Free Spins – Your Definitive Guide
19 min
If you’re already a fan of casino games or you are just about to start exploring them, our free spins guide will cover everything you need to know. We’ll show you the ins and outs of free spins in the most comprehensive and easy to understand way.
What you’ll find in this article
- What are free spins?
- The types of free spins
- Best slots to play free spins
- How to get free spins
- How to use your free spins
- How to pick the best offer
- The benefit of playing with free spins
- Things to keep in mind
- Wagering requirements
- Play slots with free spins at Betsson
- Free spins FAQs
What are free spins?
Free spins are free rounds on slot machines which you can use to try out a new online casino game or enjoy your favourite video slot without spending any of your own money. Some casinos refer to them as cash spins, wager-free spins, no deposit/no wager free spins so it’s important that you know the difference between them. The cash and wager type won’t require you to add funds to your account while the other two types will.
Once they’re available to you, just click on ‘spin’ to play without being charged a penny. The stake of each free round can vary from as little as few pennies to up to £1 or more. If you trigger them in-game, then the stake of each spin is identical to the value set in your main game round.
Also, depending on which slot you play, the number of spins that you can get will vary. Starting from 5 spins to up to 20 or 30 free spins and even more. So, if you’re looking for slots that offer more free rounds, be sure to check before you play.
The types of free spins
In online casinos, you can find different variants of free spins, each with their own pros and cons, which we’ll explain below. This way, you can choose what offer will work best for you.
Welcome bonus free spins
One of the popular ways to get free rounds is during registration. Offering free rounds on sign-up or on first deposit together with a welcome bonus can attract many new players. It’s a safe way to familiarise yourself with slot machines. Just make sure that the offer meets your expectations in terms of your preferences and bankroll, and remember that the free rounds are only offered on a specific number of slots selected by the casino.
| Pros | Cons |
| Often an add-on to your welcome bonus | Only available for new players after registration and can require a deposit |
| You can try different slots for free | Usually, the value of each spin is small |
| Claiming them is relatively easy | Limited to a particular set of slots determined by the casino |
No deposit free spins
One of the best options that you can find in an online casino are no deposit spins. As the name suggests, playing free rounds doesn’t require any exchange of cash from your end. If you come across this type of offer, simply log in, or sign up if you are a new player, and they’ll automatically be added to your account.
| Pros | Cons |
| Deposit is not needed | Usually the value of each spin is smaller |
| You can try different slots without any commitment | Sometimes they can have a winning cap meaning that you will not be able to win more than the set maximum amount |
| Claiming them is quite straightforward | Might be restricted to only specific groups of players |
Deposit free spins
Deposit free rounds are the most common option you’ll come across. Naturally, they’re offered once you make a deposit and are usually linked to a new game release or the most popular slot, or selection of slots, in a casino.
If you want to stay up-to-date with a casino’s offers, make sure that you have opted-in to receive great deals via email, SMS, or on-site message.
| Pros | Cons |
| Could receive higher value spins, depending on the offer | Deposit is needed |
| You can get a larger amount of spins | Limited to one or a set of games |
| Available to new and existing players | Not available in every online casino |
In-game free spins
Once you are playing a slot game, you can easily obtain free rounds. These are triggered when you hit the scatter symbols or as part of a bonus game. The stake of in-game free rounds is the same as the stake chosen for the main game round. For example, if you have been playing a slot with a £1 bet size, the free rounds will have the same £1 stake.
Alternatively, you can choose to buy free rounds which is a possibility in some Megaways™ slots.
