Online gambling appeared on the scene during the mid-1990s. The online casino industry went through the typical teething stages and gradually gained traction as it evolved from fledgling sports betting sites to all-inclusive iGaming experiences. Today, you can indulge in anything from classic to contemporary video slots, lottery-type games, poker and blackjack, to bingo and live dealer instalments.
Newbies to the online gambling arena often find the vast selection of gaming choices and different rules and strategies confusing. That is why the best online casinos offer free play sessions, giving new players a chance to get their feet wet before betting real money.
However, you should not confuse free play with the no-deposit free spins bonuses. Online gambling is a highly competitive business, and online casinos constantly launch bonus offers to attract players and gain a market edge.
Sites such as PlayCasinos.ca put every listed online casino under the microscope to ensure it complies with all the necessary criteria. With this in hand, you a sure to find only the best no-deposit bonus and free spins online casinos available on the web today.
Let’s begin by looking at the different types of bonus packages designed to attract, keep, and reward players.
No-deposit bonus
A no-deposit bonus allows players to take an online casino and its game offerings for a test drive before putting down any money, while still being in with the chance to win some money. Ordinarily, players only have to register an account and can then choose to play various free games.
Much like other bonus types, no-deposit bonuses also come with certain conditions and restrictions. Often, you can only use the bonus to play on designated slot machines and a certain number of play-throughs are required before you actually receive the bonus. Cash-out limits may also apply, in which case winning a slot’s jackpot is meaningless.
Deposit bonuses
These bonuses are similar to deposit-match welcome bonuses. From time to time, online casinos may run promotions where players can get a certain percentage back on amounts they deposit during specific periods.
You can expect to find deposit bonuses attached to certain slot machines, table games, or sports betting formats. They also come with set rules and conditions. If you do not comply with these, you will forfeit the bonus.
Reward multipliers
When online casinos promote new slots, they often run reward multiplier promotions. These allow players to achieve higher winnings for a limited time.
Usually, wins are doubled or tripled. Some exceptional promotions even multiply winnings by up to 100 times.
Loyalty bonuses and high-roller rewards
Loyalty rewards go to long-standing players who regularly make deposits and chance their luck on a platform’s gambling instalments. Sometimes, players receive rewards for milestone bets or deposits.
These bonuses are often linked to a points system that resembles levelling up in games. You will also find limited-time promotions such as missions or challenges.
There are online casinos that also offer high-roller rewards. These are prizes offered for huge deposits and big plays. An online casino also recognizes players in this bracket as VIPs with access to all kinds of benefits and elite events.
Welcome bonuses
Almost every online casino welcomes its new players with some sort of introductory bonus. This is one of the features that distinguish them from their brick-and-mortar cousins.
These rewards can be straight-up deposit-match rewards or can be combined with free spins on certain slots. With a deposit match, an online casino matches your initial deposit amount with a certain percentage.
Some online casinos even have 500% deposit-match promotions, though, admittedly, these are quite rare. You will also find welcome bonuses spread over several deposits.
How do no-deposit casino bonuses help players?
Slot machines are undoubtedly the most popular online casino feature. There are loads of different formats and special features, which can be confusing at first. Playing a new slot for free helps you to familiarise yourself with the game and navigate your way through the bonus features.
Free spins allow you to play a slot without using your own money. You can also win real money with these, which makes a no-deposit free-spins bonus extra sweet.
How to choose the best no-deposit online casino
You will most likely find an online casino in every virtual corner of the digital world. It is important to know that not all online casinos are created equal and many are often nothing but scams.
Check the reputation of an intended online casino to make sure it is a reliable site. Have a look at the online reviews and consider all the angles of both good and bad comments. These will give you first-hand insights into the experiences of other players and also a hint of what you can expect.
Licensing and registration information is of the utmost importance. Gaming authorities back, monitor, and regulate licensed online casinos. This prevents irregular and fraudulent financial practices and also safeguards players against exploitation. A licensed and registered online casino operates according to legal standards and undergoes regular audits.
Have a look at the payment and banking options – even if you are looking for a no-deposit bonus. An online casino with reputable payment methods is usually legit. A variety of options also gives you freedom of choice and allows you to make deposits and withdrawals with more than just your credit cards. A range of how-to guides can be found online on the relevant steps to take here.
Compare the no-deposit bonus conditions of different online casinos. Some may have stricter play-through conditions, time limits, and tougher rules than others.
Generally, quality trumps quantity in the online gambling industry. An online casino with thousands of slots is not necessarily better than the one featuring only a handful. As with anything else, you get good and bad gaming developers. Online casinos hosting big names such as NetEnt and Pragmatic Play are sure to have quality games that guarantee hours of entertainment.