Reference
Glossary
Short definitions of the terms used across CasinoUXFieldnotes, each with a link to the page that covers it in depth.
- Accessible authentication
- WCAG 2.2 success criterion 3.3.8 (level AA): logging in should not depend on a cognitive function test such as remembering a password or solving a puzzle unless an alternative or help is offered, for example allowing paste and password managers. See Registration Friction in Casino Sign-Up Flows.
- Active choice
- A design where the person must pick an option rather than accept a preset one. In Great Britain, setting a financial limit before the first deposit is the default path, and customers who decline must confirm that choice. See Deposit Pages That Show the Whole Picture.
- Choice architecture
- How options are presented, ordered and framed. The CMA describes online choice architecture as the environment in which people act, including how interfaces are designed. See Dark Patterns and Player Autonomy.
- Contrast ratio
- WCAG's measure of the difference in relative luminance between two colors, from 1:1 to 21:1. Normal text needs at least 4.5:1 at level AA. See Color Contrast Checker.
- Cooling-off period
- A delay before a change takes effect. In Ontario, a request to relax or remove a gaming limit can take effect only after at least 24 hours. See Safer Play Tools People Can Actually Find.
- Dark pattern
- An interface design that steers people toward choices they might not otherwise make, for example by hiding information or making cancellation hard. The FTC's 2022 staff report groups common types. See Dark Patterns and Player Autonomy.
- Deposit limit
- A cap on how much a customer can pay into a gambling account over a set period. From the end of September 2026, British operators must offer gross deposit limits under that name. See Deposit Pages That Show the Whole Picture.
- Error summary
- A list of all form errors at the top of the page, linked to each field, used alongside messages next to the fields themselves. See Error Messages That Help People Recover.
- Focus order
- The sequence in which keyboard focus moves through links, buttons and fields. It should follow the visual and logical order of the page. See Keyboard Paths Through a Casino Cashier.
- Friction point
- A step where a player is slowed, confused or blocked. Some friction is deliberate and required, such as identity checks or a wait before relaxing a limit. See Player Journey Maps.
- Journey map
- A diagram of the stages a person goes through to reach a goal, with their actions, touchpoints, problems and support at each stage. See Player Journey Maps.
- Know your customer (KYC)
- The checks an operator runs to confirm a customer's identity, age and, where required, address before or during the account relationship. See Account Verification Without the Guesswork.
- Net position
- A player's total wins minus total losses during a session. British rules require online slots to display it with time played; Ontario requires it for slots sessions. See Safer Play Tools People Can Actually Find.
- Non-text contrast
- WCAG 2.2 success criterion 1.4.11 (level AA): user interface components and meaningful graphics need a contrast ratio of at least 3:1 against adjacent colors. See Status Colors That Do Not Rely on Color Alone.
- Redundant entry
- WCAG 2.2 success criterion 3.3.7 (level A): information a person already gave in the same process should be filled in or available to select, with exceptions for security and essential re-entry. See Registration Friction in Casino Sign-Up Flows.
- Reverse withdrawal
- Letting a customer cancel a pending withdrawal and return the money to their balance to keep gambling. The Gambling Commission banned the practice for all online gambling from October 31, 2021. See Withdrawal Clarity: Status, Timing and Trust.
- Self-exclusion
- A request by a person to be blocked from gambling for a period. GAMSTOP in Great Britain and BetStop in Australia are national schemes; Ontario operators must offer six-month, one-year and five-year terms. See Safer Gambling Help.
- Status message
- A change in content that tells a person about the result of an action, such as a saved form or a search count, without moving focus. WCAG 2.2 success criterion 4.1.3 asks that assistive technology can announce it. See Writing Verification Progress Messages.
- Target size
- The clickable or tappable area of a control. WCAG 2.2 success criterion 2.5.8 (level AA) asks for at least 24 by 24 CSS pixels, with exceptions; 2.5.5 (level AAA) asks for 44 by 44. See Touch Targets and Mobile Casino Controls.
- Touchpoint
- A place where a player meets the product at a given stage, such as a sign-up form, a cashier window or a status email. See Player Journey Maps.
- WCAG
- The Web Content Accessibility Guidelines published by the W3C. Version 2.2 became a W3C Recommendation in October 2023, and the current edition is dated December 12, 2024. See Accessibility Standards for Casino Interfaces.