With the online casino sector now busier than ever, it's understandable that virtual casinos want to do everything they can to appeal to new and returning players. One of the most common ways to do this is to offer a free spin bonus incentive. Join us in today's article as we take a closer look at free spins promotions, learning what they are, how they work, and how you can make the most of these deals when offered.
What Are Free Spins?
Free spins are an opportunity to spin the reel on a slot machine without having to bet any of your own money. You don't have anything to lose, but you could still win something- which is why many people take advantage of this, regardless of their skill level.
Free spins can be split into two categories; the free spins offered by casinos as part of a welcome bonus or returning player incentive and in-game free spins, which are offered by games that include free spins as one of their bonus features. Most modern slots will offer a free spins bonus or respin bonus as part of their gameplay to incentivise players to opt for their game over its competitors.
This article, however, focuses on the former example of free spins, which are those offered by an online casino as a promotion.
As we're sure you already know, nothing in life is truly free. The same can be said for free spins promotions offered by casinos because certain criteria need to be met for a player to qualify and/or receive their winnings, let's look at this more closely.
Bet Sizes, Time Limits, and Eligible Games
For example, some casinos will set the bet size to be played on the chosen free spins games; you'll normally see this in the terms and conditions of the offer. Some casinos will also stipulate a time limit by which the free spins need to be used, and again the T&Cs will provide you with further information on the specifics. It's definitely worth noting that the free spins offered aren't to be redeemed on any game of your choosing but instead, one or two titles picked by the casino. These are often the most popular titles or beginner-friendly titles, again with the hope of intriguing and engaging the player.
Playthrough Requirement
The biggest thing you need to be aware of when thinking about playing a free spins bonus offer is the playthrough requirement that has been stipulated. Also referred to as a wagering requirement, this is a gambling-specific term that can often trip up less savvy players, so let's take a closer look.
Wagering requirements are a promotional condition that is included with nearly every online casino offer. This means that your free spins aren't 100% free. The playthrough requirement explains how often you must gamble through the bonus before converting it into real money.
For example, suppose the free spins bonus has 35x wagering requirements, and you get 50 free spins with a $0.10 per spin cap. The total bonus is $5 ($50 divided by $0.10).
However, the value of your bonus will not be used to determine the wagering requirements. Instead, it will be applied to any winnings from bonus spins. So, if you use all of the free spins and win $10, you'll need to wager $350 before you can cash out.
This viewpoint explains how online casinos can provide free spins bonuses without suffering financial loss. Few gamers can wager with this much cash.
Of course, it's important to emphasise that not all free spins bonuses are bad; you just have to avoid those with predatory terms. Look for casinos offering bonuses with playthrough requirements of 35x or lower and with generous time spans in which the promotion can be completed.
Types of Free Spins Bonuses
The variety of free spins bonuses is vast, with each type having its own advantages and disadvantages. Let's look at some more closely to understand their impact on you as a player!
No Deposit Free Spins
The perfect way to get your feet wet in the casino! To receive free spins without having to make a deposit, numerous online casinos provide offers where gamers can test out different games at no cost. Some online casinos give as many as 80 of these free spins – so you'll have plenty of time before deciding on an investment package that will suit your needs.
The best thing about playing slots online is that you can get free spins with no deposit required! These promos usually have high requirements, but they're worth it because they give you the chance to win big without any financial risk.
Wager-Free Spins
Wager-free free spins are a relatively new idea from online casinos, but they might be the casino bonus type of the future. They can almost seem like an upgrade from the no-deposit bonus we've already mentioned.
The wagering requirements state how many times you need to gamble the value of a bonus before you can convert it into real cash. Wager-free free spins remove this issue altogether, allowing you to keep any winnings generated from the bonus.
The trade-off is that no deposit wager-free free spins tend to be offered on fewer games than those with playthrough requirements. You might only have a few slot games to choose from, and you might also have a maximum winnings limit applied.
