Genius guide to no deposit bonuses
A no deposit casino bonus lets players enjoy real money casino games online without putting a penny of their own on the line. Free spins are the most common no deposit casino bonus, but you might get your hands on some bonus cash too. Sound good? We’ve selected the top UK casino sites with the best no deposit bonus deals, and you can find them right here on our genius list. Want to know more about the no deposit deals on offer and how you can pick the right no deposit bonus for you? Read on to find out.
Why claim a no deposit bonus?
Play for free
They say that nothing in life is free, but that isn’t true when it comes to no deposit casino bonuses! All you have to do is sign up to get your hands on these generous freebies. You can then enjoy playing online casino games without making a single payment.
Try out new casinos
Wondering whether a casino is right for you? Use your free no deposit bonus to try before you buy. If it isn’t quite the perfect fit, you can simply move onto the next one once you’ve used your bonus – no strings attached.
Perfect for beginners
Have you always wanted to try out blackjack or poker but never wanted to risk your own money? Of course, there’s always free demos, but no deposit casino offers give you a test run of a range of games without missing out on the chance to win real money if you do strike lucky.
What kind of no deposit bonuses are available?
There are a couple different types of no deposit bonuses out there. Let’s take a closer look to figure out which one suits you best.
No deposit free spins
Free spins make up the bulk of no deposit casino bonuses. Most offers will award you between 10 and 20 free spins no deposit. This may seem modest in comparison to some of the other bonuses out there, but at absolutely no cost, it’s a great offer. The no deposit free spins will either be valued at the minimum bet amount on the selected slot games, or at a set value such as 10p, and can be used to play top titles from the likes of NetEnt.
No deposit bonus cash
It’s a bit harder to find a casino that will reward you with bonus funds before you make a deposit, but there are a few generous sites that let you claim a bankroll boost for free. Again, don’t expect to bag large amounts – most casinos offer bonuses worth £5 or £10 no deposit. Whereas free spins can only be used on slots, no deposit cash bonuses give you the chance to try table games like roulette or baccarat as well.
How to claim your free no deposit bonus
- Browse and compare
Use our genius list to compare no deposit offers at UK casinos. Want to find out more? Our expert reviews cover everything from banking options to withdrawal times. We highlight the key terms and conditions, but we’d recommend reading the small print to understand exactly what you’re signing up for. All our recommended casinos are fully licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), so you’re in safe hands no matter where you play.
- Sign up
Once you’ve found a casino site with the best bonus for you, follow our link to the signup page and create your account. This will only take a minute or two, and you’ll usually need to provide some personal information and basic contact details. Don’t forget to opt-in to claim the no deposit welcome bonus- it only comes around once!
- Play
Your no deposit bonus should be credited pretty much instantly, which means you can start playing right away. Bear in mind that your bonus might be subject to certain games restrictions, so be sure to check your favourite titles are included in the deal to avoid any disappointment. Good luck!
No deposit bonus terms and conditions
Any seasoned casino player knows that these great bonuses usually come with terms and conditions that limit your chance of walking away with real cash in your pocket. Here’s what you should keep an eye out for in the small print of no deposit bonuses:
Wagering requirements
As you can probably imagine, online casinos aren’t in the business of just giving away cash for free. While you can get bonus funds without making a payment, sites often cover themselves with wagering requirements.
This means you’ll need to wager your free no deposit bonus a certain amount of times before you can withdraw any winnings. If you’ve got some no deposit free spins to play with, the wagering will apply to any winnings you make from spinning the reels. Wagering requirements on no deposit bonuses tend to be higher than regular bonus offers, and can be over 60 times the bonus amount in some cases. Let’s take a look at how this works:
You’ve bagged a £5 no deposit bonus with 50x wagering. This means you’ll have to wager £225 before you can cash in any remaining winnings. Unless you get really lucky, you’ll probably need to make a deposit in order to complete the bonus wagering requirements.
Game weightings
Wagers on certain games won’t always contribute 100% to the completion of your wagering requirements. Most sites state that selected games, such as blackjack and poker, contribute as little as 10% to wagering requirements, and are sometimes excluded altogether.
You’ll find that most casinos allow 100% of your wagers placed on slots to contribute to the wagering requirement, so you won’t have to worry about this too much if you’ve bagged a no deposit free spins bonus.
Game restrictions
You won’t necessarily be able to use your no deposit bonus on every game in the casino library. Virtually every no deposit bonus has games restrictions, so make sure you know which titles are eligible before signing up to avoid any disappointment later on.
