Free Spins

In-depth Look at Free Spins Bonuses

As mentioned, free spins bonus offers will allow you to spin specific slot games a set number of times without financial risks. Through these offers, you can familiarize yourself with the workings and understand aspects like reels, paylines, RTP, volatility, and bonus features without spending a dime. Additionally, you can use these offers to boost their winnings and prolong their gameplay since you can win real money prizes or more in-game free spins. But how can a player get these free spins? Here are a few ways:

• Through the welcome bonus: This is the most common method to get free spins. Most casino sites offer free spin bonuses to new signees as part of their introductory package. For instance, Casino Y may offer 100 no-deposit free spins to all gamblers upon registration.
• New game launch: Online casino free spins may also come as a way to promote a new game. Providers look to sell their new games and will do this by partnering with online casinos to offer free spins bonus offers to try the games.
• Through in-game offers: Sometimes, free spins are part of the in-game bonus features of certain slot games. That means players can earn them by landing the required scatter symbols on the slot reels. For example, landing on three or more on the Fire Joker slot activates free spins.
• Ongoing bonuses and loyalty/VIP program: Regular customers also have free spins real money bonuses to claim. As mentioned, online casinos might offer them as part of other deposit bonuses or as standalone bonuses. For example, Casino Y may offer a ‘Game of the Day’ promotion, where they offer 50 free spins to play the game. At the same time, you might claim free spins as perks or benefits in a loyalty program. The higher your level is, the more free spins you can claim.

Now that you have a clear picture of what free spins offers are and how to get them, it is time you understand how they differ from other casino bonuses and the different free spins bonus types you will find:

On the different types of free spins bonuses, you will find them mainly categorized as follows:

No-Deposit Free Spins

No deposit free spins are as they sound. They are free spins offered without any deposit in your account. You will find them mostly offered to new players. With no deposit required, some online casinos will require you to use free spins bonus codes to activate these offers. Many casinos offer them for a small collection of games or on a single game, so players must ensure they review the bonus rules to find the games that are eligible for the free spins.

Besides receiving them as a welcome bonus to try some specific slots, no deposit free spins carry other benefits to new players. They let you have fun as you enjoy the slots for free. Besides the cash prizes element, some players would want to play at online casinos for fun, and such offers would work well for them. Additionally, you can use these spins to explore the range of slots available and sharpen your gaming skills.

Deposit Free Spins

Deposit free spins are other common types of offers you will find at online casinos. Unlike no deposit free spins, deposit free spins offers activate after making a qualifying deposit as stated in the bonus rules. You can find them as standalone bonuses or part of a package that also entails bonus cash.

For example, Casino Z may offer a welcome offer comprising a 100% match bonus of up to €100 + 200 free spins on Starburst. In such an offer, the casino will state its minimum deposit. If the limit is €20 and you make a €50 deposit, you receive an additional €50 + 200 free spins valid for the Starburst slot.

So how do no deposit free spins and deposit free spins compare? Besides the deposit requirement, there are other distinguishing factors. For instance, deposit free spins have a higher spin value than no deposit free spins. That is because of the deposit funds attached to them.

Here is an example: Casino Z may offer a deposit bonus of 100% of up to €500 with 100 free spins on Starburst. Player A decides to deposit €100, and they receive a €100 bonus, totalling their funds to €200. The 100 free spins offered may be worth €1 per spin as an incentive for their deposit. Meanwhile, the same casino may offer 20 no-deposit free spins to player B just after they are done signing up. The spin value of the free spins for player B may be set at €0.20 since no deposit is attached.

Additionally, deposit-free spins have lower wagering requirements, unlike no-deposit-free spins. That makes it easy for gamblers to meet the rollover terms and enjoy their winnings. The maximum winnings you receive on deposit free spins are always higher than those on the no deposit free spins. Finally, you will receive more free spins on the deposit bonus offers than the spins you receive with no deposit. For example, a no deposit free spins bonus offer might offer 15 free spins, while a deposit free spins bonus offer loads 200 free spins after depositing the set amount.

Other Types of Free Spin Bonuses

But the free spins bonus types do not stop at the deposit free spins and no deposit free spins. Other types you are likely to find include:

Welcome Free Spins

Free welcome spins are available for new players after they sign up for their new accounts at an online casino. The operators will direct whether you use them on specific slots or all the slots, but typically, only a selected number of slots is availed for these spins.