Still, wager-free free spins are usually worth their weight in gold – especially since they let you keep any winnings.
These bonuses are becoming increasingly popular and can be found in many online casinos in the UK.
Deposit Free Spins
Deposit-free spins are another type of bonus, and as the name suggests, you'll need to make a deposit to receive these particular bonuses. These offers usually match your deposit by a certain percentage, often 100% or higher. You might also find that the number of free spins you get is directly proportional to the size of your deposit.
For example, you might see a bonus that gives you 50 free spins when you deposit Ā£20, but if you deposit Ā£40, you could get 100 free spins. Deposit bonuses usually have high wagering requirements because the casino wants to avoid being taken advantage of, but they can still be a great way to boost your bankroll.
No matter where you intend to gamble, it's crucial that you check whether or not deposit freebies are available – and if so, under what circumstances. For example, some casino sites might be given out as an additional reload bonus, while others only offer them to new account openers and signups.
Play Money Free Spins
Online casinos also offer free spins bonuses that can be used to play for “play money”, which is essentially fake money with no real-world value. These bonuses are Also known as playing slots in ‘Freeplay mode'; many sites now offer this feature.
This type of bonus is a little less common, but it can be a great way to test out a new game or casino without risking any of your own money.
These incentives might be used to test out some well-liked games or simply to learn more about online gambling and are a smart and money-conscious way of doing so. It's always better to try before you buy, and playing a casino game for free before you commit your hard-earned cash can help to ensure you don't waste money on a game you get bored of after a few spins.
Real Money Free Spins
Real money free spins are the ‘in-game' free spins bonus rounds you can trigger when playing a slot. As we mentioned earlier, almost all modern slots have a variant of a free spins bonus, meaning there's plenty to explore.
You can get good rewards during a bonus round because of increased payouts, always-win features, and multipliers. In contrast to the free spins you receive when you join up, any money you win from a real money slot machine bonus round is deposited directly into your account.
The Best Sites that Give Free Spins
We've scoured the internet to find you the best Free Spins, and we'll continue to update this page as new offers become available. Check out the list below for some of our favourite casinos that give away free spins and are available for Uk players.
Pokerstars Casino
- 100 free spins with no deposit
- 200 bonus spins with your initial payment
The Pokerstars Casino's free spins can be used on a number of pre-selected slots, including Blazing Bandito, Fruit Stack Deluxe, Football Frenzy, and Diamond Stars Classic.
Each free spin is worth Ā£0.10. You can withdraw any amount at this casino because there are no withdrawal limitsāuse the FIRST200 promo code plus a deposit of at least Ā£10.
Bonus Boss
- 100 no-deposit free spins
- For a Ā£10 deposit, get up to 600 spins.
To take advantage of Bonus Boss's free spins, sign up for a free account and authenticate it with your phone number. Each spin has a value of Ā£0.05. You have seven days from the time you get them to reach the 40x wagering requirement.
The Vic (Grovesnor Casinos)
- 100% up to Ā£400
- 100 bonus Red Tiger slot machine spins
Players only have seven days to use this offer. After that, it will be removed, plus a 40x playthrough requirement.
Valid for the following game types: Keno, Jackpots, Roulette, Baccarat, Classic Slots, Blackjack, Slingo, Craps, Table Games, Video Poker, Live Casino, Mobile Games, Scratchcards, Slots, Slots, Jackpots, and Classic Slots.
Betfair
- 150 welcome spins
- 50 spins with a Ā£10 deposit
There are no wagering requirements and a Ā£0.10 per spin cost for the games.
For this offer to be valid, you must enter the code CASF51. The free spins expire seven days after activation. Only Dynamite Riches and the Daily Jackpot Games category of games are compatible with the free spins.
Casino 2020
- After registration and KYC, 50 free spins
- 200 spins maximum with a Ā£10 first deposit.
The 200 spins bonus from Casino 2020 is available for the casino's in-house games, and each spin costs Ā£0.1.
