Free Money? No-Deposit Bonuses, Explained

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29/07/2424
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Are no-deposit bonuses free money? At first sight, they may seem to be. After all, you're getting a reward for the simple act of registering an online casino account and maybe redeeming a bonus code. But if you dig deeper, you'll see that you can't make something out of nothing. The details are hidden in the fine print. So, let's take a look at no-deposit bonuses and find out which of them are worth redeeming.

Claim Your "Free Money" Here:

Free money from Hollywoodbets

50 free spins on Hot Hot Hollywoodbets + R25 in free bets

Conditions: Verify your ID


R250 cash bonus

Bonus code: TEST-SPRINGBOK


Playa Bets small logo

50 free spins on Pragmatic Play slots + R50 in free bets

Claim it at the Cashier


Thunderbolt Casino logo with free money offer

50 free spins on Plentiful Treasure

Bonus code: BEGINNERS-LUCK

What Are No-Deposit Bonuses?

Exactly what their name suggests. No-deposit bonuses are rewards casinos offer players without asking them for a real-money deposit. These bonuses are among the most sought-after in South Africa and beyond. After all, you get something for nothing - what's not to love about them? But as you might expect, no-deposit bonuses are not exactly free money.

What Kind of Free Money Can You Get?

South African casinos have several kinds of no-deposit bonuses that you can redeem:

  • No-deposit free spins
  • No-deposit cash
  • No-deposit free chips
  • Login rewards

All these bonuses come with terms and conditions that state not only how much you get but also what you have to do in return. Because, you see, they are not free money - they always come with strings attached.

No-Deposit Bonus Terms - The Strings Attached to "Free Money"

You see, these bonuses always come with conditions. You have to qualify for them, and you need to "clear" them before the free money goes into your pocket. Sometimes, you even have to deposit real money to qualify for withdrawing your free money. Let's look at the typical terms for no-deposit bonuses:

  • Do you qualify? Often, no-deposit bonuses are available for new players who haven't deposited real money into their accounts. Also, you need to have no other active bonuses in your account.
  • What game? No-deposit free spins can be used on specific games only. When it comes to cash bonuses, they are usually for certain game types of the games of a certain provider. Free chips are usually for table games
  • Limits on your winnings. The casinos often limit the winnings you can keep from using your no-deposit bonus.
  • Limits on your cash-outs. The casinos also often limit how much of your "free money" can go into your real-life pocket - or bank account.

Wagering Requirements

And this takes us to the biggest small print of them all: wagering requirements. These tell you how many times you have to play through your bonus amount before you can request a withdrawal. Note that not complying with these will almost certainly cause your bonus to be forfeited, along with any winnings coming from them. The wagering requirements change from one casino to another.

Let's see an example: Springbok's no-deposit offer worth R250 in cash.

  • To qualify: you have to be a new player. You have to redeem the bonus code TEST-SPRINGBOK
  • What game can you play? 7 Stud Poker, Bingo games, European Slot Poker, Keno, Pai Gow Poker, Scratch Cards and all Slots. None of the other games at Springbok qualify.
  • Limits on your cash-outs: 5 times the bonus amount. In this case, it's 5x250=R1,250
  • Wagering requirements: 60 times the bonus you receive. In this case, it's R15,000

Another example? Let's take a look at Playa Bets' no-deposit free spins plus free bets.

  • To qualify: You have to be a new player. Head over to your account, select "Bonus Offers" and activate it.
  • What games can you play? You can use the bonus spins on any Pragmatic Play slot machine in Playa Bets' "Vegas Games" section.
  • Limits on your cash-outs: not listed.
  • Wagering requirements: You need to play through the R50 you got 4 times before it's turned into cash funds.
  • Withdrawals: you'll need to deposit R100 and play through it at least once at odds of 2.0 before you can initiate a withdrawal - any withdrawal.

Are No-deposit Bonuses Free Money?

Not in the slightest. There are many things that you'll have to do before you can put them in your pocket. But hey, they do offer you extra playtime and an opportunity to explore the casino with no risk to your own money. Maybe even break the bank. Which is a good thing, even if there's no free money involved. What we recommend is you read the Terms and Conditions carefully before you claim a no-deposit bonus, choosing only those with friendly terms and realistic playthrough requirements.

Avatar for Nolan
Author Nolan

Howzit! I'm Nolan Peter Veldtman, a 42-year-old bloke from Durban who's made a name for myself in the online gambling world. Over the years, I've turned my passion for the thrill of the game into a career, reviewing online casinos and sharing tips and tricks with fellow enthusiasts. My journey started out of curiosity, but it quickly grew into a full-blown love affair with the highs and lows of gambling. When I'm not diving into the latest gaming trends or testing out new platforms, you can find me cheering on the Springboks or enjoying a braai with mates. Life's a gamble, and I'm here to navigate it with you.