What are deposit bonuses?

Deposit bonuses are a common online casino promotion. They reward the player after a deposit has been made, either in the form of a cash bonus or free spins. 

These bonuses can be aimed at both new and existing players. First deposit promos are given to attract new players to the casino, often in the form of a deposit match. For example, a 100% bonus up to $1,000 means that you will get a bonus equal to your initial payment up to the specified amount. If you deposit $200, you will receive another $200 for a total of $400 to play with.

Other common variations of this offer include reload bonuses given on subsequent deposits and high-roller bonuses tailored to players who deposit larger amounts.

What are no-deposit bonuses?

No-deposit bonuses are promotions that give casino players funds without requiring a prior payment. They are almost exclusively awarded to new account holders once they complete the registration process.

Because they have minimal risk associated with them, no-deposit bonuses tend to be smaller in size, often offering just $10, $20 or a handful of free spins. They may come with stricter terms, like higher wagering requirements, lower withdrawal limits, and fewer eligible games compared to their counterparts that require you to fund your account beforehand. No-deposit promotions are also much rarer and can only be found in a limited number of online casinos.

Key differences between deposit and no-deposit bonuses

Aside from the obvious, deposit and no-deposit bonuses have many other differences as well. Let’s go over the main ones.

1. Claiming the bonus

The primary difference between deposit and no-deposit bonuses lies in how you obtain them. Deposit bonuses require players to fund their accounts with a minimum deposit in order to unlock the offer. 

In contrast, no-deposit bonuses are awarded simply for signing up, completing account verification, or entering a promo code. Also, a no-deposit bonus is given exclusively to new players, while deposit bonuses can be offered to existing players as well.

2. Bonus size and wagering requirements

Deposit bonuses often match your deposit amount and can be quite large, going up to several thousand dollars. Meanwhile, no-deposit bonuses are typically much smaller, usually between $5 and $50.

No-deposit offers also tend to have higher wagering requirements (the number of times you must play the bonus over). Since you’ll be given the bonus funds without risking your own money, the casino will make it more difficult to turn the bonus into withdrawable winnings, often setting the rollover to 50x or higher. Deposit bonuses feature wagering requirements as well, but they are less strict, typically ranging between 20x and 40x.

3. Risk and reward

Deposit bonuses are much larger and can be turned into withdrawable money more easily, but they require an upfront financial commitment. In contrast, no-deposit bonuses give out smaller amounts and often come with stricter terms, making it harder to cash out winnings.

4. Suitability for different players

Considering everything I’ve discussed above, it’s possible to determine which of the two bonuses is the best choice for different types of players.

• Deposit bonuses: Better suited for experienced players seeking higher rewards and extended playtime. They are also more flexible, offering greater value based on the size of your deposit.
• No-deposit bonuses: Ideal for beginners who just want to dip their toes in the water without making a financial commitment. They are a good way to test a casino site risk-free.

Pros and cons of deposit bonuses

• Bigger rewards: Players can receive substantial bonus amounts, sometimes doubling or even tripling their deposits.
• More flexibility: A deposit bonus is available to both low- and high-rollers. Casual players can merely meet the minimum deposit requirement, while those looking for value can aim at the maximum bonus with a large deposit.
• Lower wagering requirements: Deposit bonus wagering requirements aren’t easy to meet either, but they are certainly lower than those associated with no-deposit promotions.
• Available to all types of players: You can find a deposit bonus as a part of the welcome offer or an ongoing promotion.

• Requires an initial deposit: Players must pay real money to claim the bonus.
• Possible restrictions: Certain deposit bonuses may be limited to specific games or might have strict betting limits.

Pros and cons of no-deposit bonuses

• Minimal risk: Players can have fun at a real-money casino site without spending any of their own money.
• Great for beginners: New players can get a sneak peek into the world of online casinos without facing financial risks.
• Trying new games: A no-deposit bonus can be a good way to test a given casino game without committing any of your funds.
• A chance to turn nothing into something: Although high wagering requirements associated with no-deposit deals are sometimes very difficult to meet, you can, in theory, turn your free bonus into withdrawable winnings.

• Smaller bonus amounts: No-deposit bonuses are often very limited in size.
• High wagering requirements: Casinos impose very high wagering requirements on these promotions, making it very difficult to win real money.
• Withdrawal limits: Even if you do manage to meet the rollover, you’ll still face relatively low withdrawal limits, like $50 or $100.

How to choose the right bonus for you

Even though there are some major differences between deposit and no-deposit bonuses, there is no definitive answer as to which is better. It all depends on your gaming preferences and objectives. Here are a few tips to help you decide which of these two types of casino offers to aim for:

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