Gamblers have started to move away from brick-and-mortar casinos, and rightly so because online casino promotions are better. Ask anyone. Your classic boulevard casino may hand over a member’s card that will grant discounts for drinks or cashback based on your gameplay. Still, the promotional benefits are often limited to that, even less.
Once it gets online, though, it all gets a different shine.
Slots are undoubtedly the most featured games in online casinos. Therefore, the best deals in this sphere are the free spins for slots – an entertaining way to kickstart an account and keep it going.
Let’s see what types of promotions casinos usually offer and why slots are the go-to option for most players.
Then, we'll put forth a guide that will teach you how to choose the best free spins deal based on the most relevant criteria.
Types of online casino promotions
Casinos offer promotions to attract new clientele, but there are just as many types of players as there are types of games. So, the deals must be diverse as well. Mostly, when you sign up to a new online casino, you’ll be welcomed with either:
- Deposit match bonuses – such deals provide you with double the cash deposited or more;
- Dedicated live casino deals – pretty rare, but roulette and blackjack enthusiasts hunt them;
- Cashback – you get back a certain percentage of your wagered money;
- Free spins – you take your favorite casino game for a few spins and leave with a few bucks.
While the odds naturally vary with each game, a steady figure is the prevalence of slots compared to other casino games. According to various estimates, slots comprise around 70% of any game catalogue, which is understandable. They grant casinos between 65 and 80% of their income.
Moreover, it seems people are more attracted to slots than any other game because of their pure-luck nature. A player who feeds the slot machine for the first time can be just as lucky as one who’s playing forever. On the other hand, an amateur poker player is never on equal footing with a pro.
The numbers suggest that slots are the top choice for most players, and it’s most likely that’s the case for you, too. So, it’s natural that your ideal online casino bonus would be a free spins deal. Browse through the list of exclusive deals on CasinoBonusCA and take the pulse of the market. It will be easier to choose a free spins bonus that suits you best when you know the products online casinos have to offer inside out.
How to choose your free spins bonus
When you've got a clear view of the market, it's time to choose your free spins bonus. You might not know how to refine your search, and the incredible variety of online casinos may be dazzling at first.
You’ll know all the relevant details about free spins once you read our guide. Pay attention to the following points.
Deposit vs No Deposit
Your free spins deal may require a deposit or not. This is important to look for because each type comes with its own benefits.
Most times, unless you’re in a slippery place that makes wildly unrealistic promises, no deposit deals have a lesser value, and the number of spins is limited. They are great for trying a casino game for the first time but don't expect much.
On the contrary, spins that require a deposit will be plentiful and enough to give you a taste of a game. These often come in packages that match your deposit and have the spins as a little extra.
The number of spins awarded
More spins and bonus funds to play with mean more chances to win. Some casinos will even allow you to play jackpot games with your bonus and free spins. It also equals more fun.
Still, luck is a crucial factor. Sometimes 100 spins will not land you a very impressive sum, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be multiplied somehow. You need to find a suitable game. This brings us to another aspect players pay attention to when choosing their bonus.
Starburst or Book of Dead?
Often, players go for any deal, regardless of the game. Still, veteran casino goers know the importance of playing only what’s best for their budget. It’s part of trying to play a risky game more safely.
Research the games for which the spins are given as a bonus to gain a slight edge. Moreover, check the eligible games for which your bonus is awarded. Sometimes, you can wager the winnings from your spins in a whole lot of games.
In a quick comparison of the two slots mentioned in the title of this heading, Starburst may be more suited to players who want steady but not very spectacular wins, while in Book of Dead, you either shoot major wins or spin in despair.
It can go both ways, and that’s because of Return to Player - RTP - and variance. Return to Player is the statistically determined percent of your stake that returns to you over time. Variance is a variable that determines how often and how significant are your wins.
Providers must specify these values, and independent agencies test them to ensure their accuracy. So why not consider them yourself when you choose your free spins deal?
When lesser is better and when not
You've probably already formed an opinion about how an excellent free spins deal should look. However, we still have to consider two things.
Check the wagering requirement of the offer you’re interested in. Suppose it's excellent in all other respects, but you see a 200x wagering requirement. In that case, it’s an awful offer.
The wagering - or playthrough- requirement refers to the number of times you need to stake your bonus to enable it's cash out, aka conversion to real money.
A higher requirement means fewer chances to leave with something in your balance at the end of it, so you should seek out offers that don't need to be wagered hundreds of times. Even 60 is a bit too much.
Luckily, if you look well enough, you'll most certainly find a deal with reasonable wagering requirements.
Finally, check the terms of your promotion and look for the maximum cashout limit. Suppose you got free spins as a no deposit registration incentive. In that case, it's most likely that your winnings will be capped at a relatively low amount.
Deposit-based free spins may have a higher cashout limit, and in some cases, you won’t see any limits. Still, don’t expect to make millions with a few free spins.
Concluding remarks
With the right value, an attractive game to play, reasonable wagering requirements, and a decent cashout limit, free spins offers will beat any old-school casino member’s card.
They open up the way to the superior entertainment of online casinos, where slot gaming reaches a new dimension. Take note of the factors we’ve discussed, and you will know when it’s the right time to claim a free spins bonus and when you should pass on it.
