Certain casinos offer slots with free spins, which are bonuses that provide the chance to win without putting your money at risk. They can sometimes be an in-game reward, or they could be awarded by gambling sites to those who sign up to play. No matter how you earn them, they can provide a great boost to your potential payback when playing online slots.
We’ll explain how they work, how you can achieve them, and what they’ll do to the gameplay. And we’ll also answer some of the questions you might have about free spins during real money online slots play.
Top Casino Brands That Offer Free Spins & Bonuses
What Kinds of Slots Free Spins Can I Claim?
Free spins can be very advantageous and come in many shapes and sizes. Here are some of the most common kinds out there.
Free Spins For New Customers
Many casino brands include free spins as part of their welcome offering for customers who sign up. It is a common to see a percentage match with free spins included on a certain game. An example would be a $100 deposit bonus with 30 free gos on the arcade games.
Free Spins That Don’t Require A Deposit
Although they are not common, some casinos offer free spins without the need to make a deposit. No-deposit bonuses normally have a high wagering requirement, though.
Loyalty & VIP Free Spins
As part of their loyalty programs, some casinos offer free spins linked to the tiers of the program. VIPs can also be offered ongoing promotions like this in order to keep customers coming back and playing regularly.
Monthly, Weekly & Daily Free Spins
Casinos entice players with free spins offered regularly to pull back existing players. This is a common email marketing tactic of casino brands. These will be tied to a certain time period and also to certain games.
Free Spins With Wagering Requirements
Most free spins will have wagering requirements. This will be expressed as 20x, or 30x, etc.
That means, if the free spin bonus is worth $10 and the wagering requirement is 35x, you need to bet $350 before you can withdraw the money from the bonus.
Most, if not all, free spin bonuses have wagering requirements. Make sure you are aware of these before you start playing.
Our Preferred Sites With Free Spins Offers
How to Claim And Activate Free Spin Bonuses
For the most part, earning free spins during online game play will be a matter of luck.
The most common way to earn online free spins slots bonuses when playing is to spin and end up with a symbol that activates free spins.
You might be able to activate even more free spins in the middle of the free round if you get that symbol again. There may or may not be a maximum number of free spins that you can activate in a specific stretch of play.
It’s also possible that certain symbol combinations can enact the free spins.
Pros & Cons of Free Spin Promotions
Free spins can be a real plus to your bankroll but they come with some drawbacks.
Pros
Chance to win money from nothing.
Try new games without risking your bankroll.
Normally attached to other bonuses.
Extra spins when you make deposits.
Added thrill to the game.
Cons
Usually need to deposit money to get free spins.
Bonuses can have high wagering requirements that can make it hard to withdraw winnings.
Risk of Chasing Free Spins
Gambling addiction is real and it can destroy lives. Some people end up obsessive gamblers for many reasons, and chasing free spins and other highs can be one of the steps on the road.
Free spins can feel like a boon when won. You must remember, however, that games that have them tend to be more volatile, as the fact that you are winning free spins is worked into the RTP, which is the percentage of money that the game will return to the player on average.
You have to be careful that your bankroll doesn’t sink too low as you look to earn free spins. Try to avoid pursuing free spins at all costs as the losses can really pile up.
To make sure you gaming responsibly, make sure to:
- Have realistic expectations: all slot games have a house edge that is in the favor of the casino. This means that, in the long run, you should expect to lose money. Of course, you should hope to get lucky, but know that you will lose on more spins than you will win.
- Create a gambling budget: before playing, consciously decide how much money you are going to bet. This is a proportion of your income that you are happy to lose. Once you’ve gambled this amount, do not gamble any more. This is a great way of keeping losses at a minimum.
- Manage your bankroll: Before playing, know how much of your bankroll you are willing to bet. It’s a good idea to place a limit of 5–10% per session. This way, you can avoid huge losses and have enough for next time.
More Resources
- Gamblers’ Anonymous
- National Council on Problem Gambling
- National Problem Gambling Helpline Network (800-522-4700)
