Wagering requirements are the mandatory evil of almost every casino bonus. The majority of casino sites attract players with lucrative deposit bonuses and free spins – but 99% of these can’t instantly be converted into cash. Before you can withdraw any money, your bonus or free spins winnings need to be bet a set number of times.

Gemix is a popular slot coming from Play’N Go which is known to be great for playing to win big and also great for playing to wager a big bonus. The game has simple symbols which look like they were. Since the slots that are covered by this bonus are among the most popular out of the entire list of slots that the software provider has, you get to play the best for free. All you have to do is sign up, and use a bonus code if required, but more about that later. For example, a cash bonus of $10 with a wagering requirement of 10x, means that players have to wager their bonus ten times before they can withdraw their bonus winnings. Online casinos impose wagering requirements on their bonuses for a good reason. They want to ensure they stay in business while giving players an incentive to play. The newest online casino bonuses, the best slots and games and the top online pokies! The best guide to online pokies and casinos. Casino Mate offers new players a $1400 Cash Bonus + 80 Wager Free. Best slot for wagering. The best slot for wagering would be one that contributes 100% to the obligations and has a relatively high RTP. However, it’s also worth considering the slot variance / volatility too. A low variance slot pays out more frequently on average, but generally the payout is smaller.

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But what exactly is a wagering requirement? What does wager mean in casino terms? Is there a best way to wager a casino bonus?

We’ll explain all that and more, so you have a full understanding of how to beat wagering requirements.

What does wager mean?

Bonus

Example video explaining the meaning of wagering requirements and how they work

If you decide to play at a casino using one of the many casino bonuses available, you will be given extra bonus money to play with. A wagering requirement is how many times you need to bet the bonus before it becomes real money which you can withdraw to your account.

Here’s a good wagering requirements example, taken from the video above. A casino is offering a bonus of 100% up to £50. You deposit £50 and get an extra £50 in bonus money. However, the casino has placed a x10 wagering requirement on the bonus money. This means you need to use your £50 bonus money to place bets worth £500 overall before it is considered real money which you can withdraw. The calculation is done by multiplying the bonus money by the wagering requirement (£50 x 10) for £500 overall.

In some cases, a casino might apply wagering requirements to both the bonus money AND the amount you deposit. In the above example, that would mean your £50 deposit being added to your £50 bonus money for £100. That would then be multiplied to find the wagering requirement (£100 x 10), which would be £1000. This clearly has a huge impact, effectively doubling how much you need to bet in this case. Therefore, it’s very important to check if you need to wager the bonus only or the deposit + bonus in the terms and conditions.

It’s possible that a specific casino uses a different name for wagering requirements. For example, they are also known as playthrough requirements or rollover requirements at some sites. Alternatively, they may be referred to as obligations instead of requirements. However, all these terms still have the same wagering meaning as described above. They are almost always written in the same way too – such as “x10”.

Why do casinos give bonuses with wagering requirements?

The reason for this is simple: casino sites are in the business of making money, and giving out free money wouldn’t be good for business. However, they want to make things attractive for the players as well to get them to sign up.

Giving players casino bonuses is a way of offering players incentives to join – namely, by giving them extra bonus money to play with. This allows players to enjoy the casino’s game selection, for example, which often consists of hundreds or even thousands of different games. Of course, there is the possibility that you will complete the wagering requirements too and be able to cash out the winnings. Whatever happens, it’s a nice extra from the casinos to give out; remember, they don’t have to do it!

What other terms affect wagering requirements?

Alongside what the wagering requirement amount is and what it applies to, there are a few other terms and conditions that may affect how you wager a bonus. A few examples include:

  • Deposited money or Bonus money first? – You will either start playing with your own money that you deposited, or the extra bonus money you are given. This varies by each casino and is useful to know. For example, if you play with your own money first and win, you might be able to forfeit the bonus and withdraw the winnings without needing to wager.
  • Max bet while wagering – Unfortunately, you can’t place big bets to clear the wagering requirements quickly. Instead, you are restricted to a maximum bet when completing them – usually £5.
  • Expiry date – Most bonuses expire after a certain amount of time. You often need to have completed the wager requirements by this date – otherwise you may lose the bonus money.
  • Game weighting / Exempt slots – Some slots don’t contribute as much to the wagering as others. For example, if a slot contributes 50% to the wagering, a £1 bet that you make on it would only be considered as £0.50 towards completing the wagering. Some slots are exempt too and contribute 0% (more on this later).

