A Beginner’s Guide To Free Spins

If you’re new to online pokies and want to claim free spins, you’re in the right place. The gambling experts at NoDepositKings put together this complete guide to free spins so you ensure you can claim the best deals.

  • Learn everything you need to know about free spins, including how they work, their benefits, and the different types available. 
  • Understand common terms and conditions such as wagering requirements, time limits, and win caps.
  • Discover how to find and claim the best free spins deals from top online casinos, and start playing to potentially win real money.

Table Of Contents

What Are Casino Free Spins?

The kind of free spins we’ll be covering in this guide are completely different to the in-game bonus rounds in pokies. Here, we talking about free spins casinos use to reward or entice players.

These free spins are promotional offers that grant you a specific number of spins to play on one or more eligible pokie(s).

They can be grouped into two main categories – ones that are free and ones that require a deposit. Let’s look closer at both types and understand their respective pros and cons.

No Deposit Free Spins

Casinos typically offer no deposit free spins as welcome offers to new players.

You simply register an account with the casino, and in return, you’ll receive a small batch of free spins to use on a pokie chosen by the casino. Each spin is typically fixed to the smallest bet size in the chosen game(s).

No deposit free spins are similar to no deposit bonuses in that they’re free offers casinos use to get new players to sign up.

However, there are two fundamental differences between the two:

  1. No deposit free spins are valid on specific games: Either one specific pokie, a handful ones, or the entire game catalogue. You can use bonus credit from a no deposit bonus on a bigger selection of games and not just pokies.
  2. You play with a fixed bet size: With a no deposit bonus credit, you’re restricted by a max bet amount. This applies to any wager you make, whether it’s on pokies, table games, or any other game. For instance, you could have a fixed bet size of $0.10 per spin on pokies.

Free Spins On Deposit

Australian online casinos are willing to make a new player’s first deposit worth their while. They do so by offering welcome packages comprising deposit free spins that are often paired with a generous match bonus.

All you need to do is make a qualifying deposit, and in return, you receive a set number of free spins. As with no deposit spins, any winnings are credited as bonus funds that must be wagered.

However, you will often receive a more substantial number of spins compared to no deposit offers, usually with lower wagering requirements and high (or zero) win caps.

More spins extend your gameplay, giving you more chances to win and more time to meet the wagering requirements – so the likelihood of cashing out real money is higher.

Other Free Spins

Online casinos will frequently dole out or offer free spins in other scenarios. Sometimes these free spins require a deposit, and other times they’re free.

Here are some examples:

VIP Free Spins

VIP free spins are offered as a reward to loyal players. You receive these spins by joining a casino’s loyalty program. They usually operate on a point-based tier system, and you can move up tiers and get more rewards by continually playing and depositing.

Free spins rewards for VIPs typically offer a decent amount of spins and great terms. Read our dedicated guide to VIP and loyalty programs for more information on VIP programs and how to become a VIP player.

No Wager Free Spins

No wager free spins are among the best offers you can get. You must usually make a deposit to claim them, but they offer unbeatable value. This is because any winnings are yours to keep and withdraw straight away.

These deals are rare, but we make sure to recommend them as soon as they are available – keep an eye on our no wager free spins page for regular updates.

Reload Free Spins

Casinos offer Reload free spins to existing players who have made previous deposits.

They always require a deposit and are designed to give players a further balance boost once they’ve used their welcome offer.

Check out our dedicated reload bonuses and watch out for free spins you can use to boost your bankroll further when making a deposit.

Mobile App Free Spins

Newer online casinos often come with their own mobile apps. They want you to download and engage with them, so they might offer an incentive in the form of free spins. Take a look at our top mobile casinos and find exclusive free spins bonuses for mobile play.

Benefits Of Free Spins At Online Casinos

Free spins offer several advantages for both players and casinos. This section focuses on the direct benefits for players and the reasons casinos use free spins to enhance player engagement.

Benefits for Players

A quality free spins bonus comes with a range of exciting benefits.

Here are some of the key advantages of claiming free spins:

  • You get the opportunity to win real money and cash out once you fulfil the wagering requirements.
  • Risk-free spins allow you to try out online pokies without spending any cash.
  • Deposit free spins boost to your initial deposit with a large number of spins and extended gameplay.
  • Free spins give you the chance to explore by testing out a new release or a pokie you might never have tried out before.

Benefits for Casinos

Online casinos don’t dole out free spins out of the goodness of their hearts, they get something out of the bargain too.

Here are a few of the main reasons:

  • They attract new players to the site – you need to sign up to access free spins welcome packages.
  • They boost the loyalty of existing players, keep them engaged, and encourage them to play more and make deposits.
  • They can motivate old customers who haven’t played in a while to reactivate their accounts.

Free Spins Terms And Conditions

Free spins offers always come with terms and conditions that you need to be aware of. These terms tend to be similar for all casino bonuses across the majority of online casinos.

You can get to grips with the most important terms in our guide to bonus terms, but here’s a quick overview:

Time Limits

Your free spins bonus will come with an expiration date. You usually need to use the free spins within 7 days of claiming, and you also need to meet wagering requirements within around 30 days, depending on the casino.

Make sure to check the expiry date in the terms and conditions of your bonus, as if you don’t use them within the specified timeframe, your free spins and/or winnings may be forfeited.

Win Caps

Win caps restrict the amount you can cash out from your winnings. They typically only apply to no deposit free spins. Win caps range from $5 to $200, depending on how generous the casino is.

