No Deposit Bonus UK – It is already clear that the online casino industry is slowly taking over the entire gambling market. Well-regulated markets such as the UK make it easier for punters to enjoy a safe gambling experience, all while enjoying their favourite casino games.
One of the most successful ways for an online casino to attract UK punters is to offer them innovative bonuses and promotions.
As you would imagine, there are all sorts of bonuses you can claim at a reputable UK gambling site. However, here, we will focus on arguably the players’ favourite – no deposit bonuses.
Let’s take a closer look at what exactly is a no-deposit bonus and how you can claim it at UK online gambling sites.
What is a No-Deposit Bonus?
Let’s start with the basics here. A no-deposit bonus is an additional amount of cash that casino players get without making any deposit. Instead of cash, players can also receive free spins to use on certain slots.
No matter which type of no-deposit bonus you get, there is always one thing in common – you are not required to make any deposit.
Therefore, it is easy to see why UK casino players have such an affinity towards these types of bonus offers. However, just because you don’t need to make any deposit does not mean that there are no other aspects you need to look out for.
All no-deposit bonuses at UK gambling sites have certain terms and conditions attached. The exact nature of the T&C will vary from one online casino to another, but you always need to read them closely.
No-Deposit Bonuses Terms and Conditions
As mentioned above, one of the most important aspects that you need to pay close attention to with no-deposit bonuses is their T&Cs.
To put it simply, terms and conditions lay out the rules on what you need to do to use the no-deposit bonus and subsequently, to withdraw any potential winnings.
We cannot stress enough the importance of reading the T&C of any no-deposit bonus. This way, you can avoid making incorrect assumptions and missing out on key points of the bonus – this is how you eventually lose money.
Terms and conditions help online casinos in the UK avoid any potential disputes with players. By laying out the rules of the bonus, players should know exactly how, when and what to use it.
So, to save you some time on research, let’s take a look at some of the key points you need to look out for when thinking about claiming a no-deposit bonus.
Wagering Requirements
First off, we have the wagering requirements that almost all no-deposit UK bonuses have. They work very simply – there is a minimum number of times you need to play through your bonus amount before you can cash out any potential winnings.
As an example, if you have a £10 no-deposit casino bonus with wagering requirements of 25x, you need to make wagers valued at £250 before you can withdraw any winnings.
As soon as you complete the wagering requirements, you will be free to cash out your winnings and do with them what you please.
Withdrawal Limits
All no-deposit bonuses have maximum withdrawal limits you can make when you use that bonus. It doesn’t matter how much you win, there will always be a limit that you need to respect. If you win £500, but the maximum withdrawal amount is £200, then you only get the latter amount of money.
As you could imagine, these limits exist to protect the online casino from possible bankruptcy, as well as to dissuade so-called “bonus hunters” from signing up.
Game Eligibility
Moving on, most no-deposit bonuses will specify the casino games that contribute towards the wagering requirements. As an example, the distribution can go as follows:
- Slots – 100%
- Blackjack – 25%
- Video poker – 5%
- Sic Bo – 2%
- Craps, Roulette – 0%
The online casino in question determines the eligible games by their odds of winning. All games that have a lower house edge will have low wagering requirements, and vice versa. Very often, games such as roulette, craps, baccarat, bingo and co. do not contribute towards the wagering requirements.
Bonus Codes
When you decide to use a no-deposit bonus in your favourite UK online casino, keep in mind that you may need to enter a unique bonus code.
You can find this promotional code either on the page of the bonus or on the homepage of the online casino. Using it is very simple – you just need to copy and paste it into the required field when you decide to use the casino bonus.
Not all online casinos in the UK require you to use a bonus code, but some do add a bit more excitement to the entire gaming adventure.
Usually, a no-deposit bonus code will consist of a few letters or numbers that you will need to copy and paste. Of course, if you don’t use the bonus code, you won’t be able to unlock the offer itself.
Time Limits
All no-deposit bonuses in UK casinos have a validity period. This is another very important aspect you need to look out for, as you don’t want to see your bonus winnings taken away just because you exceeded the time in which you would need to complete the wagering requirement.
Most online casinos in the UK will give you 30 days to claim and use the free spins or no-deposit cash bonus. After that period, the bonus expires and all your winnings will be forfeited.
Types of No-Deposit Bonuses
Before we move any further, we need to take a look at which types of no-deposit bonuses you can expect at UK gambling sites.
No-Deposit Welcome Bonus
Without a doubt, no deposit casino bonuses are often the key to attracting more new players to register on the site. UK and international gambling sites that offer no-deposit bonuses as a welcome package have a much bigger new player base.
