What Are Free Spins and How to Use Them to Win Real Money in Online Casinos

What Are Free Spins and How to Use Them to Win Real Money in Online Casinos

The majority of newcomers have come across this term, but not everyone is aware of its meaning. Free Spins (FS) is a transliteration of the English phrase "free spins", which literally means "free rotations". They are among the casino bonus categories where a player is able to spin slots without risking their money — still with a possible cash win. These bonuses can be found at what would be referred to in colloquial terms as a free spins casino, where players can take advantage of offers for free spin on slots.

Free spins also carry a fixed denomination. That is, if it is placed at $1, then each free spin will be the same amount. It can't be changed — this type of bonus can't be modified.

It is easy to place free spins. You just need to turn them on in the promotion section or your own account at the casino after you are awarded them, and then play. One point to remember: with some promotions, free spins will only work on specific slots. If the spin is a win, the player receives a net win — i.e., the winnings minus the set bet. If it is a loss, the player loses nothing, as they didn't risk their own funds.

Wagering Requirements for Free Spins

Wagering conditions are a compulsory term you can locate on pretty much every online casino bonus, including free spins. They indicate the number of times you must play the bonus before you can withdraw bonus money in real cash.

For example, if a bonus has a 35x wagering condition and you were awarded 50 free spins, each with a value of $0.10, that implies the bonus value is 50 × 0.10 = $5.

But the wagering requirements always attach not on this initial amount, but on the total wins off your free spins. So if you win $10 in total from all the spins, you would need to bet more before you can cash out. Reasonable enough — online casinos can offer you free bonuses, but they don't want to lose on them.

In general terms, free spin wagering conditions are pretty standard for most online casinos. You should take them seriously in advance, so you can utilize the bonus in the best way possible.

Just bear in mind that not all games are equally valued when it comes to payment towards wagering conditions. Although the slot machine usually pays 100% towards wagering conditions, roulette or blackjack could pay just 10% or 20% per bet.

Types of Free Spins

There are several hundred, and even thousands, of free spins offers in web casinos — and they're not all equal. 

That's why it's worth knowing about the most common forms of free spins. Then you'll be able to utilize promotions that offer the best opportunity to turn bonus money into winnings.

These are the most common forms of free spins you'll come across when playing online:

  • No Deposit Free Spins – This is the most enticing bonus type, as you do not have to deposit any money in order to play it. It usually consists of a small number of spins and is offered on some of the best slot games on the website.
  • Deposit Free Spins – Unlike the above type, this offer awards you a predetermined number of free spins only after you deposit in an online casino. Since you're paying for them, these offers often have fewer limits attached.
  • No Wager Free Spins – A more recent bonus variant, this offer removes the wagering requirement from the offer. This is more convenient, as you don't need to fulfill any terms to receive your full winnings. This type of bonus is nonetheless still not common among online casinos.

Ideally, of course, you'd like to wager no-deposit, no-bet free spins. They are rare, but with a little perseverance, you should find a couple of online casinos that offer them.

Can You Win Real Money using Free Spins?

With everything mentioned in this article, what are the odds of actually cashing out real money playing using free spins?

The moral: sure, it is possible to win actual money playing slots with free spin bonuses. They're ideal for topping up your account without risking your own money — or, at least, putting down small amounts.

Free spin bonuses are also largely intended to introduce you to the thrill of playing at one casino website.

Seize this opportunity to research gaming sites and see if they carry any of your favorite games besides slots — say, baccarat or craps. Then you'll know what to expect — and even stand a chance at winning real cash with minimal or no risk.