Understanding What Makes Free Spins So Special
What better casino reward is there than the chance to win real cash without having to bet your own money! That’s what Canadian players get when they discover a casino that offers a great free spin bonus.
Free spins give you a chance to win real money from online slots for free.
When combined with various bonuses, you can not only explore a wide variety of games but earn the chance to win big at some of the best online casinos.
If you can find the right deals, you put yourself in the position to win some serious cash, especially if there are no wagering requirements associated with the bonus.
Most of the top online casinos offer a free spins bonus. These can come in the form of wager-free bonuses, prize multipliers, tournaments, or even just regular offers.
Since only slots are so incredibly popular in Canada, free spins bonuses remain an excellent way for casinos to attract new players and retain current ones.
What Qualifies as a Free Spins Bonus?
A free spins bonus is basically any promotion that includes complimentary bets on an online slot game. Depending on the situation, these spins can be awarded for a variety of different reasons, including:
- Signing up with the casino as a brand new player.
- Depositing more funds.
- As a bonus for being an existing account holder.
Free spins vary quite a bit in their flexibility. Some will be linked to a particular type of slot game or to a specific group of slots. The casino will specify such restrictions in its Terms and Conditions (which all players should make sure they read).
Still, free spins bonuses are usually far more structured than other online casino bonuses, meaning they have a pre-set value associated with their use. Depending on the casino, there can be more restrictions as well.
For instance, you may only be able to play a determined number of rounds. For instance, if you are awarded ten free spins, you will only get ten rounds with the bonus. Luckily, free spins also present a much bigger win potential.
Indeed, some slots come with rewards that might allow you to win up thousands of times your bet. So even if the bet rate is fixed (as is common), you can still take home some big-time winnings. Of course, there is no guarantee that you will win a jackpot (or any amount of money at all).
Still, it’s this very element of chance that makes players love them so much!
Now, you might still be wondering, “how do free spins work?” Well, the answer is not very complicated and can be broken down into a very simple process:
- Most casinos will offer a certain number of free spins at any given time.
- First, read our reviews to see how we rate the promotion.
- Register for an account on the associated platform.
- Complete all requirements stated in order to be eligible for the bonus. Some promotions might require a deposit, while others may only state that you sign up.
- Once you receive the free spins bonus, go to the games section and use the spins on any / all eligible games.
- Usually, you only need to select the game and click on the option to play using your bonus spins.
- If the free spins do not have any associated wagering requirements, then any winnings will be immediately awarded to your “cash balance”. However, if there are wagering requirements, winnings will be added to your “bonus balance”.
How Do Free Spins Benefit Players?
This one has a pretty easy answer. Obviously, with free spins, you get the chance to play for free and still win real money!
Now, as great as this may sound at first, you need to be aware of the “small print” associated with most free spin deals.
We’ll discuss these in more detail later. For now, we’ll just focus on what makes free spins such a great deal.
You can play for free
Again, free spins give you the chance to play a casino’s online slot machines and win money without having to wager your own cash. While any free spin is a great opportunity, those that come with a no deposit bonus are the best options you’ll find.
You can find new, exciting games
Game developers are constantly releasing new online slots, so it can be more than a little overwhelming to find the ones that you want to play. With free spins, however, you can try out all the games you want without wagering any of your own cash.
Who knows? You might find a new favourite slot or even hit the jackpot where you least expect it.
There’s no risk
It goes without saying, but when you play online slots using your free bonus spins, you don’t have to put up any of your own cash to win.
That said, there are often wagering requirements involved, which means you’ll have to wager a total amount before the money becomes available. Still, there’s no risk in using the spins themselves.
You can win real money
Free spins give you the chance to win real money from nothing!
Imagine hitting the jackpot off of a free spin before you even make a deposit. In fact, as we’ve stated, some free spin bonuses don’t require a deposit at all.
Types of Free Spins Offers
Free Spin bonuses come in a lot of different shapes and sizes. They also each have their own terms and conditions detailing how you can use them, where you can use them, and when you can get your money.
In this section, we’ll provide you with a more in-depth look at the most common types of free spins bonuses you’ll find at online casinos in Canada.
