Affiliate Disclosure: At CasinoFreak.com, we strive to match players with the most suitable casinos and promotions. To do so, we may include affiliate links to recommended websites. Should you decide to visit one of these sites via our link and make a deposit, please note that CasinoFreak.com may earn a commission. Rest assured, this will not affect the amount you pay. Learn more.
A casino bonus usually comprises some funds added to your balance but tracked separately from any funds you deposit.
You can use these funds to play casino games, but you cannot withdraw them until you wager the entire amount several times.
Most bonuses are offered to British players when they make their first deposit, but there is a type of bonus that requires no initial payment on your part.
These no-deposit bonuses are sometimes given to players after registering and validating an account or confirming a payment method.
In a nutshell: No deposit bonuses are casino bonuses you can receive without making any deposits.
Those of you who aren't necessarily fond of reading should know the following:
The guide below includes detailed information about this bonus type, so we highly recommend beginners go over it. Yet, Freak is a true egalitarian, so there are plenty of tips that seasoned gamblers might also find useful. Remember, you can never be too well-informed.
Even highly generous casino bonuses aren't worth more to UK online casinos than a new, loyal player. Bonuses of all kinds are prevalent in the online gambling industry because they're an excellent way to capture a potential player's attention.
The gross gambling yield of online gambling in the UK reached £6.44 billion in 2022, according to the Gambling Commission's industry statistics report. For casino operators, this means cut-throat competition.
The only way to get ahead in these conditions is to offer bigger and better bonuses. Although it's not exactly commonplace to get a no-deposit bonus, you should expect to see more of them in the following years as the industry continues growing.
A bonus being free is never a good enough reason to claim it. Although these bonuses have certain undeniable benefits, each player should weigh the pros and cons according to their own play style. Let's go over some common pros and cons of no-deposit bonuses.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You don't have to make any payments. | Low maximum cashout. |
| You can use it to try new UK casinos or various casino games. | The offers are generally lower than for deposit bonuses. |
| Beginners can use it to get familiar with gambling with no risks. | You're constrained to a short time limit. |
| They're great for people gambling on lower budgets. | They might have higher wagering requirements than other bonuses. |
At a glance, these bonuses seem like excellent choices if you're trying to get into gambling. You'll get the authentic gambling experience without having to spend.
However, you should remember that they're meant to give you a taste of the casino or certain games. They're a tool you should use to your advantage, not a promise you're not allowed to break.
Freak Tip
My recommendation is that you claim a few no-deposit bonuses with no intention of completing the wagering. Claim them, play with them for as long as it feels entertaining, and then don't be afraid to tell them you're ready to see other casino people.
Step 1: Pick a no-deposit bonus casino from Casino Freak.
We've gathered a list of casino brands to help our players with their research. You'll find all the essential information about each casino at a glance on their dedicated pages.
All of these brands have UKGC licenses, meaning they are perfectly suitable for British players.
Step 2: Complete the registration process.
The next step is registering a new casino account and following the instructions to verify your identity. Sometimes, you must enter a no-deposit bonus code during this step. Keep the Casino Freak page open while registering so you'll have every piece of information handy.
Step 3: Claim the no-deposit bonus.
It's a good idea to read the Terms and Conditions for the bonus you're about to claim. This will also guide you through the redeeming process. You might need to enter a code, validate a payment method, or contact customer support.
In many cases, casinos will apply this bonus to your account automatically after you verify your identity or payment information.
Quick Clarification
Some UK players get discouraged when prompted to enter their card details. It is called a no-deposit bonus, so why should you provide payment details?
You should know this is done to ensure players don't exploit bonus policies. Even if the casino asks for your payment info, you won't be charged anything.
That's it!
Now, you'll be ready to explore the online casino and try out the games. Freak recommends you calculate wagering requirements to determine how much you need to wager before you can withdraw your funds.
Remember
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) requires casino operators to openly display any terms and conditions related to a casino promotion on their adverts, in their official guidelines. Any limits, restrictions or eligibility criteria should never be more than one click away for a player looking to claim a bonus.
