What Is a No Deposit Bonus?
A no deposit bonus is bonus credit transferred to the player's account without requiring them to deposit money. As a rule of thumb, no deposit bonuses are handed out in small amounts, usually ranging from $5- $10 (or another currency equivalent), for wagers on a particular game or a set of casino games.
Think of no deposit bonuses as a way to take the casino for a "test drive" before making a deposit. The main reason why operators introduce these offers is to allow players to familiarise themselves with a casino before leaving money at the cashier. If you are unhappy with what you see, you can always choose to leave the casino at your discretion.
Although these offers sound attractive as they carry minimum to zero risk, players still have to meet specific requirements before withdrawing their winnings. Continue reading as we explore no deposit bonuses in-depth.
What Types of No Deposit Casino Bonuses Are There?
When looking for a new casino, you will most commonly find no deposit bonuses offered as welcome bonuses. No deposit bonuses come in different shapes and sizes, but these are the most common variants:
Bonus Cash
Bonus cash is usually a little bonus credit with a set of wagering requirements attached. For example, an online casino can offer bonus cash to new players or as an incentive for those who have already deposited to, say, try a new game.
Remember that playing with bonus cash is similar to playing with real cash in two aspects: first, bonus cash cannot be withdrawn directly, and second, bonus cash will always be subject to playthrough requirements before you're allowed to withdraw.
Free Spins
Some online casinos offer no deposit bonuses as free spins for online slots. Even though they won't require you to make any deposit, online casinos impose other restrictions on this type of bonus.
Those restrictions may include a max cap on winnings, banning a withdrawal of any amount that exceeds the maximum amount set by the casino or asking you to wager the spins a certain number of times before using the bonus credit in full. Information about such details is contained in the bonus terms and conditions, so it is essential to read them before registering and playing.
Free Play
A free-play bonus is a bigger version of a no deposit bonus. Instead of a symbolic amount online casinos give away as a no deposit bonus, free play refers to a much larger bonus credit.
However, the expiry date sets them apart from their smaller cousins: the window to play them through may be as short as 30 minutes, with drastically steeper wagering requirements.
This kind of no deposit bonus is the rarest of all nowadays and is usually intended for newly registered high-roller accounts.
Cashback
A cashback bonus is a reward that makes up for a percentage of your losses at the casino. To get it, you will be required to make a deposit first and then receive the cashback as a percentage of your losses. The total cashback amount is usually capped, and the exact amount will depend on the player's loyalty or VIP level at the casino.
Free Coins
The no-deposit bonus can come in the form of Free Coins, if you're playing at sweepstakes casinos. Sweepstakes casinos don't require players to deposit any money, but they give away coins for players to play, but only from some casinos you can redeem the rewards for real-life prizes. You can always check out sweepstakes casino no deposit bonuses if you prefer entertainment and this style of play.
How to Claim a No Deposit Casino Bonus?
Bonus claiming procedures vary from one casino to another. While some online casinos may require that you use a promo code, others will have you contact the support staff.
In general, however, you must follow a few simple steps to get a no deposit bonus.
1. Select a Casino
Of course, the first step would be to pick the casino you like. The easiest way is to browse our selection of the most reputable online casinos, single out the ones you like, read our reviews, and settle down on what's best for you.
2. Register
The registration process varies from site to site; still, it essentially boils down to filling out the form by leaving your data and activating your account via email or telephone. Finally, you may be asked to pick your preferred deposit option immediately and leave the corresponding information.
3. Claim a No Deposit Bonus
Claiming a no deposit bonus is easy, or it should be if the casino intends to convince you it is worth playing at.
Which Countries Accept No Deposit Bonuses?
No deposit bonuses are appealing everywhere in the world, and luckily, you can find them in most gambling jurisdictions.
For instance, UK casino bonuses come in various forms, from bonus cash for various casino games to free spins for slots. The same goes for Canada and Australia: if you’re a player from any of these, you will surely have a no deposit bonus promotion available to you, and you will probably have a chance to choose between free spins vs bonus credit for different casino games.
Remember to familiarise yourself with local laws before a no deposit bonus activation. Some countries have banned no deposit bonuses, making rogue operators even more willing to lure you into a 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.
Which Casino Games Have the Best No Deposit Bonuses?
As the casino rewards you with no-risk bonus credit, you might ask yourself which casino games feature the best no deposit bonuses.
We have no definitive answer to this, but we can tell you what we know from our online casino experience. Most commonly, casino games eligible for no deposit bonuses are:
- Online slots (the so-called Free Spins intended for a single or several slot titles)
- Live casino games (roulette, blackjack, baccarat etc.)
