Same Number, Different Difficulty
Two players read the same multiplier and both think they know what they are getting into. One of them, however, only has to wager the bonus, while the other has to wager the bonus and the deposit. One can withdraw winnings from their own money at any time, the other cannot.
From a wallet’s point of view, these are completely different offers. That is why, for every offer, it pays to identify the model first and only then do the maths.
On this page we break down the common models found in the industry. We do not attribute any of them to Dukat.bet as fact. For Slots, Instant and Live bonus alike, as well as for 15% Cashback, check the model in the official rules of the specific offer.
At the end you will find a list of phrases that help you recognise the model in the text.
What Gets Multiplied: the Bonus Alone or Bonus Plus Deposit
The first distinction is the simplest and also changes the result the most. The rules define the base that is multiplied by the multiplier.
wagering volume = bonus × multiplierwagering volume = (bonus + deposit) × multiplier
With a high bonus percentage such as 500%, the deposit makes up a smaller share of the balance. The difference between the models is therefore relatively small. With lower percentages it would be considerably more pronounced.
Illustrative example (these are not Dukat.bet terms — check them in the official rules): imagine a 50 EUR deposit, a 250 EUR bonus and a multiplier of 30. Bonus only gives 7,500 EUR; bonus plus deposit gives 9,000 EUR. At a pace of 300 EUR per hour, that is a difference of five hours of play.
Five extra hours can decide whether wagering fits within the deadline. We explain how to handle that in the article on deadlines and planning.
Sticky and Non-Sticky: Whose Money Goes into Play First
The second distinction concerns order. Under the non-sticky model (sometimes called hybrid or ‘own money first’), you play with your deposit first. The bonus only kicks in once your own balance is used up.
The advantage is obvious. If you are winning while still on your own money, you can withdraw the winnings. This usually cancels the bonus, but your money stays yours.
Under the sticky model, deposit and bonus are merged into a single balance from the start. The bonus amount cannot be withdrawn even after wagering; it is deducted from the account on withdrawal. Only what remains above it is withdrawable.
Illustrative example (these are not Dukat.bet terms — check them in the official rules): imagine a 50 EUR deposit and a 250 EUR bonus, and the player wins 150 EUR right at the start. Under the non-sticky model, they play with their own 50 EUR first, so their real balance rises to 200 EUR. They can withdraw it and give up the bonus. Under the sticky model, the merged balance rises to 450 EUR, all of it locked until the wagering volume is met, and 250 EUR is deducted on withdrawal.
The difference is not in how much is staked. It is in when you can access your money.
Free Spins Winnings as a Separate Case
With free spins, it is not the value of the spins that is multiplied but the amount you win from them. That amount is usually credited as bonus money and has its own multiplier, sometimes also its own winnings cap.
wagering volume = free spins winnings × multiplier
Illustrative example (these are not Dukat.bet terms — check them in the official rules): say you win 20 EUR from the spins and the multiplier is 30. You have to wager 600 EUR before the winnings become withdrawable. If the offer sets a winnings cap, for example 50 EUR, anything above it is forfeited.
The industry also has wager-free spins, where winnings go straight to the cash balance. They are rarer, and the terms usually state this explicitly.
We cover the full mechanic in the article free spins without shortcuts. We were unable to confirm whether Dukat.bet currently offers free spins, so check the current promotions.
Cashback: Refunds With and Without Wagering
With cashback, the model is entirely different. There is no top-up of your deposit, but a refund of part of your losses over a given period. The question is whether it is credited as cash or as bonus credit with its own condition.
| Variant | How the refund is credited | When it is withdrawable |
|---|---|---|
| No wagering | To the cash balance | Immediately after crediting |
| Low wagering | As bonus credit | After meeting a small volume |
| Standard wagering | As bonus credit | After meeting a volume similar to a bonus |
Illustrative example (these are not Dukat.bet terms — check them in the official rules): a net loss of 200 EUR for the week, so a 15% refund comes to 30 EUR. Without wagering, the 30 EUR is available to you straight away. With a multiplier of 5, you would first have to wager 150 EUR.
The 15% Cashback at Dukat.bet is a known value of the offer. The calculation basis, period and any wagering on the refund, however, are details you will only find in the rules. Our breakdown of questions about this offer is on the cashback page.