Besides being offered to new customers, existing players can also enjoy free welcome spins. But since they have accounts with online casinos, they will receive these spins as perks of joining a loyalty program or leveling up to a new tier.

Wager-Free Free Spins

Most online casino free spins have wagering requirements that you must complete to withdraw free spins winnings. That means for a customer to withdraw their bonus winnings, they must play through their spins a specified number of times. And this is the case with no wager-free free spins offers.

Example 1

• Bonus offer: 100 free spins on Starburst slot
• Wagering requirements: 30x
• How it works: If a player wins €50 from the free spins, they must wager €1500 (€50 x 30) before withdrawing the bonus wins.

On the other hand, there are wager-free spins. Here, players do not need to roll over their winnings from free spins. You will keep what you win.

Example 2

• Bonus offer: 50 free spins on Bonanza Candyland
• Wagering requirements: none
• How it works: If a gambler wins €50 from this free spins offer, they can immediately withdraw the wins without wagering them.

Mobile Casino Free Spins

Thanks to casinos integrating HTML5 technology into their platforms, the bonus experience extends from desktops to mobile users. Now, some casinos offer free mobile casino spins designed for Android or iOS users. In most cases, mobile casino free spins are available for players who download the casino app. After downloading and logging into their accounts for the first time, they will have free spins automatically loaded to their accounts. But one must check if they need any free spin casino bonus codes.

Free Spins Bonus Codes

Once you finish registering or depositing funds into your player account, you may be instantly granted your free spins bonus. But as we mentioned, some casino sites may require free spins bonus codes to activate the offer. These coupon codes entail a unique set of numbers, letters, or alphanumeric that you enter under a promo/bonus/coupon/referral code either while registering or when depositing.

Exclusive Free Spins

Exclusive free spins are offers designed for players who are part of a VIP program. They differ from standard free spins in ways like having a higher spin value, lower wagering requirements, and allowing players to access exclusive game titles.

In the same breath, we negotiate exclusive deals with the best free spins casinos. These exclusive deals ensure you get more value than the standard bonuses offered. For example, Casino Y might offer new players 50 free spins without a deposit. But players following our links and using our exclusive free spin casino bonus codes might unlock 70 free spins without a deposit.

Additional Bonus Types Available

Other bonus types you are likely to find include:

• Tournament Free Spins: Online casinos offer promotions like tournaments where players compete against others for prizes. These prizes may range but may include free spins offers. With tournaments, you will play the required games and earn points that position you on the leaderboard. Provided you are in the qualifying positions on the leaderboard, you receive a share of the prize pool, which, in our case, entails free spins. The higher the position, the better the free spins.
• Bonus Round Free Spins: In addition to claiming free spins through bonuses and promotions, you can get in-game bonus rounds by activating them. Normally, you are required to land at least three or more scatters to unlock the free spins bonus feature.

Besides understanding the various free spins available, a player should be familiar with standard terms surrounding bonus terms, such as time limits, winning caps, specified games, and much more. These terms are clarified below.

• Time limits: A prevalent norm around free spins is the validity timeline. The free spins offers are not there to last for an eternity, and online casinos have a time limit set on them. Most casinos have a 7-day validity timeline, with others having as short as 24 hours after activation. Once this period ends, the free spins and their winnings will be void and of no use. Gamblers should check the terms and conditions segment of free spins offers to avoid the offers becoming void.
• Distribution of free spins: Another aspect to note is that some sites may allow gamblers to receive them at once or in multiple batches. It is a common scenario in some casinos where, for example, a casino may offer a player 200 spins at once or in bundles of 20 over ten days.
• Winning cap: In most cases, casino sites set a maximum limit or cap on your potential winnings. That is the maximum amount you can get in free spins winnings. The amount can differ from bonus to bonus. For example, Casino Y may set its maximum winning cap at €100. If you win €200 from your free spins, you can only keep €100. However, it is essential to note that some offers do not have winning caps set. That means the casino credits all your winnings to your balance, no matter the amount.
• Standalone/part of a package bonus: Another common practice among casinos is offering free spins as a standalone or part of a bonus package. For instance, Casino X may offer a match bonus of 100% of up to €200 and up to 100 free spins. This is an example of free spins offered as part of a package since you can also claim bonus cash. Meanwhile, Casino Y may provide 150 free spins upon registration. It is an example of free spins as a standalone bonus.
• High and low stakes: Finally, players can expect to get free spins eligible on low-stake slots or high-stake slots. Some low-stake slots include Vikings Go To Hell, Jazz Time, Cats and Cash, and Dragon Kings. One advantage of engaging with slots that allow low stakes is that they enable you to place minimum bet sizes of as low as €0.1 and get decent rewards.