| Pros | Cons |
| There are no limits on how often you can trigger free rounds during gameplay | Require a deposit before you can start playings will be triggered |
| Gives you the possibility of enhancing your winnings | There is no guarantee that in-game spins will be triggered |
| You can select the game you want to play | Your winnings are influenced by the stake of the main game round |
Best slots to play free spins
| Bonanza Game provider: Big Time Gaming RTP: 96.00% Reels: 6 Ways-to-win: 117,649 Get 4 GOLD scatters for 12 free spins with an unlimited win-multiplier and the opportunity for respins | Vikings Go Berzerk Game provider: Yggdrasil RTP: 96.10% Reels: 5 Paylines: 25 Get 3 or more scatters for up to 21 free spins with 1 of 4 random bonus features |
| Moon Princess Game provider: Play’n Go RTP: 96.50% Reels: 5 Paylines: 1 Clear the grid for up to 20 free spins with your choice of 1 of 3 Girl Power features | Dead or Alive Game provider: NetEnt RTP: 96.80% Reels: 5 Paylines: 9 Land 3 or more scatters 12 free spins with 2x multiplier and the chance for respins with sticky wilds |
| Immortal Romance Game provider: Microgaming RTP: 96.86% Reels: 5 Ways-to-win: 243 Get 3 or more scatters for The Chamber of Spins feature up to 25 free spins with special features | Mystery Joker Game provider: Play’n Go RTP: 96.98% Reels: 3 Paylines: 5 Land 3 Mystery Joker scatters for 10 free games with the chance to retrigger up to 50 more spins |
| Blood Suckers Game provider: NetEnt RTP: 98.00% Reels: 5 Paylines: 25 3 or more bride scatters trigger 10 free spins with a 3x multiplier | Divine Fortune Game provider: NetEnt RTP: 96.6% Jackpot type: Local-progressive Reels: 5 Paylines: 20 At least 3 scatters trigger up to 12 free turns with expanding wilds |
| Viking Runecraft Game provider: Play’n Go RTP: 96.70% Layout: 7×7 grid Paylines: 1 (fixed) Fill up the Charge of Destruction meter for free spins with 1 of 4 Charge of Destruction features on non-winning spins | Piggy Riches Game provider: NetEnt RTP: 95.8%-96.4% Reels: 5 Paylines: 15 Get at least 3 scatters for up to 12 free games |
| Fruit Shop Game provider: NetEnt RTP: 96.71% Reels: 5 Paylines: 15 Matching fruit symbol wins trigger 1-5 free games with the chance to retrigger | Mega Moolah Game provider: Microgaming RTP: 88.12% – 96.98% Jackpot type: Multiple pooled-progressive Reels: 5 Paylines: 25 Land 3 or more monkey scatters for free games |
| Jack and the Beanstalk Game provider: NetEnt RTP: 96.30% Reels: 5 Paylines: 20 At least 3 chest scatters to trigger 10 free rounds with keys to collect on reel 5 that unlock special wilds | Coins of Egypt Game provider: NetEnt RTP: 96.97% Reels: 5 Paylines: 20 3 scatters for free spins where you collect coins in 3 chests. Landing 3 matching chest symbols ends the spins and awards the coins |
| Mega Fortune Dreams Game provider: NetEnt RTP: 94.40% Jackpot type: Multiple pooled-progressive Reels: 5 Paylines: 20 Land 3 or more scatters for up to 20 free spins | Extra Chilli Game provider: Big Time Gaming RTP: 96.15-96.82% Reels: 6 Ways-to-win: 117,649 Get 3 HOT scatters to trigger 8 free games with an unlimited win multiplier. Alternatively, you can buy into this feature game for 50x your stake. |
| Hall of Gods Game provider: NetEnt RTP: 95.3% Jackpot type: Multiple pooled-progressive Reels: 5 Paylines: 20 Get 3 or more scatters for up to 20 free games | Mega Fortune Game provider: NetEnt RTP: 96.60% Jackpot type: Multiple pooled-progressive Reels: 5 Paylines: 25 Land at least 3 scatters for free spins with a multiplier that can grow up to 5x |
| Golden Ticket Game provider: Play’n Go RTP: 96.73% Layout: 5×5 grid Paylines: 1 Spell out the word BONUS on the reels for up to 20 free rounds |
How to get free spins
There are a few ways that you can claim free rounds; namely:
… if you’re a new player
Many casinos, including Betsson, can give you free rounds when you register your account. Usually, the number of free rounds won’t be large, however, 10 spins are enough to try a slot or two and add to your balance.
Offers for new players can vary so keep an eye out for the following terms:
- “Free spins on sign up/ registration” – These types of offers give you free rounds once you create a new account and enter your details.
- “Free spins on card registration” – Free rounds are offered once you provide your card details upon registration. At this point, the deposit is not needed, and your card won’t be charged without your permission.
- “Free spins on deposit” – In some cases, you may need to add money to your account in order to receive free rounds. Such an offer is sometimes paired with extra bonus money too.
On each casino site, you can find promotions and daily deals which give you the possibility to get free rounds.
Another way to keep yourself updated with the latest offers is to subscribe to their communication channels. As soon as you opt in to receive these notifications via email, SMS, or on-site message, the casino will inform you about exclusive campaigns tailored to you.
It’s common for casinos to offer free rounds on new game releases and older slots alike. You can also take part in contest-based promotions where you can have few missions to win free rounds and try different games. On top of that, you can be part of the leaderboard where higher prizes are awarded.
Keep in mind that casinos like to reward loyal players. The longer your account is open and active, the more free spins you can get over time, especially once you become a part of their VIP program.