Of course, all casinos build their own bonuses and terms so there will be differences at each site. You should always read through the terms and conditions of an offer before making a deposit to make sure you agree with them. If you don’t understand a term, make sure to contact customer support first (many are available via live chat) so it can be explained to you.

How hard is it to complete wagering requirements?

This varies a lot – as some bonuses can be a lot easier than others! In almost all cases, the lower the wagering requirement the better chance you will have – as this reduces how many times you need to bet before you can withdraw the winnings.

However, this can all change if the wagering is for both the deposit amount and the bonus money. In that case, even a lowly x20 wagering requirement would be a lot higher than it looks. It could even end up being higher than a x30 wagering requirement that only applies to the bonus amount.

For example:

  • You deposit £50 and get £50 bonus money with a wagering requirement of x20 for both the deposit amount and the bonus money. You need to add both £50 together for £100 and multiply it by 20 for £2000 overall.
  • Alternatively, you deposit £50 and get £50 bonus money with a wagering requirement of x30 for the bonus money only. You multiply the £50 bonus money by 30 for £1500 overall.

This shows just how much impact a deposit + bonus term can have.

But are you always looking to win from a bonus? Not necessarily. Sometimes you might decide to use such an offer to play a new game without using your own money. Or maybe you want to try out one of the new online casinos to see what kind of features it has. In these cases, the wager requirements aren’t as much of an issue as your primary goal isn’t to win. You can take a much more relaxed approach – with any winnings being an added bonus.

Casino bonus wagering requirements – How to compare?

When browsing through our list of casino sites, we’ve made it easy for you to quickly find and compare each casino bonus wagering requirements. Within each casino card on our site, we tell you what bonus the casino is currently offering to new players. Next to each bonus, you will see a gray question mark symbol (?). Simply hover your mouse or tap it on mobile to bring up the key terms and conditions. We always include the wager requirements within these key terms and conditions.

However, we strongly advise that you also check that the wagering requirements (and other key terms and conditions) are the same once you get to the casino’s website. Some casinos change their bonus and/or terms without warning which we may not know about until we receive an update. Therefore, it’s a good idea to double-check this yourself to make sure you are getting what you think. If you find a casino bonus and/or terms and conditions that are outdated, please let us know either by writing a comment in the casino’s review or via our Contact Us. You will generally find wagering requirements written next to the bonus on the casino’s website. In some cases, this is mandatory – such as for UK players.

Online casino wagering UK

That’s because all online casino wagering must be clearly displayed at a UK casino. The fair and transparent terms and practices policy of the UK Gambling Commission ensures that wagering requirements must be found within the Significant Conditions section – which is always written alongside a bonus. All casinos found on Casino Professor are licenced by the Gambling Commission so they must adhere to this policy.

How to beat wagering requirements

To beat the wagering requirements, you need to use the bonus money to place bets until you’ve reached a certain amount. Every bet you make on eligible games will be added together. If your total bets reach the target, this means you have met the wagering requirements and completed them. Your bonus money will then be turned into real money which you can withdraw.

However, there are a few things to keep in mind. As mentioned above, casino sites often place a maximum bet while you are completing the wager requirements. This stops you from making a handful of massive bets to reach your target quickly. Instead, you are only allowed to place small bets at a time – £5 is usually the limit.

Wagering Requirement Weighting

Also, every game has a specific contribution to the wagering requirements. For example, a Slot A contributes 100% whereas a Slot B contributes 75%.

  • £1 bet on Slot A = the full £1 being contributed to the wagering.
  • £1 bet on Slot B = only £0.75 being contributed to the wagering.

The casino often decides the contribution (and possible exclusion) of a game based on its RTP (return-to-player). This is a theoretical percentage which indicates how much would winnings can be expected to be paid back compared with overall bets. For example, if you bet £100 on a slot with an RTP of 98%, the theoretical return rate would be £98. Of course, this is purely a mathematical calculation often based on millions of spins. You should NOT expect it to be accurate when you play. However, it does give an idea of a few slots that could possibly give the player a bit more of an advantage. Therefore, some casinos devalue any wager on high RTP games – possibly blacklisting them altogether.