The Economics of Free Spins

Besides offering spins to attract and retain players, casinos also have an endgame that involves boosting their revenue. These sites know that by offering free spins, you will be compelled to deposit funds to continue with your gameplay once they are over. The higher the number of players they retain, the higher their revenue.

Here is one scenario showing how they generate revenue at the end of it all:

But are these free spins effective? According to research on the reciprocity norm, people instinctively want to pay someone back after they do something nice for them. And this is what casino sites tap into. They offer players free spins, and since they want to reciprocate being valued and the act of generosity, they tend to play longer on the platforms.

Another reason gamblers tap into free spins is the tendency to value what looks like something for nothing, better known as the ‘gravy effect.’ In their book Nudge, behavioural economists Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler have detailed this.

Even though offers awarded for free technically cost betting sites money, people are wired to look at them as pure gravy or an additional gain on what they expected to get. This thought makes them convert the free plays into real wagers more frequently, as per the Journal of Economic Psychology study. The study results showed that half of the individuals playing with free spins went ahead to play with their funds as opposed to 1 of 5 who did not get free spins. That proves that free spins are effective marketing tools.

Pros and Cons of Free Spins: A Balanced View

Like any other bonus offer, free spins offers have advantages and disadvantages. The table below summarizes the common ones:

Guide to Acquiring and Using Free Spins

It is accurate to say that free spin offers are among the most value-rich bonuses in online casinos. That is because players can strategize, sit back, and watch the free spins win real money. However, spotting the best casino free spins deals is not easy for most players since they are unaware of the best tricks to use. This guide will straighten that up.

Research and Comparison

To ensure you engage with the best free spins bonus offers, you must intensify your research process. Begin by spotting licensed casinos with free spins. After that, compare their different offers by looking at wagering requirements, time limits, allowed games, stake limits, and player reviews. These factors are discussed in detail below.

1. Wagering requirement terms: You can get the best free spins offers after comparing the wagering terms of different casino sites. Choosing a free spins offer with the lowest wagering conditions is a recipe for a more straightforward conversion of bonus winnings into real cash. For instance, Casino A may offer a no-deposit free spins bonus of 50 FS and set the wagering terms at 35x, while Casino B provides a similar bonus but sets the wagering requirements at 30x. Going for the offer by Casino B is advisable because lower wagering terms mean it will be easy for you to meet the terms and withdraw your bonus winnings faster.
2. Allowed and restricted games: Checking the permitted and limited games is also essential while assessing the best free spins offers. Engaging with free spins restricted to only a few games affects your overall gaming performance. Check for free spins with multiple games allocated to them since that will increase your winning odds, increase the chances to interact with a game that you are familiar with, and increase the chances of playing games that have a fair contribution to the wagering requirements.
3. Validity periods: They refer to how long casinos allow you to enjoy free spins before they become invalid. Offers with short validity timelines may limit your ability to utilize them properly, while longer ones provide more flexibility. For example, a free spin bonus with a seven-day validity period will give you enough time to maximize it in ways like placing bets on high RTP titles only. That is a different case with an offer with a time limit of two days. The pressure to use it up before it expires may lead you to pick titles randomly, and you may pick a game that does not help you maximize your free spins due to its low RTP ratio.
4. Maximum cap limits: Some casinos place a cap on the maximum stake per spin. If a player exceeds this cap limit, the casino only credits up to the maximum limit. Going for spins with higher stake limits is better to ensure you can place significant bets.
5. Processing period of bonus winnings: The processing period of bonuses is another critical aspect to consider while determining which free spins offers are the best. That refers to how long a casino site takes to release your bonus winnings. A casino with a short processing timeline will allow you to access your funds and continue your gameplay swiftly. But a site with long processing periods may mess with your playing timetable, thus affecting your gaming performance.
6. Player reviews: Lastly, consider checking player reviews, as they will provide you with information like bonus satisfaction, customer support, and withdrawal request timelines. If you notice recurring concerns, such as a casino being late to release bonus winnings, it is better to avoid the site and go for one with better reviews.

