“Buy 10, get 2 free!”
“Shop for $1000 and receive a free $100 gift card!”
We come across similar offers daily, and we love them. Businesses give their customers unexpected gifts expecting they’ll buy something from them in return, or even to raise brand awareness.
When it comes to online gambling, free gifts are tucked under the banner of the no deposit bonus. And although some no deposit bonuses require you to deposit a certain amount of money to redeem the offer, some don’t require you to spend a single penny before receiving something in return.
If that sounds too good to be true, it is probably the truth. Multiple online gambling sites allow players to use the no deposit bonus to play for real money On the flip side, the online gambling market has also seen a proliferation of scam sites luring players with near-impossible-to-redeem no deposit bonuses. Still, the limited information surrounding the no deposit bonuses makes it impossible to choose the right package, especially for beginners.
In this article, we are going to look at what a no deposit bonus is, the different types, and how to choose the best. Looking for the best no deposit bonuses instead?
Definition of a No Deposit Bonus
As the name suggests, a no deposit bonus is a discount given to players by a gambling site after registering a gambling account with them. A no deposit bonus allows a player/s to try out select games and the overall gaming experience on a particular online gambling site without wagering their money.
Depending on the online casino you choose, there are no deposit bonuses that are wager free, while others come with low playing requirements. Still, they can come in the form of a single package or even split into small instalments. Common forms of no deposit bonuses include free spins, free chips, and free cash.
How Does an Online Casino No Deposit Bonus Work?
The no deposit bonuses operate under a very basic principle– the casino floats it to lure new customers, players subscribe to the offer by signing up, and the bonus is directly credited to their gambling account. Needless to say, players are only eligible to collect the bonus after satisfying the terms and conditions of the offer.
Although most people tend to think that no deposit bonuses are completely free, they aren’t. And the answer is pretty simple. You are required to spend at least a portion of your money to redeem the free money. But the good thing is that you don’t have to spend your own money in advance to access the bonus.
On the contrary, the online casino allows you to accrue credit by playing select games and wagering money on them. Essentially, the casino requires you to wager a specified value of real money to redeem the no deposit bonus. For example, if a casino is offering a $100 bonus with a wagering requirement of 10x, you need to wager at least $1000.
Different Types of No Deposit Bonuses
As indicated above, there are multiple types of no deposit bonuses for online casino players to choose from. They include free spins, free chips, cash, bonus codes and so much more.
In this section, we are going to run through the different types of no deposit bonuses, how each works, and how to choose the best one for you.
Free Cash
Although hard to come by in the no deposit bonus realm, free cash bonuses are pretty straightforward. Basically, you receive a “cash” bonus from the casino to spend on any game of your liking– subject to prevailing terms and conditions of the offer. And although you have the freedom to spend your cash bonus whenever and however you want within the casino, you can’t cash out your winnings.
Typically, most online casinos impose an average wagering requirement of 30x the bonus amount before allowing you to cash out. As such, you need to spend 30 times your bonus amount before taking it out. The reasoning behind this concept is to prevent players from hopping from one gambling site to the other once the bonus amount has been exhausted.
In most cases, you’ll need to win big to cash out your winnings in the form of real money.
Free Spins
Free spins are the most commonly issued form of no deposit bonuses, and they’re mainly eligible for slot games. Again, just like free cash, free spins are self-explanatory. Here, the casino rewards you with an X number of free spins to play select games, and in this case slots. This means that you can spin the slot wheel a specified number of times without risking any of your money, and the prize picked will be directly credited to your gaming account.
Still, you will also need to meet the wagering requirements to be able to withdraw your winnings.
Timed Bonuses
Timed bonuses, as the name suggests, are intermittent bonuses with a limited lifespan. They could be available for a day, a week, a month, or even during a particular season. Some casinos also offer brief timed bonuses such as an unlimited 1-hour free play. Although not common as they used to be, these types of bonuses are worth trying once available as they offer some incredible value.
As a general rule of thumb, you are required to utilize your bonus and meet the wagering requirements within the allocated time frame to cash out your winnings.
Bonus Codes
Bonus codes are another form of no deposit bonus, and with a reason. For starters, they allow you to enjoy both worlds of a cash bonus and free spins, giving you plenty of opportunities to grow your bankroll. Along with that, they are easy to share email and social media, making them easily accessible.
But that’s not the best part. Bonus codes are a piece of cake to redeem, as you only need to have the casino-issued or affiliate website-issued code to claim the offer. Again, whether your bonus code comes in the form of a cash bonus or free spins, they’re still subject to the casinos’ wagering requirements and terms and conditions.
And since these T&Cs entail a lot of legal jargon, we always recommend that you carefully read the fine print to avoid unexpected disappointments.
For more details on the best no deposit bonus codes, check our free guide at nodepositz.
How To Pick The Best No Deposit Bonus
So, you are considering kickstarting your online gambling adventure. You have your PC ready, credit cards ready, and you have spotted the ideal casino. But how do you go about picking the best no deposit casino bonus without getting scammed?
Below are a few major considerations when choosing a no deposit bonus;
The Casino You Choose Matters
Over the past few years, the global online gambling market has seen unprecedented growth, with dozens of gambling platforms coming up. As such, there are multiple gambling platforms to choose from. It is akin to taking a kid to a sweet shop. Unfortunately, not all casinos are created equal. There are those that offer a deposit welcome bonus, while others offer a no deposit bonus.
Therefore, choosing a no deposit casino bonus is more about the casino you choose really than the bonus itself. You want a casino that is safe, secure, and whose bonuses have reasonable wagering requirements, not a platform that denies you a fair chance of winning.
Carefully Consider the Wagering Requirements
Another factor to consider when choosing a no deposit bonus is its wagering requirements. Typically, all no deposit bonuses come with strict terms and conditions, which on top of listing the wagering requirements explain how you can fully take advantage of the free cash.
To avoid any unexpected surprises, always ensure that you carefully read and understand the T&Cs outlined in the offers’ fine print.
Cash-Out Limits
No deposit bonuses come with a wagering requirement attached to them. Unfortunately, many players have found themselves with hefty bankrolls with no means of cashing out due to exhaustive wagering requirements. To avoid this, always choose a casino with a wagering requirement of 30x the bonus amount.
Final Thoughts: Online Casino No Deposit Bonuses
Top-rated online casinos are always offering creative deals to attract new customers and retain the existing ones. However, the no deposit bonuses are the most prominent discounts. On top of allowing you to try out different games without making any investment, they also help in gauging the platform’s overall gaming experience.
With that said, just like the players, casino managements also do their math, to ensure they’re cushions against advantage gamblers. If you’re choosing an online casino based on its bonus offers, always review the terms and conditions as it will help you choose the offer with the most value, reasonable wagering requirements, and the smallest cashout limit.