What type of no-deposit welcome bonus you get mainly depends on the online casino in question, but you can often expect:
- Bonus cash
- Free spins
All new players who register and verify their accounts are eligible to claim the no-deposit welcome bonus.
Keep in mind that welcome bonuses usually have the most T&C, so you need to be careful when claiming one.
Ongoing Bonus Cash Promotions
Moving on, aside from welcome bonuses, you can always expect a reliable UK online casino to offer you an ongoing bonus cash offer.
This is usually a fixed amount of cash that you can spend on various games. Thankfully, your choice of games here is often very rich, as you will be able to use the bonus on:
- Slots
- Table games
- Live dealer games
How much you get as a no-deposit cash bonus depends on the online casino in question, of course. Here, it is also important to check whether there is any bonus code that you need to use.
Free Spins
Free spins are arguably the most common and popular type of a no-deposit bonus at UK gambling sites. Free spins work a bit differently to no-deposit cash offers.
You can use free spins only on slot machines on the site. Regardless of when you get a free spins bonus offer, you are always wise to check the bonus terms and conditions as the entire promotion can be different to all other types of offers.
Cashback
Finally, we have the cashback incentive which is also quite popular among UK punters. This is a very unique type of bonus that allows you to compensate your losses during a specific gaming session.
You can get a daily/weekly/monthly cashback incentive, depending on the online casino itself. To be eligible for a cashback incentive, you do need to have made certain deposits during that specific gaming session, but there is no deposit required when you eventually get the cashback,
Leading UK gambling sites make sure to offer various cashback incentives to all registered punters as an incentive to keep them playing casino games for much longer. Some would argue that this is the best type of promotion you can get at operators, and it is hard to argue against that.
Pros and Cons of No-Deposit Bonuses
As with any aspect of online gambling, there are certain advantages and disadvantages that come with no-deposit bonuses UK players need to know of.
Thankfully, we could see that there are way more pros than cons with no-deposit bonuses, which can only be beneficial for punters. Some of the main advantages that come with selecting a no-deposit casino bonus are:
- No financial commitments – the most obvious advantage of a no-deposit bonus is that you won’t need to make any real money deposit to claim the offer
- Un-restricting Terms and Conditions – other types of promotions have quite strict terms and conditions, but that is not always the case with no-deposit bonuses
- Available on all devices – mobile gamers will love the fact that they can claim a no-deposit bonus from their mobile device at any time
- Practice – you can practice your favourite casino games without spending a dime thanks to the no-deposit bonuses
- Real-money wins – even though there might be wagering requirements attached to the bonus, there is always a chance to secure a win with it.
All no-deposit bonuses are one of a kind, and almost always, they offer you the chance to boost your possible winnings and enhance your entire gaming experience.
On the other hand, there are also some disadvantages that come with no-deposit bonuses. Some of the most notable ones include:
- Withdrawal limits – there are always withdrawal limits that come with no-deposit bonuses, as the casino will look to minimize the chances of players winning extremely big amounts
- High wagering requirements – very often, the wagering requirements for no-deposit bonuses are much higher than the ones with other promotions, as you could imagine. There are cases where there are no wagering requirements on a bonus, but that is very rare
- Smaller amounts – no one would just give away tons of money for free. Therefore, no-deposit bonuses are usually very small, no matter whether you get free spins or cash bonuses
- Time limits – there is always e period in which the no-deposit bonus is active. If you don’t use it and complete the wagering requirements in that period, then you can say goodbye to any potential winnings you may have obtained
Very often, the pros and cons of a no-deposit bonus will balance each other, but with careful research and attention to detail, you can always find a good no-deposit bonus that will boost your potential winnings.
How to Claim a No-Deposit Bonus
Now that you know the main details surrounding a no-deposit casino bonus in the UK, there remains a vital process you need to conclude – claiming the offer. Thankfully, claiming such a bonus is relatively straightforward, as all you need to do is follow the next few steps.
Find a Reliable Casino With a No-Deposit Bonus
The first step is the most obvious one. You need to make a bit of research and choose a UK online casino that has a no-deposit casino bonus offer. See whether the casino in question has a valid license from the UK Gambling Commission, and if it does, feel free to move on to the next step – registering an account.
Register
As mentioned above, the next step in your quest for claiming a no-deposit bonus is to create an account. As soon as you ensure that you find yourself on a reputable operator, click on the Register button and fill in the required fields. Usually, the sign-up procedure takes no more than a couple of minutes, should you get all information correct.
Verify Your Account
Moving on, the UK Gambling Commission instructs online casinos to verify all new players’ accounts before they allow them to play real-money games. You will need to send proof of your ID and only after that, you will be allowed to enjoy all perks of the online casino.