When the 40x playthrough requirement is met, you can pay out up to Ā£50.
You have one week to wager the proceeds from your spins and finish the conversion. 100% of the bonus money will match your first payment of Ā£10. This translates to 200 more spins at a spin value of Ā£0.1 and Ā£20 to bet on slots. After the deposit offer is activated, you have one month to fulfil the prerequisite 40x wagering requirement.
Jackpot Village
- 20 free spins upon signup
- 200 bonus spins after a Ā£20 deposit
You must deposit Ā£20 to get these free spins. If the bonus money is not utilised within 30 days, it will expire. The wagering requirement for the bonus spins is 40x and they are exclusively valid on Book of Dead.
Leo Vegas
- 10 no-cost spins upon signup
- 50 free spins with a purchase
- 200 spins maximum for a Ā£10 deposit
After registering, go to the My Offers page and select the 10 Book of Dead bonus spins option. You don't need to meet any wagering requirements for this bonus, although only the Book of Dead slot machine can be used for these rounds. It costs Ā£0.10 per round. This promotion is only valid for three days.
Hot Streak Slots
- 10 spins for no deposit
- 50 free spins with a deposit
With the first promo, before you may request a withdrawal, any spin wins must be wagered 40 times. Once the wagering is complete, the maximum conversion is set at 4x up to Ā£200. The offer is valid for seven days. Any slot machine can be used to play it.
The second promo has a 30x playthrough requirement. Only Starburst, Aloha Cluster Pays, Finn, and the Swirly Spin are eligible for this promotion. After being credited, the spins are available for seven days.
Space Wins
- 50 no-deposit spins for free
- Additional 500 rounds on deposit
To be eligible for the promotion, validate your debit card.
Remember that in order to withdraw your spin winnings, you must first bet them 65 times. An Ā£8 maximum win per ten spins and a Ā£50 bonus conversion cap are also included. The additional 500 spins also have a 65x playthrough requirement.
Slots Animal
- 20 no-deposit free spins with a maximum of 500 Starburst spins
You must gamble your winnings 65 times before you can withdraw them.
The 20 free spins cannot be utilised on any other games besides Wolf Gold. To receive 1 spin on the Mega Wheel, deposit at least Ā£10. You can win up to 500 Starburst spins by spinning the wheel. To withdraw, you must 65 times wager your profits. The top redemption amount is Ā£250.
Mobile Casino Free Spins
In recent years, mobile casino has become increasingly popular as more and more people are now choosing to gamble on their smartphones and tablets. Many online casinos now offer mobile-specific bonuses, including free spins, to keep up with this trend. Here are some of the best mobile casino free spins deals currently available:
Mr Q Casino
By validating your phone number at Mr Q Casino, you can receive no-deposit free spins with no wagering conditions. After passing the verification, you will receive 10 No Deposit Free Spins on the game Squealin' Riches.
Casino 2020
Free Spins No Deposit Bonus at Casino2020 Up to 50 Free Spins or Ā£5 Bonus Credit.
You can receive a free no-deposit welcome bonus of up to Ā£5 or up to 50 no-deposit free spins on one of Casino 2020's popular games when you register and verify your account as a new player. There is a Ā£50 maximum withdrawal limit from bonus wins, and this promotion has a 40x playthrough requirement.
Space Wins
Sign Up and get 50 free spins on the UK's number-one slot game, Starburst, with no deposit required. Valid once per player with a 65x playthrough requirement.
Net Bet
Simply enter the code “BOD22” in the “bonus code” field on the registration form when you sign up at NetBet Casino. (To complete registration, a working UK mobile number is required.) Get 20 No Deposit Free Spins with a 40x playthrough requirement on the Book of Dead slot machine.
Slots Animal
New players can get 20 Free Spins on Wolf Gold with no deposit needed.
Simply sign up, add a legitimate debit card, and take advantage of your 20 no-deposit free spins. Has a 65x wagering prerequisite.
