iGaming Glossary: 40 Terms Every Operator, Supplier and Investor Should Know

The gambling industry runs on acronyms, and licensing conversations assume everyone knows them. This glossary defines the terms that come up most often in regulatory, commercial and compliance discussions, in plain language and with the context that matters for operators, suppliers and investors.

Licensing terms

A B2C licence authorises offering gambling directly to players; a B2B licence authorises supplying platforms, games or critical services to operators. Critical gaming supply is Malta’s term for B2B services that affect game outcomes or hold player data. A remote licence covers online or mobile gambling as opposed to land-based. A concession is the authorisation used in some countries, including Poland for casinos. Point of consumption describes regimes that license by the player’s location rather than the operator’s. A sub-licence was the old Curaçao model in which master licensees authorised others. Fit and proper is the assessment of integrity, financial standing and competence applied to owners and key persons. Key persons or key function holders are the individuals a regulator requires to be named and approved for roles such as compliance, AML, finance and technology. A change of control is a shift in ownership that requires regulatory approval. Substance refers to the local presence, staff and management a jurisdiction requires.

Financial and commercial terms

GGR (gross gaming revenue) is stakes minus winnings paid out. NGR (net gaming revenue) is GGR after bonuses, taxes and sometimes payment costs. Turnover or handle is total stakes. Hold or margin is GGR as a percentage of turnover. RTP (return to player) is the share of stakes a game returns over time. Revenue share is the split of NGR between partners such as white-label providers and brands or affiliates and operators. CPA in affiliate marketing is a fixed payment per acquired player (and, confusingly, in Kahnawake a Client Provider Authorisation). A white label is a brand operating under another company’s licence and platform. An aggregator distributes games from many studios through a single integration. A PSP is a payment service provider; an acquirer processes card payments for merchants; a chargeback is a disputed card transaction reversed by the issuer.

Compliance terms

KYC (know your customer) is identity verification; CDD and EDD are customer due diligence and its enhanced form for higher-risk customers. AML is anti-money-laundering; the MLRO is the money laundering reporting officer responsible for it. SAR or STR is a suspicious activity or transaction report. Source of funds and source of wealth distinguish where specific money came from and how a person accumulated their assets. Responsible gambling (RG) or safer gambling covers tools and duties to prevent harm. Self-exclusion lets a player bar themselves; national registers such as Spelpaus, CRUKS, OASIS and GAMSTOP centralise it. Affordability checks assess whether spending is sustainable. Duty of care is the obligation to intervene when a player shows signs of harm. RNG is the random number generator; certification is independent testing of games and systems. A DPIA is a data-protection impact assessment. ADR is alternative dispute resolution for player complaints.

Market terms

A regulated market licenses operators locally; a grey market has no clear prohibition or enforcement of offshore play; a black market prohibits and enforces. Channelisation is the share of play captured by licensed operators. Geo-blocking restricts access by location. A blacklist or register of prohibited domains lists unlicensed sites for blocking. Match-fixing and integrity refer to manipulation of events and the systems that detect it.

For advice on any of these topics, contact our team or explore our services in licensing and compliance.