When you read an ad with “FREE SPINS” in big bold letters, it might sound too good to be true. But it’s a win-win system. The casino attracts new players so their site and you get a sweet bonus to keep you interested. But be wary of wagering requirements. This is the crucial term you need to remember when accepting a free spin offer, read on to find out more.
They work exactly the same way as normal spins do, so the outcome of a win is just as likely, only you pay nothing. We’ve written a comprehensive guide to how free spins work, be sure to check it out if you’d like to learn more.
Here’s our breakdown of the benefits and disadvantages to help you determine if free spins are the right bonus for you.
Benefits
Completely free! No-risk no-effort reward
Free spins are, you guessed it, free! A free spin is simply a free bet on a slot machine and the money you win is real money. You can use them to get to know the site or to practice a slot at no additional cost. If you end up losing or not enjoying it, you’ve lost nothing.
Easy to claim
Free spins are widely available and are usually a part of an online casino’s welcome bonus. Claiming them is a seamless process. For most casinos, you’ll simply need to sign up and place a deposit to accept the free spins welcome offer and start playing. But if it’s a no-deposit casino, the free spins will be automatically allocated to your account as you sign up, so you won’t have to go through any additional steps. Then, simply start playing! The display of the slot should make it clear that you’re using free spins. To be safe, double-check by looking at the stake and making sure your balance doesn’t go down after the first spin.
Unexpected excitement
During your gameplay, some slots will randomly reward you with free spins through a bonus round. There may also be additional benefits where a 3x multiplier is awarded on each free spin. Many can retrigger too, so you can keep getting more free spins. Hopefully, this will keep you alert and excited while you get even more chances to hit the jackpot!
Disadvantages
Wagering requirements
Casinos aren’t in the business of giving away money for nothing, that’s why free spins almost always come with a wagering requirement. If the terms say “20x wagering requirement” for example, it means you would have to play through the bonus 20 times before you can withdraw your winnings.
Win limits
Casinos place a limit on how much the free spins are worth and the potential winnings they can collect. This is usually listed in the terms as a specific amount, for example, £250. Any payouts exceeding this amount is declared void and the gambling site reclaims them. However, it is quite rare that you would win enough from your free spins to reach this limit anyway, so there’s no need to worry too much about it.
FAQs:
Are free spins a scam or a marketing gimmick?
Free spins are a real reward casinos give out as a promotion for their site. Free spins work exactly the same as regular spins that you pay for, they use the same technology and random number generator to ensure the outcome of a win is exactly as likely, so it’s totally possible you’ll win money using free spins! However, if you’re expecting to make big profits back, you’re not in luck. Pay attention to the wagering requirements of the free slot’s terms and conditions –it’s likely you’ll have to play through the bonus a number of times (involving putting in your own money as a deposit) before you’re able to draw out your winnings.
What’s a fair wagering requirement?
Essentially, the lower the wagering requirement the better, if you’re looking to snap up your cash quickly. If you have more of a long-term strategy with slots, this won’t matter as much. You can expect casinos to have wagering requirements in the range of 20x to 50x, and if you find a casino offering less than that, lucky you! If the requirement is much higher, it’s not necessarily a write-off. Consider how much you like the casino in general and whether the bonus comes with any additional benefits that make the deal is worthwhile.
Are there any casinos that offer no spins without having to pay a deposit?
There are tons of no-deposit casinos that also offer free spins! We recommend going through our list so you can be sure you’re getting a casino that passes our tests for quality and security. But again, watch out for the wagering requirements before you think you’ve hacked the system. It’s likely you’ll eventually have to put in a deposit to withdraw what you’ve won. There are plenty of other ways to play slots for free if that’s what you’re looking for.
Can I cash out the free spins instead of playing them?
Unfortunately, no. Free spins should be played out as they’re offered in the casino’s terms and conditions. You cannot cash them out, switch the game you’d like to use them on, or withdraw them before you’ve met the wagering requirement.
Did you know we’ve also published several handy how-to guides to get you gaming with the best step-up possible? If you’re a beginner, why not check out how to play online slots to brush up on the rules, or take a read of our guide to RTP to be in the know and up your skills.
Fun fact: there is a strict minimum amount of time a slot machine can spin for? In October 2020, the BCG announced that slots need to roll for at least 2.5 seconds in order to prevent harmful gambling habits forming. Might seem slow, but it’s considerably faster than spin speeds in other countries, such as Germany.