Recently, no deposit bonuses have started to gain ground again as an easy way for online casinos to attract new players, on the one hand, and as a no strings attached way for players to explore online casinos, on the other hand. Scroll down to see the best no deposit offers in one place.
What is a no deposit bonus?
A no deposit bonus is a bonus credit that is transferred to the player’s account without the player having to deposit any money. As a general rule, no deposit bonuses are given in small amounts, usually between $5 and $10 (or other equivalent currency), for wagers on a particular game or set of casino games.
Think of no-deposit bonuses as a way to “test drive” the casino before making a deposit. The main reason operators introduce these offers is to allow players to familiarize themselves with a casino before dropping money in the cashier. If they are not satisfied with what they get, they can always leave the casino at their discretion.
Although these offers sound attractive because they carry little or no risk, players have to meet specific requirements before withdrawing their winnings. Read on as we take an in-depth look at no deposit bonuses.
What types of no deposit casino bonuses are there?
When looking for a new casino, you will most often find no deposit bonuses offered as welcome bonuses. No deposit bonuses come in different shapes and sizes, but these are the most common variants:
Free spins
Some online casinos offer no deposit bonuses in the form of free spins for online slots. Although they will not require you to make any deposit, online casinos impose other restrictions on this type of bonus.
Such restrictions may include a maximum cap on winnings, a prohibition on withdrawing any amount in excess of the maximum amount set by the casino, or requiring you to wager the spins a certain number of times before using the bonus credit in full. Information about these details is contained in the bonus terms and conditions, so it is essential to read them before registering and playing.
Cashback
A cashback bonus is a reward that compensates you for a percentage of your casino losses. To get it, you must first make a deposit and then you will receive the cashback as a percentage of your losses. The total amount of cashback is usually capped, and the exact amount will depend on the player’s loyalty or VIP level in the casino.
Cash bonus
The cash bonus is usually a small bonus credit with a number of wagering requirements. For example, an online casino may offer a cash bonus to new players or as an incentive for those who have already deposited, for example, to try a new game.
Remember that playing with bonus money is similar to playing with real money in two ways: firstly, bonus money cannot be withdrawn directly and secondly, bonus money will always be subject to wagering requirements before it can be withdrawn.
Free Play
A free play bonus is an extended version of a no deposit bonus. Instead of a token amount that online casinos give away as a no deposit bonus, free play refers to a much larger bonus credit.
However, the expiration date sets them apart from their smaller cousins: the window to play them can be as short as 30 minutes, with drastically higher wagering requirements.
This type of no-deposit bonus is the rarest of all at present and is usually intended for newly registered high roller accounts.
Which countries accept no deposit bonuses?
No deposit bonuses are attractive all over the world and, luckily, you can find them in most gambling jurisdictions.
For example, casino bonuses come in various forms, from cash bonuses for various casino games to free spins for slots. The same goes for Canada and Australia: if you are a player from one of these countries, you will certainly have a no deposit bonus promotion at your disposal, and you will probably have the opportunity to choose between free spins or bonus credit for different casino games.
Remember to familiarize yourself with the local laws before activating a no deposit bonus. Some countries have banned no deposit bonuses, which makes dishonest operators even more willing to lure you into the trap. When gambling online, you should never consider this kind of risk.
Read on to learn more about the risks of claiming a no deposit bonus from illegal sites.
How to claim a no deposit casino bonus?
The procedures for claiming a bonus vary from casino to casino. While some online casinos may require you to use a promotional code, others will have you contact support staff.
In general, however, there are a few simple steps to follow to get a no deposit bonus.
- Select a casino
Of course, the first step would be to choose the casino you like. The easiest way is to browse through our selection of the most reputable online casinos, highlight the ones you like the most, read our reviews and decide on the one that suits you best.
- Register
The registration process varies from site to site; however, it basically boils down to filling out the form by leaving your details and activating your account by email or phone. Finally, you may be asked to immediately choose your preferred deposit option and leave the corresponding information.
- Claim a no deposit bonus
Claiming a no deposit bonus is easy, or it should be if the casino intends to convince you that it is worth playing at.
Which casino games have the best no deposit bonuses?
Since the casino rewards you with a no risk bonus, you may be wondering which casino games have the best no deposit bonuses.
We don’t have a definitive answer to this question, but we can tell you what we know from our online casino experience. Most commonly, the casino games eligible for no deposit bonuses are:
Online slots (so-called Free Spins intended for one or more slot titles).
Live casino games
In addition, you should look for low wagering requirements and large maximum withdrawal amounts. Always check the terms and conditions for all the bonus details, from the expiration date to the maximum amount.
