With so many online casinos available now, players have endless options. To stand out, many of these casinos have begun offering special bonuses that entice players to sign up with them. By offering these different rewards, the casinos are doing their best to stay one step ahead of the competition. But how do you know which casinos are the best? Is there a way you can test-drive the casino to make sure it’s right for you?
Luckily for you, that is a possibility at some casinos! One of the bonuses that is offered to plays is ‘a no deposit bonus’, which simply means you don’t have to put in your own money to play a game. Not having to make a deposit allows players to freely play at a casino and see if the casino is the right one for them.
Since this is such a great way for players to get a feel for a casino, why don’t all casinos offer this bonus? How is a no deposit bonus different from other types of bonuses offered? If not all casinos offer the no deposit bonus, how can I find the ones that do?
What Is a Deposit? How Does It Work?
Before we dive into those questions, let’s go over what deposits are and how they work in gambling. Deposits are a basic in the world of gambling; a deposit is the act of putting money into your account to play at a casino. This money, in some ways, acts as a cover fee for the casino; you deposit your money, and the casino lets you come in and play their games.
Most deposits for casinos are relatively low, ranging anywhere between £5-£20. The deposit required usually depends on the bet that’s being wagered and the game that you decided to play.
But, if you find a no deposit bonus, you simply have to provide the casino with a few basic pieces of information (this is required by the UK law), and the casino will allot you some money to play. Usually the casino doesn’t give the player a lot of money (between £5-£10). Unfortunately for players, free money doesn’t actually mean free money.
Terms & Conditions Requirements:
In the UK, all legal and accredited online casinos require that the Terms and Conditions for all bonuses are laid out clearly for the player below the offer. This is for the benefit of the player, so they know exactly what they’re getting from the bonus, as well as instructions on how to use it. In addition, they will also see the requirements and exceptions when it comes to claiming the bonus. So, even though the font is small, it’s still well worth it to read the information provided.
Here are some of the most common terms and conditions that are used in tandem with a bonuses:
- Wagering requirements: This is perhaps one of the most common requirements placed on casino bonuses. A wagering requirement is the amount you need to play before being able to withdraw your money. This makes it difficult for the player to make good money on a bonus, especially a no deposit bonus.
- Cap on bonus winnings: Obviously the casino doesn’t want you to make too much money when using their bonus codes. To prevent this, they put a limit on how much you can make with the given bonus.
- Limited game selection: Not all games meet the requirements for the bonuses that are being offered. So the casino excludes certain games from being played with the bonus.
- Maximum bets: Similar to limiting the gaming options, casinos want to minimise the amount that you could win while using their bonuses. One of the ways to do that is by limiting the amount you can bet at once while using the bonus.
- Deposit to confirm payment methods: In order to prevent money laundering, most UK casinos require that players enter their banking information in order to verify their accounts. So players might not have to provide the information when they begin to play, they will have to make a small deposit before they can withdraw any winnings. This deposit, usually between £5-£10, helps verify your bank account.
Methods of Depositing:
Speaking of depositing and withdrawing, there are a few ways you can go about depositing money into your account. While there are several avenues, you need to be mindful of some factors. Perhaps the most important and relevant piece of information regarding payment, when it comes to both depositing and withdrawing, is that the UK has banned the use of credit cards as a form of payment for online casinos.
Because of this, you might need to become a little more creative when it comes to choosing your preferred method of payment. When depositing money, you can either use PayPal, Boku (a mobile phone service), or other types of eWallets. Be sure to do your research before you use any payment method and double check it’s withdrawal policies.
Withdrawals are just as important as deposits because you’ll want to claim your winnings. However, not all payment methods allow you to withdraw using their services, so be sure to pick a method that’s simple and convenient for you.
Different types of Bonuses:
Obviously there are more than one type of bonus that is offered by online casinos. While there are many different bonuses, some are better than others. Here is a short list that explains what each one offers, as well as it’s advantages and disadvantages.
- Free spins: Perhaps the most common bonus offered by casinos (usually slot-centric casinos). This offer means that casinos give their players free spins for a specific slot game. These games are usually chosen based on how much return the casino believes that they will get from them.
- When casinos offer free spins, there are always three important terms & conditions that are outlined for players:
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- The amount of spins you will get (this number could be anywhere between 10-100).
- The games that are eligible for the offer. Not all slots meet the usual requirements, so the casino delegates certain games.
- The bet amount is fixed for these offers.
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- Bonus money or free chips: This bonus allows players to pick and choose which games they want to play for free without having to deposit money right away. Even though you get ‘free money’, there are wagering requirements that you need to abide by. Once you play the required amount, you can make your required deposit and withdraw your winnings.