1. No Deposit Free Spins
No deposit free spins are those that are awarded when you register a new account at an online casino. They will usually come in the form of free spins at a selected slot game.
This means you’ll be able to play free slots and win real money, which can then be withdrawn regardless of whether or not you ever deposit and spend funds of your own.
Mobile Casino Versions
Many online casinos also host mobile casinos where players can gain access to games from virtually anywhere.
To encourage people to use their apps on their phones, these casinos will usually offer free spins as part of a registration, welcome bonus, or reload bonus.
VIP Program Free Spins
Most of the best casinos have some sort of loyalty or VIP program in place to help them retain their best customers.
Free spins are often awarded to players as they move up in level, collect a specific amount of reward points, or accomplish certain tasks.
2. Welcome Bonus Free Spins
If you’re looking for the best free spin rewards, you need to pay attention to the welcome bonuses offered by the top Canadian online casinos. These are normally awarded to players who sign up for an account and make an initial deposit. Sometimes this deposit needs to fit certain criteria (amount, source, etc.), but other times any deposit will result in free spins.
The best casino bonuses award hundreds of spins in their welcome packages, which gives players lots of opportunities to win and to try out new, exciting slots.
These spins will either be awarded all at once or will come in batches (such as 10 or 25 per day).
However, these spins may or may not comes with wagering requirements, so be sure to read the terms and conditions first.
3. Match Deposit Bonus Free Spins
Some of the most generous free spin bonuses are those that are included with a deposit match. While this might maximize your chances of winning, you do need or remember that – in the case of most casinos – not all of them will be rewarded at once.
4. Referral Bonus Free Spins
Many popular casinos offer their users referral bonuses for getting other gamblers to join the site.
In this case, the referral program often rewards those players with free spins. Most of the time, players will be given a link to send to interested friends and associates. Each time the link is used during sign-up, both parties get a set number of free spins.
5. Reload Bonus Free Spins
When you gamble at top-quality online casinos, you can claim a free spins bonus every time that you add more money to your account. Known as a “reload bonus,” these give you more opportunities to try out new games and win major jackpots.
In fact, some platforms have special Game of the Week promotions and will provide free spins for just that game.
Others will provide free spins on certain days or for certain events.
6. Wager-Free Spins
Wager-Free bonus spins come with absolutely no playthrough requirements.
This means that any money you win will go directly into your cash balance, where you can withdraw it right away.
Have you heard that?
Free spins and no deposit spins are very different from the free spins you get from an individual slot machine, as you don’t need to wait for a bonus round to use them!
The Best Ways to Get Free Spins
It’s always worth reminding you that all free spins offer come with their own terms and conditions. These will state precisely what players need to do in order to receive the spins, use them, and collect any potential winnings.
For instance, welcome bonus free spins only become available when a new player registers and makes their first deposit. Reload free spins, however, are only for existing players that already have accounts.
As we always say, it’s very important to read through all the T&Cs to make sure you know whether or not you’re eligible for the spins.
How To Claim Free Spins
At some only casinos, all you need to do is sign up for an account and verify your identity to receive no-deposit free spins.
Other free spins offers (mainly those that feature a higher number of spins) will require you to make a minimum deposit in order to claim your spins bonus.
In this case, a player will have to opt-in for the bonus whenever they make their deposit.
Also, remember that once you claim a free spins offer, you usually need to use the spins on the appropriate game or games as soon as possible.
You also need to remember to claim and use your spins within a set time frame, as they tend to expire anywhere between a few days and a week.
Using Your Free Spins Bonus
As stated above, using your free spins is usually a pretty straightforward process. You need only follow the directions provided by the online casino.
Remember, while these spins are indeed free, you won’t always be put into a position to earn something for nothing.
That’s why you need to pay close attention to the wagering requirements associated with each bonus before you opt-in.
Understanding Free Spins Terms and Conditions
In order to maintain complete legal transparency, each free spins bonus will come with its own set terms and conditions. These T&Cs will provide the users with a variety of important
information, such as any wagering requirements that need to be met, the timeframe within which you need to use the spins, and any and all limitations related to the bonus.
Again, always make sure that you read these terms beforehand to avoid misunderstandings when you attempt to cash out any winnings from your free spins.