Some casinos in our list feature exclusive no-deposit bonus codes. You just need to click on the code to copy it to your clipboard. Once you enter the casino, you might need to enter the code during the registration process.
If there's no bonus code field on the registration page, keep the code handy. You'll probably need to enter it on your account page once you finish the registration.
Now, for some troubleshooting. What do you do if your no-deposit bonus code is not working?
There are a few things you can do before you panic.
Now you know about exclusive bonus codes, so the cat's out of the bag. Freak would like a few words.
Freak’s Disclaimer
Someone said, “Find your passion, and you’ll never have to work a day in your life.” Well, my passion was gambling. So I turned it into a business.
I have various contracts with some of the casinos listed on this site, and I get a bit of funds back every time a player visits or creates an account in that casino. You can read more on our Advertiser Disclosure page.
I am trying to create a gambling knowledge base for people like me, filled with opportunities and packed with useful information.
So, why should you register from our site? Well, here are a few reasons:
Let's look at the different types of no-deposit bonuses you can claim.
Bonus Funds
This is one of the most popular type of no-deposit bonus. Upon registering, the casino will award you a small amount of funds you can use to gamble. The funds will be considered bonus funds and tracked separately from any deposits you make.
In some cases, you might be restricted to only playing certain games with your bonus. However, slots will almost always be included in the promotion.
No Deposit Bonus Spins
Bonus spins allow you to play slot machine games without deducting any funds from your balance. They have a predetermined wager and can only be used on specific slots. Bonus spins are a also common bonus for first deposits and reloads.
However, you'll find plenty of casinos offering sign-up spins as a no-deposit bonus. You should know that potential wins resulting from these spins will be considered bonus funds and subjected to wagering requirements.
Free Play
A free play with no deposit bonus is like a delicious-looking popsicle. But it's a popsicle you get to taste only to realise it's just frozen celery. Some casinos will allow new players to test the entire game collection in a small timeframe after registration (20 or 30 minutes).
You'll get an unlimited amount of funds to play with, but you won't be able to keep any of the potential wins. Although this bonus is great for getting familiar with the platform, it's more of a trial than a bonus.
According to the UKGC report mentioned above, slots are the UK's most popular (73%) type of casino game by far. Considering this, it makes sense that no-deposit bonuses allow you to spin the reels on some of the best titles. But you shouldn't worry if slots aren't your thing.
You can still use your bonus funds on some gambling classics, like the ones below.
Game weighting refers to the percentage of your bet that counts towards meeting the wagering requirements. You need to clear these requirements before you can withdraw funds resulting from a bonus.
Here's a simple example explaining how wagering requirements and game weighting could impact your gambling.
Let's assume you claimed a £20 no-deposit bonus as a new player. While reading the bonus terms, you might find the offer has a 25x wagering requirement.
This means you'll only be allowed to withdraw funds from your fresh account once you place £500 worth of wagers (£20 times 25).
Each online casino has a different policy regarding game weighting, and you can generally read about it on the T&Cs page. Usually, slots contribute 100% towards the requirements. So, each £1 you bet on slots will bring you £1 closer to fulfilling the wagering.
For table games, the percentage drops significantly somewhere between 10% and 50%. As the game with the highest return to player rate, the weighting for Blackjack is generally between 0% and 5%.
Efficient Strategy
You should, of course, focus on the types of games you like, regardless of their weight. However, if you're looking to clear the wagering requirements faster, Freak recommends you allocate around 80% of your bankroll to high-weighting slots while keeping the rest for the games you like most.
The first thing you're going to look for is, obviously, the size of the bonus. You don't need to hear that a £25 no deposit bonus is better than a £5 no deposit bonus. However, you should only judge an offer after taking all of the following factors into account.