- If you’re looking for free money on top of the promise of no deposits, be on the lookout for casinos who offer £10. When casinos give you the free money, it’s usually between £5-£10, so most players try to find casinos that give £10. Bojoko collaborates with two casinos who do honor this offer:
- Mr. Play: One of the most online casinos for mobile games, Mr. Play has been operating for over six years. Most well-known for their bingo games, they are also known for their awesome welcome offers. Of course when you sign up, you are eligible to play with £10 with no deposit! However, if you are enjoying yourself and want more, when you make your first deposit, you will be eligible for a £600 match bonus of up to £1000 and 100 free spins!
- Velobet: This mobile casino is one-of-a-kind, as it is just that: a mobile casino. Catering to players who are on the go, this casino has so much to offer it’s players. On top of the welcome bonus, members are also eligible for Weekly Bonuses, Social Media Bonuses, and Bonus Game of the Month. Not only do they have a bunch of bonuses, they also have a Loyalty program which allows you to cash in on other exclusive deals!
- If you’re looking for free money on top of the promise of no deposits, be on the lookout for casinos who offer £10. When casinos give you the free money, it’s usually between £5-£10, so most players try to find casinos that give £10. Bojoko collaborates with two casinos who do honor this offer:
Interested in winning big all month long? Sign up with PocketWin and get £10 with no deposit required!
Which Bonus Is Best?
We have seen what both types of bonus have to offer, but how do you know which one is better? In all actuality, there isn’t much of a difference between the two when it comes down to the money made. We can continue to analyse the pros and cons of both options though:
- Advantages of free spins:
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- You are able to try out some of the more popular slot games
- Helpful if you’re not sure which games to test.
- Disadvantages of free spins
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- You are only allowed to play the games that the casino has allocated to the bonus. Not only that, but you’re also only allowed to play with the given amount of spins.
- You are subject to many terms and conditions (primarily wagering requirements).
- The bets are fixed.
- Advantages of free money:
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- You are able to try different games in the casino.
- Gives the player more control and flexibility.
- Disadvantages of free money:
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- You’ll eventually have to deposit your own money.
- Not many casinos have this offer available.
Even though there isn’t much of a difference in financial terms, it still seems like free money is the better bonus. This is based mainly on the factor of pure enjoyment and flexibility. Having the ability to try one or two games as opposed to just one slot game gives the player a better idea of the casino itself.
How to Find No Deposit Casinos:
Similarly to finding other casinos, the process for finding casinos with no deposit bonuses is quite simple. Thanks to websites like GamblingCity, players can easily filter their searches to find the best casino for them.
So, if you’re interested in only playing with a casino that doesn’t require a deposit bonus, follow these easy steps:
- First, you need to find a reputable site that provides an extensive list of available casinos. Like previously mentioned, GamblingCity is just the site you are looking for. Having hundreds of reputable mobile apps and casinos to choose from, you won’t have any issues finding a casino that is right for you.
- After you find the website with a casino catalogue, pick the filter that best suits your needs. In this case it would be ‘no deposit’. By utilising this filter, you automatically eliminate the possibility of choosing a casino that doesn’t not offer the playing without a deposit.
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- These filters can range quite a bit, so if you aren’t finding any casinos that you think might be interesting, be sure to try different filters. They can be anything like, “No deposit bonus casino,” “no deposit & no wagering,” or even “£5, £10, & £15 no deposits”. No matter which one you are interested in, you will be able to find a casino that works for you.
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- If you find a casino that peaks your interest, be sure to read the reviews. Bojoko provides players with dozens of reviews that have been left by both players and experts! So in addition to being to test out the casino by yourself, you also get another insight into the pros and cons of the casino.
- Once you have landed on a casino that has what you’re looking for, simply follow the link that’s been provided and you’ll be transferred to the casino’s homepage. From there, you can explore to find a game to enjoy, or perhaps you will cash in on their welcome bonus.
- If you enjoyed playing, feel free to sign up, or register as a member, on the casino’s site. This is the best way to receive great deals and be kept in the loop when it comes to new bonuses.
How To Use a Bonus:
So you’ve chosen your no deposit casino, now what? How do you redeem the bonus? There are a few ways to go about this, and the correct method depends on the casino itself. The one similarity between casinos though is that they require the player to register at their site. This usually just means inputting some basic personal information to the site. Once the casino has that information, you can easily claim your bonus. Below are some ways you can cash in on the welcome bonus:
- One of the most popular ways is to enter a bonus code. This code is either advertised on the casino’s website or sent directly to the player via email or SMS. Be sure to pay close attention when entering these codes, as they can be case sensitive.