You will be able to find how much a game contributes to the wagering in the terms and conditions. Here is an example:

  • Slot machines (except those exempt): 100%
  • Video Poker: 30%
  • Casino Hold’em: 10%
  • Oasis Poker: 10%
  • TXS Hold’em poker: 10%
  • Ultimate Texas Hold’em: 0%
  • Baccarat (all kind): 0%
  • Punto Banco: 0%
  • Roulette (all kind): 0%
  • Blackjack (all kind incl. Pontoon and Double Exposure): 0%
  • All other games: 100%

As you can see, most slot machines contribute 100% – but not all. Some are exempt, and they are generally the ones with a high RTP (NetEnt’s Bloodsuckers is a common example of an exempt slot). Also, table games like blackjack and roulette often have high return-to-player rates which can see them devalued too.

Each casino will publish a different list for game weighting contributions. If you can’t find this list, or you are unsure about a specific game, make sure to ask customer support before playing.

Best slot for wagering

The best slot for wagering would be one that contributes 100% to the obligations and has a relatively high RTP. However, it’s also worth considering the slot variance / volatility too. A low variance slot pays out more frequently on average, but generally the payout is smaller. A high variance slot pays out less frequently on average, but generally the payout is higher. So, what to choose?

While there is no definite answer, it’s best to only really play a high volatility slot if you have a pretty big amount of bonus money – such as with a casino bonus. That’s because a low bankroll can often be wiped out before any winning spins on a high variance slot actually land. This is often the case when wagering free spins winnings, as you don’t usually start with quite as much.

Some of the best slots for wagering with low variance are:

  • Starburst
  • Gemix
  • Tomb Raider

Some of the best slot for wagering with high variance are:

  • Bonanza
  • Dead or Alive 2
  • Frog Grog

Of course, you need to make sure these games aren’t exempt from wagering or devalued at each casino you play at.

Wagering requirements calculator

You can use our wagering requirements calculator to find out exactly how much you need to bet before you can withdraw any winnings. This is a good way to measure up your chances of completing them.

We realise that wager requirements can be a bit confusing and aren’t exactly a fun part of playing casino. So, you can use the below tool whenever you like to work everything out.

Use our Wagering Requirements Calculator to know your bonus obligations

Wagering Calculator – How to use

Simply populate the wagering calculator fields

In order for the calculator to work, you need to fill in the form completely. Here’s what needs to be included for each field:

  • Deposit Amount: How much you deposit.
  • Bonus Amount: How much bonus money you will get.
  • Wagering: What the casino bonus wagering requirements are, found in the terms.
  • “Bonus” or “Deposit + Bonus”: Select whether you need to wager the bonus money only, or the deposit amount and the bonus money. Again, this will be visible in the terms.
  • Contribution %: How much the game/slot you will play contributes to the wagering.
    • If you don’t have a game in mind yet, just write “100” to get the standard requirements.

Once all this has been inputted, just hit enter to see the result. The wagering requirements calculator will give you a number. That is how much you will need to wager before the money can be withdrawn, in your own currency.

Wagering requirements example

Although different sites have different wager requirements, there are a few playthrough obligations that are common.

Therefore, we thought it would be useful to provide a wagering requirements example for all these common terms so you can better understand how they work in full.

20x wagering requirement

A 20x wagering requirement means you must playthrough your requirements 20 times before you can withdraw any winnings.

Case: 100% up to £100 with a wagering requirement of x20.

Bonus money example: Deposit £50 and get £50 bonus money. The wagering requirement is the bonus money multiplied by 20 (£50 x 20 = £1000).

Deposit amount + Bonus money example: Deposit £50 and get £50 bonus money. The wagering requirement is the deposit amount + bonus money multiplied by 20 (£50 + £50 x 20 = £2000).

30x wagering requirement

A 30x wagering requirement means you must playthrough your requirements 30 times before you can withdraw any winnings.

Case: 100% up to £100 with a x30 wagering requirement

Bonus money example: Deposit £50 and get £50 bonus money. The wagering requirement is the bonus money multiplied by 30 (£50 x 30 = £1500).

