Free spins are one of the most popular casino bonuses on the market, and it’s easy to see why. What’s not to like about spinning the reels for free and potentially bagging some winnings? With just about every online casino out there boasting some kind of free spins reward, there are loads of bonuses on the market. Compare.bet is here to help you narrow down your options and find the free spins bonus that’s best suited to you.
We’ve rounded up the best of the bunch in our list of top UK casinos, complete with expert reviews to cover the ins and outs on everything from banking options to wagering requirements. Want to find out more about the different types of free spins rewards and the all-important terms and conditions? Read on for everything you need to know about claiming a free spins bonus offer at online casinos.
What are the Benefits to Claiming this Type of Casino Bonus?
Here’s what makes free spins casino bonuses so popular with UK players.
Play Slots for Free
You might have to make a deposit to claim your free spins —unless you bag a no deposit free spins casino bonus— but you’ll be able to use them on slots without dipping into your bankroll. Of course, you can play free demos at most sites, but with free spins you can enjoy the thrill of real money games without using your own cash.
Try Before you Buy
Free spins are a perfect way to test the waters at a new casino and see whether it’s to your taste without putting any money on the line. If it turns out to not be quite what you had in mind, then you can simply move on. Bonus spins are also ideal for trying out a new slot game without making a dent in your budget.
Keep What you Win
If you manage to land some winnings using your free spins, then you could end up with a tidy profit. Of course, you’ll have to complete the wagering requirements first, but if you do that and come out in the green, you’ll be able to withdraw your returns in line with the bonus withdrawal policy.
Types of Free Spins Bonuses
Free spins come in all shapes and sizes- let’s check out what’s on offer.
Free Spins Upon Deposit
Most welcome bonus free spins require you to head to the cashier and make a deposit to claim your bonus. The number of free spins up for grab can vary massively- some sites offer 20 free spins while others offer 100 free spins.
Free spins usually form part of a welcome bonus package along with a matched deposit. For example, you may come across the following bonus:
- 100% up to £200 + 100 free spins
At some online casinos, your free spins reward will be a set number of spins, while other sites give you spins according to how much you deposit- up to a certain amount. A few slot sites also hand out free spins in instalments, such as 20 daily free spins over five days. This is handy for making your spins last and not using them all at once, as well as maintaining responsible gambling habits.
Free Spins No Deposit
No deposit free spins are the holy grail for slots fans as there’s no need to make a payment- you get a bonus simply for signing up! These are perfect for settling in at a new casino, and they’re also great for beginners feeling their way into online slots or more experienced players trying out new slots titles. You won’t be able to claim as many free spins as a paying customer- these bonuses usually max out at 10 or 20 free spins with no deposit required.
It’s also fairly common for free spins no deposit casino bonuses to have higher wagering requirements and tighter win limits, but they don’t cost you a penny, so they’re well worth snapping up!
Free Spins Promotions
It’s not just newbies that get to benefit from free spins bonuses. Plenty of the best online casinos and top slot sites have regular, even daily free spins promotions to entice existing players too. Happy hour free spins are a popular promotion and allow players to bag some freebies when they deposit in a specific timeframe. Reload bonuses are another common deal, awarding players free spins daily for making a qualifying deposit. Some sites even offer free spins to promote the newest slot games – the perfect way to give the freshest titles a spin and see if they’re to your liking.
VIP Free Spins
If you’re a frequent casino player, you may be able to get your hands on even more free spins through VIP bonus schemes and loyalty programmes. Plenty of sites use these to reward their most loyal customers for making regular deposits and playing games. While some VIP schemes reward players with a set free spins bonus, others allow you to collect points in exchange for a range of exciting prizes and bonuses.
Some VIP schemes are aimed specifically at high rollers, while others are open to every player. Most work on a level system: the higher your level, the bigger your prize, and you climb these levels as you play.
No Wagering Free Spins
Wagering requirements are the catch that come with most free spins casino bonuses and make it tricky to withdraw any winnings. However, a handful of operators now offer more player-friendly no wagering free spins bonus deals. As the name suggests, these free spins have no wagering requirements, meaning any funds you win are added directly to your account balance ready to be withdrawn.