The Models Side by Side in One Table
| Model | What is multiplied | When money is withdrawable | Phrase to look for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus only | Bonus amount | After meeting the volume | ‘wagering of the bonus amount’ |
| Bonus + deposit | Bonus and deposit | After meeting a higher volume | ‘bonus and deposit’, ‘total amount’ |
| Non-sticky | Bonus, played only after the deposit | Own winnings any time, with the bonus forfeited | ‘real balance is used first’ |
| Sticky | Per the rules; the balance is merged | Only after meeting the volume, minus the bonus amount | ‘the bonus cannot be withdrawn’ |
| Free spins winnings | Amount won from the spins | After meeting the volume, up to the winnings cap | ‘winnings from free spins’ |
| Cashback without wagering | Nothing | Immediately | ‘no wagering requirements’ |
The table captures typical forms. The actual wording may differ, and the text of the official rules always takes precedence.
Models can also be combined. A bonus can be sticky and at the same time be multiplied together with the deposit. In that case, the difficulty adds up.
The Same Deposit Across Four Models
Illustrative example (these are not Dukat.bet terms — check them in the official rules): imagine a 50 EUR deposit, a 250 EUR bonus, a multiplier of 30, an average stake of 0.60 EUR, 500 rounds per hour, i.e. 300 EUR per hour, and an indicative RTP of 96%.
| Model | Wagering volume | Time | Estimated loss from house edge | Access to own winnings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus only, non-sticky | 7,500 EUR | 25 h | 300 EUR | Yes, until the bonus kicks in |
| Bonus only, sticky | 7,500 EUR | 25 h | 300 EUR | No, only after wagering |
| Bonus + deposit, non-sticky | 9,000 EUR | 30 h | 360 EUR | Yes, until the bonus kicks in |
| Bonus + deposit, sticky | 9,000 EUR | 30 h | 360 EUR | No, only after wagering |
We calculate the estimated loss with the formula volume × (1 − RTP). With a starting balance of 300 EUR, the average outcome in all four rows lands around zero or below.
So the biggest difference arises not in the loss but in freedom. The non-sticky model leaves you the option to walk away with your own winnings before the bonus part begins. The method for running your own numbers is in the wagering calculator.
How to Find Which Model Applies in the Dukat.bet Rules
A model is rarely called ‘sticky’ or ‘non-sticky’ outright. Usually you have to piece it together from several sentences. When reading the terms of a specific offer, look for answers to these questions.
- What is the base of the multiplier? Look for the words ‘bonus’, ‘deposit’, ‘bonus and deposit’ or ‘total amount’.
- Which balance is used first? Wording about real and bonus balances reveals the order.
- Can the bonus amount be withdrawn after wagering? If not, it is a sticky model.
- What happens if you withdraw before meeting the conditions? Is only the bonus forfeited, or the winnings too?
- Do free spins winnings have their own multiplier and cap? This is often in a separate paragraph.
- Is cashback credited as cash or as credit? The answer determines whether the refund needs to be wagered.
If the text does not give a clear answer, write to Dukat.bet support and ask for an explanation referring to a specific clause of the rules. A written reply comes in handy if a dispute arises later.
While reading, also note the stake limit with an active bonus, which applies to all models. The details are in the article on caps and maximum bet.
Where You Are Most Likely to Misread the Model
The first mistake is assuming that a bonus can always be withdrawn after wagering. Under the sticky model this does not hold, and the player only finds out when requesting a withdrawal.
The second mistake concerns the word ‘deposit’ in the multiplier base. Some players overlook it because it sits in brackets or in a footnote. Their wagering volume then comes out lower than it really is.
The third mistake is reading only the paragraph on the main bonus. Free spins winnings and cashback can have entirely different rules, often set out elsewhere in the document.
Each of these mistakes can be caught in a few minutes of reading.
Which Model Suits Which Style of Play
Rating models as better or worse makes little sense. Each suits a different approach.
If you want access to your own money as soon as possible, you will appreciate the non-sticky model. If you plan to play longer anyway and are not concerned about withdrawing, the difference between sticky and non-sticky matters less.
If you play short sessions, focus mainly on the multiplier base and the deadline. And if you do not want to deal with wagering at all, you can consider the cashback mechanic instead of a welcome bonus, provided its rules do not require the refund to be wagered.
The decision is yours. What matters is that it rests on a verified model, not on the percentage on the banner.