Free Spins are inextricably linked to gambling at an online casino and the Japanese are one of the biggest gamblers. The search term like ギャンブル 日本, which mean gambling in Japan, will drive you thousands of websites. However, you don’t have to be Japanese to read this article. It’s for everyone that wants to learn more about free spins, how it works, and how to select the best!
There are two types of Free Spins. The most important one is the completely free playing rounds made available by an online casino as a casino bonus (オンラインカジノ ボーナス). This article is for the most part dedicated to these types of attractive offers.
There are also free spins that you can win by playing on an online slot machine, usually called a video slot these days. This is then ‘a game within the game’ with which you can often win nice extra cash prizes. We’ll start with these free spins and then explain all about free spins as a bonus.
Moreover, if you still want to explore the world of free spins more and desire to know the Japanese’s experience, we suggest you visit here.
Free Spins in video slots
Free Spins in video slots are so-called ‘special game features’ built into the game to make it even more exciting. You’re awarded free spins when a certain combination of symbols, usually called ‘Scatters’, appear on the reels. Typically, three or more must fall anywhere on the reels to trigger the Free Spins. The number of free spins you may play also sometimes depends on the number of Scatters that appeared on the reels.
In addition to costing nothing, the free play rounds in the Free Spins mode can have other perks attached to them. For example, during the free spins, you can often win bigger cash prizes than in the main game, for example with the help of multipliers. In that case, the prizes won from each free play round are multiplied by a certain factor.
It is also sometimes possible to win additional free spins during the Free Spins mode. These additional free spins are then added to the Free Spins already won. There are online slot games where the free spins seem to be infinite, possibly resulting in big winnings.
Video slots with a built-in Free Spins mode are favorites among many players because of the tension-boosting effect of this game feature.
Free Spins and re-spins: the difference
Some video slots have a special game feature so-called ‘re-spins. Re-spins are basically the same as Free Spins. They are also free spins, awarded after a certain combination of symbols on the reels. However, they consist of a single free play round in the main game, instead of a separate ‘game mode’ with multiple free spins.
The re-spins in video slot Starburst
A good example of re-spins can be found in the extremely popular online slot machine Starburst. Video slot Starburst is characterized by so-called ‘Starburst Wilds’, symbols that can replace other symbols to create winning combinations. The Wilds can fall on the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th reels and are extended to cover the entire reel. If this happens then a free re-spin follows, during which the Wild symbol continues to ‘stick’ on the reels. This way you can reap nice winnings via the re-spin and the same Wild symbols again.
If another Wild symbol appears on the reels during the re-spin, another free re-spin also follows. In that case, both of the Starburst Wilds that appear will continue to stick and do their symbol substituting work. In the Starburst video slot, you can therefore receive up to three consecutive re-spins. If three of the five reels are completely covered with Wilds then a big win during the last re-spin is inevitable.
The ‘Expanding Starburst Wilds’ with re-spins make video slot Starburst one of the most played online slot machines in online casinos. Also, Starburst is widely used by casinos in promotional campaigns, with free play rounds on the game as an online casino bonus.
Free spins as online casino bonus
The second type of Free spin that you will encounter in online gaming halls is free-to-play rounds as a “casino bonus“. This is a package of free spins, usually made available by the casino on a selected video slot.
What different types of Free Spins bonuses exist?
Free Spin bonuses are issued by online casinos in a variety of ways. There are:
- Free Spins without deposit
- Free spins upon registration
- Free Spins with a reload bonus
- Free spins as a premium for loyal players
- Free play money upon registration
Free spins no deposit bonus (入金不要 ボーナス)
Free spins without deposit are exactly what the term implies: free rounds of play that don’t require you to deposit anything in advance. These Free Spins with no deposit are referred to as No Deposit Free Spins in many online casinos.
A bonus such as Free Spins with no deposit is usually given when you register as a new player at an online casino. In order to receive the free spins, you don’t have to do anything else but complete the registration process. One requirement may be that you first have to confirm your e-mail address by replying to an e-mail from the casino. Usually, you can start playing your free spins right after that.
By most online casinos, free spins without a deposit are only awarded to new players and as a first no-obligation introduction. Nevertheless, in some virtual gambling halls, existing, already registered players can also enjoy completely free spins on a regular basis. In some online casinos, for example, you can look forward to Free Spins no deposit at the launch of new slot machines. Players are thus invited to become familiar with the new slot machine at the casino for nothing and without risk.
Free spins upon registration
Free spins upon registration are part of the welcome bonus that you get from the casino as a new player. Such a casino welcome bonus looks like this, for example:
Receive 100% of your very first deposit up to 150 dollars in free bonus money, plus 100 free Free Spins on video slot Dead or Alive II
In order to claim this bonus, you need to deposit a minimum amount of money into your new casino account. In this case, the minimum deposit is 20 dollars, which the casino will increase by 100% up to 40 dollars. Immediately after depositing you will receive 20 free spins and then 20 free spins per day for the next four days.