Reviews and Recommendations

Another way to make informed choices around free spins offers is by visiting expert casino review platforms like our pages. You get unbiased and in-depth information through these sites, including the good and the bad. Other important aspects we check:

Navigating the terms and conditions segment of bonuses

In the bonus terms segment, casinos may use complex words and jargon, leading to a player needing a clearer picture of the bonus requirements. Fortunately, casino review platforms often break down these terms, making it easy for a newbie to understand all the conditions attached to a bonus.

Providing an analysis of the bonus instructions

Casino review sites break down the fine print of bonuses by highlighting vital elements such as the allowed/restricted games, wagering requirements, expiration dates, and withdrawal limits with examples.

Understanding such terms before engaging with a bonus enables you to reduce the risk of unnecessary issues between you and a casino.

Offering a step-by-step guide on how to get the bonus

Review platforms also help players through bonus acquisition with step-by-step guides. They provide details on the claiming process, including registration, deposit terms, and bonus codes to use.

Identifying the best withdrawal methods for bonus wins

Instead of wasting time playing at a casino only to experience issues while withdrawing your wins due to a fake payment provider, a player can visit casino review platforms to clarify whether the payment provider linked to a casino is legit.

Strategies for Maximizing Free Spins Benefits

Maximizing your free spins benefits can positively impact your overall gaming experience. Below are effective strategies and tips to help you do exactly that:

• Please read through the T&Cs of each free spins promotion: Before using your free spins benefits, it is vital to check the terms and conditions attached to the offers. Some of the terms to look for are the wagering requirements. These are the times a casino requires you to roll over winnings from your free spins offer before being allowed to withdraw the wins as cash. For instance, if you get €20 from your free spins and the wagering requirements are set at 35x, you must wager €700 before withdrawing your winnings from your player account. Additional terms to check are the time limits of the free spins. Most free spins are offered for a specific period, usually 2-7 days in most instances, before expiring. Failure to meet this time limit requirement makes it impossible to withdraw winnings from your account. Other important terms include the minimum deposit, eligible games, game contributions, and maximum cap limit.
• Pick game titles with high RTP percentages: While most players are used to choosing slots based on several aspects, including themes, bet sizes, bonus features, and storylines, you can maximize your bonus by settling for slots with high RTP. RTPs provide a theoretical payout rate that you will receive in a slot in the long run. For instance, a slot game may have an RTP of 97%, meaning the average amount that a user should expect from a €100 bet is €97. Concentrating on games with a high return-to-player rate (96% and above) increases the chances of massive payouts.
• Pick slots with multiple bonus features: Slot bonus features go beyond wilds, free spins, and multipliers. Some slots have more features like cluster pays, megaways, megaclusters, pay both ways, tumble reels, and more that can boost your winnings. Since not every spin includes them, players should ensure they are familiar with the game mechanics of the slot games where such features can be triggered.
• Leverage other casino bonuses: You can maximize your free spins winnings by taking advantage of alternative bonus offers like reload and cashback bonuses. A reload bonus is a casino offer granted to existing customers who have made deposits at a casino. The bonus typically provides players extra money as a fixed amount or a percentage of their deposit. It is a great way to maximize winnings from free spins. Moreover, cashback offers also effectively provide a second chance to players as they grant a small percentage of your daily, weekly, or monthly net losses.
• Join loyalty schemes: This option is available for existing casino members. These programs involve several tiers, requiring you to accumulate comp points through real wagers to move up the levels. The more comp points you gather, the further you climb on the program ladder, allowing you to enjoy the various perks featured in these programs, such as additional free spins and exclusive gifts.
• Engage in bankroll management: Lastly, managing your bankroll is everything in gambling. It involves risking a set percentage of your overall gambling money and adjusting bets depending on the game’s volatility. Doing so allows you to play for more extended periods with less risk.

Future Outlook for Free Spins in Online Gambling

So far, technology has dramatically impacted the evolution of free spins in online sites. As it continues to advance, so will the free spins bonus offers as casino sites tap into ways to make them more enjoyable and enticing. For instance, we can expect casinos to utilize data analytics to collect data on the most played slot games. With this data, the sites can offer free spins bonuses on games that most players are comfortable with instead of making that choice themselves. That will boost the engagement of the games featuring these free spins and lead to more players being open to signing up for the offers. Additionally, AI might become a part of a gambler’s life. That is because developers may code it to help optimize winnings from free spins, thus leading to more gamblers utilizing them.