Also, you want to look for lenient wagering requirements and large max cashout amounts. Always consult the terms and conditions for all bonus details, from expiry to maximum cashout.
Stay Away From Illegal No Deposit Bonus Casinos
Playing games of chance is fun; taking chances with illegal sites is not.
Illegal casino sites carry various risks to your online gambling experience. As no laws bind them, they can easily get away with anything, including denying your winnings or banning you from the website for no apparent reason, leaving you with no legal recourse.
Before registering and saying yes to a no deposit bonus credit, double-check whether the casino carries a valid licence. If the site is legit, your experience will be, too. You don't want to let anyone take advantage of your data and compromise your finances, do you?
No Deposit Bonus Terms and Conditions
As attractive as they seem, no deposit bonuses involve certain rules you should be aware of before activating. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you read bonus Terms and Conditions as they contain all the information that affects you as a player.
Be it wagering requirements or max cap imposed on a no deposit bonus, you should always pay attention to terms and conditions so that you can make an informed choice.
No Deposit Bonus Wagering Requirements
Most often, no deposit bonuses come with high wagering requirements - usually higher when compared to regular bonuses - that need to be played through before you can cash out any of your winnings.
Also, always check the type of games you included in the offer: you will often find only slots contributing 100% to the wagering requirements and other casino games being ineligible or contributing a smaller percentage. On the other hand, live casino games often contribute as little as five per cent.
Period of Use
When activating a no deposit bonus, the validity period is another thing to keep in mind. Online casinos commonly limit no deposit bonuses to a specific period. These periods may vary from a single day to a month, but either way, you will be required to play them through in the said timeframe, or the bonus will be deemed inactive and void.
Max Betting
Max bet refers to the highest possible single wager you can place while playing with bonus funds and still have it counting toward the wagering requirements. Max bet is found in virtually all no deposit bonuses, and few online casinos don't impose this limit. So it's simple: whenever you see the max bet limit, don't bet over it, or you will lose your winnings.
Deposit Required
Although, by definition, no deposit bonuses don't ask you to make a deposit, some operators will demand a deposit before letting you cash out. Even though this may sound contradictory, legitimate casino sites do this to prove your identity and not to scam you.
Limitations
Apart from setting the bet size, there are other limitations an online casino may impose on a no deposit bonus. These include max cashout or the 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 times, online casinos limit no deposit bonuses to online slots. Even if the casino includes other games to contribute to the bonus funds, you will most likely learn that only slots will contribute 100% to the wagering requirements; other casino games, say, live-dealer games like poker or roulette, contribute significantly less.
What Are No Deposit Bonus Codes?
No deposit bonus codes are series of letters and/or numbers you must enter when activating the bonus to be eligible for the offer. You can find them in various media: in promotional emails, casinos' websites, or affiliate websites such as AskGamblers. Each online casino has its procedure for claiming a no deposit bonus code, but in general, you will be prompted to enter the code at a certain point before claiming the bonus.
Bonus codes are geo-targeted, meaning that if you can see a bonus code from where you are playing, your fellow player in another gambling jurisdiction might not, and vice versa.
No deposit bonuses are not the only ones that require a bonus code. In our selection of latest casino bonuses, you will see other offers, like exclusive bonuses, require a bonus code, too.
How to Claim Your No Deposit Bonus Code?
If you're 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:
1. Register
Once you find an online casino that fits your needs, the first step is registering. The registration process involves filling out a sign-up form and leaving your data, such as email or phone number, on top of choosing a profile name and password.
2. Enter the Code in a Required Field
If a code is needed, you will be prompted to enter it in the appropriate section in the exact form you received. Since online casinos care so much about making the most of their no deposit offers, these fields are usually highlighted, so you won't have a problem locating them.
3. Finish Signing Up
Finish signing up by submitting all the information you have entered and your bonus code. Most casinos will ask you to confirm your identity, usually via email; after that, you'll be all set to start using your bonus credit.
4. Receive No Deposit Bonus
By confirming your identity on the casino's 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.
How to Find the Best No Deposit Bonus Online Casino?
Here's a two-step guide through the process of finding the best no deposit bonuses:
Decide on the type of bonus - Although no deposit bonuses sound attractive, not all of them will be cut out to your tastes. Browse our selection and determine which type you prefer: free spins, free cash, online slots or live casino, or bonus upon registration or without registration.
Read the fine print - We can't stress this enough; before activating an offer, pore over the bonus terms and conditions because this is the only place you will find all details that may affect your stay at the casino.
No Deposit Bonuses at AskGamblers
Luckily, we have done the legwork and compiled the best no deposit bonus offers in one place. Browse through our list and find the right no deposit bonuses for you and make sure to read our casino reviews if you are registering with a casino for the first time.