As you can imagine, these are one of the most enticing free spins offers out there. However, you should bear in mind that no wagering casinos tend to make up for this great deal by other means, such as lower win limits.
How can I claim my free spins bonus?
Compare online casinos
First things first, you need to find a top online casino with a free spins bonus. Don’t worry about scouring the web- we’ve done the legwork for you. Simply flick through our carefully curated list and pick out your favourite. Our featured casinos offer the latest and greatest slots, from entertaining Megaways slots to classic 3-reel games, so there’s something for everyone. On top of this, our expert casino reviews delve deep into what a site has to offer so you can really understand what’s out there.
Sign up
Once you’ve picked out your ideal casino, follow our link to sign up and claim your free spins bonus. Creating your account is a breeze- all you’ll need to do is provide some basic personal details and you’ll be signed up within minutes. Remember to check whether you need to enter a free spins bonus code to claim your freebie.
Deposit & claim
Unless you’ve got your hands on a free spins no deposit casino bonus, you’ll need to deposit to claim your spins. Head to the cashier and select your preferred payment method. Our recommended casinos support a range of banking options, from e-wallets like PayPal to paysafecard, so you won’t be short of choice. Your bonus will be then credited to your account as soon as you’ve made your deposit.
Play
Free spins are usually be restricted to certain online slots, so all you need to do is pick one that takes your fancy from the available options. The value of your spins is preset, so there isn’t much left for you to do other than start spinning the reels and hope they land in your favour! Good luck!
Top Casinos with Free Spins Bonuses
Mega Spins and Super Spins
If you think no deposit free spins are good, wait till you see mega spins and super spins. Some casino sites really ratchet up their bonus offering with these types of bonuses, which work in much the same way as regular free spins. There’s a key difference, though: these are far more valuable – about £1 or more per spin. Due to their high value, mega spins and super spins are often reserved for VIP players and high rollers, and any winnings you make can come with substantially larger wagering requirements.
Free Spins Features
Free spins aren’t just offered by casino operators as a welcome offer for new players. They’ve very often an integral part of individual slots games themselves. These in-game free spins are often triggered when scatter symbols come up, unlocking bonus rounds where you can spin the reels without depleting your funds. Free spin bonuses within-games can often apply multipliers, giving the potential for bigger wins.
Best Slots with Free Spins Bonuses
As we mentioned above, a lot of slots include free spins as part of the gameplay, but this shouldn’t be confused with no deposit free spins handed out by casino operators. Here are three top slots titles that feature particularly generous free spins bonuses.
Samurai Split
This NextGen Gaming title certainly lives up to its name, and not just because of its medieval Japanese backdrop of pagodas and mountains. Every so often, a majestic samurai leaps onto the reels to split symbols into two with his sword. This functions as a multiplier, and if you’re lucky enough to get five split symbols then your winnings will multiply by 32.
As for free spins – these come into play if you land a minimum of three scatter symbols. Only the higher value symbols appear on the reels during a free spins round, which enhances your profit potential. Samurai Split really comes into its own when all five scatter symbols are split – this can award you a staggering 480 free spins in total.
Cleopatra
Slots with Ancient Egyptian themes are endlessly popular with punters, and IGT’s Cleopatra is a stone-cold classic of the genre. It’s also one of the most generous slots titles when it comes to free spins. Land three Sphinx symbols and you’ll be whisked into a bonus round with 15 free spins at your disposal. If more Sphinx symbols appear you’ll get even more free spins, with the potential to bag 180 in total.
That’s not the only major draw of this world-famous game. If you’re lucky enough to land a payline full of Cleopatra wilds, you’ll hit the jackpot with an immense 10,000 coins. The general feel of the game is immersive too, with more scarab beetles and Eyes of Ra than you can shake a golden sceptre at.
Fortunes of Sparta
This atmospheric slots extravaganza from Blueprint Gaming is a real looker, with detailed reel symbols including swords, body armour and fearsome warriors. It’s a genuinely exciting game to play, especially when a Spartan Streak symbol is triggered. This expands to become a stacked wild, with any winning symbols locked into place as the reels keep on spinning until no more winning symbols turn up.
