There are so many kinds of bonuses available at the best online casinos that it can be easy to become lost in the terminology. We have broken down the jargon and explained the advantages and disadvantages of both kinds of bonuses, so you will know what information to look for and what terms to check the next time you are presented with an attractive looking bonus. If you would like to get your hands on a no deposit bonus or a minimum deposit bonus, browse our listings for our recommendations. All casinos on our site are safe, with verified licenses and excellent game selections.
No Deposit Bonuses Explained
A no deposit bonus is a freebie that you receive from the casino without needing to make a deposit to receive it. Generally, casinos offer no deposit bonus to encourage people to register an account. Once you have registered your account, and in some cases, verified your email or mobile number, the no deposit bonus will be allocated to your account. These bonuses are usually not huge, but offer just enough “real money” to give you a feel for the casino’s navigation and to play the games for real winnings.
There are two main kinds of no deposit bonuses: free spins and bonus money.
No Deposit Free Spins
Free spins give you a chance to spin the reels of a real money slot game, while the casino pays for the bet. The free spins will be allocated on a particular game which is decided by the casino, and you cannot change the game or the coin value. So, for example, if a casino gives you 10 free spins on Starburst, with a value of NZ$0.10 per spin on a single payline, you can change neither the game nor the bet settings.
If you win money while you play your free spins, there are usually wagering requirements on the winnings. These can range from 25x the amount you win to 70x. Before you can withdraw your winnings, you will have to make at least one deposit at the casino. The minimum deposit that you can make before you can access your winnings will vary, depending on the casino. Some casinos will limit the amount that you can withdraw, even after you have fulfilled the wagering and deposit requirements, so it is worth checking the terms before you select the casino.
No Deposit Bonuses
Some casinos will give you a bonus instead of free spins as a reward for signing up. No deposit bonuses are typically not huge, but offer just enough to give you a taste of what it’s like to play real money games at the casino. Unlike free spins, a bonus can usually be played on all casino games, so you have more choice in how you want to spend it. Some casinos give you a free rein, and let you play any games including Live Casino games with a no deposit bonus, but most will limit you to slots only. Wagering requirements will apply to the bonus amount, so it is much easier to work out how many times you need to play through your winnings before you can make a withdrawal than with free spins. Like free spins, though, you will usually need to make a deposit before you can withdraw your winnings, and the amount you can withdraw may be capped.
Pros and Cons of No Deposit Bonuses
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You simply need to create an account to get either free spins or bonus money, depending on the casino offer. | No deposit bonuses tend to be small in comparison to the massive welcome offers that you can get if you make a deposit. |
| You can get an idea of what a casino is like by playing for real money without risking your own funds. This can help you decide whether you want to make a deposit. | There are often restrictions on the amount that you can withdraw, regardless of how much you may have won. |
| You can usually keep your winnings, subject to wagering and deposit requirements. | At most casinos, you will need to make a deposit before you can withdraw any winnings. |
The Best No Deposit Bonus Casino
Minimum Deposit Bonuses
Most casino bonuses are offered once you have made a deposit. The reason we call them minimum deposit bonuses is that we check how little you can deposit and still receive the bonus. Although welcome bonuses can reach the $1000 mark or even more, the amount you get is based on how much you deposit. Casinos match your deposit by 50% to 200%, so you could get better value from a casino that allows minimum deposits of $20 but will give you a 200% bonus on that than a casino that offers you 100% for a minimum of $10, where you can get up to $1000.
The secret to assessing welcome bonus offers is deciding how much you are prepared to put in, then seeing how much the casino will give you for that minimum deposit amount. We have broken up our casino reviews and ratings into minimum deposit categories so you can see how much you need to put in to become a member of the casino and to get the welcome bonus. We also check which payment options you can use to make the minimum deposit.
Most deposit-based bonuses have wagering requirements attached, but unlike the no deposit bonuses, the winnings are seldom limited. You can find minimum deposit casinos that have no wagering requirements, and others that will come with a deposit bonus and free spins as a combo package. We have a full list of recommended casino bonuses for you, so you can browse for the offer that suits you. We also identify fast payout casinos so that you can get your winnings quicker.
Pros and Cons of Minimum Deposit Bonuses
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| You can get a 100% to 200% match bonus if you make the specified minimum deposit. | Unless specified, wagering requirements will apply to your bonus. |
| Winnings are seldom capped. | Some payment options may be excluded from receiving the minimum deposit bonus. |
| You can often get free spins and a bonus as part of the minimum deposit bonus package. |
The Best Minimum Deposit Bonus Casino
Which Kind of Bonus is the Best?
If you are looking for a way to test NZ$ casinos before you trust them with your cash, then a no deposit bonus is the best. If you are looking for bigger bonuses, or combo deals where you get a deposit match and some free spins, then a minimum deposit bonus is the best deal for you. However, some casinos will offer you a no deposit bonus on registration and a minimum deposit bonus when you fund your account, so you really can get the best of both!
