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No Deposit Bonus vs. Free Spins: Which to Pick at Canadian Casinos?

Among the three most popular casino bonuses in Canada, you'll find no deposit offers, free spins and spin promotions without a deposit. To help you decide which fits your playing style, we've prepared a bonus comparison, a list of casinos offering them, and an overview of promotion terms and conditions.

What is a No Deposit Bonus?

A no deposit bonus rewards players with a small amount of cash or bonus credits without requiring a deposit to claim the offer. It typically ranges from C$5 to C$50. The main benefit of this promotion is that it allows you to test the casino and its offerings without risking your own money. No deposit funds typically can be used across various game categories, including table games like roulette and poker, unless specified otherwise in the bonus rules.

What are Free Spins?

Free Spins bonuses feature a set number of spins on specific slots determined by the casino. They are often part of a welcome bonus or reload promotion, providing significantly bigger funds than no deposit rewards. Occasionally, spins are available as a standalone offer for promoting new game releases or certain providers. To redeem this type of bonus, you must make a qualifying deposit, which varies by casino and terms. Note that the Bonus Buy option is unavailable when spending and wagering the funds.

What are Free Spins No Deposit?

Another incentive that is available at no cost is a free spins no deposit promotion. This offer ranges from 20 to 150 free spins. Given that operators don't profit from no deposit bonuses, they frequently have stricter terms. For example, the wagering is often above the market average of 40x and the winnings are commonly capped at a relatively small amount. They are often offered as exclusive offers, at times requiring a promo code. Some casinos reward players with no deposit free spins upon downloading the mobile app or as a birthday bonus.

Side-by-Side Comparison: No Deposit, Free Spins, and No Deposit Free Spins

Our casino bonus comparison outlines the main features of these in-demand promotion types. It will allow you to understand the bonus differences, including the requirements for each type.

Side-by-Side Comparison of Casino Bonuses

Terms

No Deposit Bonus

Free Spins

Free Spins No Deposit

Deposit Requirements

No deposit required

C$10-C$200 depending on the offer

No deposit required

Wagering

50x-70x

30x-50x

50x-70x

Bonus funds

Cash or bonus credits

Free spins

Free spins

Typical Amount

C$5-C$50

50-300 free spins

20-150 free spins

Game Eligibility

Bonus can be spent across various game categories

Available in designated slots

Available in designated slots

Maximum Winnings

On average, C$75 or up to 10x the bonus amount

5x-10x the bonus amount; or occasionally – unlimited

On average, C$50 or up to 10x the bonus amount

Knowing how to choose a casino bonus will let you avoid wasting time on offers that don't suit your gaming style. Some bonuses are better for newbies, while others benefit regular slot players. We've broken down which bonus types work best for different players.

Choose a No Deposit Bonus if You’re a Beginner

You can test a casino risk-free by claiming a no deposit bonus. As it grants cash, you can explore other game categories than just slots, including live dealer titles and table games. We've also prepared a few casino recommendations, offering these bonuses for beginners.

    1. At Monro Casino, you can get a C$60 or C$150 no deposit offer as a birthday gift, provided that you've deposited at least C$750 within the last 30 days and have achieved the Prestige VIP level or higher.

    2. Leon Casino features a simple C$5 no deposit signup bonus, using our exclusive promo code NDOCA5. It's available in slot and live dealer games and has a 30x wagering requirement.

    3. Gizbo Casino will reward you with C$60, C$150 in cash or even a higher birthday bonus, determined individually, based on your loyalty status.

Go for Free Spins if You’re a Slot Fan

If your go-to entertainment in online casinos involves slot games, a standard free spins bonus is a fitting choice. As this offer comes attached to specific titles, you can look them up on our free slot games page before claiming the bonus. To claim the bonus, you will need to make a deposit. However, you'll get a solid amount of free spins, reasonable wagering requirements and the best rate for maximum winnings. Check out our curated list of the best casinos featuring various free spins promotions.

  1. The weekly reload at AllySpin includes 50 free spins with a minimum deposit of C$30. They must be used within 7 days, and winnings require a 40x wagering.

  2. Snatch Casino offers a generous 375 free spins pack in its welcome bonus, in addition to a max. 200% up to C$4,000. A user-friendly 30x wagering applies.

  3. Playbet.io on Fridays grants players up to 200 free spins with deposits ranging from 30 USDT to 101 USDT. Winnings are subject to a 40x playthrough.

Pick Free Spins No Deposit to Play Slots at No Cost

This is the best bonus for slots if you want to win real money without financial commitment. Note that it is typically available only in one specific, popular slot and may require an exclusive promo code. To get started, check our top 3 casinos with lucrative no deposit free spins for players in Canada.

  1. Spinbetter Casino offers 150 no deposit free spins with a low 20x wagering, using promo code CASINOCANADA.

  2. At Lemon Casino, you can claim 20 free spins without depositing on the Big Bass Bonanza slot. Note the C$0.10 spin value and 50x wagering.

  3. Hellspin Casino will grant you 15 free spins with the code casinocanada. They have a 40x playthrough requirement and a C$75 winning cap.

Key Terms and Conditions

When claiming promotions, you must get acquainted with the bonus rules. They can be a dealbreaker if the wagering requirements are high, the expiry period is short, or restrict access to your preferred games. Therefore, we've prepared the most common terms and conditions every player must know before opting in for any offer.

  • Wagering Requirements

    Before you can access payouts from your winnings, you must meet the wagering requirements. They refer to the number of times you must place your bonus funds or free spin winnings in bets. For example, if you've received C$20 in bonus funds within an offer with a 30x playthrough, you must wager C$600 before submitting a withdrawal request.

  • Max Cashout

    For no deposit bonuses in particular, casinos commonly set a max cashout. It means the amount you can withdraw from your bonus wins is limited. If you claim a C$50 no deposit offer with a 10x limit on withdrawals, then you'll be able to cash out C$500 at most.

  • Game Restrictions

    Bonus terms also specify the games you can play with the claimed funds. They apply the most to spin promotions, as casinos ascribe a designated title to the free spins. It's crucial to check the game restrictions to avoid claiming a bonus available in titles that you don't enjoy.

  • Bonus Expiry

    When claiming any offer, you must evaluate whether the timeframe allows you to meet the playthrough requirements. At Canadian online casinos, the typical bonus time limit is seven days for completing the wagering.

Final Verdict: Which Bonus is Better?

Picking the best bonus ultimately comes down to your goals, experience and playing style. New users have the opportunity to test different casino games for free by claiming a no deposit bonus. Dedicated slot players should opt for free spin promotions with a higher number of spins and more lenient terms. On the other hand, free spins no deposit bonuses allow you to play slots at no cost, giving you the chance to win real money, usually during special promotions or events.

Gerda Grinova

Author: Gerda Grinova
  • 250 articles
Expert in:
  • Casino reviews
  • Online Games
  • Online Slots

FAQ

Can I win real money from a no deposit bonus?

Yes, you can win real money by claiming a no deposit offer. If you end up with a positive balance after wagering, you'll be able to withdraw your bonus winnings.

Why do casinos offer free bonuses?

Casinos offer free bonuses to encourage players to sign up and eventually start making deposits. At times, they are also used to promote a new game or a provider. It's a marketing strategy to attract new users.

Do no deposit free spins always have higher wagering requirements?

Although not always, no deposit free spins tend to have higher wagering requirements than standard offers to prevent bonus abuse. Another contributing factor to stricter terms is that casinos don't directly benefit from promotions that don't require a deposit.

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