Zeus Bingo
Join Zeus Bingo and get 20 free spins on the smash-hit slot game Gems Bonanza! This promotion has a 65x wagering requirement.
32 Red
Get 250 Super Spins on Hyper Gold and 10 Ultra Spins on Celebrity Juice with this fantastic welcome offer from 32red. You must sign up, establish an account, and make your first deposit of at least Ā£20 to qualify for a signup bonus at 32red casino. A 50x playthrough requirement applies to this.
Fruity Casa
Simply register at fruitycasa.com, and the Fruity Casa Casino Welcome Bonus (50 Free Spins = Ā£5 No Deposit Bonus) will be promptly deposited to your account.
Remember that there are 35x wagering requirements.
Wild West Wins
Before making a deposit, register on the casino website to join the community and receive 20 free spins on the Cowboys Gold Wild West Wins Registration bonus slot machine. Remember that 65x wagering requirements are necessary.
Jazzy Spins
You must connect a working debit card when you sign up to activate your Ā£5 no-deposit welcome bonus. The wagering requirement is 65 times.
How to choose Casinos with Free Spins Bonuses
Now you know what to specifically look for when picking a free spins bonus, let's double-check how to choose the perfect casino to play with. You've probably heard horror stories of unfortunate players signing up to scam casino sites and having their sensitive information stolen, but the reality is the modern online casino world is far safer than you might think. Still, there are a handful of disreputable sites out there, so use the checklist below to ensure the site you pick is safe.
Check the Casino is Licensed in the UK, Regulated, and Audited
- Always seek out an online casino licensed by a reputable gaming authority such as Uk Gambling Commission. By doing this, you can be sure that the casino adheres to strict regulations and that the information you provide about yourself is safe.
- Select a casino online that has passed a fair audit from a recognised organisation. This shows that the casino operates legally and that its games are impartial. A badge from the appropriate authorities can be found at the footer of many websites.
- Look for a casino website that has the approval of reputable regulatory bodies like the MGA. And although Curacao and the Alderney Gambling Control Commission licenses are acceptable, they are less desirable.
Safe, Fast, and Easy Deposits and Withdrawals
Internet casinos accept payments using prepaid cards, debit cards, credit cards, online payments, and money transfers, to name a few. It's a good sign when top online casinos accept all widely-used payment options. Check the withdrawal and deposit methods, as some shady casino sites will make the withdrawal procedure challenging by restricting the withdrawal options and lengthening the time it will take to collect your winnings.
24/7 Customer Support
Make sure the customer support team is available every day of the week before creating an account on any online casino website. This means that if you run into any issues when playing on the internet, you can get help immediately with the live chat support available around the clock.
Additionally, see if the website you're considering joining has an easily accessible FAQ area. This will allow you to answer frequent issues even faster, improving your gaming experience.
Reputation
Verify the reputation of the online casino you're considering. The casino's reputation is important, especially for players seeking to win big sums of money.
You can confirm this by searching for an online casino guide or player reviews.
Sometimes a new casino will portray a favourable picture, but the reality is quite the contrary.
FAQs
Are free spins worth it?
Overall, as long as the added requirements are fair, free spins are a great bonus that online casinos offer.
Are free spins really free?
Some are, and some arenāt. In-game free spins are free as are promotions without wagering requirements. Most free spin offers, however, have a set playthrough requirement
Can I win real money on free spins?
Yes, unless you are playing in a free-play mode, all the money you win when playing your free spins is real money.
Why do casinos offer free spins?
The online casino industry has boomed in previous years, meaning thereās tons of competition. This means that online casinos have to stand out from the crowd and one of the ways they can do this is by offering a free spins bonus to potential players.
What casino games give you free spins?
Many free spins bonuses will stipulate the games which can be played using the free spins. These are usually the most popular games on the site.
What is the best site that gives casino free spins?
The best free spins bonuses will have low or no wagering requirements, making it easier for the player to receive any winnings accrued ultimately.
