Online casinos offer tons of different bonuses, offers and promotions to new players, but the no deposit bonus is perhaps the one that is getting the most buzz these days. Many players like to take advantage of them as they are seen as a freebie, or a way to test out a casino and its games for free for a limited time.
If this sounds good to you, you will first have to understand a few rules regarding terms and conditions before you can reap the potential benefits.
What is a no deposit bonus?
A no deposit bonus is a prize offered to players by an online casino website. As suggested by the name, a no deposit bonus gives you cash that you can use to play a variety of online casino games, technically free of charge. In other words, a no deposit bonus allows you to play casino games without needing to deposit any of your own cash.
For example, Irish players at no deposit casinos can spend several hours, sometimes even a day or two, coasting on a no deposit bonus before running out and needing to deposit their own funds. It’s a great way to not only get a head start on some potential winnings but also to try out a site.
How do you receive a no deposit bonus?
No deposit bonuses can be acquired in a few different ways. The most common is when they are offered as a type of welcome bonus. Most welcome bonuses tend to offer something like deposit matches or free spins for applicable slot games, but a no deposit bonus will immediately allow you to start gaming, as long as you follow the guidelines and conditions.
They can also be acquired long after your initial signup and registration with an online casino. For example, many online casinos offer loyalty programs or VIP systems. With them, you can level up and improve your account’s ranking, which in turn improves the types of prizes you can earn.
Typically, you level up by acquiring points, which are acquired by making wagers. It’s a bit similar to earning upvotes on Reddit, but obviously with a different type of platform. If you reach a high enough level, you might receive another no deposit bonus as a result.
Wagering requirements of a no deposit bonus
Some players might think that once they acquire their no deposit bonus funds, they will be able to immediately withdraw them into their personal account of choice and get some free money. Unfortunately for such crafty thinkers, this loophole has already been accounted for.
Though you are technically given free money to use via a no deposit bonus, you will not be allowed to withdraw any funds until you meet the online casino’s wagering requirements.
The rules will vary slightly from site to site, but wagering requirements specify that you must place a particular number of wagers at a certain multiplier before you are qualified to make a withdrawal. This prevents players from exploiting the no deposit bonus for free cash, as well as forcing them to actually make wagers with the money they are given.
Wagering requirements also tend to specify which games are compatible with the bonus. This means that you typically cannot use the bonus funds on any game available, but only with those specified by the terms and conditions of the bonus. Game eligibility can be based on volatility, on game type (slots vs poker vs baccarat, for example) or on Return to Player (RTP) ratio.
Keep in mind that many no deposit bonus wagering requirements also come with max bet limits, maximum withdrawal limits and even time limits. Many of these bonuses will expire after a week or two, so you have to use them quickly before they are lost.
How to get the most out of a no deposit bonus?
Depending on what your priorities are, there are a couple of ways to maximize your no deposit bonus benefits.
If you are playing with more of a casual mindset, you will want to use your free no deposit bonus funds to test-drive as many different games as possible. This strategy of putting your eggs in multiple baskets will allow you to see which games connect with you the most. It won’t be great for hitting it big in the short term, but it is a good opportunity to collect some data and see which games are most compatible with your playstyle.
If you want to make as much money as possible from a no deposit bonus, then you should do the opposite and focus on one game only, maybe two if you happen to have bad luck with the first one. Putting all of your eggs in one basket, so to speak, will give you a higher chance at hitting a jackpot or a bonus round, especially when it comes to slot games. Pick a game with a volatility and RTP percentage you are comfortable with, and then try your luck.