Claim the No-Deposit Bonus
Finally, you are now able to claim the bonus and use it on the selected games. This is the step where you need to read the T&C of the bonus and use a promo code if there is any. Different sites will have different withdrawal limits, eligible games, wagering requirements, etc. so you have to check this in detail.
Mobile No-Deposit Casino Bonuses
We briefly touched upon this subject above. One of the main advantages of a no-deposit casino bonus is that it is available on all devices, including smartphones.
Online casinos in the UK know that the vast majority of people in the country spend almost all their daily activities on their mobile devices. Therefore, they were quick to optimize their sites for mobile devices and offer various mobile bonuses, including no-deposit offers.
Claiming a no-deposit casino bonus from your mobile phone is virtually the same as claiming it from your desktop computer:
- Log in with your username and password
- Head to the Promo section
- Claim the no-deposit bonus
Moreover, it is not uncommon to see online casinos offering special no-deposit bonuses only for mobile phone users. As an incentive for players to download the casino’s app, there might be a special bonus awaiting mobile punters.
Tips and Tricks When Claiming a No-Deposit Bonus
No matter what type of bonus you claim at UK gambling sites, or which games you play, you need to remember one thing – there is no winning strategy that will help you secure a big win overnight.
However, that doesn’t mean that you cannot use some general tips and tricks to boost your odds of winning. So, we at BonusCasinoSites have come up with some of the main tips you can follow.
Read Bonus Terms and Conditions
It is vital that you dive into the fine print and get familiar with all relevant terms and conditions of the bonus. This information will give you a better idea of how big your chances are to win real money with the promotion.
Choose Games You Know
There are always eligible games for no-deposit bonuses, so we can advise you to stick to what you know about the games. It would be foolish to just think of a no-deposit bonus as a way to win money and just dive straight in unprepared.
Another factor to consider is which games are eligible. As an example, if you know all about baccarat, but the game counts 0% towards the wagering requirements, then you cannot use the bonus on it.
Slots are always the best pick with a no-deposit bonus, as usually, they count 100% towards the wagering requirements.
Respect the Rules
Bonus abusers suffer serious consequences at online casinos. Therefore, don’t think that you can outsmart the casino by bending the rules. Stick to what is mentioned in the terms and conditions and don’t get into trouble.
It is not uncommon to see casinos ban players and take away all their winnings, so you have plenty to lose.
Look for Small Wagering Requirements
As mentioned a couple of times above, there are always wagering requirements attached to a no-deposit UK casino bonus.
However, you should always look for the lowest ones you can find. Should you find a bonus with wagering requirements of 30x or below, then we believe that you are good to go.
Don’t Forget About Bonus Expiry
There is always a time frame in which you are allowed to claim and then use the no-deposit bonus. Therefore, it is vital that you check it. The wagering period is always longer than the claiming one, but you need to be careful not to see your bonus expire.
Take a Look at the Payment Methods
A good and comprehensive list of payment methods is a must for any UK online casino. Each site should have a diverse list, as different players have different preferences for their transactions.
Credit card gambling is not allowed in the UK, so you need to search for sites that offer some alternatives:
- VISA and MasterCard debit cards
- E-Wallets, such as PayPal
- Prepaid vouchers, such as Paysafecard
Choosing a fast and secure payment method will ensure all your transactions are completely secure, so you need to be careful what you choose. Take a look at the withdrawal times for each payment method and choose the one that suits you the most.
Skip Big No-Deposit Bonuses
Usually, no-deposit bonuses come in much smaller amounts. Therefore, if you find a bonus that has a staggering amount attached, you may be best advised to stay away from it. If the bonus sounds too good to be true, then that is probably the case. There might be a catch in the wagering requirements, duration time, etc.
Finding a Trusted Online Casino With No-Deposit Bonuses
There is much more to using a no-deposit bonus offer than just claiming it and hoping you secure big wins instantly. Arguably the most important aspect you need to consider when thinking about bonuses, casino games, etc. is the online casino itself.
So, how can you exactly find the best UK online casino? Keep reading our BonusCassinosSites guide to find out how you can differentiate between good and bad UK casinos.
A License from the UK Gambling Commission
We cannot stress enough the importance of a licensed online casino. The UKGC is the only regulatory body in charge of overseeing the entire UK gambling market.
Therefore, you need to seek operators who hold a license from it. Thanks to the strict requirements of the UK Gambling Commission, the UK iGaming market is known to be one of the better-regulated markets in the world.
Fast Cashouts
It is important that you always have near-instant access to all your winnings from the no-deposit bonus. Therefore, you always need to check how fast is the casino site with processing withdrawal requests from players. You don’t want to wait for weeks to get your funds, where is the point in all that?