… if you’re playing a video slot
Aside from promotions, you can also get the free spins in most video slots. Usually, free rounds are triggered by a combination of scatter symbols on reels. These spins can be paired with multipliers and other features to give you a chance for greater winnings.
Remember that once you get your in-game free rounds, you can’t save them for later and won’t be able to use them on another slot either. Be sure to play them as soon as you get them.
How to use your free spins
The moment when you are awarded free rounds can be delightful. However, there’s a few things to consider before using them.
- If your free spins are available on a range of games, choose the slot that offers you a higher Return to Player (RTP) percentage. This way you can increase your chances for a better return from your free rounds.
- If you’re aiming to enter the free rounds feature in a slot it’s always good to keep an eye on the bet size. The higher the bet size, the higher the potential winnings and a higher probability to hit the winning combos.
- You don’t have to use your promotional free rounds in one go. You can play a few spins to see the outcome and then play through the rest later on as the remaining spins will be available in the game until the expiration date. So, keep in mind to always check the terms, to see how long your spins are valid for. Usually, it can be a few days like for example 5 days or longer up to 30 days.
- If you’re not sure if you’ll like the free spins feature in a specific game, you can always switch your slot to “play for fun” mode or use a Bonus Buy function. The first choice lets you try the game for free. Just spin until you reach the free rounds and see if you like it. If the game has a Bonus Buy feature, you can also choose to buy free rounds. Once you click on the “Buy”-button, you’ll see the price of the spins, which varies per slot, usually your stake multiplied by a set amount of times. Once you click to buy the spins, you’ll be brought right into the free round.
- Remember that free rounds come with terms and conditions that you should look over. Unless the casino states that the free rounds you’ve received are cash spins, wager-free spins or another variation, you will normally have to wager your potential free rounds winnings a certain number of times.
Once you know how they work, how to use them and what the wagering requirements are, you’ll be able to simply enjoy the extra level they add to your gameplay.
How to pick the best free spins offer
With so many offers available online, your choices are nearly endless. That is why we’ll go through all the aspects that are worth checking out before you choose the best offer for you.
The value of each spin
Generally, free spin offers aren’t too high in value. That is why the first thing to look at is the value of each free spin. You can expect that in most cases you’ll get free rounds in the slots that have the lowest possible bet. This can vary slightly among games, but usually, the lowest value lies between £0.05 and £0.10 per spin.
Keep in mind that the value of your free rounds reflect your potential winnings. The higher value of free rounds, the higher potential return to your balance. Unless the offer doesn’t specify the value of the spins, it’s always sensible to check the bet size of each spin by opening the game and looking at the bet size and coin value.
Maximum win
Some casino offers might come with a cap on any potential winnings.. A “win cap” simply means that there’s a set maximum cap on what you can potentially win from the free rounds. This max limit can vary from offer to offer. For example, the winning cap can be set to £200. If your winnings from free rounds exceed this amount and reach £300, only £200 will be credited to your balance.
There are also offers without any set winning cap. So, make sure you read the terms and conditions of each offer before claiming any.
Time limits
Another frequent practise is setting up a time limit for free spins offers. In most cases, you’ll have from 24 hours to up to 7 days to play your free rounds. As soon as the set time has expired, your free rounds will no longer be available on your casino account. Offers will normally not be prolonged, so, it’s always best to use your free rounds as soon as you get them and keep in mind the given time frame.
Other terms and conditions
Overall, one of the most important steps in selecting the best offer is to read the full terms and conditions. If you put a little effort at the beginning and choose your deal wisely, you’ll be able to just focus on enjoying your free rounds.
The benefit of playing with free spins
Free rounds are one of the favourite features among casino players around the globe and there are several reasons for that.
Possibility to win real money
You’ll be playing with awarded free credits, but you can still win real money. Additionally, each spin could potentially lead to big winnings which will be added up at the end of the free spins round and can add a boost to your bankroll.
No deposit required (sometimes)
Most offers will need you to make a deposit, or at least wager a set amount. From time to time, however, there might be some special offers in certain casinos that will give you free rounds without any spend from your side. This is a wonderful opportunity to try out different video-slots to find new favourites. Just keep in mind that most of these types of offers have wagering requirements on anything you win from the free rounds, so read the terms carefully.
Try out new games with no commitment
There are new games added to Betsson regularly, with new themes and even more exciting features. That of course can mean new and exciting free rounds features as well. When there’s free spin offers on new slots, this could be a good opportunity to try out different games and features to see if you can find new favourites.
