If there’s one thing that online casinos understand, it’s how to keep players engaged. One of the ways they do so is by offering rewarding bonuses such as free spins. Now, the word ‘free’ isn’t usually associated with online casinos and the more cynical among us might be thinking there’s a catch. Well, we can assure you everything’s above board. The only ‘catch’ is that there’s an element of luck involved – you have to hope that the symbols align and you land a win.
Well, in our opinion, that’s more than fair. Sure, you either win or you don’t, but considering this type of bonus doesn’t usually cost anything, can you really lose? With that in mind, we’ve put together this article explaining exactly what free spins are, how to claim these bonuses and how you can use them to maximise your winnings. So, let’s jump straight in!
What Are Free Spins?
Essentially, free spins give you a risk-free way to play online slots for the chance at huge payouts. Upon claiming a free spins bonus you’ll receive a certain number of spins at a fixed stake per spin. The money isn’t deducted from your current account balance. Instead, the online casino covers the cost. Sounds good, right?
What you’ll need to know though, is that like other types of casino bonuses, free spins are subject to certain terms and conditions. You’ll only be able to play online slots included in the promotion and you must use them before they expire. Additionally, free spins may also come with special wagering requirements. This means you’ll have to play through your total winnings a certain number of times before you can make a withdrawal.
If you’d like to learn more about how to play online slots for free, read our free spins page to get the full picture.
The Importance of Free Spins
There are multiple reasons why free spins are important to both you, as a player, and online casinos. For players, the main appeal is that you get to play for free and you can potentially land some substantial wins. However, there are also other advantages, including the following:
- Free spins help you understand the game: New players can make use of free spins to become familiar with how certain online slots work. In this case, you don’t have to stake real money to play. You can use this type of bonus to learn the dynamics of a particular game and get a feel for its potential without any risk to your bankroll.
- Extra win potential: With luck on your side, free spins can help top up your account balance. Although this type of offer is most commonly part of an online casino welcome bonus, sites often run promotions that award additional free spins during certain times. So, always be sure to check current promotions whenever you play for the chance to win even more
- Risk-free entertainment: As always, playing at online casinos should be fun. That’s the beauty of free spins. You don’t necessarily need to top up your balance to enjoy spinning away on some of your favourite online slots. Sometimes, you can simply log in to your account, activate the promotion and start playing.
- They help online casinos attract and retain customers: Free spins are an effective marketing strategy. They encourage new customers to sign up and these bonuses also help to maintain the interest of existing players. You have to remember that online casinos are a business. Their goal is to form a strong relationship with their player base and offering free bonuses is one of the best ways to do so.
Making the Most Out of Free Spins Bonuses
Like with any online casino bonus, you should learn how to use free spins effectively, thereby maximising your chances of winning. As such, here are a few tips:
- Choose high-RTP games: Online slots have different Return to Player (RTP) percentages. This number is what you can use to estimate your theoretical returns over the long term. So, it’s always best to use your free spins on high-RTP games. Ideally, you’ll want to choose slots with a 96% RTP or higher.
- Understand the terms and conditions: It’s always best to be prepared. Even though free spins don’t cost you anything, you should always take the time to read through the T&Cs. If you understand the wagering requirements, game restrictions and validity period, you’ll put yourself in the best position to win.
- Cash out your winnings: If you’re lucky enough to hit a big win and then manage to complete the wagering requirement, remember to withdraw your winnings. That money is now yours. Yes, you continue for a chance to win more but there’s always the distinct possibility of losing what you’ve won. Be smart about your decisions.
- Look out for extra promotions: Online casinos often offer free spins as part of recurring promotions or a loyalty program. Subscribing to marketing materials and keeping a close on the promotions page can be a great way to earn extra free spins.
Free Spins Terms and Conditions
As you’d expect, terms and conditions are attached to free spins bonuses. Although you won’t have to worry about minimum qualifying deposits in most cases, there are other potential obstacles to navigate, which we’ve covered below.
- Wagering requirement: This term applies to the amount you win from your free spins. It states how many times you’ll need to play through your total before you can make a withdrawal. Let’s assume you received 50 free spins and won ₹2,000. With a standard 35x wagering requirement that would mean you’d need to wager ₹100,000 before you’re able to cash out. So, the lower the wagering requirement, the better. There are rare cases of zero-wagering free spin bonuses, so always be sure to be on the lookout.
- Validity period: Your free spins will expire after a certain time. So, once you receive them, be sure to use them. You’ll usually get between 24 hours to 7 days, but always check the T&Cs to know where you stand
- Free spins value: Online casinos award free spins at a fixed stake, usually at the lowest spin cost. However, if the casino has a loyalty program, as you progress further you might earn higher value free spins.
- Maximum win cap: A lot of the time, there’s a limit to how much you can win with free spins. For example, a bonus may state that the maximum cap is ₹9,000. If a win goes above that amount, you’ll miss out on the excess. Knowing this ahead of time will help to avoid any potential disappointment.
- Eligible games: Free spins are often used to promote a certain provider’s games or new slots. As such, you’ll only be able to use your spins on certain games. Also, once you activate your free spins, you cannot transfer them between games.
Conclusion
Free spins can be highly valuable casino bonuses. Even if you’re not particularly keen on playing online slots, these bonuses are definitely worth your time as they give you a chance to win extra money. You simply need to meet the wagering requirement and then you can return to your favourite games with your winnings. You might even discover a few new games that you’ll love!
So, if you’re planning on playing online, we highly recommend keeping an eye out for these promotions. It’s a fun and potentially profitable way to enhance your gaming experience!