Free Spins with a reload bonus
In many casinos, Free Spins are used as part of a so-called ‘reload bonus’. A reload bonus is an extra that casinos regularly give out to their players. It often concerns monthly or weekly recurring deposit bonuses with which you can claim, next to possible bonus money, a number of free spins. To be able to activate Free Spins belonging to a reload bonus a deposit of a minimum amount is required.
In addition to fixed times, online casinos often “spontaneously” treat their players to deposit bonuses with free game rounds attached. The casino usually informs you of these promotions in person, via e-mail, or text message.
Free spins as a premium for loyal players
Free spins packages can also be found in online casinos as a premium in their rewards program for loyal players. In most casinos your loyalty is rewarded through a points system, usually consisting of different levels. By playing at the casino you collect so-called ‘player points’ which you can then redeem for extra attractive bonus offers.
The more you play, the more points you earn and the higher your level becomes. The higher your level, the better the offers you can take advantage of. Free Spins are usually given at the lowest levels of the program and thus in exchange for relatively few player points.
Also, free spins obtained in a loyalty program often have more lenient bonus conditions attached to them than a regular bonus.
Free play money upon registration
Free money upon registration (also called “no deposit welcome bonus”) is not really a Free Spins bonus. The free money you get as a new player could be spent at the blackjack table, for example. In that case, the bonus doesn’t represent free spins in a literal sense, but rather free play rounds.
If you do want to spend the bonus on an online slot machine, then the advantage of free money at registration is that you can choose which slot machine that is. With a real free spins bonus, the casino usually determines on which game you can play the free spins.
The value of Free Spins
Except for ‘free play money’, bonus Free Spins are played with bets predetermined by the casino per free play round. Usually, this is the lowest possible bet: with the fewest coins per pay line and the lowest possible value per coin. However, there are also casinos that regularly treat their players to so-called ‘Super Spins’. These are free spins that are played with considerably higher bets and can therefore also yield higher winnings.
Terms and conditions of Free Spins bonuses
As with any online casino bonus or promotion, there are also terms and conditions attached to using Free Spins bonuses. The most common conditions that online casinos apply to these bonuses are:
The minimum deposit
In order to activate a Free Spins bonus, you almost always need to deposit a minimum amount into your casino account. Of course, this does not apply to free spins no deposit bonuses (入金 不要 ボーナス).
Free Spins win wagering requirement
The money you win with Free Spins has usually considered ‘bonus money’ which you then have to ‘unlock’. Releasing is done by wagering the amount won a number of times according to the ‘wagering requirement’ (also called ‘wagering condition’).
Suppose the wagering requirement of a bonus is, according to the bonus conditions, 35 x the profit, and you have won 100 dollars. Then you must first wager 35 x $ 100 = $ 3500 before your bonus winnings are converted into real, cashable money.
Time Limits
Often you can only make use of a Free Spins bonus at the casino during a certain period of time. The bonus terms may stipulate that you must deposit between certain times on a certain day in order to claim the bonus. Or the rule is that the free spins are only available for a certain number of days after activation of the bonus. Usually, you have to meet the wagering requirements of the bonus within a certain time frame in order to get your winnings paid out.
Payout limits
A limit on the payout of winnings is a bonus condition that is particularly used with Free Spins without a deposit. Even though you may have made huge winnings from your completely free spins, you only get paid out up to a certain maximum.
These bonus terms vary from casino to casino and also from promotional action to promotional action. It is therefore important to inform yourself in advance about the rules of a casino bonus. If you have any questions about bonus terms, please contact casino customer service. This ensures that you know exactly where you stand and prevents possible disappointment afterward.
What are the best Free Spin bonuses?
Free play money upon registration or Free Spins without a deposit is obviously the most popular bonus among casino players. What else is the best bonus depends on a combination of factors. The most ideal Free Spins bonus, we can also deduce from the above, is a bonus:
- Which will get you as many free spins as possible, on your most favorite video slot(s)
- for which there is no or a very low wagering requirement for the win, so you can have it paid out quickly
- where you don’t have to deal with a limit on the payout of your winnings, and
- for which you don’t need to deposit much to be able to claim the Free Spins bonus
Again, it is advisable to read the bonus terms of a casino promotion carefully in advance.
Frequently asked questions about Free Spins
Free Spins are free spins on online slots that online casinos make available as a bonus to their players. There are free spins that you get as a thank you for a minimum deposit, but there are also ‘No Deposit Free Spins’ that don’t require you to deposit anything.
The biggest advantage of Free Spins bonuses is of course that you can play risk-free while winning real money. If you don’t win anything with the free spins, then you haven’t lost anything either.
Yes. Although to be able to claim a Free Spins bonus you often need to deposit a minimum amount into your casino account, the free spins you get in return are truly free.
Yes. Once you have met the bonus conditions of the promotion you can have the winnings paid out as real money.
How much you can win with free spins depends on the bonus conditions that apply to the bonus. For example, is there or is there not a payout limit on the winnings as a bonus condition? If not, then there is basically no limit to what you can win with Free Spins either.