What is a No Deposit Casino Bonus?
This offer works exactly as it sounds. You get freebies to play casino games with, without incurring any expenses on your end, at least in theory. While I can confirm no deposit bonuses do exist, they are far from what most casino reviews and blogs paint them out to be.
They come in one of two ways: A small amount of bonus cash credited to your account on registration or a set of free spins on eligible slots. Either way, you get to explore the respective site and play games without touching your bankroll. So, a no deposit casino bonus simply entails free bonus cash or free spins you can use to play games, not a means to walk away with cash from these sites for nothing.
Types of No Deposit Bonuses at Online Casinos
Now that I have cleared the air on exactly what you should expect from a no deposit casino bonus, it’s time I take you through some of the common ones.
Bonus cash
Some casinos give you a small amount of playable funds right after you create your account, and you don’t have to deposit anything. All you need to do is sign up and verify your email. Once that’s done, you can get straight into the eligible games in the lobby with zero hassle. Of course, since it’s the online casino incurring the cost here, the amounts are typically modest, spanning a couple of dollars ($5 to $50).
Free spins
Instead of bonus cash, some sites reward you with a fixed number of spins on a specific slot title, or a small selection of eligible games. It’s up to the site to set the spin value, and any winnings gotten from these spins carry their own respective wagering requirements before becoming withdrawable. On the bright side, you get a shot at games you may have otherwise never played without putting anything on the line.
Free play credits
Free play credits are less common than the first two, and they operate a little differently. Basically, for a fixed time window, typically an hour or so, an online casino gives you a large bonus amount to play with. Whatever balance you have remaining up to a set threshold converts into real bonus funds, subject to wagering requirements, before it becomes eligible for withdrawal.
Referral bonus
You may, at some sites, come across referral offers where you get rewarded for every person you get to join through your referral link. The rewards pour in in one of two ways: Direct referrals or commission-based rewards. For the first case, when your referee joins and makes a deposit of a certain amount, the site rewards you with a set amount in bonus cash. For the latter, every wager the friend you’ve brought on to the site makes adds a small commission straight to your bonus balance.
What Does the Fine Print Say About No Deposit Casino Bonuses?
No deposit bonuses just like any other type of casino offer, are also subject to conditions. While you’re claiming them, be keen on the following:
| Wagering requirement | The number of times you have to play through the bonus amount before you can withdraw your winnings. |
| Expiry | How long the no deposit bonus lasts once it’s credited to your account. |
| Eligibility | Location and other conditions that you have to satisfy for the bonus to be available to you. |
| Eligible games | Titles in the lobby that you can play with your bonus funds. |
My Top No Deposit Bonus Casinos
Instead of scouring the internet for the best online casinos or new online casinos with the best promos, I have taken the liberty of gathering four sites that fit that exact criteria. All the sites are licensed and regulated, and are free to operate in most jurisdictions.
Stake.com
Rounding up my list is Stake.com, a site that, for many, needs no introduction. Although Stake.com doesn’t feature no deposit free spins at the moment, there are other several promotional offers you can opt in. As a matter of fact, when you refer someone, and they go on to either play at the casino or sportsbook, you get a fraction of how much they have spent in commission rewards. Shifting focus to the game lobby, you get a massive 3,000+ titles at your disposal, spanning slots, table games, live games, and crash-style titles. These have been worked on by studios like BGaming, Nolimit City, Pragmatic Play, and Stake itself. You can play on either your mobile or desktop device; either option works just fine.
Betano
- Choice of five new customer offers.
- Busy casino lobby and online bookmaker.
- Reliable support 24/7.
- Dedicated mobile app.
- Limited number of payment methods.
You can find and play over 2,500 titles in Betano’s lobby, and you get plenty to start things off. When you join and wager £5, you get rewarded with an online casino bonus of £20 plus 20 free spins, which is a decent amount to get your foot in the door at the lobby as a newbie. And while I’m on the subject of games, Betano has over 2,400 of those, with slots taking up the lion’s share. You’ll also find table games and live dealer titles in the same lobby, albeit in lesser numbers than slots. Betano features a smooth mobile-optimised website for both Android and iOS users, but you can also download the Betano Casino and Sportsbook app on both the App Store and Google Play Store.