Deposit amount + Bonus money example: Deposit £50 and get £50 bonus money. The wagering requirement is the deposit amount + bonus money multiplied by 30 (£50 + £50 x 30 = £3000).

35x wagering requirement

A 35x wagering requirement means you must playthrough your requirements 35 times before you can withdraw any winnings.

Case: 100% up to £100 with a x35 wagering requirement

Bonus money example: Deposit £50 and get £50 bonus money. The wagering requirement is the bonus money multiplied by 35 (£50 x 35 = £1750).

Deposit amount + Bonus money example: Deposit £50 and get £50 bonus money. The wagering requirement is the deposit amount + bonus money multiplied by 35 (£50 + £50 x 20 = £3500).

40x wagering requirement

A 40x wagering requirement means you must playthrough your requirements 40 times before you can withdraw any winnings.

Case: 100% up to £100 with x40 wagering requirements

Bonus money example: Deposit £50 and get £50 bonus money. The wagering requirement is the bonus money multiplied by 40 (£50 x 40 = £2000).

Deposit amount + Bonus money example: Deposit £50 and get £50 bonus money. The wagering requirement is the deposit amount + bonus money multiplied by 40 (£50 + £50 x 40 = £4000).

50x wagering requirement

A 50x wagering requirement means you must playthrough your requirements 50 times before you can withdraw any winnings.

Case: 100% up to £100 with a x50 wagering requirement

Bonus money example: Deposit £50 and get £50 bonus money. The wagering requirement is the bonus money multiplied by 50 (£50 x 50 = £2500).

Deposit amount + Bonus money example: Deposit £50 and get £50 bonus money. The wagering requirement is the deposit amount + bonus money multiplied by 50 (£50 + £50 x 50 = £5000).

Free Spins Wagering Requirement

For free spins, the wagering requirements work in a slightly different way. However, it’s very easy to work out what they are. Just multiply what you win from the free spins by the wagering requirement.

Case: You win £10 from your free spins with a x30 wagering

The wagering requirement is what you won from your free spins multiplied by 30 (£10 x 30 = £300).

Best way to wager casino bonus

The casino well and truly has the house edge here, so you want to boost your chances of cashing out by any legitimate means possible. Although it’s not possible to guarantee that you’ll beat the wager requirements, it’s generally considered that the best way to wager a casino bonus is to follow a few strategies.

Online casino low wagering requirements

No Deposit Bonus
20 Welcome Spins (UK only)
First Deposit Bonus
100% up to £100 + 180 FS

18+ | Gamble responsibly | BeGambleAware.org | T&C's apply

New customers. 20 Spins for selected AOTG slots credited on reg. 180 (20 per day) following first deposit. Spins valid for 24 hours. Exp in 30 days. Winnings credited as bonus funds with 20x wagering. Max win £100. Min £20 dep for bonus funds. 40x wagering. Game weighting/restrictions, Betting limits. Casino-only bonus. Payment restrictions + T&Cs Apply.

No Deposit Bonus
10 Spins
First Deposit Bonus
100% up to £50

18+ | Gamble responsibly | BeGambleAware.org | T&C's apply

Spins can be played on Book of Dead, 25X Wagering, Maximum cashout £100, Maximum bet cannot exceed £3.99, Spins are valued at 0.10 per spin, Standard bonus terms apply -- 100% first deposit match offer: Min deposit £10, Max deposit £50, Wagering: 25x bonus, Max bet is £3.99 per spin -- New players only, 18+, begambleaware.org

The most obvious is to choose the lowest wagering requirements casino. In general, the lower the wagering requirements the better as this often means a smaller target amount that you have to reach.

However, some casinos are sneaky and offer a low wager first deposit bonus – but you need to wager both the deposit amount and the bonus amount. In this case, what seems to be a reasonable obligation at first is actually much higher.

To avoid this, you can play at an online casino with low wagering requirements by selecting one of the options above.

Understand wagering terms

Alongside checking what the wagering requirements apply to, you should go over and understand the offer’s terms and conditions thoroughly. Possibly the worst feeling at an online casino is to think you’ve won from an offer, only to be told otherwise because you haven’t fulfilled a term.

