Avid casino-goers and online gambling enthusiasts have, at some point, encountered one of the most frequently used incentives to lure in new players: no deposit bonuses (NDBs). These exist for the purpose of motivating players to start wagering because, once they get a taste of the action, most will choose to join the flock of casino punters for good. As these bonuses do offer free value – because players don’t have to deposit any cash in order to play – winning money without actually taking any risk is a hard to resist temptation. However, in some instances, casinos may not cash out the winnings unless players do make a deposit, so getting to know each casino’s terms and conditions is a must.
Also, in some cases, taking advantage of an NDB may prevent you from utilizing a, usually much more lucrative, deposit bonus – because once you use the freebie, you are no longer regarded as a new player. Again, this varies from casino to casino, so it is important to understand what you’re dealing with beforehand. The best way to go about them is using them only if there is the option of claiming a deposit-based offer afterwards.
Never forget that, in the gaming business, no casino is overjoyed to just give away money for free. Never lose sight of the fact that it’s casinos who are making the money. Therefore, offers not requiring a deposit often have very little real value attached to them.
While there are many terms & conditions applicable worldwide and each site has a variation of those to meet their specific standards, these can be narrowed down to a couple of shared points. First off, there is a rule that applies to maximum withdrawals: the majority of online casinos have an upper limit for the amount of cash that can be won and then withdrawn after playing the NDB. Usually, this amount tops out at about $50. These types of bonuses will almost never get you winnings equal to the cash out, and deposit bonuses will fare much better in that respect.
Secondly, if you use your NDB, you will not be given any other welcome bonus; at least that’s what the scenario is for most casinos, but you might be luckier playing somewhere where this rule does not apply. Thirdly, even though NDBs have “no deposit” in their name, the truth does not always match the moniker. In certain online casinos, a deposit must be made in order to withdraw winnings earned in from the bonus. This seemingly paradoxical rule actually makes sense: just think of the hypothetical situation in which players register, get their NDB, do not deposit any money, get some winnings and simply never return. That wouldn’t do casinos any good, would it?
As you will have surely noticed, NDBs come in many forms, but most of them are associated solely with slot games. Those that may be used on slot or keno games often have lower wagering requirements than those which can be used toward, let’s say, table games.
What is also worth noting is that some sites will offer the freebie in other forms, a sort of disguised version. These can either be free spin bonuses, which allow players to have a certain number of free spins used on one or a few designated slot games. Free spins, just like standard NDBs, will only allow a maximum amount of winnings to be withdrawn after completion of the bonus and, more often than not, it is required to make a deposit to withdraw those winnings.
An increasing number of online casinos have slot tournaments that are free for everyone and any cash prize won in these tournaments is cashed out as a NDB. A deposit is needed for withdrawing winnings, and playthrough requirements are tough, so make sure you understand them before enrolling in one of these.
To conclude, the bonuses requiring no deposit are a neat thing and a fine motivation for new players, but let’s not get carried away by their value, as the truth often lurks beneath the surface. If you are a low-budget player or just want a quick taste of a casino before heading out, these are a real treat. But always bear in mind, that playthrough requirements, and terms & conditions are always set in favor of the casino (understandably so) in such a way that members must keep playing until they’ve lost all their bonus funds or until they meet the withdrawal requirements.
What are your experiences with these types of promos? Do you vote yay or nay when it comes to using them? Let us know in the comments.
Source:
"Guide to No-Deposit Bonuses", James Brandon, wizardofodds.com August 29th, 2017.
pusher777 7 years ago Mighty Member
Allstarmikey You're right...
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Allstarmikey 7 years ago Super Hero
Rarely I encounter a good no deposit welcome bonus on new casinos ... But 90% of the NDB are actually worthless... Although I really really need to cheer for William Hill Casino ... as they offer loads of no deposit bonus and I also made several withdraws from them ... Not to bad right :)
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2fast4u 7 years ago Hero Member
ah i miss those days when you could still bonus hunt quality NDBs
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Sylvanas 7 years ago Admin
Great read! Several years ago, I might have said - sure, why not grab a nice ND bonus, but nowadays, it's a different story. The majority offered today are a bad deal, there was simply too much abuse going on, casinos now have the terms to make it nearly impossible to cash-out. Wagering is too high for the most part, it...
Great read! Several years ago, I might have said - sure, why not grab a nice ND bonus, but nowadays, it's a different story. The majority offered today are a bad deal, there was simply too much abuse going on, casinos now have the terms to make it nearly impossible to cash-out. Wagering is too high for the most part, it is just not worth the trouble. Claim these only if you're very low on budget and have to start somewhere. Otherwise, I'd always go for a decent deposit bonus, provided there is one such incentive.
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Mil E Na 7 years ago Full Member
Excellent article, Andrej! There are so many terms regarding no deposit bonuses than players often stay confused with it. I also agree with Brandon's reasons for using NDB. It's true, you will play with zero chances to lose money, but chances that you win something using NDB are not very high, either...
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Mission146 7 years ago Jr. Member
Andrej, Nice work on the corollary Article, good read! I also appreciate your emphasis of the fact that a NDB player typically does not have a mathematical expectation of winning anything with most NDB's. The only reason I would ever recommend using one of these is if one of the two apply: 1.) The player...
Andrej, Nice work on the corollary Article, good read! I also appreciate your emphasis of the fact that a NDB player typically does not have a mathematical expectation of winning anything with most NDB's. The only reason I would ever recommend using one of these is if one of the two apply: 1.) The player has low/no bankroll: -If the player doesn't have any funds to gamble with in the first place, then trying to use one of these bonuses is a no harm sort of situation. It should be remembered that one can get, "Burnt," in terms of good bonuses that they might have been able to do if they get money later. Personally, I wish I had done a lot fewer NDB's several years ago when I didn't really understand the math that made Deposit Bonuses sometimes profitable. But, if you have no/low bankroll and don't expect that to improve, then they're fine. Something (if you win) is certainly more than nothing. 2.) If it REALLY looks like that casino will NEVER offer a good deposit bonus. -If it looks like the casino never has and never will offer a decent deposit bonus, then by all means, try an NDB and follow that up by never playing there again...unless you really like it.
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