No Deposit Casinos

If it seems too good to be true, it usually is. That maxim applies to just about every aspect of life. But what about so-called “No Deposit Casinos?” Are they really offering something for nothing—the opportunity to win real cash without putting up any money of one’s own? Or is it just another promotional come-on that can lead to disappointment?

For a fact, the online casino industry has relied heavily on “deposit matching” as a primary form of introductory promotion. But wagering requirements and restrictions on how bonus cash can be used puts a damper on player enthusiasm. More innovative ways to induce players to sign up were needed, hence the invention of the “No Deposit Casino.”

By allowing newcomers to sign up and play without making a deposit, online casinos kill two birds with one stone. They overcome the fears of potential customers that their money will be tied up or “held hostage” until they meet certain betting criteria; they also open the door for participation by many who would otherwise be unable to play due to certain legal constraints.

What the casinos are gambling on by offering “no deposit” bonuses is that players become familiar with their games and comfortable wagering real money, even if it isn’t their own initially. Once they realize how enjoyable playing online can be, the non-depositors will become loyal and eventually add their own funds to the free accounts. This is especially true if they feel confident that they can win, and of course a predictable percentage will do just that. The No Deposit Casinos have crunched the numbers and they know exactly what’s required to make such offers work.

No Deposit Casino offers currently come in a variety of forms. Following are three of the most popular versions.

Free Cash – The player receives from £1 to £100 to wager at will. Winnings cannot be touched until all of the free cash has been bet. The catch on most of these offers is that the vast majority do require some kind of deposit after the free cash has been played and before any winnings can be withdrawn. The fine print must be read carefully.

Free Play – Players are invited to participate in “free play” promotions, limited in duration from 15 minutes to one full day. A set amount of bonus credits are provided in a special Free Play or Bonus Account. Once any betting requirements have been met, the remaining credits become “Bonus Cash” to be used with a Real Money account. Again, a subsequent deposit may be required to access the bonus.

Free Spins – Typically, a fixed number of free slot spins are offered. Quite often, the spins must be used on a particular slot game that is being promoted. Certain “play through” requirements may apply, and progressive slot play does not count.

Other promotions which have appeared in conjunction with No Deposit Casinos include Free Loyalty Points, Third-Party Coupon Play (with an affiliate staking the new player), and Special Occasion Cash, such as free play on birthdays. Many casinos also offer players an opportunity to practice or “sample” their games for free in the “For Fun” or “For Free” mode, which is totally risk-free, but similarly reward-free, as “play credits” have no cash value.

Following are few examples of No Deposit Casino offers currently available online:

$/€55 No Deposit – The player may bet only on slots and keno to meet the play-through requirement.

One Hour & $/£/€2010 Free-play – Applied to Microgaming software, this also comes with 20 Free Spins upon making a first deposit.

One Day, $/£/€1500 Freetime – The player is required to purchase $20 or more in order to claim up to $100 in winnings.

30 Free Spins – Offered only on one game; in this case, Mad Hatters download or instant flash version.

$100 Chip – Play only on keno and slots; maximum cash-out is $100 in winnings, and there is a minimum wager requirement of $4,000, excluding progressives.

1,000 Free Spins & 24 Hours Free – Any winnings are transferred to a Real Bonus account, and then subject to play-through requirements.

Published on: 13/09/2010

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