In the worst cases, this could mean your bonus and any winnings being removed. This generally happens if you’ve broken a rule. For example, if you have placed a bet using the bonus money that was higher than the maximum bet.

In better cases, you may be able to rectify the mistake. For example, if you thought you’d completed the wagering only to realise that the slot doesn’t contribute 100%. You could simply change to a more suitable game and carry on.

However, you can avoid all of this by reading the terms and conditions before playing. It sounds simple, but that is often the best way to wager a casino bonus. That way, you know exactly what is needed to beat the wagering while not accidentally voiding your efforts. If you don’t understand a particular term, we strongly recommend contacting the casino’s customer support for an explanation.

Avoid wagering requirements?

As people really don’t like wager requirements, there are a few ways that casinos allow you to avoid them altogether. One way that is quite drastic is to not take an offer at all. Instead, you will deposit and play with your own money only. Most bonuses are automatically activated as very few players don’t want them. Therefore, check with live chat how to make a deposit without getting the bonus first, if you want to.

However, there is a way to get the best of both worlds – a casino offer that doesn’t have any wager requirements! Perhaps due to the Gambling Commission’s stance on unfair terms in recent years, there have been more platforms in the UK scrapping wagering requirements for good. This means you can play with an offer and be paid out in real money straight away. View the best casino sites no wagering requirements to see your options. Yet, the vast majority of sites do still use wagering requirements. Therefore, if you want to play with a bonus, it’s going to be difficult to avoid them in the long run.

FAQ

A wagering requirement is how many times you need to bet a casino bonus before it can be withdrawn.

For example, you get a bonus of £50 that has a wagering requirement of x10. You would need to use the £50 bonus to place a series of bets until you had bet £500 overall (£50 x 10 = £500).

A casino will state whether you need to wager just the bonus amount or the deposit amount + bonus amount in their terms and conditions.

In almost all cases, a deposit + bonus wager requirement would be higher – so it’s very important to check this.

You need to use your bonus to place more bets until you have bet a certain amount overall. If this is managed, the wagering requirements will be completed – and the bonus money will then be converted into real money which is withdrawable.
Codes
No. You are playing casino games so you are relying on luck. We have a few tips and tricks on how to increase your chances within this guide.
All of them! You should always read the full terms and conditions of an offer so you know what the rules are.

If you don’t understand a term, check it with the casino’s customer support before playing. Otherwise, you may accidentally break a term which could result in your bonus being forfeited.


Free Online Slots – No Download Or Registration Required

Wheel Of Fortune

A staple of the Las Vegas Strip, now free to play online! In the Wheel of Fortune slot, you have 720 ways to win every spin. And two bonus games—the Mini Wheels and the Triple Extreme Spin—keep those multipliers rolling in. Try today!

Quick Hits Slot

The Quick Hits slot features FOUR bonus games for nonstop excitement. You might’ve seen this one at Bally’s Las Vegas, where it’s made instant millionaires. Now you can get in on all the action from the comfort of home. Get your quick fix of Quick Hits today!

Cleopatra

One of the most exciting rulers of Ancient Egypt is the inspiration behind one of the casino’s most iconic games: the Cleopatra Slot. It’s no coincidence that she’s the most powerful symbol in the game, triggering the bonus feature that delivers tons of coins. Try for free today!

Best Slot To Wager Bonus Games

Golden Wolves

The American wildlife never looked so good – or paid out so well! Venture into the world of wolves, moose, eagles, and rams in the hopes of triggering an avalanche of gold coins. The Golden Wolves slot is ready to take you on an adventure for free today.

Michael Jackson

Moonwalk Wilds. “Beat It” and “Smooth Criminal” free games. Music and symbols that celebrate Michael “The King of Pop” Jackson. This free online slot really is all about its namesake. So it doesn’t matter if you’re black or white, give this slot a try today!

Monopoly Slot

With game pieces and the Monopoly Man himself making up the symbols, this is the perfect mix of excitement and nostalgia. The Monopoly Mega Movers Slot is free to play online, so be sure to activate the extra bet! Ready to roll? Do pass go and try today!

