No deposit bonus: small credit, strict rules
A no deposit bonus gives a new account a small credit or a handful of spins with no deposit required. Because nothing has to be paid in, these offers look like free money. They are not. They are a marketing cost the casino recovers through strict conditions, and the large majority of ND bonus credits never turn into a withdrawal. This page explains why, using neutral numbers, so you can judge any offer you come across.
How to claim a no deposit offer
How to claim varies. Some casinos credit the offer automatically after registration; others require an email or phone verification, a promo code, or a completed identity check. Because these offers attract abuse, operators often restrict them to one per household, device or payment method. Read the claim conditions before registering if the offer is the reason you are signing up.
Wagering requirements and max cashout
Wagering requirements on a free bonus are usually higher than on deposit offers. A 5-unit credit at 50x requires 250 units of stakes. On top of that sits a max cashout: a cap on how much can be withdrawn from bonus winnings, regardless of how much you win. If the cap is 50 units and you finish wagering with 120, the rest is removed. Many operators also require a small real deposit before the first withdrawal, to verify the payment method.
Eligible games
Eligible games are typically limited to a selection of slots. Table games, live games and jackpot slots are often excluded, and the maximum bet during wagering is low. Playing an excluded game can void the bonus. The full list of such clauses is explained in our bonus terms guide.
A realistic expectation
Consider the numbers together: a 5-unit credit, 250 units to wager at an average return of 96% loses about 10 units on average — twice the credit. So the expected outcome is that the bonus runs out before the wagering is done. Occasionally a lucky run survives, and then the cashout cap applies. A no deposit offer is best seen as a way to try a casino's interface, not as a way to win.
Before you sign up for an offer
Check who licenses the operator and whether it accepts players from your country — an offer from an unlicensed site does not come with the protections of a licensed one. Our review explains how to check a licence in a regulator's public register. The registration guide covers verification steps, and free spins explains the spin-based version of this offer.