Wagering Requirements
It is very common for free spins specifically linked to a set of wagering requirements.
This means that before you can collect any winnings from your free spins, you need to wager a certain amount of your own money first. Until then, your free spins winnings will be kept in a special “bonus balance.”
Depending on the online casino you’re using, the wagering requirements for your free spins will vary from as little as 10x to as much as 60x. The average, however, is around 35x. So, on average, if you win C$100 from your free spins, you won’t be able to withdraw that money until you wager at last 35 times (100 x 35 = C$3,500 (win or lose), and will only be transferred to your “cash balance” once you complete the wagering.
Keeping What You Win
Of course, in the process of meeting the wagering requirements, you may win or lose more money. In fact, due to the house edge, you’re more likely to lose than to win.
That’s why we suggest going for free spins deals with low wagering requirements or those that don’t have any wagering requirements at all.
Fortunately, you can always check our free spins page to find the online casinos that offer the best bonuses for you to keep what you win.
The Value of the Free Spins
Another thing you’ll want to take note of before claiming your free spins is the actual value of each free spin awarded. Typically, this is equivalent to the smallest bet allowed for the associated slot (C$0.20 or C$0.10, for example).
This affects the maximum amount that you can win from each free spin. You can figure this out by looking at the highest possible payout for the slot machine associated with the bonus.
For instance, if the slot pays out a max of 10,000x the stake (C$0.20), the most you could win from one free spin is C$2,000. While this certainly isn’t bad (it is free money after all), you need to remember that this is the maximum possible – you’ll need a bit of luck to hit that amount.
Fortunately, some Canadian online casinos will award free spins that have a much higher spin value. They will often designate them “Super Spins” or “Big Spins” to distinguish them from regular spins.
The Time Limit
It is absolutely vital that you pay very close attention to the time limits associated with each set of free spins you’re awarded. That’s because this indicates how long you have to use the spins before they disappear entirely.
For example, after you register with a casino, they may only offer you 24 hours in which to claim the spins and several days to wager them. If either time limit expires, you might lose the spins and any winnings you’ve accumulated.
The Win Limit
This is by far our least favourite condition! It places a cap (or maximum) on the amount that you can win from a free spins bonus.
For instance, if the cap on free spins winnings is C$200, then you can’t withdraw more than that amount, even if you win more!
Fortunately, many casinos will exclude jackpot games from the limit, which at least gives you the chance to rake in the biggest available payouts. It’s also worth noting that the majority of casinos don’t put any win limits at all on their bonuses.
Eligible Games
When a casino provides you with a free spins bonus, it is usually only applicable for one type of slot or one particular group of slot games.
This means you can’t just choose any game to spend your free spins on. Some of the most popular games for free spins include Play N Go’s Book of Dead and NetEnt’s Starburst, and Gonzo’s Quest.
Now, if you sign up for a casino that includes a deposit match bonus, you will typically be able to use that bonus on pretty much any game you like.
For instance, if you get a 100% match bonus when you deposit C$200, you’ll get a free C$200 to play with. At C$5 a spin, this is a total of 40 chances to win.
Various Other Requirements
It’s important to remember that specific deposit options might affect your eligibility when it comes to claiming a free spins bonus, for example, some payment methods (like Skrill and Neteller) are not considered secure enough for most online casinos.
Fortunately, since these options are not available to Canadian players, they aren’t relevant to most users of this site.
Bonus Abuse
Some dishonest players will attempt to find ways to “cheat the system” and claim more bonuses than they are eligible for. This is knowns as “Bonus Abuse” and is considered a pretty big deal by most casinos.
Examples include creating multiple accounts in an attempt to get more bonuses or applying illegal betting strategies when attempting to use the free spins.
Finding the Best Free Spins Casino
The best way to track down the free spin bonuses you want is to find the casinos that give you the chance to earn frequent bonuses instead of just at sign up or deposit.
By joining two or more of these casinos and spreading your money around, you can drastically increase the odds that you’ll take home some winnings or perhaps even a jackpot.
Imagine getting free spins from Casino #1 on Monday, Casino #2 on Wednesday, and Casino #3 on Saturday. It really gives you a chance to put those bonus round to work, right?