You can never withdraw any amount over the specified win cap. For example, if you win $100 on pokies and the win cap is $50, you can only withdraw a maximum of $50 as real money.

Wagering Requirements

Wagering requirements dictate the number of times you need to wager your free spins winnings on pokies to convert them to withdrawable cash. This is expressed as a multiplier ranging between 20 and 70 and varies between casinos and offers.

For instance, if you win $20 and the wagering requirement is x20, you need to wager a total of $400 on pokies ($20 x 20 = $400) before you can cash out. Read our guide to wagering requirements to learn more about how they affect your gameplay and real money winnings.

Game Weightings And Restrictions

Game weighting percentages determine the amount of your stake that goes towards meeting wagering requirements. Different games have different percentages.

For example, pokies are usually fully-weighted. If you bet $1 per spin, each spin decreases the wagering requirement by $1. By sticking to fully weighted games you can wager your free spin winnings more efficiently.

Other games have lower weighting percentages, between 0% and 20%. This means a much smaller portion of your stake contributes to the wagering requirement. Check out our guide to game weighting to learn more.

Finding Australian Casinos Offering Free Spins

The simplest way to discover the latest and greatest free spins bonuses is by exploring our lists. We specialise in free spin bonuses at all the best online casinos, negotiating deals you won’t find anywhere else. Head over to our free spins page to claim exclusive deals.

But if you have an adventurous spirit and prefer to go free spin hunting independently, our in-house experts will guide you with some tips and tricks over the next few sections.

Finding Free Spins Bonuses For New Players

Finding the best free spins bonuses is simply a matter of comparing welcome offers from a few online casinos. But scouring through countless online casinos to find the perfect free spins deal can be a tedious process. That’s where we come in!

We do the hard work for you – that means we test offers, examine terms, review payment options, and check for valid licences. We provide a hassle-free way to compare and discover the most enticing offers available for new players.

We prioritise your safety, ensuring that all casinos we list are trustworthy. If you want to learn more, we’ve covered the topic of online casino safety in more detail on our dedicated online casino page.

Finding Free Spins Bonuses For Existing Players

The fun doesn’t have to stop after signing up and making your first deposit. If you’re an existing player, there are many ways to continue to collect free spins.

Here are some tips to help you:

  • Sign-up with multiple casinos to claim several new player bonuses.
  • Check the casino’s promotional page regularly as new promos are added on a weekly, or even daily, basis.
  • Select casinos with loyalty programs to receive rewards, particularly if you’re a consistent player.
  • Opt for casinos with busy promotional schedules – you can see how often casinos give out promos and what sort of deals are on offer by checking their promo page.
  • Enable communication from the casino by email and SMS to stay updated with the latest offers.

Why More Free Spins Isn’t Always Best

While it’s easy to be dazzled by a big stack of free spins, sometimes more spins don’t translate into bigger value.

Let’s take a look at two examples that show this:

  • 10 free spins at $1 a spin are worth more than 50 free spins at $0.10 per spin:
    10 spins x $1/spin = $10.
    –    50 spins x $0.10/spin = $5.
  • 10 free spins with no wagering requirements or low wagering requirements are worth more than 20 free spins with high wagering requirements.
  • Free spins with high win caps are better value – for example, 50 free spins with a max cashout limit of $20 isn’t as good as 20 free spins with a max cash out of $100.

How To Claim A Free Spins Offer

It’s easy to claim a free spins offer, although the exact process may vary between casinos.

Here’s how it generally works:

  1. Choose a Reputable Casino – If you need help finding one, browse our free spins main page, which showcases a range of different offers from top websites.
  2. Sign-up or Log In – Follow the provided sign-up link if you’re a new player, or log in to your account if you’re an existing player.
  3. Verify Your Account – Some casinos may ask you to confirm your identity with ID documents and proof of payment ownership before free spins can be activated.
  4. Read Terms and Conditions – Pay attention to wagering requirements, win limits, eligible games, and time limits to make sure you’re getting a decent offer.
  5. Claim Your Offer – You may need to enter a bonus code or make a deposit to activate the free spins, but no deposit spins are usually automatically credited.
  6. Launch the Eligible Pokie(s) – Check what you can play with your free spins deal, and open the game(s) to start spinning the reels to potentially win real money!

Why RTP And Volatility Matter When Playing With Free Spins

When choosing games to play with your free spins, it’s important to consider the RTP (Return to Player) percentage and volatility level. These features impact your chances of winning real money on pokies.

A game’s RTP percentage demonstrates the predicted average returns you can expect to receive over time during gameplay. Choose games with RTPs above 95% to optimise your returns. You can learn more by reading our guide to RTP and the house edge.

Volatility, or variance, measures the risk associated with a particular game. High-volatility games are expected to pay out substantial amounts less frequently, while low-volatility games pay out lower amounts but more frequently. Take a look at our guide to volatility for more information.

Free Spins FAQ

Are you looking for answers to common questions about online casinos, bonuses, and free spins? We’ve got you covered!

We’ve put together an extensive FAQ page designed to address all of your queries and provide valuable tips. Check out our online casino FAQs for answers from the experts at NoDepositKings.

Published on: 2024/04/16

About the Author

Hi, I'm Courtney, the Webmaster at No Deposit Kings - We provide visitors with free and easy access to real money casino gaming thanks to no deposit casino bonuses offered by our hand-picked selection of online casinos.