The Simple Definition
A free spin is a single spin on a slot machine that costs you nothing. When a casino gives you 50 free spins, they are paying for 50 separate spins on the slot machine on your behalf. Any winnings that come from those spins are added to your account, usually as bonus funds with wagering requirements before they can be taken as cash.
There are two main types of free spin offers: no deposit free spins that you receive just for signing up, and deposit free spins that you receive after you make a qualifying deposit. The conditions attached to each type of offer are different.
No Deposit Free Spins
No deposit free spins are credited to your account just for signing up. You do not have to put any money in to receive them. They are the most appealing type of bonus on paper because there is zero financial risk, but the terms can be the strictest.
Typical conditions include wagering of 20x to 40x the winnings (not the value of the spins), a maximum cashout of between 20 and 100 euros, an expiry period of between 1 and 7 days, and a bonus code may be required at registration.
Because the casino is covering all the costs associated with the free spins, they have to 'protect' themselves with tighter terms. A 300 no deposit free spin offer might sound impressive on the surface, but with a requirement of 30x wagering and an expiry period of just 1 day, its real life value to the player is negligible. The best no deposit free spin offers combine a commitment to good wagering requirements (under 25x) and offer no maximum cashout. See our no deposit free spins comparison for current verified offers.
Deposit Free Spins
Deposit based free spins require you to deposit a minimum amount into your account before they are credited. The minimum varies between casinos but it tends to be between 10 and 40 euros. In exchange you receive an agreed number of spins, usually for a specified slot game. These offers often come with more player friendly terms than no deposit offers though beware - this is not universally true!
- Wagering tends to be lower, 15x to 35x is common
- Expiry windows are longer, 5 to 14 days
- Maximum cashout restrictions are less common
- Spin counts are typically higher, 50, 100, or 200 spins
The downside of deposit based free spins is that you have committed real money to the casino before you have played any games. If you lose that deposit before you ever get a chance to use your free spins, that money is gone irrespective of how good or bad the bonus terms were! For current deposit-based offers, see our 100 free spins and 50 free spins comparison pages.
How Winnings from Free Spins Work
When you have completed your free spins you will find that any winnings that you accumulated have been placed in a bonus balance rather than your real cash balance. You must satisfy the wagering requirement in order for those winnings to become withdrawable (and usable) cash.
For example: imagine you win 8 euros from your 50 free spins. The casino has applied a requirement of 40x wagering on all winnings from the free spins bonus. Before the winnings become your money, you have to wager an amount equal to the value of your winnings multiplied by the requirement: in this case 8 euros x 40 = 320 euros! At a bet value of 0.20 euros per spin it would take you a whopping total of 1600 spins just to unlock your winnings!
Most casinos apply wagering requirements to the amount won from the free spin games, rather than as a multiplier on the value of the spins themselves. Some casinos apply it to the bonus winnings only so it is always best to check what conditions apply when claiming any kind of casino bonus! The maths makes a big difference!
Key Terms to Know
Wagering requirement (WR / playthrough)
The wagering requirement is expressed in terms like x25 or x40 meaning that you need to wager your winnings value a certain number of times before they become withdrawable cash. This is also sometimes called 'rollover.' It is better if these values are low rather than high! Numbers above 40x on winnings derived from no deposit bonuses should be avoided at all costs!
Expiry
Expiry means that there is a time limit on how long you can wait after claiming your spins and prizes before completing them and wagering their winnings. Any failure to complete this process within the specified time limit will void all eligible bonuses and winnings derived from them. Be careful whether expiry applies to the moment of registration or completion of the game when claiming free spin bonuses.
Maximum cashout
A maximum cashout may specify an absolute maximum limit of what you can withdraw as cash following compliance with all wagering requirements. Common limits are between 20 and 100 euros, although some generous bonuses apply no maximum cashout at all.
Eligible games
The majority of no deposit free spins awarded by online casinos are only valid for a single specified slot machine game or a small range of specified slot machine games. You may not use them for other types of games like roulette or blackjack so do check which games they can be used on before claiming any reward!
Maximum bet during wagering
Many online casinos will specify a maximum bet per spin while wagering requirements are still pending, usually between 1 and 5 euros per spin, although this could differ per casino! Anything greater than this limit is likely to void all bonuses at once! This is actually one of the most common mistakes players make when they unknowingly lose access to their bonuses!
Types of Free Spin Offers
| Type | Deposit required? | Typical WR | Typical expiry | Spin count |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| No deposit welcome | No | 25x–45x | 1–7 days | 10–300 |
| Deposit welcome | Yes (once) | 15x–35x | 7–14 days | 50–500 |
| Reload bonus | Yes (recurring) | 20x–40x | 5–10 days | 20–100 |
| VIP / loyalty spins | No (earned) | Low or 0x | 3–7 days | 10–50 |
Ready to Compare Offers?
Now that you know all about how free spin bonuses operate, why not see which casinos are currently offering the best terms?