Customer Support
It is often overlooked how vital it is for an online casino to have a responsive, friendly and reliable customer support team. Whenever you have any questions or queries, you need to know that you can contact the support agents via:
- Phone
- Live chat
Moreover, there should always be an extensive FAQ section that will feature answers to the most commonly asked questions by punters, so you may not even need to get in touch with an agent.
Game Library
After all, the main reason for registering at a UK online casino is to play casino games and have fun. Therefore, it is very important that the site has a very extensive game library counting more than 1,000 casino games.
Live casino games, slots, table games, game shows, craps, you name it – everything should be available and grouped into different categories.
It is a good idea to check which game providers the casino partners with. The best and most reliable sites see their game library powered by the likes of:
- NetEnt
- Yggdrasil
- Evolution Gaming
- Pragmatic Play
- Microgaming
Fair T&Cs
Moving on, fair terms and conditions are a very important requirement for any UK online casino. This way, players will find it almost effortless to play through the bonus and withdraw their winnings. Moreover, there will never be loopholes in the general terms and conditions.
Other Bonuses
Finally, there is much more to an online casino than just no-deposit bonuses. A good sign of a reliable gambling operator is its promotions section.
Just by looking at how diverse it is, you can see whether the site is a reliable one or not. Reload bonuses, tournaments, and so on – the more the merrier.
Why Do UK Casinos Offer No-Deposit Bonuses?
The most obvious answer to this question is very simple – no-deposit bonuses are a part of the online casino’s marketing activities.
Players are very often attracted to handsome promotions, and they see no-deposit offers as a good way to test games and potentially win some big prizes.
That doesn’t mean that the players are the only entities to benefit from a no-deposit bonus. The wagering requirements will often make it near impossible for players to cash out any winnings, so the casino is the ultimate winner at the end of the day.
Nevertheless, if used carefully, and with some luck, no-deposit bonuses can be a nice boost to your chances of landing a nice win.
Final Thoughts
Online casinos have various ways to attract new players to register and stay loyal. One of the most common ways for them to do so is to offer different bonuses and promotions.
There are all sorts of bonus packages that you can claim at reputable UK gambling sites – from reload bonuses to slots tournaments, all the way to no-deposit bonuses.
It is easy to see why casino players love no-deposit bonuses. First off, there is no need for them to make any real-money deposit. As such, you are most likely to enjoy a no-deposit bonus much more than any other casino promotion.
However, just because a no-deposit bonus seems attractive on the surface, don’t make the mistake of blindly claiming it.
There are always important terms and conditions attached to the bonus that you need to read carefully. A good no-deposit bonus will have fair wagering requirements, a nice selection of games to use it on, and it will be valid for a fair amount of time.
Thanks to our guide above, you can now feel more comfortable when searching for and claiming a no-deposit bonus. If you don’t know where to start, then this guide is the right place for you.
At the end of the day, as long as you choose your online casino carefully, read the terms and conditions of the bonus, and gamble responsibly, you have nothing to worry about. This way, you will always make sure that online gambling remains an interesting pastime activity and nothing more.
FAQ
How do no deposit bonuses work?
No-deposit bonuses work very simply, no matter which UK online casino you choose. New and existing players can claim the bonus and they don’t require you to make any deposit. Sometimes, you will need to enter a promo code to claim the bonus. Rules will differ from one casino to another – that is why it is important to read the T&Cs.
What do the terms and conditions of the no deposit bonus mean?
T&Cs contain all the rules surrounding the bonus. Here, you will find important information on bonus duration, wagering requirements, eligible games, promo codes, etc. It is vital that you check the T&Cs in detail before you claim any no-deposit bonus.
Are no deposit bonuses safe?
As long as you choose a reputable online casino licensed by the UK Gambling Commission, you have nothing to worry about. A reliable site will always protect your personal information, so you can claim and use a no-deposit bonus with peace of mind.
Can I win real money with a no deposit bonus?
Of course, you can always win real money with a no-deposit bonus. However, before you withdraw any potential winnings, make sure to complete the wagering requirements in the specified time.
How can I win with a no deposit bonus?
Unfortunately, there is no winning strategy that will guarantee you payouts whenever you use a no-deposit bonus. However, by choosing a reliable site, gambling responsibly, and making research on no-deposit bonuses with low wagering requirements, you will significantly boost your odds of winning.
How long do I need to wait to get my no deposit bonus winnings?
This mainly depends on the online casino and the payment method you have chosen. Different casinos have different processing times for withdrawal requests. Moreover, some payment methods can take a bit longer to complete your withdrawal request than others.
What types of no deposit bonuses can I get?
Generally, you can expect free spins and cash prizes as no-deposit bonuses at any online casino. You can get them at any part of your gambling journey – as a welcome bonus or later on, as part of the casino’s loyalty program.