No Deposit Bonuses Explained: Free for real?

What are the strings behind a no deposit bonus? And is it really free? In this short guide, we show you the ins and outs of these popular bonuses.

Disbelief, skepticism, an uneasy feeling - these are common emotions when faced with no deposit bonuses. Especially if you're new to online gambling. How can a casino give something away for free? Where's the catch or the strings?

Truth is - a no deposit bonus is just as legit as any other online casino bonus. And it is possible to win real money. Once again, you may have your eyebrow raised - but stick with us for a few minutes.

First of all, it's important to note that these bonuses do work differently from your average deposit bonus. And there are caveats you will need to keep in mind when claiming. In this guide to no deposit bonuses, we are going to show you all you need to know.

Guide to No Deposit Bonuses

Let's start simple and get to the basics first - what is a no deposit casino bonus?

This is a bonus that is awarded with no deposit upfront. And it's a popular way for online casinos to welcome new players into the site. The player is awarded "free" funds to play online slot games - with no deposit required to do so. There are several types of no deposit bonuses to look out for including:

Free Spins: The casino will award spins to play a game - and once you play the game, you will receive a bonus reward. How much bonus you receive depends on your luck and the bonus terms.

Casino Bonus: You will be able to claim funds that can be used to play a broader range of games at the start. These funds are fixed and do not need to be played for, unlike free spins.

Keep what you win: No deposit bonuses

The most appealing aspect of a no deposit bonus is that you can keep your winnings. But to do this, you will first need to meet the bonus wagering requirements. Once you meet those requirements, you can freely move the funds into your bank account.

Most bonuses come with wagering requirements. And these are usually displayed next to the offer as a number with an x symbol. For 35 times wagering as an example, you may seem 35x. The interesting aspect of a no deposit bonus is that these requirements are usually much higher than that of a normal bonus.

Even an incremental raise in the requirements can change your success of meeting the requirements. But in the case of no deposit bonuses, you should expect to make 10% to 25% extra wagers.

No deposit bonus: Free Money?

It is tempting to think of a no deposit bonus as free money. But in reality, it's not really. The funds might be awarded to you with no deposit - but you still need to meet the wagering requirements. You will also have to spend time meeting those requirements.

In a financial sense, a no deposit bonus is free and you can win real money. But the time cost involved means you are having to give something away.

Why claim a no deposit bonus?

The appeal of winning something for nothing is the main attraction of these bonuses. But it's not the only way they can be used. This type of bonus is one of the best "try before you buy" incentives out there. Here's what you can do with your bonus:

Play slots for free: If a new game releases, but you are unsure of using your own money, then you can use a bonus. This way, you protect your real cash - but still get to experience the game first hand.

Try a casino for free: Usually, it's free to sign up to an online casino. But you will still have to make a deposit to play real money games. It's only when you are playing real games and experiencing the site that you truly get a feel for it. With no deposit free spins or a bonus, this becomes a reality.

How to claim a no deposit bonus

First of all, you will need to find a no deposit bonus. In recent years, they have become harder to find. But there are still casinos out there that will let you sign up and play for free with no deposit required. To help you get started, we have included some of these sites in the handy table above.

Found a casino with a bonus? Then you only need to follow three simple steps.

Step 1: Head over to the casino
Step 2: Create a new account at the casino
Step 3: Play with your no deposit funds

That may seem effortlessly simple - and that's because it is. You need to sign up to claim the bonus funds. After you are done with the bonus, you also have the option to claim the welcome package.

At this point - you can either turn and walk away from the casino. Or you can continue to play at the site.

A common requirement is the need for a no deposit bonus code. When creating your account - this means you will have to sign up and enter the promo code into the bonus field.

No Deposit Bonus Strategies

Want to get better success with your bonuses? Then the below strategy guide is for you. We have compiled tips and tricks that apply to casino bonuses. But you can use these for other types of gambling.

Choose slots with high return to player percentage: It's tempting to go for the big money high variance slots. But you want to focus on games with a guaranteed high return. This way you can feel confident about receiving some money back when you wager it - even though it's no guarantee.

Check the terms and conditions: To guarantee you are getting the best offer - make sure you are always checking the offer terms. This is where you will find details about the wagering requirements alongside other restrictions.

Don't be shy - claim as many as you want: There's no limit to how many no deposit bonuses you can claim. If you don't manage to convert the funds? No worries - move on to the next casino. Spread yourself wide enough - and you may be able to finally convert a bonus into real money.

Aim for bonuses with low wagering: While a no deposit bonus is free - you are still paying with your time. And that means you want to use that time productively. Losing your bonus funds isn't the greatest thing in the world - but you can increase your chances by aiming for bonus offers that boast low requirements.

Failure isn't the end: There's absolutely nothing wrong with failing when it comes to bonus money. If you lose it all, no sweat. You can simply get back in the saddle and try a new offer. Along the way, you are bound to be entertained by all the exciting online slots and casino games you have managed to play.

No Deposit Bonus FAQ

Can UK players claim no deposit bonus?

Absolutely. In fact, some of the offers on this page are exclusive to customers from the United Kingdom.

Can I claim a deposit match after the no deposit bonus?

Yes, you can. Think of a no deposit bonus as an appetiser and the deposit match as the main course. The deposit match (or welcome offer) will give you a far greater bonus with more accessible wagering requirements.

What is the max win from a no deposit bonus?

In theory, there is no max win from free spins or a bonus. But a casino can set a max win or put a conversion limit on the bonus funds. This is why it is important to check terms before claiming.