One of the most obvious differences between land-based and online casinos is something called no-deposit bonuses. This is a common perk online casino operators use to attract and retain new players. It is also a very effective tool for achieving both of those goals. However, not every online casino makes use of the no-deposit bonus feature, the ones that do tend to be more popular with gamblers.
No Deposit Bonus Vs. Match Bonus
Another popular tool used by online casinos to draw new players to their site is something called a match bonus. It is quite different from the no deposit bonus and here’s why: a match bonus requires that you fund your gaming account with your own cash. There are typically limits on how much you can deposit. Then the online casino will match a percentage of your deposit dollar for dollar. With a no deposit bonus, the casino gives you money at no cost to you to get you gambling at their site right away.
Tips On Using The No Deposit Bonus at Canadian Casinos
Just because you just joined a Canadian online casino that offers no deposit bonuses does not mean you will automatically receive the bonus. Plus, there are a few things you need to know that will help you make the best use of the bonus once you receive it. Here are five tricks that you are sure to find useful.
Trick 1 – Make Sure You Qualify
No deposit bonuses are not awarded in the same way from one online casino to the next. This is why you should check the qualifications you must meet to be eligible at the online casino in Canada you have chosen to join. You will be required to submit many pieces of information when you register. They will include the following:
- First and last name
- Birthdate
- Address
- Phone number
- Bonus code (this is often required to receive a no deposit bonus).
Usually, the approval process is quick once you have registered. After you receive your approval notice, sign into the new gambling account you created and claim your no deposit bonus. Keep in mind there may be a time limit to claim the bonus and there will be terms and conditions connected to how it can be used.
Trick 2 – Know That There Are Different Types of No Deposit Bonuses
There are three primary formats of no deposit bonuses. They include cash, free spins, or free play. Let’s take a closer look at each of these Canadian online casinos; no deposit bonuses.
Cash
No deposit cash bonuses usually have several stipulations attached to them. For example, there will probably be a wagering requirement which means you have to wager a percentage of your own cash. If you do this and still have some cash remaining, you can cash that out.
Free Spins
Free spins no deposit bonuses operate in much the same way as the cash bonus. You will receive a set number of free spins with a playthrough that determines how much you must wager on those spins. Whatever you earn after meeting the requirements is yours to keep.
Free Play
This is a slightly different type of no deposit bonus. With free play, you are awarded a pre-determined amount of free funds that you must spend in a certain time frame. Provided you meet the playthrough requirements, whatever you earn beyond that is yours.
Tip 3 – Terms and Conditions Vary
There are several different terms and conditions for any kind of no deposit bonus and they will not be the same at every Canadian online casino. Here is a look at the most common of conditions to be aware of.
Wagering Requirements
This is known as the playthrough and it denotes the amount you must wager before you are eligible for your bonus. The wagering requirement will be listed as a number followed by an “x” which means you must wager so many times a set amount to claim your prize. The lower the playthrough, the better.
Game Restrictions
Expect to discover that with most no deposit bonuses, you can only use them on specific games. The online casino does this on purpose to restrict how often and how big someone can win with a bonus. That being said, you could still end up on the plus side after you meet all requirements.
Timeframe
Playthrough limits have time limits. They are usually between 30 and 180 days. Some sites have much shorter time limits.
Tip 4 – Understand Minimum and Maximum Withdrawal Limits
Speaking of limits, you will have restrictions on how much money you will be allowed to withdraw at any time. Minimum limits are usually a few dollars, but the maximum limit may force you to take your big winnings in stages over several days. It is important to note that a no deposit bonus will very likely not earn you a huge bankroll, but you could end up with a nice bank balance just the same.
Tip 5 – You May Have To Make A Difficult Decision
You may find yourself at an online casino in Canada that will offer you either a no-deposit bonus or a welcome bonus but not both. Based on the tips listed above, conducting a straight comparison of both offers may be worth it. Sometimes the welcome bonus will prove to be the better choice.
Final Thoughts
There is a fair amount of confusion surrounding no-deposit bonuses. That confusion is amplified by the fact that all online casinos use no standard format. This means you must do your homework to get the best deal. Although there are many restrictions on no-deposit bonuses that exist to benefit the casinos, new players can also benefit if they know what to look for when shopping around for a casino site to join and gamble at. It may seem like a lot of extra work, but the effort will be worth it if you end up with some winnings from a no-deposit bonus.
