No Deposit vs. Low Deposit Bonuses - What's the Difference?

No Deposit vs. Low Deposit Bonuses - What's the Difference?

7 min

Starting your online casino journey can be confusing, especially when deciding between no deposit and low deposit bonuses.

Did you know that 50% of new players choose no deposit bonuses to try out games without spending their own money?

At CasinoAlpha, with our 8 years of experience in the gambling market, we understand the importance of making smart bonus choices. Redeeming a low deposit bonus without prior experience can sometimes lead to unnecessary losses, while a no-deposit bonus offers a safer way to begin. In this guide, we’ll break down the differences between no deposit and low deposit bonuses, helping you decide which option is best for your gambling journey.

The Key Difference: Play Without Pay

The main difference, as you may be able to tell, is that no deposit bonuses do not require any transactions in order for players to possess some sort of bonus, be it free spins or no deposit money. These top bonuses are usually granted on registration, with or without a KYC requirement, and, most of the time consist of batches of 20 to 30 free spins.

So, in short, you get to play the best online pokies without paying.

What’s the Deal With No Deposit Bonuses?

No deposit bonuses are a type of casino promotion which can be unlocked upon registration, with or without some sort of account verification (KYC, phone verification or even card verification). Most casinos have no deposit offers, Bluechip Casino and Vasy Casino have such promotions.

A slight difference between no-deposit and low-deposit bonuses is that the latter comes with deposit match-up bonuses, free spins on deposit, and even cashback. It’s very rare for a casino to offer a no-deposit bonus consisting of cashback or match-up bonuses.

Low Deposit Bonuses: Analysis

As opposed to no-deposit bonuses, low-deposit offers require a minimum deposit for players to be granted any type of bonus. You may be asking yourself, what is considered a low deposit amount? Any sum below 10 dollars is considered a low-deposit casino offer.

To better exemplify low deposit bonuses, you may check out Playdingo Casino or 77Spins Casino, which frequently offer low deposit bonuses.

No Deposit and Low Deposit Bonuses: Key Terms and Conditions

Term No Deposit Bonus Low Deposit Bonus
Deposit Required None Small deposit required, usually $10 – $20
Bonus Amount Small, $5 – $20 usually Larger, around 100% – 200% match up to $100 – $500
Wagering Requirements Very high, usually 40x – 70x High, around 30x – 50x
Games Allowed Usually just slots More games allowed including slots, video poker, roulette etc
Max Cashout Very low, around $100 Higher, $500 – $2,000
Time Limit Short, 24 – 48 hours usually Longer, 1 week – 1 month
Eligible Games New players only New players and sometimes existing players
Withdrawal Rules Bonus only, no withdrawals until wagering met Can withdraw winnings from deposit, bonus require wagering

As a player at an online casino, it is your duty to look for and fully understand the terms and conditions of a particular bonus. That way you avoid any necessary confusion and rule out potential bonus abuse.

What Types of No Deposit Bonuses Are There?

Since we’ve got the definition of a no-deposit bonus, we shall move on to the types of bonuses which don’t require a deposit, as well as exemplify our best casino choices and bonus offers.

Free Spins No Deposit Bonuses

Free spins with no deposit requirements are the most common type of bonuses on the market, especially appreciated by new players just joining. These usually come in batches of 20 spins or 30 free spins, though some casinos went beyond, giving out bonuses with 50 free spins.

When it comes to examples, we can’t help but name our best choices of casino sites with no deposit free spins bonuses, which include Katsubet Casino, 7Bit Casino and FreeSpino Casino.

No Deposit Money

Real money with no deposit bonuses are quite special, and rare at that. These are bonuses granted as bonus cash, available on a limited amount of games, or with no game limitations whatsoever. If you’re lucky to find a no-deposit money bonus with no wagering requirements, then that is a good combo, especially for new casino gamblers. Casinos such as Spin Casino and JackpotCity Casinos are great for new and seasoned players alike, with $20 no-deposit money being quite a frequent bonus.

Free Spins No Deposit Mobile Bonuses

You can take advantage of the best mobile casino no deposit bonus offers and enjoy a seamless gaming experience on your mobile.

Top Low Deposit Casino Bonuses You Should Look Into

Say you do have the funds and want to redeem your first low-deposit bonus. Starting low is a good strategy if it’s your first time playing at a new online casino, so make sure to redeem a no-deposit bonus before making a deposit.

$1 and $5 Deposit Bonuses

As mentioned previously, any deposit requirement below $10 is considered low. Therefore, we can call 1-dollar and 5-dollar bonuses as having a very low deposit attached. You may check out casinos such as CasiGO Casino, Captain Spins or Loot Casino for plenty of examples of bonuses with a minimum deposit prerequisite.

Welcome Bonuses

Low deposit bonuses unlock all sorts of bonuses, including welcome packages and bonuses. Upon making a first deposit, you may have the option between match-up bonuses of 200% deposit bonus, 300% deposit bonus or even 400% deposit offer, alongside a hefty batch of free spins, depending on the type of welcome bonus you picked. Unlike no deposit bonuses, you may use the bonus you get on live casino games, if that’s the type of gaming experience you’re looking for.

CasinoAlpha’s Online Casino Game Suggestion: Mega Moolah

Mega Moolah is our pick for the best game to play with no deposit bonuses as well as low deposit bonuses, for many reasons. First off, this casino game is a progressive slot, and using free spins or deposit bonuses on it increases your chances of seeing a profit.

One crucial reason why we recommend Mega Moolah is the existence of plenty of casinos which have designated bonuses for it. If you were meaning to play this game, but didn’t know what casinos offer such promotions, fret not. An easy way of finding Mega Moolah free spins bonuses is checking out the Casino Rewards network since most casinos offer special bonuses. We would like to mention the following casinos:

How Are No Deposit and Low Deposit Bonuses Similar?

We’ve observed how these bonuses are different: one requires players to deposit bonus money or free spins, and the other grants bonuses without any requirements. But how are they similar? Well, both of them target new players, who don’t have much experience in the field. No-deposit bonus offers are crucial when starting out since you don’t have to worry about spending money on a game or casino you don’t know much about.

In the same manner, low wagering bonuses, though they do require you to make a payment, should not be an issue for newcomers. More often than not, minimum deposit bonuses are of a higher value, which balances out the initial deposit amount. What’s more, you’re likely to win that minimum deposit back once you play casino games with that offer.

Closing Thoughts: Which Should You Choose?

Here at CasinoAlpha we always recommend no deposit bonuses, since it rids you of additional worry regarding spending any pocket money. Moreover, we encourage this practice as it gives players a feel of a particular casino with no strings attached. Low deposit bonuses are still a good alternative, should you feel confident enough to start depositing.

Authors
Adela Mariuta
AuthorAdela MariutaAuthor & Editor at CasinoAlpha

Adela enjoys exploring the in-depths of the gambling industry and gathering essential insights to provide useful guides and casino reviews meant to help players throughout their online gambling journey. When she’s not venturing into the casino gambling world, she likes taking long drives and listening to old-school music tunes.

Adina Minculescu
ReviewerAdina MinculescuSenior Author & Editor at CasinoAlpha

Adina’s analytical way of thinking is what casino players need to understand the casino market. With her expertise in this niche combined with her intensive studies in linguistic typology and hermeneutics, she will provide you with the essential help to make informed decisions. Trust her to be your trustworthy guide!