Divine Fortune Slot

This Greek Mythology themed slot invites you to climb aboard Pegasus and take Mount Olympus for all its fortunes. When the Wild Symbol appears, it triggers the Falling Wild Re-Spins – and that’s on top of the Free Spins Bonus Feature. Give this one a try today!

Triple Red Hot 777 Slot

Three reels and five variable paylines make the Triple Red Hot 777 slot a true classic. When you trigger the bonus game, you’re taken to a new set of reels surrounded by psychedelic fire – that multiplies wins from 2x to 7x. Go on a hot streak for free today!

Da Vinci Diamonds Slot

You don’t need to visit Europe to immerse yourself in fine art – you can just play the DaVinci Diamonds slot! On top of the Mona Lisa and other Renaissance paintings, you’re surrounded by jewels, and all of it can trigger massive wins. Enjoy for free today!

Lobstermania 2 Slot

Best Slot To Wager Bonus

The traps are set, now it’s time to pull in those wins like you’re Lucky Larry himself. This slot is like a staycation, with a beach setting and three jackpots, including the motherlode! Hit the ocean and start chasin’ crustacean in Lobstermania 2 for free today.

Best Slot To Wager Bonus

Above, you’ll find a selection of free slots that you’ll likely recognize if you’ve ever been to the Las Vegas Strip.

These are the tried-and-true favorites. From Monopoly to Cleopatra, these are loved at both online and land-based casinos for their exciting gameplay, unique themes, and incredible winning potential.

Best slot to wager bonus video poker

Playing free slots online is one of the best ways to try out these popular titles and practice your strategy. Many players also enjoy free play to relax and experience casino fun risk-free.

Where To Play Online Slots?

Free Slot Machines

The fastest and easiest way to play online slots is to find free slot machines. Of course, this page features 10 of the best free online slot machines that you can enjoy right now.

But this isn’t the only site that hosts free slot machines. Thousands of sites host a free version of some of the most popular titles in the world. In fact, if there’s a slot you played at a casino that you’d like to revisit, a simple web search would likely pull up the free version.

You can play free slots via your desktop or mobile browser. These streaming versions of the game require nothing more than a click, and you can start playing. Another option is to play free slots apps, and many exist in both Apple’s App Store and the Google Play store for Android.

The reason people play free slot machines is for a variety of reasons. The most common is simply for entertainment. Like some would play mobile games like Candy Crush or Words with Friends, fans of slot machines like to play the free versions every now and again.

Another good reason is to practice on the free version and take what you learn to the paid version. The goal is to get more wins or improve your Return to Player (RTP).

Legal Online Casinos

Legal online casinos with paid slots only exist in a few US states:

  • Delaware

After recent changes in legislation, online casinos will soon launch in Michigan. If you’re not physically located in one of those states, playing real-money online slots is technically breaking the law. At the very least, the online casino operators are violating the law by offering their games to people in the state.

However, the consistent introduction of online gambling legislation in states across the country means that list may grow beyond these five states in the future.

In states where online casinos are legal, you can deposit money, bet on the slots, and withdraw any winnings. Like the brick-and-mortar casinos, the most popular slots at the online casinos have progressive jackpots, which can grow to over a million dollars.

You can also play any of the slots at online casinos for free in “demo mode,” where you’re using practice credits instead of real money. You can often do this before you even create an account.

Sweepstakes Casinos – Slots For Cash Prizes

In all of the US except for the State of Washington, you can legally play at sweepstakes casinos, a category of social gaming that also includes online poker and sports picks. This is a great option in states like California, Florida, and Texas, where real money online casinos are prohibited.

The two main sweepstakes casinos are Chumba Casino and LuckyLand. Both offer a large selection of slots that you can play for two different types of currencies: Gold Coins or Sweeps Coins.

Gold Coins are used simply for fun and can’t be redeemed for a cash prize or gift card. However, you can also play in Sweeps Coins. Any Sweeps Coins that you win can be redeemed for cash prizes or gift cards. You just need to have the minimum number of won Sweeps Coins before you can redeem.

To receive Gold Coins and Sweeps Coins, no purchase is required. Once you join, you’re given both types of coins for free to play with. You can also purchase additional Gold Coins. Some Gold Coin packages of include Sweeps Coins.

Check this out to learn more about How To Play Sweepstakes Casinos.

