If you are familiar with the world of online casino gaming, chances are you have come across your fair share of casino bonuses. While the welcome bonus is certainly the most popular, there are plenty of other types of bonuses doing the rounds. One type of bonus that can be beneficial to a lot of players is the no-deposit bonus. As the name suggests, a no-deposit bonus is an online casino bonus given to players without them having to make any financial commitment whatsoever. Confused? Here is how they work:

How No-Deposit Bonuses Work?

No-deposit bonuses were designed to encourage new players to sign up for a full casino account and play pokies online and other games for real money without the risk. They are there to give players a taste of what it is like to play and win real money without the obvious risk of losing your own money in the process. In order to qualify for a no-deposit bonus, players need to sign up for a free online casino account and complete all the necessary information. Once a player’s account has been activated, they are then given their bonus.

Free Spins or Cash Bonus

In most cases a no-deposit bonus comes in the form of a cash bonus or a certain number of free spins. With a cash bonus, the amount given is not exactly huge, usually around $10 or $20. The number of free spins is also between 20 and 50 free spins on selected slot games. You can then use this cash or free spins to play real money games and win real cash, refining your strategy as you go. Any funds you win will be deposited into your online casino account.

Like all bonuses, no-deposit bonuses come with specific terms and conditions. The fine print here is definitely worth reading. If you are lucky enough to win a bit of cash with your free spins or free bonus, getting it out is another story altogether. There are two things you need to look out for when signing up for a no-deposit bonus. The first is the maximum cashout amount and the second is the playthrough or wagering requirement.

Maximum Cashout Amounts

Let’s start with the maximum cashout amount. This relates to the maximum amount of winnings you can withdraw from your bonus. Even if you happened to win the progressive jackpot, according to the terms of your bonus, you can only cashout a certain percentage of your bonus around. If your bonus was $20 and your max cashout is 3x, then the most you can theoretically win is $60. So even if you win thousands, that’s all you can get. Obviously, the higher the number the better.

Wagering Requirements

Another limiting factor with no-deposit bonuses is the wagering requirement. This is similar to the welcome bonus, except that it is usually a lot higher. While a welcome bonus might have a 10x or 15x wagering requirement, the no-deposit bonus can be double that at 20x or 30x. If your free bonus was $20 and your wagering requirement is 20x, you would need to wager $400 in total before you can start withdrawing any winnings. Again, it pays to look around before signing up.