What Is a No Deposit Bonus?
A no deposit bonus is a promotion you can receive, without having to make a deposit at a casino. It is essentially free cash or prizes.
Many casino offers are tied to deposit bonuses. For example, many welcome offers have a deposit bonus – like a 100% matched deposit bonus up to R1000. With these promotions, you must spend money before receiving anything in return – this does not appeal to everyone.
This is where a no deposit bonus excels. You can claim a no deposit bonus without spending a single Rand. Oftentimes no deposit bonuses are a welcome offer that can only be claimed by new customers.
Different Kinds of No Deposit Bonuses
So what different types of no deposit bonuses are there? You can categorize this type of offer into three main promotions – free spins, free cash, and free play.
You may find some unique variations too, but these three are the most common. For example, there are some casinos that provide customers with a spin or spins on a wheel of fortune. This wheel will have different prizes that you can win like free spins and free cash. The result of the no deposit bonus is the same, but the offer is dressed in a different manner.
Free Spins
Many South African casinos provide no deposit free spins. This type of offer is simple and easy to use. For example, you may gain 10 no deposit free spins on Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead. These free spins are usually credited once you register a new account.
Usually, the casino set’s the value of each free spin – this is most likely the minimum bet value possible on the video slot game. Also, there is usually wagering requirements for any winnings you make on the free spins. Some casinos even go so far as to limit the total winnings you can make from no deposit free spins.
A complete no deposit free spin offer could look like – 10 free spins on Book of Dead, with a spin value of R5, and wagering requirements of 20x on free spin winnings. Free spin winnings are limited to R500.
Free Cash Lump Sum
Next, some casinos simply give free cash bonuses. In most instances, this free cash is a low value. You can expect a maximum free cash lump sum of R300 (Approx. $20). As with the free spins, this type of offer is usually activated when you register a new account.
Limitations on free cash bonuses include wagering requirements, available games, and maximum winnings. Most no deposit free cash bonuses have wagering requirements. Also, a casino may limit which games you can use the free cash on. Finally, like free spins, the casino may limit the maximum winnings you can make from free cash bonuses.
The following is an example of a free cash bonus – R200 bonus for use on video slots, Keno, and Bingo. 20x wagering requirements on the bonus funds, and maximum winnings of R500.
In most instances, the free cash lump sum is non-withdrawable, and only ever re-credited as bonus funds.
Free Bets (Free Play)
Finally, some casinos provide free bets or free play on specific games. This type of no deposit bonus is similar to free spins, but the bets are usually available for other games like table games or video poker.
With this type of no deposit bonus, the casino often sets the free bet value. Also, there is usually wagering requirements on any winnings made from the free bets. Common games that this type of offer is used for are Roulette, Blackjack, and Video Poker.
How to find a good no deposit bonus?
No deposit bonuses are many and varied. It can therefore be difficult to choose a worthwhile no deposit bonus. To pick the best offers, you must look at the terms and conditions, and spend time analyzing the following promotion factors:
Reward Type
First, look at the type of reward. As mentioned above, there are three common types of no deposit bonuses – free spins, free cash, and free bets. Which type of offer would you prefer? Do you enjoy playing video slots? Or maybe you want to try out different games? Look at the reward type and choose something that suits your preferences.
Game Restrictions
Most no deposit bonuses limit which games you can use the bonus funds/spins on. The best offers give greater freedom and allow you to use your no deposit bonus on whatever you want.
The best no deposit free spin offers allow you to use the free spins on any slot game. As a minimum, there should be a selection of slot games. The most limiting free spin offers will only allow you to use the spins on one game.
Similarly, the best free cash and free play offers will allow you to use the funds/bets on the whole casino game library. Essentially, the best offers have no or minimal game restrictions.
Low Wagering Requirements
The key to remember with wagering requirements is that a lower multiplier is ALWAYS better. A 10x wagering requirement is better than 20x.
If you won R100 using a no deposit bonus with a 10x wagering requirement, you would have to spend R1000 to claim the winnings, whereas, with 20x, you would have to spend R2000. The best no deposit bonuses have lower wagering requirements which means you can withdraw winnings without spending as much.
