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All You Need to Know About No Deposit Casino Bonuses

Published October 1, 2022 by Shane

When choosing the best possible online casino bonus, there is much more to consider than just the amount you see in the advert. Not only is it worth considering the number of free spins or bonus credits you will receive, but also the duration of the offer, qualifying casino games and the maximum withdrawal amount.

Based on recent feedback, there are a lot of misconceptions and unanswered questions about whether no deposit bonuses are worth claiming. Join us as we dig into this elusive bonus type and discuss who will benefit from no deposit bonuses most and what you should keep in mind when claiming it from a new casino.

What is a No Deposit Bonus?

To get started on the right foot, it is worth defining a no deposit bonus and how it relates to other bonuses you can claim at any of our recommended online casinos. The most common bonus type is the deposit match bonus. These promotions offer you bonus credits equal to a percentage of your first deposit at the casino. This calculation means that a 50% bonus on a $100 deposit will net you a bonus of $50.

In contrast, a no deposit bonus will be credited to your casino account without needing a qualifying real money deposit. In most cases, the trigger for a no-deposit bonus is opening a new player account or entering a promo code on the casino's Promotions tab.

Doing so will allow you to play the available casino games for real money without putting up any of your cash.

What Types of Offers Fit This Category?

Players looking to claim a no deposit bonus can expect one of two options to be on offer. The one most players will be familiar with these days is the Free Spins offer. In this case, a casino will offer a predetermined number of free spins on one or more preselected video slots. Once you have claimed this bonus, all you need to do is sign into your account, open the slot machine on which the free games were offered, and they should be available for you to play immediately.

The less common no deposit offer is the one that gives you free credits. Much like the free spins offer, you need to access your real money casino account once you have claimed the offer, and you will see the credits have been added to your bonus balanced. You may then use this cash bonus to play any casino game. However, to ensure you meet the playthrough requirements to be eligible to withdraw your winnings, we recommend checking the terms and conditions.

In both cases, zero deposit will be required to claim the offer. However, there may be limitations on how much you can withdraw, and strict terms will outline what you need to do before being allowed to request one.

Are No Deposit Bonuses Cashable?

One of the frequently asked questions about no deposit bonuses is whether they are cashable or not. If you are new to online gambling, a cashable bonus can be withdrawn once you meet all promotion's terms and conditions. An example of a non-cashable bonus would be when a land-based casino gives visitors a "golden chip", which can be wagered but not exchanged for money at the cashier window.

While the free spins or the bonus amount cannot be immediately withdrawn, no deposit bonuses qualify as cashable because you can keep the profits you make from playing them.

Bonus Terms and Conditions to Keep in Mind.

When deciding whether to pursue a casino that is offering a deposit-based promotion or a free offer like the ones listed above, here are the promotional terms we recommend you keep in mind:

• For how much longer is the offer still valid?
• Is the offer genuinely free, or are there costs hidden in the terms?
• Does the offer allow you to play the games you enjoy most?
• What are the playthrough requirements for the offer?
• Has the casino installed a maximum withdrawal limit?

Once you have read the terms and determined that you are happy with the above stipulations, you should join the casino.

How Wagering Works for Free Spins

New online casino players will often find the process of meeting free spins wagering offers confusing. After all, the spins are not given a public financial value, so how do you calculate the 30-40 times playthrough requirement?

When calculating free spins wagering, the calculation is not based on the free games themselves but rather the amount of money won from playing the free games. If a casino requires a 40x playthrough, and you win $100 from your free spins, the wagering requirement for a withdrawal will be $4,000 (40 x 100).

Once the number of free spins you received as a welcome bonus has been played, you will need to take your winnings and place an additional 4000 in casino bets before you can request a withdrawal.

The Hidden Cost of No Deposit Bonuses

Free spins bonuses are a fantastic way for players to play at a new casino with no upfront investment other than their time. That does not mean, however, that free spins do not have what some might consider hidden costs that need to be considered.

While the bonus is free to claim and play, most online casinos require you to make a nominal real money deposit before you can withdraw your winnings. This deposit is usually less than $20, and given that it is to receive the money you have already won, it is considered an innocuous requirement.

The second line item to remember is the potential loss of a jackpot win. No-deposit bonuses often have meagre withdrawal limits to protect the casino from significant losses. These limits are usually capped at around $100 for free spins offers and can be less than $50 on no-deposit cash offers.

In practical terms, this would mean that if you won $10,000 while playing out a free spin offer, you would not be able to withdraw more than the casino’s $100 limit. You would either need to play out the balance of the credits in your account or forfeit them as part of the balance withdrawal process.

We all understand there are no guarantees that we will win anything when gambling online. Understanding the impact a winnings cap could have on any winnings that exceed the casino's advertised limits is essential.

Are No Deposit Bonuses Right for You?

To wrap up our thoughts on the subject and to make it easy for you to decide which bonus best suits your online gambling needs, here is a simple pros and cons list:

Pros	Cons
No upfront deposit required	Free spins limits play to select games
100% risk-free gambling	Low withdrawal limits
Ideal way to test new casinos	Deposits are needed to claim winnings
Protect your bank balance	Can lead to the loss of big wins
Deposit only to claim established wins

We hope that you have found this in-depth look at no-deposit bonuses helpful. Feel free to refer back to this page before claiming your next prize to ensure that you have covered all the necessary bases and can make an informed decision about where to play next.