- Another option is to simply click on a box when you’re registering at the casino. This lets the website know that you’re a first-time user and you want to claim the bonus.
- Since you’ve already registered with your basic information, sometimes a casino simply needs you to verify your email address and/or phone number to begin playing with the bonus.
- In some cases, you will need to enter your card details before being able to play. Not to worry though, you won’t be charged at this time. Since you will eventually need to deposit some money into your account for bank verification purposes, this way saves you some time.
- If you’re having trouble getting the welcome bonus to work or have any questions regarding the offer itself, feel free to contact customer support. These highly trained agents are more than happy to assist you and can help you activate the welcome bonus.
Top Casinos:
Since so many different online casinos offer bonuses, we are here to help you out by outlining the top-rated casinos with no deposit bonuses
- Punt: A fantastic UKGC-approved online casino, Punt’s is a great place for those who love testing their luck with fast-paced games. With an extensive slot and bingo selection, players will never get bored. Not only do they have a fantastic selection of games, player’s at Punt’s are treated like royalty. With the ability to join their VIP club, these members can expect to receive special deals and bonuses! Check out their site and get 100 free spins when you sign up with them. Best of luck!
- Jackpot.com: Another slot-specific online casino, Jackpot.com is just the casino for you, especially if you prefer mobile gaming. Their state-of-the-art site is extremely user-friendly and you can enjoy playing either on the web or from your mobile phone. And when it comes to bonuses, Jackpot.com lives up to its name as it truly is the boss of bonuses. While they don’t have a VIP program like other casinos, they offer weekly bonuses for their members. Don’t take our word for it, see for yourself! When you sign up with them, you can get up to 100 free spins.
- Yeti Casino: One of the coolest online casinos operating, Yeti Casino has some scary good deals. Having over 400 games to choose from, players will enjoy a large array of games. Also being well known for their slot selection, Yeti offers more than that to it’s players. If you think you’re cool enough to join Yeti Casino, you’ll be welcomed with a 100% match guarantee on winnings up to €333 plus 100 free spins when you play either Starburst or Joker Pro.
- Dr. Slot Casino: The slot experts, Dr. Slot Casino offers a one-of-a-kind casino experience. Catering heavily to the players in the UK, this daughter company of InTouch Games really knows what players want in their games. When you sign up with them, you receive 20 free spins! Not only do they have great bonuses after your first deposit, but they also offer bonuses through your 5th deposit with them! So, if you claim all of the welcome bonuses, you could win up to £1000 and get 120 free spins!
- Casino 2020: A fresh new casino, Casino 2020 is only a year old and is exactly what players have been waiting for. Releasing a new game every month, they have no shortage of amazing selections for players. Another great thing about the games offered by this casino is that they’re all created in-house. That means you won’t be playing the same old games. Take advantage of these great new, revamped games and receive up to 420 free spins and up to £320 as a welcome bonus! Now that’s the way to celebrate a new decade!
In addition to offering games without deposits, some of these casinos also offer play time without wagering requirements. Here are two highly-rated casinos with these coveted bonuses:
- Mr.Q Bingo & Slots Casino: You’re eligible for 10 free spins without a deposit.
- Rizk Casino: Even though this casino wasn’t mentioned in the list above, it’s still a highly-rated casino and has lots of benefits. In lieu of a VIP club, they offer their members a chance to spin the Wheel of Rizk. This wheel has several different offers for the players to win free games and other bonuses that they can continue to play with. The more spins, the better the prizes become. Sound like something you’d enjoy? Give the Rizk Casino and enjoy 10 free spins without having to deposit anything!
Capitalise on Your Bonus:
Clearly there some pros and cons to casino bonuses, however, now that you know more about the bonuses, here are some ways you can get the bang for your buck with bonuses:
- First and foremost, just always limit your searches to find the casinos with the offer of either free money or no deposits.
- Be aware of the wagering requirements. The lower the requirements, the better, as you will have to play less. Playing less lowers the risk of you losing more money. If possible, filter out casinos with high wagering requirements.
- On the same note, as a general rule of thumb, always be sure to read the terms and conditions. By doing this, you will prepare yourself and you can avoid any unwanted bonus requirements.
Conclusion:
It’s always fun to discover (and take advantage of) the new bonuses that are offered by different online casinos. Having the chance to have tried these casinos without worrying about losing your own money is wonderful. However, after looking more in depth at the ‘no deposit’ bonus offered by some casinos, we have a better idea of it’s benefits, cons, and the best way to utilise this bonus. While not everyone will seek it out, it can be worth it if you know what to look for.