Understanding Free Casino Bonuses

Free casino bonuses are, as the name suggests, bonus deals you can claim at online casinos without paying in. Sometimes referred to as no-deposit casino bonuses, these deals are extremely popular with players who want to try casino games and slots without having to pay in and risk their real money.

Free casino bonuses and no-deposit deals come in different shapes and sizes, and have different terms and conditions that you need to pay attention to. In this guide, we break down everything you need to know.

What Are Free Casino Bonuses?

A free casino bonus is an online deal that lets players claim a certain amount of credit without making a deposit. They are frequently used as part of welcome deals for new players and as occasional gifts for regular players and VIP club members.

The most common stipulation for claiming a free casino bonus is usually to sign up in full at a participating casino. Free and no deposit casino bonuses will often be tied to specific slot games, and will give players the chance to try games before they pay in.

It’s a useful way for some players to work out whether or not they like playing certain games. It’s also possible to make winnings from free casino bonuses, but wagering restrictions and terms and conditions frequently apply.

How to Claim Free Casino Bonuses

Claiming free casino bonuses is relatively easy if you’re a new customer. When a free bonus is part of a welcome deal, start by simply clicking or tapping ‘Register’ or ‘Sign up’ at your chosen casino.

You’ll then need to fill out some details to confirm who you are, and that you have the right to claim the bonus. Most online casinos in the UK will ask you to confirm your full name and address and to register a valid payment method, such as a debit card, before you get started.

In most cases, you will also need to confirm your identity with a valid form of photo ID before you can claim your free casino bonus. Make sure that you have a driving licence or passport handy to do this.

When you’ve registered your details, you will need to enter a promo code for your free casino bonus unless the provider adds it for you. Once you verify your email address and log in, you will normally be able to use your free bonus cash within a matter of minutes.

That said, you should give the casino time to process your bonus, as it can take a few hours to complete depending on any background checks the casino needs to run.

Once your free casino bonus has been added, it will usually appear as a separate balance to any money you pay in from your chosen deposit method. This is partly because you’ll need to wager your bonus money if you want to make any withdrawals from it – more on this below.

If you’re not a new player, there’s a chance that your casino will offer you a free bonus as a regular customer. For example, on your birthday, a casino you’re registered with might send you a small free spins package via email. Alternatively, if you’re registered to a VIP club or programme through the casino, you might simply need to earn VIP points and claim through the site.

Regardless, the terms and conditions will usually remain the same. If you’re claiming a free casino bonus as a registered player, you might be able to add a promo code via your account.

Types of Free Casino Bonuses

There are a few different types of free casino bonuses to watch for, whether you’re a new player or already registered at an online casino. Here are the most common bonuses.

Free Spins

Free spins bonuses are very common as part of casino welcome deals. These offers typically let you claim a set of free spins on specific slots. For example, you might get to claim 10 free spins on Gonzo’s Quest just for signing up to a new casino.

Free spins are usually added to your account shortly after you claim a promo code. In some cases, casinos even offer larger free spins packages where you can play a range of games for free without paying in.

In other cases, there might be free spins deals offered as part of larger welcome packages or VIP rewards.

Cashback

Cashback deals will require you to already have some money in your casino’s cashpot. This type of deal gives you back a certain amount you might have spent on slots – for example, you might unlock a £10 cashback deal.

So, this deal will grant you £10 back in bonus credit provided that you have already spent this on specific games. This credit will usually have terms and conditions attached that we’ll explore shortly.

Some cashback bonuses will give you back a percentage of the money you spend on slot games – meaning that this type of deal will vary depending on the casino you sign up to.

Free Play Money

Sometimes, casinos will offer free bonuses that simply give you credit to explore slots without any kind of financial reward. Free play money lets you try out games in demo mode, meaning that you do so knowing that you won’t make any real money back.

This is a popular type of free casino bonus for newcomers, as it removes the need to pay in and potentially risk money on games they don’t like.

This type of deal isn’t the most common as many casinos offer free play mode outright on their leading games. However, it’s still worth looking out for as part of welcome and VIP bonus deals.

Key Terms and Conditions to Look Out For

Of course, terms and conditions will always apply – and with free casino bonuses, you should look out for wagering terms as a priority. 

Wagering terms and conditions dictate that you should bet the bonus credit you receive a certain number of times before you can withdraw winnings you make from it. For example, you might need to wager a £10 bonus credit 40 times – which means playing £400 in total.

Other terms and conditions to look for include winning caps, where a bonus deal will prevent you from winning over a certain amount. There might also be stipulations that you have to use your bonus credit within a certain amount of time.

Regardless, it’s always important to read the terms and conditions before agreeing to a deal, even if it’s free!

Pros and Cons of Free Casino Bonuses

Free casino bonuses have several benefits, such as allowing you to explore new games and casinos without the need to pay any real money of your own. It is also possible to win money from these bonuses. However, these bonuses often come with high wagering requirements, along with being tied to specific games. They also need to be used within a certain time limit or you risk forfeiting the bonus.

How to Make the Most of Your Free Casino Bonus

To make the most of a free casino bonus, start with an open mind – understand that wagering terms will apply, and that there’s never a guarantee of getting free money.

Look for slot games with high RTP (Return to Player) percentages, as these offer larger returns over a longer period of time.

Also, try to focus on wagering your money back efficiently if you want to claim your winnings. This isn’t always easy if there’s a high wagering requirement. Keep your bonus time limit in mind and play the bonus back on games you prefer and can play regularly over time.

Free casino bonuses are fantastic for welcoming players into online slot sites. Always make sure to read any terms and conditions that apply to the bonuses. Check out our guides and lists at CasinoBonus.com for the best free bonuses available at UK casinos right now.