Withdrawal Limits
Many casinos limit how much you can win or withdraw from a no deposit bonus. For example, a free spin offer may limit your maximum winnings to R1000. This is detrimental – what if you win a jackpot prize of R10,000? This means you would only be able to claim R1000 of the R10,000 prize!
The best no deposit promotions have no withdrawal or winnings limits – you are free to claim whatever you win from the promotion, providing you clear the wagering requirements.
Time Constraints
Another common limitation is time constraints. Casinos apply time constraints to no deposit bonuses so you feel pressured, and make poor decisions – potentially wasting your bonus.
Common time constraints include – a set period to claim the bonus, a set period to spend the bonus funds/free spins, or a set period to clear any wagering requirements.
Fewer time constraints are better. This means you can use the no deposit bonus in your own time and think the process through properly.
Common T&C’s
Always check through the rest of the terms and conditions. No deposit bonuses usually have extensive T&C’s that cover the above aspects plus more. If you do not read these terms carefully, you could potentially miss something important.
When reading the T&C’s you can generally see which offers are better. The worst no deposit bonuses have incredibly limiting T&C’s that benefit the casino as opposed to the customer.
Also, look for phrases of ambiguity that enable the casino to act as they wish. For example, “The casino holds the right to void your bonus without notice or reason”. This type of statement immediately shows that the casino is less trustworthy.
How we compare casinos
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How to claim a no deposit bonus
How you claim a no deposit bonus depends on the type of offer, and the casino. The following are common ways that you can claim bonuses:
1. Register a new account with the casino.
2. Contact the customer support team.
3. Enter the no deposit coupon code in your account section.
As there is no deposit involved, the claiming process is usually done through your account section, or by ticking a box or entering a code when registering your new account. Some no deposit bonuses may also be credited automatically when you perform specific actions.
You may also have to contact the customer support team to claim this type of promotion.
How to keep what you win
No deposit bonuses can be tricky to use. Also, it can be tricky to keep your winnings and make a successful withdrawal. To ensure you have done the following:
1. Cleared any wagering requirements.
2. Complied with any time constraints.
3. Used the bonus funds/spins on the correct games.
4. Properly activated the no deposit bonus.
Clearing wagering requirements is the main obstacle. Let’s look at an example. You have 5 free spins on Starburst. The wagering requirements for winnings are 25x. You win R500 overall on your free spins. If you tried to withdraw these winnings immediately, your withdrawal would be denied, and you could potentially void the promotion.
To clear the wagering requirements, you would first need to spend R12,500 (25x R500). Once you had wagered the equivalent of R12,500, you could then withdraw your winnings.
A small minority of casinos do provide no wagering bonuses. These are different from no deposit bonuses. With no wagering bonuses, you can claim your winnings immediately without spending anything else.
FAQ
Q – Can I win jackpot prizes using no deposit bonuses?
A – This depends. Some casinos limit the total winnings you can earn from no deposit bonuses. If there is a limit, you may not be able to claim the full value of a jackpot win.
Q – Which is the best type of no deposit bonus?
A – This is subjective. It depends on what you enjoy, and how you play at online casinos. The best no deposit bonuses have low wagering requirements for winnings and provide good value i.e. a decent number of free spins, or free cash.
Q – Can I claim a no deposit bonus on a mobile casino?
A – Yes – in most cases, no deposit bonuses are available for both desktop and mobile versions of the casino. Just check the T&C’s, as some offers are platform-specific.
Q – Are no deposit bonuses available for existing registered customers?
A – This depends – for no deposit welcome bonuses, no. Any other no deposit that is not restricted to new customers can be claimed by existing customers.
Q – Can you cash out your no deposit bonus winnings?
A – Yes! In most instances, you must complete the wagering requirements first, however. For example, let’s say you won R200 on video slots, from a no deposit bonus. If there was a 20x wagering requirement on the winnings, you would need to spend R4000 (R200 x 20) before withdrawing them.
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