The world of iGaming is constantly changing, and with so many options for fun, it can be difficult to distinguish between casino free spins and bonus spins. At first glance, they might look identical because, in practice, they both give you sets of rounds on popular slot machines that you enjoy by pressing a spin button.
But their huge difference lies not in how you play them, but in how you get them! For free spins, the claiming process doesn’t require a deposit, but a top-up must be made to redeem bonus spins.
Apart from this discrepancy, free spins and bonus spins differentiate themselves through regulations and terms as well. Remember that online casinos are willing to protect their house edge, and therefore, a financially risk-free offer might have stricter conditions than a promo that’s claimed upon deposit.
In the following sections of this article, you’ll find an overview of how free spins and bonus spins differ in various aspects and what you should look for to understand true value.
What are free spins bonuses?
A free spins bonus provides a set of rounds that you can enjoy as a new player or loyal customer. New players get free spins as a trial of the casino’s services that help you test their services without investing, while existing customers might get them as incentives from time to time to promote further gambling.
As a newly registered player, it’s always important to start your journey with a bonus without deposit. 25 free spins on registration no deposit can unlock both a fun time on popular slots and a way to get accustomed to the platform you’ve chosen. Eventually, this kind of bonus will reveal whether a future investment is worth it.
What are bonus spins promotions?
Regulatory bodies like the UK Gambling Commission have implemented new measures that push online casino advertising away from misinformation. So, sets of spins that require a deposit are named “bonus spins” in the promotion title to avoid confusing players.
Like we’ve mentioned at the beginning of this article, bonus spins are still a set of rounds you get, but they require you to make a deposit.
The difference in regulations
There are many reasons free spins and bonus spins differ when it comes to their terms and conditions. Let’s take a look at the key points for better understanding.
1. Wagering requirements
In reality, free spins are never actually free unless you see that there are no wagering conditions. Of course, this happens very rarely, and it’s usually not for the ones upon registration. Sometimes the casino will give out no wagering free spins for their most loyal customers or VIP players to further incentivise them. Still, because of this condition, the number of rounds you’ll get will probably be on the lower side.
Both bonus spins and free spins come with wagering conditions, meaning that you will have to place more bets to convert your winnings to real, withdrawable funds. For instance, if you win $50 and the wagering requirements are 50x, then you have to place a total amount of bets of $2500 to fulfil them.
The higher the wagering requirement, the harder it is for you to meet the wagering requirements and have a chance at getting any winnings.
2. Cash-out limits
When it comes to free spins bonuses, they usually come with stricter maximum cash-out conditions since they don’t require a deposit. Remember that we mentioned how casinos want to protect their house edge. If they offered free bonuses with unlimited cash-outs and no wagering requirements, their profits would inevitably suffer.
In this case, if you play over the limit, the casino will forfeit the remaining amount. So, if you get $100 in winnings but the maximum cash-out is $50, the remaining $50 will not be available for cashing out.
It’s important to understand that these are bonus funds and not your real money. However, you would still have played so much in vain, and it’s a pity to lose your progress.
The good news is that bonus spin promotions can come with unlimited cash-outs or higher amounts that can be advantageous, such as above €1000.
3. Limited number of rounds, games and bet amount
Both free spins and bonus spins promotions come with a specific number of rounds on a game with an already established bet amount. This means you will not be able to switch anything in those 3 categories, since the casino has already set them up.
For a better understanding, here are some clean examples of how the bonuses will look:
- 100 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza with a €0.1 bet per spin
- 50 bonus spins on Book of Dead, Legacy of Egypt and Scroll of Dead with double bet (€0.2 per spin) for €20
- 35 bonus spins without wagering on Pragmatic Play slots for €50
How to obtain better bonus value
Here are some quick tips on what to look for when you are redeeming a free spins or bonus spins promotion:
- Look for no wagering or low wagering requirements (up to x10) so you can clear them fast.
- Get offers with higher withdrawal limits so small amounts do not constrain you.
- Check the expiry dates because usually free spins go as low as 24 hours, while bonus spins have a longer expiry period of 7 days or more. Remember to both play your bonus and wager it in that time frame so it doesn’t expire.
To assess the value of your spins, you need to make a simple calculation. For instance, if you get 100 free spins with a value of $0.10, then that makes your bonus worth only $10.
Editorial tips
As we’ve already established, reading the fine print is always crucial for determining whether a bonus is actually worth it or comes with hidden conditions. Here are two beneficial tips that you need to take into consideration before redeeming your bonus:
- Staggered bonuses are very much a thing at some online casinos, meaning that you get 200 spins in the offer, but they are unlocked 50 per day. This means that if you don’t log in one day, then you lose the specific set.
- Pay close attention to the title of the bonus! If you see the expression “Up to,” it means you will receive the spin amount based on your deposit amount. For example: Bonus spins up to 100 for $100, meaning that you get 20 spins if you deposit $20.
Final insights
Whether you’re playing with free spins or bonus spins, it’s always important to play responsibly. Ensure you’re properly reading the terms and conditions before redeeming any of your favorite options!
For a safe and fun experience, set a special budget for your account and don’t hesitate to take breaks. At the end of the day, gambling should be a fun adventure, not a way to make a living.
