Slot site bonuses & free spins – explained
Most of slot sites reward players with bonuses and free spins, which can be well worth having, if you’re looking to bolster your bankroll or fancy testing out some games for free.
At Slot Gods we believe that smart players shouldn’t overlook decent bonuses when they come around.
However, the sheer range of bonuses, as well as some of the associated terminology, can seem overwhelming to newer players.
Let’s clear a few things up!
Different types of bonuses
With so many slot sites to choose from, it’s no surprise there’s also a huge variety in the types of bonuses and promotions on offer.
Welcome bonuses
Welcome bonuses are the first type of bonus you'll likely encounter when choosing a slot site. Designed to entice new players, welcome bonuses are some of the most attractive bonuses you’ll find, and can only be claimed once (although some may be released in stages).
They come in all shapes and sizes, sometimes combining several elements. They are sometimes referred to as ‘welcome packages’ – often containing a mixture of free spins and matched deposit bonuses.
Matched deposit bonuses
Matched deposit bonuses are an extra bonus added to your balance when you make a deposit. They are expressed as a percentage of your deposit, often 100%, but also 500% or even 1,000%. Depositing £100 with a 100% deposit bonus would grant you an additional £100 in bonus funds.
There will be a maximum to the bonus granted, so keep this in mind when making your deposit. This is why matched deposit bonuses are usually expressed in the format "100% bonus up to £100".
Free spins
Free spins are the most popular type of bonus for slots players. They grant a number of free spins on a particular game or selection of games. They can only be played one spin at a time, and have a predetermined value, usually 10p or 20p. They're a great way to try out a game for free in the hope of landing a big win.
Free spins can usually only be used on certain games, so if you have a favourite game you’d like to play, a matched deposit bonus might be the better option for you.
Re-deposit bonuses
Also known as ‘reload bonuses’, they work in much the same way as a typical welcome bonus – deposit a specified minimum amount in return for a bonus. These are typically in the form of a matched deposit bonus or sometimes free spins. They might not always be worth quite as much as a welcome bonus, but they’re available to existing players and are sometimes issued weekly!
Cashback
Cashback isn’t offered by many slot sites, but there are few better feelings than getting a portion of losses back unexpectedly. Cashback is an effective way of keeping players loyal to one slot site. It’s calculated as a percentage of net losses over a certain period, then paid out either daily, weekly or monthly. As cashback is a type of bonus, it can come with wagering requirements – be careful not to overlook this.
No deposit bonuses
Bonuses which don’t require any deposit are quite rare, but they do crop up occasionally. They may sound too good to be true, but they are used as an acquisition tool to attract new players that will go on to deposit and play with real money. No-deposit bonuses usually have high wagering requirements and other restrictive terms – so they're definitely not "free money".
Sticky & non-sticky bonuses
When you receive a matched deposit bonus, the bonus can either be added to the same balance as your deposit (a sticky bonus), or kept in its own 'bonus balance' separate from your deposit (a non-sticky bonus).
The main difference here is that with a sticky bonus you'll have to fulfil the wagering requirements before cashing out – which could mean losing your entire balance. Furthermore, if you've managed to fulfil the wagering requirements, the value of the initial bonus will be deducted from your balance upon withdrawal.
With a non-sticky bonus, you can start playing with your deposit balance first and any winnings can be withdrawn right away without needing to fulfil wagering requirements. You will only need to fulfil wagering requirements once you've started playing with your bonus balance.
No wagering bonuses
No wagering bonuses come with no wagering requirements attached, so whatever you win is yours to keep, or re-wager as you please. They usually come in the form of free spins, also known as wager-free spins. They're popular with players because they're uncomplicated and avoid the disappointment of refused withdrawals. However, they can usually only be used on certain games and so offer less flexibility than traditional matched deposit bonuses.
Loyalty programmes
Whilst not offered by all slot sites, loyalty programmes enable players to progress through a tiered system by making deposits and playing. With each tier comes a new reward, often free spins, but also deposit bonuses and cashback.
Should you always claim a bonus?
It’s tempting to jump at every bonus you come across, but this isn’t necessarily wise. Due to the variety of bonuses on offer, some simply might not be suited to you if they can only be used on specific games, for instance. That’s why it’s important to understand the offer, how the bonus can be used, and what conditions it comes with.
“Bonuses aren’t free money”
Bonuses aren’t free money – they often come with complicated T&Cs that make it very difficult to access winnings, and as such should usually be treated as demo credit.
It really depends on what you’re intending to do with the bonus. Are you just using it to test out a new slot site and play a few games, or are you hoping to profit from it?
High wagering requirements can prove time-consuming or impossible to fulfil, so even large wins can be tricky to withdraw. For that reason, and to keep things simple, many players choose not to claim bonuses and use their own funds instead. Any wins are theirs to keep and it avoids potential issues when cashing out.
Don't look at bonuses as a way to profit. They can help extend your gameplay, but unless you win huge then the wagering requirements will usually eat up your balance.