Familiarise yourself with the games
If you’ve just started playing in a casino, mastering your skills and finding the features you like can take some time. Free rounds give you the possibility to practice your gameplay. As well as let you find out the slot or selections of slots that best fits your interests and preferences.
Things to keep in mind
There are a few more things to keep in mind before you start playing with free spins that we’ll cover in this section. So, keep reading to learn more!
Wagering requirements
Most, if not all, casinos can put wagering requirements on your winnings from free rounds.
What are wagering requirements?
The wagering condition simply means that you have to turn over any winnings from your free rounds a set number of times before you are able to withdraw them. Wagering requirements vary from offer to offer and depending on the casino. Normally, they’ll be set to 15x or 25x.
Checking the wagering amount
Calculating the wagering requirement is easy. For example: if you win £20 and the wagering requirements are set to 35x, then you just have to multiply those two numbers:
£20 x 35 = £700
After playing for the minimum £700 also known as “turning over” or “wagering”, you’ll be able to transfer your winnings to your bank account.
Checking your wagering progress
In most of the casinos, you can find your wagering progress from any free spins wins once you log in to your account on the active bonuses page.
The same applies to the wagering progress for Betsson free spins. After logging in, just click on the small person icon and go to ‘Bonuses’ page on mobile. On the desktop click on your name and go to the Bonuses tab there. Under the Active Bonuses, you will be able to see the progress bar assigned to your free rounds winnings.
Note that in the UK, free rounds can’t have any wagering requirements on them, and have to pay out cash, not bonus money due to the regulations in Great Britain.
Play slots with free spins at Betsson
With your new-found knowledge of free spins, what to look out for and more, sign up to our online casino or login to start playing when you’re ready!
Free spins FAQs
Where do I find the wagering requirement?
Just simply log in to your Betsson account and click on the little person icon, if you’re on mobile, or on your name, if you’re on desktop. From the list choose the ‘Bonuses’ tab on mobile or ‘My Account’ tab on desktop and then scroll down to the Bonuses Page. There you can find all bonuses that you can claim or are already active. You can then find the wagering requirements on the progress bar on the list of active bonuses.
Which games let me play free spins?
We offer a wide selection of video-slots where you can play free rounds. From the classic games such as Gonzo’s Quest to more popular titles lately like Vikings Go Berzerk, Bonanza, Dead or Alive and Immortal Romance to name a few.
We also launch new slots every month, and special free spins promotions for you to try out slots you might not have played before.
Are there any games I can’t wager my winnings on?
Even though there are a large number of slots that you can play the winnings from free rounds or bonuses on, there are some games that don’t allow wagering of bonuses or winnings. Please be mindful of these slots if you’re playing with bonus money, as the wagering won’t be reflected on your bonus progress bar.
Some of the games that don’t contribute to your bonus wagering requirements are: 1429 Uncharted Seas, Blood Suckers, Castle Builder, Castle Builder 2, Dead or Alive, Eggomatic, Epic Gems, Eye of the Kraken, Pearls of India, Scrooge, Sea Hunter, The Wish Master, Tower Quest, Wizard Shop, Koi Princess, Robin Hood: Shifting Riches and Secrets of Atlantis. See the full list or any changes here.
Make sure to always check the terms and conditions to see if there are other games excluded from your specific bonus.
How do I check how many free spins are left?
If you get your bonus rounds while playing on a slot, the free rounds will be automatically activated, and you will be able to see their amount on the screen. Once you complete all free rounds, the winnings will be added to your balance.
Checking how many welcome offer or promotion free spins you have left differs between game providers and is best illustrated through an example. Say you receive 10 spins to play on 5 NetEnt slots as part of a campaign. You can choose to play the first 5 spins on one of the chosen slots and the remaining 5 on another. Each time you open one of the selected NetEnt slots, you’ll be met with a pop-up notifying you of any remaining spins you have available on that game. Do keep in mind that each free spin offer has its expiration date – usually, between 24 hours or up to a few days – so be sure to play them before that time lapses.
Can I cash out or transfer my free spins?
There is no possibility to cash out or transfer your free rounds. Their use is defined in the terms and conditions of the respective casino. Once your free rounds expire, you won’t be able to play them on any video slots.
What happens if I don’t win anything?
Keep in mind that each spin is randomly generated. This also applies to free rounds. There’s an opportunity to win with each free round but no win is guaranteed.
How do I know whether free spins are fair?
We always recommend playing in fully licenced casinos. In those casinos, all games use the Random Number Generator (RNG). This technology allows each spin to be randomly generated and as a result, each game is fair and fully independent from each other.