Stay away from illegal casinos with no deposit bonuses
Playing games of chance is fun; taking chances with illegal sites is not.
Illegal casino sites carry several risks to your online gambling experience. Since there are no laws binding them, they can easily get away with it, even denying you your winnings or kicking you off the site for no apparent reason, leaving you with no legal recourse.
Before signing up and accepting a no deposit bonus, check if the casino has a valid license. If the site is legitimate, your experience will be too. You wouldn’t want anyone to take advantage of your data and jeopardize your finances, would you?
Terms and conditions of no deposit bonuses
As attractive as they may seem, no deposit bonuses involve certain rules that you should be aware of before activating them. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you read the Terms and Conditions of the bonuses, as they contain all the information that affects you as a player.
Whether it is the wagering requirements or the maximum limit imposed on a no deposit bonus, you should always pay attention to the terms and conditions in order to make an informed decision.
Wagering requirements for no deposit bonuses
In most cases, no deposit bonuses come with high wagering requirements, usually higher than those of regular bonuses, which must be met before winnings can be cashed out.
Also, always check the type of games included in the offer: you will often find that only slots contribute 100% to the wagering requirements and that other casino games are not eligible or contribute a lower percentage. On the other hand, live casino games often contribute as little as 5%.
Usage Period
When activating a no deposit bonus, the validity period is another aspect to consider. Online casinos often limit no deposit bonuses to a specific period. These periods can vary from a single day to a month, but in any case, you will be required to play them during that period of time, or the bonus will be considered inactive and void.
Deposit required
Although, by definition, no deposit bonuses do not require you to make a deposit, some operators will require a deposit before they will let you cash out. While this may sound counterintuitive, legitimate casino sites do this to prove your identity and not to scam you.
Maximum bet
The maximum bet refers to the highest possible wager you can place while playing with bonus funds and still count towards the wagering requirements. The maximum bet is found in virtually all no deposit bonuses, and there are few online casinos that do not impose this limit. So it’s simple: whenever you see the maximum bet limit, don’t bet above it, or you will lose your winnings.
Limitations
Apart from setting the bet size, there are other limitations that an online casino can impose on a no deposit bonus. These include the maximum cashout or maximum amount you can withdraw, territorial limitations, or limiting the number of games or types of games eligible for a specific bonus.
Eligible Games
Most of the time, online casinos limit no deposit bonuses to online slots. Even if the casino includes other games to contribute to the bonus funds, chances are that only slots will contribute to 100% of the wagering requirements; other casino games, for example, live games such as poker or roulette, contribute significantly less.
How to claim your no deposit bonus code?
If you are a new player and wish to claim a no deposit bonus at a casino, follow this simple step-by-step guide that will lead you straight to your next no deposit bonus:
- Register
Once you find an online casino that suits your needs, the first step is to register. The registration process involves filling out a registration form and leaving your details, such as email or phone number, as well as choosing a profile name and password.
- Enter the code in a required field
If a code is required, you will be asked to enter it in the appropriate section of the exact form you received. Since online casinos are so concerned with making the most of their no deposit offers, these fields are usually highlighted, so you will have no trouble locating them.
- Finish registering
Finish registering by submitting all the information you have entered and your bonus code. Most casinos will ask you to confirm your identity, usually by email; after that, you’re all set to start using your bonus credit.
- Receive the no deposit bonus
Upon confirming your identity on the casino website, you can start using the no deposit bonus funds you have received. Before wagering, check the requirements and other limitations to make the most of the offer.
What are no deposit bonus codes?
No deposit bonus codes are a series of letters and/or numbers that you must enter when activating the bonus in order to qualify for the offer. You can find them in various means: in promotional emails, casino websites or affiliate websites. Each online casino has its own procedure for claiming a no deposit bonus code, but in general, you will be required to enter the code at a certain time before claiming the bonus.
Bonus codes are geographically oriented, which means that if you can see a bonus code from where you are playing, your partner in another gaming jurisdiction may not be able to see it, and vice versa.
No deposit bonuses are not the only ones that require a bonus code. In our selection of the latest casino bonuses, you will see that other offers, such as exclusive bonuses, also require a bonus code.
How to find the best online casino with no deposit bonus?
Here is a two-step guide to finding the best no deposit bonuses:
Decide on the type of bonus – Although no deposit bonuses sound attractive, not all of them will suit your tastes. Browse our selection and determine which type you prefer: free spins, free money, online slots or live casino, or sign-up or no sign-up bonus.
Read the fine print – We never tire of repeating it: before activating an offer, read the bonus terms and conditions carefully, as this is the only place where you will find all the details that can affect your stay at the casino.