How to claim a slot site bonus
Whilst there may be some differences here and there between the process of actually claiming bonuses, they tend to follow a fairly standard pattern. However, it’s important to pay attention to the specific path to claiming a particular promotion. Don’t just assume they’re all the same, or else you run the risk of voiding your winnings and missing out!
1. Choose your bonus
Look at our top rated slot sites as well as our collection of free spins and no wagering bonuses. Which bonus takes your fancy? Looking for as many free spins as possible? Or the most straightforward to claim? Perhaps you want a bonus which offers spins on a slot you haven’t played before? Once you’ve decided, go ahead and click through to claim the bonus.
2. Create an account
Once you’ve landed on the slot site you’ll need to open an account. This process is pretty much the same across all slot sites. Tap ‘Register’ or ‘Sign up’ and enter your personal details. Follow the instructions to add a payment method and verify your ID if requested.
3. Trigger your bonus
To have the bonus credited to your account, you may need to opt in or enter a promo code (more on these later). Next, make your deposit and check to see if the bonus has been released. This usually happens instantly but can take a few minutes. Free spins tied to a specific game normally appear when you launch that game. Check the terms of the offer and contact customer support if you get stuck.
4. Start spinning!
If you claimed a free spins bonus, launch one of the eligible games – your free spins should already be activated. If you claimed a matched deposit bonus, you should be able to use your bonus on pretty much any game you choose (do check the T&Cs for exclusions or limitations). Remember you’ll need to complete any wagering requirements before cashing out any winnings. You’ll often be able to follow your progress on your ‘account’ page.
Common T&Cs to look out for
Nobody genuinely likes wading through the small print, but it is important to understand the pitfalls in using bonuses and preventing issues.
You only need to take a look at a couple of T&Cs pages to see certain similarities in the restrictions and clauses which come with casino bonuses.
Some of the key things to keep an eye out for:
Wagering requirements
The bane of most slot players – wagering requirements dictate that you can’t withdraw your winnings from a bonus until you have re-wagered them a certain number of times.
A wagering requirement of 40x the bonus amount is quite usual, even 50x is common. Anything above that is getting unreasonable and should probably be avoided if you want any chance of withdrawing any winnings.
Wagering requirements can be complicated and daunting, so an example might be helpful…
Suppose you deposit £10 and claim a 100% bonus with a 40x wagering requirement. Your bonus amount will be £10 (£10 x 100%) and you would have to wager a total of £400 (£10 x 40) before being able to withdraw any winnings won off the bonus.
Some wagering requirements are applied to the bonus amount plus the deposit amount – so watch out for these. What appears to be a standard 40x wagering requirement can effectively be doubled to 80x if it includes the deposit.
Wagering requirements on free spins work differently – the wagering requirement is applied to the free spins winnings. So, if you receive 100 free spins with 40x wagering requirements, and win £100 from those free spins, you’d have to wager £4,000 before being able to make a withdrawal.
Wagering requirements are common and standard. Don’t be put off by them altogether, just ensure you’re clear on what’s reasonable, and what’s simply too much to make a bonus worth claiming.
Game contributions
One important (and confusing) rule not to overlook is how different games can contribute differing amounts to the wagering requirements of your bonus.
Most slots contribute 100% towards the wagering requirements, so no worries there. But, if you play other casino games, particularly roulette or blackjack, your bets might only contribute 10% towards your bonus wagering requirements, and in some cases, won’t contribute at all.
Max win caps
Some bonuses, particularly those without wagering requirements, will have a maximum amount you can win. This is exactly what it sounds like, so look for mentions of these in the small print.
Maximum bet sizes
Most bonuses have a max bet limit, meaning there’s a limit on the most you can bet in one hand or spin while using the bonus. The limit is usually £4, but can be as low as £2. Don’t break this rule, as it can lead to refused withdrawals and confiscated winnings!
Free spins are usually worth 10p or 20p each, so you won’t be able to increase the stake on those anyway.
Minimum deposits
To claim a bonus, you’ll usually need to deposit a certain amount. This may be as little as £5, but could be £10 or £20 depending on the bonus. Some bonuses are proportional to your deposit, so the more you pay in, the larger the deposit bonus you’ll get.
Don't always be tempted to deposit more just to get a bigger bonus – the more bonus funds you receive, the larger the wagering requirement you'll have to fulfil.
Eligible payment methods
Some bonuses can only be claimed using certain payment methods. This may exclude certain options, such as e-wallets, or you may be required to use one particular banking method. It’s easy to get caught if you usually use a different method, so be careful!
Promo codes
Some bonuses require you to enter a code to claim. The code can usually be found on promotional materials or in the T&Cs of the bonus. Most promo codes are applied automatically when you click through to a slot site via our website. But, make a note of any that you come across and ensure it's entered on the registration form or when claiming the bonus.
Eligible games
Generally, free spins are only valid for use on certain games, but bonus credit can be used on any game. You’ll find the list of eligible games in the T&Cs of the bonus.