How To Play Slots For Fun Online

Playing free online slots is the same as playing paid online slots, minus the need to deposit any money or even create an account. That’s why playing slots for fun online is free in every US state, including the State of Washington.

You can play any type of slot for free. This includes classic three-reel slots as well as 3D five-reel slots with immersive bonus games and other special features.

The gameplay, including the odds of winning, is the exact same between the free slots and the paid slots. However, if the slot normally has a progressive jackpot, that will be absent from the free version.

Do you need to sign up or deposit to play free online slots?

No. And, in most cases, there’s no way to create an account much less make a deposit.

However, some land-based casino websites, which do offer player accounts, have free online slots on their website. This came into even more prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Can you win playing free online slots?

Yes. Just like in the paid version, you can win without limits on the free online slots. But what you win is additional freeplay credits, and refreshing the web browser will reset your bankroll.

How Do Slots Work?

Slots are by far the most popular casino game for a few key reasons:

  • Huge winning potential
  • The option to play for low or high stakes
  • The gameplay is extremely simple

Once you know the basics of slots, you’ll be able to play any type that you’ll come across. While each title can seem wildly different, they all work in fundamentally the same way.

The object of a slot machine is for a winning combination of symbols to appear when the reels stop. This is true whether it’s a three-reel or a five-reel slot.

Setting Paylines

A winning combination of symbols is based on paylines that run across the reels. A slot can have as few as five paylines or over a hundred.

Usually, the symbol combinations are left to right across the paylines, and each payline can win independently. That means the more paylines you play, the higher your chances of scoring a payout.

In slots, wins are multipliers, not set amounts. So if you’re playing a slot with 25 paylines and your total wager is $5.00, each payline would have a value of $0.20. If one scored a 100x multiplier, you’d win $20.

To play all paylines for the highest possible value, you can select “Max Bet.”

Should You Always Do Max Bet?

No. You should always play with however much you’re able to lose.

However, playing max bet does two things: gives you the best chance of winning the highest possible prizes.

Further, you may need to play Max Bet to qualify for certain prizes, including the progressive jackpot. Check the rules of the specific slot to make sure.

Slot Payback (AKA Return to Player)

A slot’s payback is how much a player can expect to keep of their bankroll based on the average net wins. This is also known as Return to Player (RTP). A high slot payback is 90% or higher, and a low slot payback is 70%.

No slot has an average lifetime payback that’s equal to or greater than 100%. However, some players seek out the games with the highest RTP to ensure the highest chances of regular wins. Others prefer the longshot slots, which have the lowest RTP but normally the highest potential prizes.

Bonus Features

A slot’s biggest selling point aside from the jackpot, RTP, and overall theme are the bonus features. These are usually triggered when three or more “scatter” symbols appear on the reels. You then have the opportunity to win more money, either through free spins, a minigame, or selecting a hidden prize.

Wild Symbols

The Wild symbol usually best matches the theme of the game. For example, Cleopatra is the Wild symbol in the Cleopatra slot.

Wild symbols can take the place of any other symbol aside from the scatter (and possibly other specialty symbols) to create winning combinations. Five wild symbols will often trigger the top prize fixed jackpot.

Progressive Jackpot Slots

When a slot has a progressive jackpot, it means a portion of every bet placed by everyone playing the slot contributes to a running total. The total progressive jackpot continues to increase as people play until it’s won by a lucky player, then it’s reset and starts again.

How to win a progressive jackpot depends on the slot. In some cases, it’s simply randomly awarded at the end of a spin, and you may need to “Bet Max” to qualify. Others will involve a bonus game.

Different Types Of Slot Machines

Because slots are always innovating, it’s difficult to create a list of the different types. Instead, let’s look at the key factors that separate one slot from another.

Number Of Reels

Three-reel slots are usually the simplest, where one payline runs across a maximum of three symbols.

Five-reel slots are the most common and can range from a handful of paylines to 743 All-Ways-Pays slots, which covers every possible combination of symbols going up and down and left to right across the reels.

Four-reel, six-reel, seven-reel, and other slots are pretty much nonexistent in physical casinos but you can find some online relatively easily.

