Every industry has its way of bringing people in. Depending on what “in” means, the marketing techniques differ. But one thing’s for sure—freebies have been and will continue to be one of the best ways to make people test a product, subscribe to a service, or join a membership.
Let’s look at online casinos. You might think that this industry doesn’t have a lot to offer in terms of fun free samples, but you couldn’t be more wrong. As a matter of fact, the no deposit bonus casino is one of the ways casinos attract customers with an offer that allows people to play fun casino games without investing financially.
We will take a closer look at this type of casino bonus to see how it works, what it requires, and how it benefits both the casino and the players.
What Is a No Deposit Bonus?
As the name implies, a no deposit bonus is an exciting type of casino deal that gamblers can claim from an online betting or gambling site’s promotional offer portfolio. In exchange for joining a platform, the new member can place bets on sports events or gamble on casino games without first making a deposit. Sometimes, casinos use this type of promotion for players who already have accounts as a reward for their loyalty.
What attracts players to these deals is the fact that they can win real money without making a deposit first. But can they really? The answer is more complicated than it seems and is not a simple yes or no. It’s rather a sometimes or it depends. Needless to say, we will address this in the following paragraphs.
Different Types of No Deposit Bonuses
To better understand this promotional offer, we will look at the different types of no-deposit bonuses.
Free Bets
This type of bonus comes from bookmakers who want to attract new bettors to their site. In exchange for signing up, bettors receive a number of free bets. With the bets, they can place wagers without depositing money.
Free Spins No Deposit
The free spins bonus is very popular among casino players. This fun promotion is similar to the free bets, but instead of bets, gamblers receive free spins they can use to play slot games.
Free Welcome Bonus
Last but definitely not least is the free welcome bonus, also known simply as the no-deposit bonus or free bonus money. This casino promotion provides gamblers with funds to place wagers on casino games they like.
Casino Cash Rewards
These rewards that provide account holders with cash are typically part of the VIP programs or the bonuses that casinos put together for loyal gamblers.
Bonus Requirements
There are differences and similarities between all the no-deposit bonuses. Moreover, each promotion has its own terms and conditions that players need to respect in order to benefit from the incentives they redeem by withdrawing their winnings.
Wagering Requirements
Also known as playthrough or rollover, the wagering requirement is a requirement that casinos have for players who use their bonuses. The request acts like a casino tax—in order to benefit financially from the promotions, you have to wager the funds, bets, or spins received for free a number of times.
The wagering requirements can range from 1x to 99x. Each casino determines the amount. The lower the wagering, the better for the player. In fact, some casinos are very generous and provide bonuses without wagering requirements, allowing gamblers to keep their wins. In this case, cashout caps might be set in place.
Validity Period
Like any other type of promotion, casino bonuses may have expiration dates, either for the bonus itself or for the perks included in the bonus.
For example, some casino bonuses can be seasonal, with their main purpose being to attract or incentivize players to join their site during a specific timeframe. Others can be active for longer, but once a player claims them, they have to use the included perks within a set time period.
Game Restrictions & Contributions
Game restrictions apply to casino bonuses, not sportsbook ones, of course. Even with casino games, they can differ from offer to offer. The most likely promotion to have game restrictions is the free spins one. With this bonus, casinos can choose a single slot provider whose games you have to play with the spins or even a single slot game.
The free welcome bonuses can also have game restrictions; however, they are usually not as strict as the free spins bonus. In many cases, the free funds can be used in multiple games, not just slots, but each game type contributes differently to the wagering requirements. For example, live dealer games can contribute 10%, card games 10%, and slots 80% toward the wagering requirements.
Maximum Cashout
The majority of no-deposit bonuses have a maximum cash-out cap set by the casino. Thus, no matter how much money a gambler makes with the bonus, they won’t be able to withdraw the entire amount. Oftentimes, the cashout cap is lower than $100, but some casinos set the cap way higher or do not impose one at all.
How Does It Work
Depending on the offer, players might have to simply log in and redeem their promotion if it is part of a loyalty reward for existing players or create a new account if it is a signup bonus.
For signup deals, players should consider the following steps:
● Create a new account on the platform by entering their personal details in the signup form.
● Use bonus or promo codes if the promotion requires one. The promotional codes might be needed for the signup form or later on to activate the promotion from the Bonus section.
● Read the terms and conditions of the site and of the bonus to be familiar with the rules and regulations set in place by the platform they join and to ensure compliance with said rules.
● After the site credits the bonus, players must wager the funds, spins, or bets according to the T&C.
What Are The Benefits of No Deposit Bonuses
In order for a marketing promotion to work, both parties—the target audience and the brand—have to benefit from the offer.
Casino Benefits
● New members on the site or loyal players who stick around when they receive rewards for their loyalty.
● Access to a database they can use to promote other offers, incentives, and marketing campaigns.
● Customer retention and long-term profit.
● Brand awareness, since the promotions they provide often end up on review sites, boosting the casino’s online presence.
Player Benefits
● The chance to explore a new sportsbook or casino risk-free.
● The chance to use the no-deposit bonus to try out a new interesting game without depositing money.
● The chance to engage in fun games and learn how to play new ones.
● The opportunity to win and withdraw real money without having to make an investment first.
Marketing And Bonus Impact
At first sight, these casino bonuses may seem like a fast way to make money. However, bonus hunting doesn’t benefit gamblers or bettors in the long run. The promotions should be just a fun incentive that allows players to try exciting games, learn how to use a brand-new platform, extend gameplay, and have fun.
Promotional codes have been a staple of marketing campaigns for decades, and for a good reason! They work! Everyone loves a freebie, so it’s no surprise that casinos use them to attract new players.
Conclusion
Casino bonuses are fun, and so is gambling, but it is important to see this activity for what it is—a way to have fun, not a way to make money! Therefore, both gamblers and casinos need to have a proactive approach to preventing gambling problems.
Responsible gambling is something that casinos need to take very seriously. As for gamblers, whenever they feel that gambling has turned from a recreational activity to a stressful one focused on chasing losses, it is time to seek help from an organization that can help them navigate gambling problems.