Then there’s the Spartan Spins feature, which is activated when you get at least three bonus symbols anywhere on the reels. The more bonus symbols you land, the more free spins you’re gifted. What makes the free spins rounds extra special is that the Spartan Streak feature is in place throughout. All in all, you’ll have the potential to win 100 free spins, which should be enough to make anyone yell “This is Sparta!”
In February 2021 the UK Gambling Commission announced the ban of four key features of online slots games, including autoplay and slot spin speeds faster than 2.5 seconds. The measures will need to be fully implemented by online operators by 31 October 2021.
Starburst Free Spins Bonuses
One thing you might notice when playing at various online casinos is how often you’ll get free spins bonuses for Starburst. So how come this particular title gets such special attention? It comes down to a few factors. First up, it’s an iconic game, loved by players around the world. In fact, it’s arguably even more famous than the likes of Gonzo’s Quest and Rainbow Riches.
Second, the gameplay is simple and easy to pick up. While it does have features like expanding wilds and free respins, the mechanism is very intuitive, making it an ideal gateway to slots for newbies, while also providing reliable entertainment for seasoned players.
Its low volatility means that there is a greater chance that Starburst will payout more frequently. While these are likely to be small prizes, it makes for a satisfying playing experience. So, as a good all-rounder that delivers the goods on multiple fronts, it’s easy to see why Starburst is so often singled out for the bonus treatment by casino sites.
In a Q&A with iGamingBusiness, former LeoVegas Casino Director, Karolina Pelc, spoke about the game’s popularity:
“The legendary Starburst is way ahead of all of the other games. It has always been in a different league because players have massive familiarity with it and it’s been promoted for years; it’s difficult for others to catch up.”
As with any casino bonus, remember to read the full T&Cs, so you’re aware of wagering requirements that may apply to winnings from Starburst free spins.
Free Spins Terms and Conditions
Free spins are great, but pretty much every bonus comes with terms and conditions that you should check out before signing up.
Wagering Requirements
Manage to land a lucky win from your free spins? Don’t get too excited just yet, as you may have wagering requirements to contend with. These come with most bonuses and mean you need to wager your funds a set number of times before they can be withdrawn. In short, wagering requirements make it harder for you to get your hands on bonus winnings and help casinos avoid big losses. A low wagering casino might set the requirement at 15x or 20x, but the industry standard is around 35x. Free spins no deposit bonuses often have higher wagering requirements than other deals— sometimes as high as 60x— which is something to factor in before you sign up..
Here’s an example of how free spins wagering requirements work:
Let’s say you’ve bagged 100 free spins with a 40x wagering requirement and you win £20. You’ll need to wager your £20 returns 40 times before you can withdraw any of it. This means placing £800 worth of wagers.
As you can imagine, this makes converting bonuses to real cash easier said than done, and may mean you need to make a deposit to complete the wagering requirements- even with a free spins no deposit offer. This is why we think it’s best to think of your free spins as a way to enjoy extra playtime on some great online slots, such as Starburst and Book of Dead, and see any winnings as a handy little extra.
Wagering Contribution
At most slot sites you’ll find that bets placed on some online casino games contribute to the wagering requirements more than others. Usually, 100% of wagers placed on slots go towards completing the wagering requirements. However, bets on table games like roulette and blackjack, live dealer games and slingo often contribute as little as 5%-20%, and in some cases are excluded altogether.
Game Restrictions
Free spins casino bonuses are usually restricted to certain games, and the eligible games vary a lot from site to site. For example, one casino may let you use your free spins on any NetEnt slot in its games library, while another may restrict your spins to just one title.
On the bright side, though, you can be sure that the eligible titles will include some top games. For example, free spins on NetEnt’s Starburst is a common offer. This is one of the most popular slot games on the market anyway, so you’ll still having fun using your freebies.