Video Vs. 3D Slots

Video slots are the most common form of five-reel slots and often feature bonus and free spin features. 3D slots are the same, except they use 3D animation and graphics whereas video slots use 2D.

Denominations

Penny slots earned their name by allowing players to bet with just $0.01. But some slots can cost a minimum of $1.00 per spin, and betting the max can make your overall wager climb to as high as $125 or more.

Volatility

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When a slot is labeled low volatility, it means it pays out low wins regularly. When it’s labeled high volatility, it means you’ll often go for several spins without winning, but the winning streaks are often larger when they do come.

Coin Play Vs. Paylines

Coin play means you’re simply setting the coin value that applies to the multiplier wins. Some variations, called Buy-Your-Pay Slots, won’t allow you to win certain amounts or activate certain features unless you increase your coin value.

Paylines are either fixed or variable. For both, you set the value of each individual payline, and multiplier wins apply to that payline. But with variable paylines, you can set the number of lines you want to play as well as their value. With fixed paylines, you automatically play all of them.

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Brick-And-Mortar Casinos

The most common place to play slots is at a land-based casino. In most states, casinos are either commercially operated or tribal-owned and located on Native American lands.

The ten states that do not have any land-based casinos are:

  • Alaska
  • Hawaii
  • Georgia
  • Utah
  • Nebraska
  • Kentucky
  • South Carolina
  • Virginia
  • Vermont

The highest concentration of casinos and slot machines in the United States can be found in Las Vegas, Nevada. And not only that, it’s also where you can find the largest jackpots of all time. In fact, the top six biggest casino wins ever were all on Vegas slots.

Another major hotspot is Atlantic City, New Jersey, where several casinos operate in close proximity. But if you live in the continental United States, there’s a good chance that there’s a casino with over a hundred slot machines within driving distance.

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Why are slots the most popular game at the casino?

Slots can make up 75% or more of a casino’s total gambling revenue. That means the rest comes from all table games and poker tables combined. Why? Because slots are fun, attractive, and can turn relatively low wagers into multi-million-dollar payouts.

The Most Popular Slots Offer The Highest Payouts

It should come as no surprise that the easiest way to get people to play a slot is by offering an enormous potential jackpot.

Enter the slots area of a Las Vegas casino, and you’ll find dozens of options with a top prize that can be well into the millions. All it takes is one single spin to win it all. That’s hard to resist.

So it’s no wonder that the progressive jackpots are the most popular. The most talked-about usually is.

Free Online Slots FAQ

Yes. No matter where you’re located in the US, it is completely legal to play free slots online.

Because you’re playing with demo credits rather than real money, it’s not considered gambling. And if you download a free slots mobile app, you don’t even need an internet connection to play.

Yes, you can win real money playing slots online. However, you’ll need to be in one of the three states (DE, NJ, and PA) where it’s legal to win money legally. Michigan and West Virginia will soon offer legal online gambling as well.

To win cash prizes, anyone located in the US (except for the State of Washington) can legally play at sweepstakes casinos, which have a wide range of online slot machines.

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You can also play free slots using demo credits that cannot be redeemed for prizes right here at bonus.com and elsewhere.

Do I have to sign up or register to play free slot games online?

No. You do not need to create an account to play free slot games online. Even if you’re playing in demo mode at an online casino, you can often simply go to the site and select “play for fun.” Only online casinos and sweepstakes casinos require signup to play.

Do I need to download an app to play free slots?

No. You do not need to download anything to play free online slots. The titles are instantly available directly through your web browser. However, there are a number of free slots on your phone whether on your Android or iOS device.

Can I play popular Las Vegas slots online for free?

Yes. Most of the popular Las Vegas slots are available to play for free online. That’s because a lot of the gaming software developers provide their titles to both brick-and-mortar casinos as well as online casinos. Plus, the demand for the most popular options make them particularly readily available.

Yes. Because you do not have to create an account, you’re not providing any of your personal information. Unsafe slots are those run by illegal online casinos that take your payment information. Free slots are always completely safe simply because they don’t accept real money.

The benefits of playing free slots include:

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  • The ability to play simply for the fun of it.
  • Testing a game to see if you like it.
  • Practicing strategy before risking real money.
  • Placing huge bets that you otherwise wouldn’t want to do.