| Maximum Bet Allowed |
| The T&Cs will tell you about the maximum bet you can place while playing with your no-deposit bonus. Free spins have a predetermined wager you can't adjust, and that's usually the smallest possible bet on the promotional slot. For bonus funds, you get to adjust your bet however you want. Yet, many casinos will still restrict wagers to a maximum. Believe it or not, this is to your advantage. This limit ensures you have time to really explore the games and decide whether you like them. |
| Wagering Requirements |
| Wagering requirements are the first line of defence against bonus exploitation and casino villains. The requirements range between 25x and 50x, but there are extreme cases in which the wagering can reach 99x. Or where there's no wagering at all. Some wagering requirements are warranted since there's no other way to ensure players who claim a bonus will truly get a feel of the casino platform. This does not mean Freak agrees with steep requirements, which are more about a casino being greedy than business-savvy. P.S. That’s why Freak has a special list of low-wagering UK casinos that you can check if you ask nicely. |
| Validity Period |
| Most no-deposit bonuses are available for up to 7 days, but in some cases, the promotions might only be available for one day. Look for this information in advance, and only claim the bonus once you know you have enough time to play comfortably. Freak's Tip: Staying in control of your gambling is always more important than a bonus. You should take frequent breaks and not feel pressured to play more than you'd like, just so you can use the entire bonus. |
| Available Games |
| It takes time to find a true favourite casino game, so I believe game variety is a must for any brand. Even slot masters need to chill in a bingo room sometimes. I generally prefer no-deposit bonuses that let me bounce between game types and try out different titles. This only applies to bonus funds since bonus spins will always be tied to slot machines. So, if you're about to claim a £20 no-deposit bonus, make sure you can make it rain on various games. |
| Max Win Limit |
| No one wants to talk about this, but you should know that most no-deposit bonuses come with a maximum win or cashout limit. In most cases, this limit revolves around £100 (but exceptions do exist). If you manage to win more with your bonus, anything surpassing this limit will be deducted from your balance - either upon exiting the game or when you request a withdrawal. We know; we're not exactly fond of this rule, either. Winning a jackpot on a no-deposit bonus would be a perfect superhero origin story. |
The takeaway here is that, when it comes to casino bonuses, size does not matter. Or, at least, it is not the most important factor.
A £100 no-deposit bonus might sound enticing. Yet, if it has unreasonable wagering requirements or a short validity period, you're better off claiming a smaller bonus.
The thought of no-deposit funds can turn any of us a little bit blind. It's especially important to consider your safety when dabbling in no-deposit bonuses and apply responsible gambling principles to a T.
People are wired to seek deals. Everyone wants to minimise their investment and maximise their profits in all areas of life.
No deposit bonuses strike that sensible human chord and subject us to some hard-to-spot fallacies.
Namely, the fallacy of free
My dad has some limited woodworking skills. Whenever my mom wanted to buy new furniture, my dad would say there was no point in that. He can do it himself, for free. And he'd start researching, buying materials, and working on an end table.
Lo and behold, a couple of weeks later, he'd have a mediocre piece of furniture, for which he paid about the same (if not more) as buying the thing ready-made. Not only was it not free, but he lost a lot of time - time he could have used on something actually productive.
Getting actual value from a no-deposit bonus relies on a couple of things:
Remember that these bonuses are not get-rich-quick schemes, nor are they potential sources of income. You should see them as little trials for some casino games or platforms and use them accordingly to decide if a casino is good for you.
Although you aren't paying any money for these bonuses, they still require your time and attention.
Remember that you're not losing anything if you step away from a no-deposit bonus you've claimed. Quite the opposite, it will teach you to take casino offers with a grain of salt and only put your precious time and effort into a select few.
The no-deposit bonus and wagering requirements combo has a clear goal from the perspective of an online casino. Once players register and validate an account and get to gamble some of the no-deposit funds, they'll be much more likely to continue gambling on that platform.
Even if that platform is not the perfect one.
Freak found the solution for this issue, and it sounds like this: "Kiss many frogs before you find a prince." He's a gambler, not a poet.
In free translation, Freak recommends you cast a wide net and sample various no-deposit bonuses from as many brands as you can. Establish from the get-go that you won't be trying to withdraw any of the funds but are only looking to find casinos tailored to your preferences.
Once you find a UK casino you truly enjoy, you can try working towards wagering and building a good standing with that brand.
In other words, taste everything, but only swallow what you like. And don't forget to return to the CasinoFreak buffet for the newest no-deposit bonuses.