Jackpot City Casino
- Available in many different countries.
- Legitimately licensed and regulated.
- An excellent variety of games to play.
- No tiered rewards program currently.
Jackpot City is a name that’s been in the casino space since 1998, and I could tell all that time in operation isn’t just for show. I had the option of either playing on the mobile website or downloading the Jackpot City app, for which I opted for the latter as I prefer action on the go. As for game variety, you get slots, jackpots, live casino games, and table games, and you can even filter them out by provider. Speaking of providers, some notable ones include Microgaming, Evolution, and NetEnt. And when I signed up, I was welcomed with a 100% match deposit offer up to £100 plus 100 free spins on Jackpot City Gold Blitz. Again, as I’ve already stated, the promo may differ based on where you are, but the process of claiming it remains the same.
888 Casino
- Reputable global gambling brand.
- Generous welcome offers.
- Available in multiple regions.
- User-friendly site design.
- Withdrawals could be faster.
Last up on my list is 888 Casino, a site that’s running neck and neck with Jackpot City in terms of longevity, as it was established in 1997. This award-winning casino features well over 2,500 titles in its lobby, which are a combination of top game studios like Playtech and Evolution and their very own in-house Section8 studio. You get slots, table games, instant win games, and live games all under one roof. As far as the low wagering casino bonus goes, well, like all the sites in this list, it varies based on where you are. On my end, for instance, if you wager at least £10 within the first seven days at the site, you get 100 free spins on select Pragmatic Play titles. The mobile experience on 888 Casino is superb as well. You get an app that’s compatible with Android, iOS, and Windows mobile devices.
How to Sign up and Claim No Deposit Bonuses
Getting your hands on casino no deposit bonuses starts with setting up an account on these sites. Whether you go for Stake, Betano, Jackpot City, or 888 Casino, the procedure is relatively the same.
- Click the link on this page to the online casino you prefer.
- Fill in the registration form with your details, like your name, date of birth, and contact details.
- Verify your email address from the link sent to your inbox.
- Log in to your account and check the promotions page of the respective casino you’ve signed up for.
- Satisfy the conditions set by the site.
- Launch any eligible game and start playing with your bonus funds or free spins.
- Complete wagering requirements and request a withdrawal after going through KYC.
Pros and Cons of No Deposit Casino Bonuses
I could go on and on praising no-deposit bonuses, but, as always, there are aspects of these offers that could be improved, as highlighted in my pros and cons list below.
No Deposit Bonuses: Pros & Cons
- Play for free with a real chance of winning
- Access to quality games
- Great way to test out a casino
- May come with steep wagering requirements
What Do I Think About No Deposit Bonuses?
No deposit offers are a solid entry into any online casino, but not in the literal sense. You don’t get instantly withdrawable cash without making a deposit. Instead, you’re handed a shot at games on these sites without incurring any financial burden on your end. Just make sure you read the terms beforehand. Once you have satisfied wagering conditions, you can then proceed to withdraw your winnings for real money through the best casino payment options, just like any other bonus. Lastly, all the sites I have recommended are solid starting points, and feature a variety of promos which may include no deposit offers. Just tap the respective banner to the site of your choice and have a look at what’s in store for you in your region.
FAQs About No Deposit Bonuses
Is a casino no deposit bonus actually free?
Yes, they are free in the sense that you don’t need to deposit any of your own money to claim them. However, you will still need to meet wagering conditions before withdrawing winnings, which are often stricter than normal bonuses.
Can you win real money from a casino no deposit bonus?
Yes, you can. The only key is clearing wagering requirements within the stated time limit and staying under the maximum withdrawal cap that applies to your bonus.
Do no deposit bonuses expire?
They do, like any other offer. You’ll find a time frame, typically 24 to 72 hours, attached to your promo more often than not, and you have to clear wagering requirements before this time elapses.
Are no deposit bonuses available everywhere?
It depends on the casino you’re playing at and where you live. Make sure you use the links on this page to check out what online casinos and no deposit bonuses are available in your region.