While some sites use no deposit bonuses to promote new casino games, others offer deals for games developed by a certain software developer; free spins for NetEnt slots is a pretty popular deal at no deposit casino sites.
Time limits
Make sure you bag your no deposit bonus while it’s still around! You’ll have a limited time frame in which you can use your bonus and complete any wagering requirements before the deal expires.
This may be a few days, or it may be a month – it all depends on the site. Be sure to read the terms and conditions to avoid any surprises.
Maximum wins
Landing a lucky win with a free no deposit bonus doesn’t necessarily mean you’re quids in – some casinos set limits on how much players can win. The win limits vary between bonuses, and can be capped at just £5 at some UK casino sites, so be sure to check this out before you claim your no deposit bonus.
Payment exclusions
Since no deposit bonus offers aren’t dependent on funds being deposited into your account, there are no payment method exclusions to worry about. However, there may still be some stipulations surrounding withdrawal restrictions –as well as limits on the maximum amount you can withdraw– so it’s worth checking the payment exclusions just in case.
No deposit casino bonus tips
Here are a few handy steps you can take to help get the most out of your free no deposit bonus.
Biggest isn’t always best
Terms and conditions mean that size isn’t everything when it comes to no deposit casino bonuses. For example, £10 free no deposit may at first seem more attractive than £5 free no deposit, but if the £10 offer has much higher wagering requirements than the £5 offer, you might be better off with the smaller bonus. Win limits and game restrictions can also have a bearing on which no deposit bonus is best suited to you.
Try out free demo games
If you’re a newcomer to the online casino scene, then it’s probably best to get into the swing of things by trying out some free demo games. These give you the chance to better your understanding of the games before you spend your no deposit funds. The best online casinos offer free versions of most games, including slots, roulette, blackjack and poker, so there’s something for everyone.
Check out the RTP
Choosing games with a high RTP (return to player percentage) can help you get the most out of your no deposit freebie as, in theory, they give you a higher chance of winning back your wagers. Of course, this percentage is based on an extended period of play, which means you could be on track to win much more, or much less at any given time. RTPs range between 80%-99% for most casino games and anything over 95% is considered a respectable RTP. Let’s take a look at an example to make things really clear:
If you play a 97% RTP slot, you could theoretically win back £97 for every £100 you wager, over an infinite number of spins.
Know Your Customer (KYC)
All licensed casinos must complete what are known as Know Your Customer (KYC) checks on every transaction. These checks allow the casino to verify the age and identity of its customers, as well as the source of their funds. This helps combat underage gambling and provides a fair environment for players. Players will need to complete KYC checks when they first sign up to a new site– even if they haven’t had to make a qualifying deposit. You’ll usually be requested to provide proof of identity, such as a passport or driving license, as well as proof of address, such as a recent utility bill.
No deposit casino games
Free no deposit bonus casinos give punters the chance to become familiar with new games and new casino sites before committing any real money. No deposit bonuses often take the form of free spins for online slots – let’s take a look at a selection of slot games that are usually available for free spin gameplay.
Cleopatra
A classic of the video slot genre, Cleopatra brings you into the sultry nights of Ancient Egypt. Ease yourself into the soundtrack of soft sitars and drums, and use your no deposit bonus to uncover the treasures of a lost world. There are twenty paylines on this five-reel slot, which has a return to player (RTP) of 95%. The wild symbol is Cleopatra herself; if you hit a payout with the Cleopatra wild, she’ll double your winnings. Landing two scatter symbols will pay out winnings double your stake, and hitting three will trigger the bonus round down in the catacombs. Here, the backing soundtrack picks up the pace, and you’re given an automatic £100 payout and 15 free spins to try and add to your jackpot win.
Starburst
With its bright lights, dazzling jewels, and otherworldly backdrop, NetEnt’s Starburst couldn’t be further away from the themes of Cleopatra. Starburst is a five-reel slot with an RTP of 96% and is one of the biggest casino slots at the moment. Famed among fans for its two-way payline feature, Starburst allows players to win money in both reel directions. The highest paying symbols are the BARs and Lucky Sevens, while the octagonal multicoloured gem represents the wild – this can only appear on reels two, three and four, but generates a sequence of re-spins when it does. Striking lucky on these re-spins gives you a chance to get close to the £50,000 jackpot win!
