those minimum deposits. - Bonus Percent and Total WR for ₹1000 and ₹2000 Deposits:
A positive correlation here suggests that higher bonus percentages are associated with higher total wagering requirements for deposits of ₹1000 and ₹2000. - Max. Bonus and Max Deposit for Max Bonus:
A strong positive correlation implies that the higher the maximum bonus amount offered, the higher the deposit required to obtain that maximum bonus.
For Non-Sticky Bonuses
- Minimum Deposit and Total WR for Min Deposit:
Similar to sticky bonuses, a positive correlation suggests that higher minimum deposits are associated with higher total wagering requirements at the minimum deposit level. - Bonus Percent and Total WR for ₹1000 and ₹2000 Deposits:
Again, as with sticky bonuses, a higher bonus percentage tends to be associated with higher total wagering requirements for these deposit amounts. - Max. Bonus and Max Deposit for Max Bonus:
This strong positive correlation indicates that as the maximum bonus amount increases, so does the deposit required to achieve the maximum bonus.
These correlations suggest that certain aspects, like the bonus amount, bonus percent, and wagering requirements, are interconnected and tend to move together.
Analysis Summary
Here's a summary of the analyses we conducted on the data, focusing on the differences between sticky and non-sticky bonuses offered by various operators:
1. Average Wagering Requirement (WR) Comparison:
- Sticky Bonuses: Average WR of approximately 31.8.
- Non-Sticky Bonuses: Average WR of approximately 34.57.
2. Maximum Bonus Analysis:
- Sticky Bonuses: Average maximum bonus of approximately ₹37,900.
- Non-Sticky Bonuses: Average maximum bonus of approximately ₹1,01,783.
3. Minimum Deposit Requirement Comparison:
- Sticky Bonuses: Average minimum deposit of approximately ₹852.5.
- Non-Sticky Bonuses: Average minimum deposit of approximately ₹658.13.
4. Wagering Requirement for Different Deposit Amounts:
- Sticky Bonuses: Higher average total WR across minimum, ₹1000, and ₹2000 deposits.
- Non-Sticky Bonuses: Lower average total WR compared to sticky bonuses for the same deposit amounts.
5. Bonus Percentages Analysis:
- Sticky Bonuses: Average bonus percentage of approximately 130%.
- Non-Sticky Bonuses: Average bonus percentage of approximately 128.26%.
6. Distribution of Bonus Types:
- Sticky Bonuses: Offered by 10 operators.
- Non-Sticky Bonuses: Offered by 23 operators.
7. Max Deposit for Max Bonus Comparison:
- Sticky Bonuses: Average deposit for maximum bonus of approximately ₹34,733.
- Non-Sticky Bonuses: Average deposit for maximum bonus of approximately ₹66,843.
8. Correlation Analysis:
- Both types showed strong positive correlations between certain variables, such as:
undefinedundefinedundefined
Interpretation:
- Non-sticky bonuses are more prevalent and generally offer higher maximum bonuses and lower minimum deposit requirements.
- Sticky bonuses have slightly lower average wagering requirements but also offer slightly higher average bonus percentages.
- Strong correlations in specific areas suggest a consistent relationship between bonus structure components like bonus size, deposit requirements, and wagering requirements.
This analysis provides insights into the structure and characteristics of sticky and non-sticky bonuses as offered by various operators in our dataset.
Conclusion
Based on the analysis of our data, we can infer some potential advantages and disadvantages of each bonus type. However, it's important to note that these are general observations based on the data and may not apply universally to all situations or preferences of different players.
Sticky Bonuses
Advantages:
-
Lower Average Wagering Requirements: Compared to non-sticky bonuses, sticky bonuses in our dataset have a slightly lower average wagering requirement.
-
Higher Bonus Percentages: On average, sticky bonuses offer slightly higher bonus percentages, which could be more attractive for players looking to maximise their bonus amount.
Disadvantages:
-
Combined Balance Limitation: Since the bonus and deposit are combined, players cannot withdraw any winnings until they meet the wagering requirements.
-
Higher Minimum Deposit: On average, sticky bonuses require a higher minimum deposit compared to non-sticky bonuses.
Non-Sticky Bonuses
Advantages:
-
Higher Maximum Bonus: These bonuses typically offer a higher maximum bonus amount, which could be more appealing for players looking for larger bonuses.
-
Lower Minimum Deposit: The average minimum deposit requirement is lower, making these bonuses more accessible to a wider range of players.
-
Separate Balances: The separation of real money and bonus funds allows players to withdraw their cash balance without fulfilling the wagering requirements of the bonus, offering more flexibility.
Disadvantages:
-
Higher Average Wagering Requirements: The average wagering requirement is slightly higher for non-sticky bonuses, potentially requiring more playthroughs to clear the bonus.
-
Higher Deposit for Maximum Bonus: Generally, a higher deposit is needed to receive the maximum bonus, which might be less feasible for players with smaller bankrolls.
General Consideration:
The suitability of each bonus type depends on individual player preferences and strategies. For example, players who prefer flexibility in withdrawals might favour non-sticky bonuses, while those looking to maximise their bonus amount might find sticky bonuses more appealing.
These advantages and disadvantages provide a basic framework for understanding how each bonus type might align with different playing styles and objectives. If you are looking for the best sign-up bonuses, check out our page about the best online casino bonuses in India!
Yusaku is an editor and fact-checker at BettingGuide India. He has worked for a few online casino operators in customer support, management and marketing roles since 2020. His few years of hands-on experience in casino operation and expertise in the iGaming industry help see through the qualities of online gambling sites and create honest reviews. If you have any questions about online gambling in India, please feel free to contact him.