Everything you Need to Know About No Deposit Bonuses
As you probably already know, the online casino industry in Canada is a supremely competitive one. With so many operators offering large welcome bonuses, rewarding promotions and top of the range games from the best software developers, it can be difficult to stand out from the crowd. Online casinos are always looking for innovative ways to attract new players, and the no deposit bonus is among the most popular offers you’ll find. Let us take you through everything you need to know in order to claim your own no deposit casino bonus.
No Deposit Bonuses Explained
What are No Deposit Casino Bonuses?
A no deposit bonus is a promotion that’s usually reserved for new customers at online casinos, and allows them to claim a bonus with no requirement to make a deposit. Think of it as a ‘try before you buy’ deal, which provides the potential to win real money with no outlay on your part.
This kind of welcome bonus is a win-win situation for both new players and no deposit casinos. Players can get a feel for the online casino and its games without putting their hard earned money on the line. No deposit casinos, on the other hand, gain new members who may go on to make real money deposits if they like what they see.
No Deposit Bonus Variations
Much like most other bonuses available at online casinos, you can expect to find more than one type of no deposit deal available to new players.
No Deposit Free Spins
Among the most popular types of no deposit deals exclusive to new players at online casinos is the free spins offer. By signing up and entering a bonus code (if required), new players get the opportunity to spin the reels on top online slot games and potentially reap the rewards without placing any real money stakes. Your winnings will almost certainly be capped, however, and your no deposit free spins will usually be restricted to a specific game, such as Book of Dead. Still, this is a great way to get comfortable with the features and controls of a slot game whilst potentially earning some bonus winnings.
No Deposit Free Games Codes
Not a huge fan of slot games? You may be able to find these alternative new welcome bonus no deposit offers instead. They work the same way as a free spins offer, and may require entering a bonus code. But, instead of getting free spins, you’ll be offered free rounds of a different game. You’ll usually find this kind of casino bonus available for table games such as blackjack, roulette, baccarat and craps.
No Deposit Cash Bonus
This welcome bonus is arguably the best option for new players at online casinos. You’ll be free to use your no deposit cash bonus funds on just about anything you’d like from the games collection. Keep an eye out for restrictions in the terms and conditions, however, which will impact how you play with the promotion.
What are the Wagering Requirements?
While a welcome bonus no deposit offer has the obvious advantage of requiring no money to change hands in order for you to qualify, you won’t usually be able to simply keep what you win straight away. There’s likely to be wagering requirements attached.
Put simply, this refers to the number of times you have to bet the value of the bonus in order to get your hands on any winnings.
If a CAD 30 no deposit cash bonus comes with a 40x wagering requirement, for example, then you will need to wager CAD 1,200 in order to claim any of your winnings.
It’s best to look around at the various no deposit bonuses on offer and see what sort of terms and conditions are attached. You don’t want to take advantage of what you think is a great value no deposit bonus, only to find that the wagering requirements aren’t suitable for your playing habits.
What are the Other Terms and Conditions?
Other than wagering requirements, almost every casino bonus usually comes with other terms and conditions that new players must follow in order to cash out after you win real money. Let’s have a look at the most prominent.
Game Weighting Restrictions
These dictate which games can be played in order for you to fulfil the wagering requirements and claim your casino bonus winnings. Playing certain games will count more than others – slots are often weighted as high as 100% while table games and live dealer games are generally weighted much lower.
Time Limits
Online casinos almost always put an expiry date on their no deposit bonus deals. New players may have only 24 hours to use your no deposit free spins, for example. If you’re lucky, you may have longer – from weeks to a month or more – to use the bonus. It’s always wise to check, as the last thing you want is to inadvertently miss the deadline.
Maximum Winnings Caps
Maximum winnings caps limit how much you can actually make from a particular casino bonus. The casino may have offered you the bonus funds for free, but it will limit how much you can win from them. This is definitely something to track so that you don’t end up spending more than you can win from the promotion.
Game Exclusions
Online casinos don’t always allow new players to use no deposit bonuses on their full range of games. For example, live dealer games may be off-limits, while no deposit free spins are often restricted to select titles. This is a particularly important feature to look out for in case you had your heart set on using a no deposit bonus on a particular game.