Monopoly Megaways
Big Time Gaming has taken the board game classic and turned it into an instant casino slot success. Enjoy the incidental sounds of the city and the jazzy beat that’s befitting of the class of Mr Monopoly, as he guides you through all the familiar landmarks of the original board. The six reels alternate the number of symbols that appear on them to a maximum of seven, giving players over 100,000 different routes to payouts and a jackpot win of 15,000x your stake. Symbols include some of the icons of the traditional Monopoly board – such as the dog, the top hat, the battleship, and the car – while the golden M represents the wild and the most valuable symbol, paying out at 50x your stake. Mr Monopoly guides you across the board, securing properties as you land multiplying spins – if you’re able to buy five houses on one street, you’ll activate the free spins feature. With a 96% RTP, Monopoly Megaways is a unique, energetic, and highly entertaining video slot.
No deposit bonus live casinos
Of course, online slots aren’t the only games you can enjoy with no deposit bonuses. Live casinos bring the atmosphere of a casino into your home, allowing players to take part in their favourite table-based games by streaming a real croupier at a real table. Here are some examples of live casino games that are eligible for no deposit bonuses.
Evolution Live Roulette
Evolution is famous for its live dealer games, and it’s clear to see why with their selection of live roulette titles. All the classic roulette variations are available, and there are additional game innovations such as Immersive Roulette – an all-action roulette experience that takes advantage of a multi-camera setup, allowing players to closely follow every spin of the wheel as it happens. Players also have access to a variety of different game views, autoplay features, and extensive statistics.
Evolution Live Poker
Evolution’s live poker offering is also worth checking out with a no deposit bonus. The full-range of poker variants are available, with some interesting modifications on the most familiar. For example, Casino Hold’em pits players against the dealer as opposed to each other, and includes a bonus bet option that pays out if a pair of Aces or higher is dealt in the five community cards. If you’re new to poker but are interested in how it works, a no deposit bonus at a live casino is a great way to ease yourself in.
Grosvenor Live Blackjack
Grosvenor’s live blackjack portfolio includes the traditional 21 version, and a multi-hand option that allows you to play up to five hands at once. There’s also a perfect blackjack variation, which includes insurance bets and side bets on pairs, which might be preferable to new players looking to first gain some blackjack experience.
Mobile no deposit casinos
Players can now enjoy the online casino experience on their mobile device. Mobile casinos are great for those who like to place bets on the go, and their dedicated apps offer users great functionality, with push notifications that keep players informed of all the latest offers – from no deposit bonuses to free spins and everything in between.
Ready to claim your no deposit casino bonus?
Now you’re a fully qualified no deposit genius, you’re probably raring to get out there and search for your very own bonus! Use our list of top sites to compare the best no deposit bonuses on the market, and remember our expert reviews are on hand with all the need-to-know information. Happy hunting!
Frequently asked questions
Can I get a no wagering no deposit bonus?
Yes. A bonus with no wagering requirements sounds like something you’d only find in a casino player’s wildest dreams, but there are no deposit bonuses out there that don’t have any wagering requirements. It goes without saying that these bonuses are few and far between, but they’re well worth snapping up if you do spot them. Just remember that casinos will often make up for the lack of wagering requirements through tighter win limits or games restrictions.
Can I claim a no deposit casino bonus on my mobile?
Yes. There are plenty of no deposit casinos that allow players to claim bonuses on your mobile or tablet. Whether you want to play using your mobile web browser, or a native mobile app, you can take advantage of your no deposit bonus when you’re out and about.
How do I withdraw my no deposit casino bonus winnings?
Requesting a withdrawal is pretty simple at most casino sites- as long as you’ve completed the wagering requirements with profits. Just head over to the cashier page and follow the on-screen instructions. Keep in mind that there will be minimum withdrawal limits, and check out the processing times- e-wallets like PayPal and Neteller may be quicker than using a debit card.
Do new casinos have no deposit bonuses?
Yes. You’ll be able to claim a no deposit bonus even if you’re playing at a brand new casino site. New casinos often use exciting bonus offers to stand out against the bigger, most established brands on the market. Of course, you’ll need to compare each no deposit casino bonus to ensure you’re getting the right deal for you- just because it’s a new casino bonus, doesn’t mean it’s the best.
Can I use no deposit casino bonuses on live dealer games?
It’s pretty rare that you’ll find a free no deposit bonus that can be used on live casino games- you’ll usually need to make a deposit to bag a bonus for these titles. Want to play live dealer games in particular? Some sites boast exclusive live casino bonuses, so you won’t be short of choice.
Do no deposit casinos offer other bonuses?
Yes. It’s unlikely that a casino would only offer a no deposit bonus- most offer other welcome deals and regular promotions. Ranging from matched deposit rewards, free spins packages, cashback, reload rewards and loyalty schemes, UK casino sites have plenty to offer. These bonuses are often more generous than no deposit deals, but they certainly don’t come without their own terms and conditions.