Time Limits
Bagged yourself a juicy free spins casino bonus? Great – just make sure to use it before the time runs out! The timeframe in which you need to use your spins can range from a couple of days to a month. You’ll also have to complete the wagering requirements within the stated time, so make sure you don’t get caught on your heels.
Deposit Restrictions
You won’t need to worry about this if you bag a free spins no deposit required bonus, but some slot sites are a bit picky when it comes to the banking options you can use to make your bonus qualifying payment. This most commonly applies to the e-wallets Neteller and Skrill, but it may also apply to other banking options at certain sites.
Keep in mind deposit limits as well- payment methods like phone bill payments often have low daily limits, such as £30, which may affect how many spins you can claim. Debit card deposits qualify for pretty much every bonus, so your bank card is always a safe bet for claiming free spins casino bonuses.
Win Limits
You’ve claimed your free spins, completed the wagering requirements and come out the other end with some profit. Time to cash in on your winnings, right? Unfortunately, it’s not always that simple. While you’ll be able to withdraw some of your returns, online casinos often have win limits for free spins bonuses. Some sites have pretty generous limits, but they can be small at certain casinos— sometimes as little as £5— so do your research to avoid any unwanted surprises.
Free Spins Tips
Here are a few tips to help you get the most out of your free spins casino bonus:
Biggest isn’t Always Best
When browsing bonuses it can be easy to get drawn in by the biggest offer, but sometimes less is more when it comes to free spins. For example, low wagering requirements or higher win limits can make a 20 free spins bonus more attractive than a 100 free spins bonus, so bear this in mind when checking out different offers.
Try Out Free Demos
While some casinos offer free spins on just one or two slot games, other sites give you more freedom on where to use your freebies. If you’re struggling to work out which title you want to play, try out free demo slots. These are available at most of the best online casinos and are a great way to test out different titles, so that you don’t waste your spins on a slot you don’t enjoy.
Check Out the RTP
Some slots enthusiasts use their spins on titles with the highest return to player percentage (RTP) in the hope of landing a win. RTP is a theoretical estimate of how much of your wagers you can expect to win back over an extended period of play on a particular slot game. RTP varies a lot from game to game, and can range from 80% to over 99% on some titles.
RTP is far from the be-all and end-all- it’s based on an infinite period of play, so you can easily be winning well below or above the percentage at any given time. However, high RTP slots do give you a better chance at winning back your wager, statistically speaking, so we’d advise sticking to slots over 95% RTP.
Ready to Claim Your Free Spins?
Now you know all there is to know about free spins casino bonuses, you’re probably ready to get out there and claim one for yourself! Whether you’re searching for no deposit free spins or a larger bonus, look no further than our list of the top online casinos to compare the best offers available today. Once you’ve found your ideal free spins bonus, simply sign up and start spinning those reels!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. The top online casinos have mobile-friendly websites and native mobile apps, so you can claim your free spins and play slots on your mobile or tablet. Some slot sites even offer exclusive mobile bonuses, perfect for those who like to spin the reels while on the go.
In most instances, no. Casinos need to make money at the end of the day, and they’d struggle to do that if they were paying out large prizes won from free spins, so don’t expect to be able to use your spins on progressive jackpot slots.
No. Generally, each free spin will either be worth a value set by the casino, or the minimum bet amount on the selected slot titles. The exact value of free spins will vary between casino bonuses, so familiarise yourself with the terms and conditions before you sign up.
Sometimes. Most casinos automatically credit any bonus to your account after registering an account or making your first deposit, but some require you to enter a free spins bonus code when you sign up. If this is the case, your chosen casino will clearly state this beforehand, so just make sure you remember to key it in when creating your account.
There are plenty of video slot games with free spins as an in-game bonus feature. These are activated by landing certain combinations of symbols or through scatters, and in some free spins slot games you can potentially win several hundred free spins. Of course, you’ll have to play with real money stakes if you want the chance to earn these free spins.
Yes. New online casino sites are constantly vying with more established brands to attract players and keep things competitive. This means there are plenty of exciting new casino free spins offers out there- great news for fans of online slots!
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gamblingcommission.gov.uk – Gambling Commission announces package of changes which make online games safer by design