Payment Exclusions
You’ll often find that making your first deposit through certain payment methods will render you ineligible for welcome bonuses at online casinos. These will usually be with e-wallets like Skrill, Neteller or PayPal. It can be frustrating if the banking option you’re most familiar with is excluded, which is why we recommend you read the full terms and conditions of a promotion before signing up.
No Deposit Bonuses on New Casino Sites
It may seem like a good idea to play with more established casino names, but new casino sites also have a lot to offer. In order to stand out from the crowd, they often provide some pretty attractive promos, sometimes including free no deposit bonuses. These can often be more player-friendly than alternatives from long-standing industry names. There may also be a higher max bonus winnings cap alongside smaller wagering requirements. And even if the requirements are still quite high, a no deposit bonus is still a great way for you to get used to a new site before you risk any of your own cash.
Claiming a No Deposit Bonus on the Go
The great thing about modern online casinos is that you can claim your free no deposit bonus and play anywhere in the world from your mobile. All of our featured sites have a fully optimised mobile site, if not a top-class mobile app. We would recommend signing up to a site that provides players with a native app, giving you access to a far smoother and immersive gaming experience.
The added benefit of playing via your mobile is that you can activate push notifications. This means you’ll never miss out on the latest new promotions on offer from the casino.
Payment Options
There are a lot of ways to pay for your online casino play these days. Let’s have a look at some of the more common banking methods you’re likely to come across.
Debit & Credit Cards
Debit cards are accepted almost universally at online casino sites and are arguably the most familiar payment method available to punters. All your activity is protected by your bank’s individual security measures, but each withdrawal can take between one to five working days to be processed.
Online Banking Services
Many Canadians already use Interac and InstaDebit for online purchases, and you’ll be pleased to know that the majority of online casinos also accept these payment options. Of course, you do need a Canadian bank account to utilize this method, and it’s worth noting that not all casinos will process withdrawals using these services.
E-wallets
E-wallets are now very popular with online players and it’s pretty understandable why. E-wallets like PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller are completely free to sign up to, totally secure, and can process your withdrawals in a matter of hours rather than days. The only downside is that some casinos don’t allow e-wallets to be used when claiming their bonuses. As such, new players should check the individual bonus terms and conditions before signing up.
How can I Claim a No Deposit Bonus at an Online Casino?
These three simple steps will guide you through the process of claiming and using your free no deposit bonus:
- Compare online casinos
First up, you’ll want to browse through the offers on the table at the top online casinos. You will find the best no deposit bonuses available from the most trustworthy casino brands in the country on our carefully curated list. Simply compare and pick out your favorite!
- Sign up
Head over to your new online casino once you’ve chosen a favorite. We’ve provided quick links that redirect you to a no deposit bonus registration page. Simply fill in the required personal and contact information – you’ll be done within minutes, even on mobile. If you’ve got a no deposit bonus code, you’ll be prompted to enter it at this stage.
- Play for free
With your account created, you’re ready to play using your no deposit offer. If you have no deposit free spins on a specific slot, then all you do is load up that game and start spinning. Or, if you’ve managed to grab a no deposit cash bonus, you’ll be able to sample almost any game from the casino’s collection.
Ready to Play?
No deposit bonuses are a great option for those looking to try out a new casino or game for the first time. So check out our list of the best no deposit offers from the top casinos available online, compare deals, sign up and play your favorite games, on the house!
Your Questions Answered
Yes. While no deposit bonuses certainly allow you to win real money, there are almost always maximum winnings caps in place to prevent online casinos from making any significant losses. The amount will vary depending on the terms and conditions of the bonus at your chosen casino.
Even the best no deposit bonus deal offered by an online casino will typically have a time limit by which you’ll need to claim it. The length of time will vary depending on your chosen casino, so it’s worth having a look at the terms and conditions of any bonus offer before you claim it.
Unfortunately not. Even with a free bonus, you’ll almost always be required to meet wagering requirements before you can withdraw your bonus winnings. Once these have been fulfilled, you’ll be able to keep what you win.
No. You’re not required to keep playing once you’ve used your free bonus, so you won’t need to make a deposit. However, if you’d like to continue enjoying the site, and potentially win real money along the way, then you’ll have to head to the cashier page and deposit funds.
This is the amount you will need to bet before your bonus winnings are available for withdrawal. With no deposit free spins on slots like Book of Dead, the requirement will usually be a multiple of however much you happen to win.
