What is a no deposit bonus?
A no deposit bonus is a welcome gift from online casinos that lets new players explore gaming platforms with complimentary credits or spins. This promotional offer provides an exciting introduction to casino entertainment, giving players a chance to experience games without an upfront financial commitment.
Yes, a no-deposit bonus can be used to play real money games at the online casinos mentioned here. If you win money playing these games, it will be yours to cash out.
However, you will need to wager a minimum of 1x your bonus total before you can cash out those winnings. There also might be a maximum amount you can win from your bonus dollars.
Covers Expert Analysis
Best Canadian no deposit bonus casino offers compared
No deposit bonus promotions offer an alternative to traditional welcome offers, and you are usually only eligible for only one new-player bonus per operator. You will need to decide whether the no-deposit bonus or a classic deposit match offer better aligns with your playing style and wagering limits.
Covers Expert Analysis| 🎰 Casino | 💡 No deposit bonus | 🎯 Best features |
|---|---|---|
 |
20 Free Spins |
Large welcome offer combo with free spins and deposit match |
 |
20 Free Spins |
Simple free spins no deposit bonus |
 |
20 Free Spins for the First 100 Players per Month |
Over 3,400+ high-quality casino games. |
 |
$5 No-Deposit Bonus | Instant free cash bonus |
 |
$5 Free Chip plus Deposit $20, Get 100 Free Spins |
Free chips, plus a deposit bonus, and free spins |
 |
30 Free Spins |
A combination of free spins and deposit bonuses |
 |
$7 No-Deposit Bonus |
Generous no deposit + deposit bonus with popular slot free spins |
 |
Unlimited Bonus Spins for 2 Minutes (deposit $10 to access winnings, max win $20) | Exciting timed unlimited spins, but limited max win |
 |
Unlimited Bonus Spins for 2 Minutes (deposit $10 to access winnings, max win $20) | Similar to Jackpot City with spins and restrictions |
 |
35 Free Spins |
Large free spins plus hefty match bonus |
Canadian online casino mo deposit bonuses vs deposit bonuses
Both no-deposit bonuses and deposit bonuses serve a similar purpose: to increase your bankroll. There are some key differences between the two, and we break them down below:
No-deposit bonuses
Don't cost the player any money.
Amounts are generally small.
Normally, only for online slots.
Allow players to test out real money online casinos for free.
Come in many forms, including free spins, free cash, cashback, etc.
Deposit bonuses
Player must make a real-money deposit first.
They can be worth thousands of dollars.
Can be used across most slots and casino games.
The more you deposit, the more bonus money you receive.
Generally, they come as a deposit match or percentage bonuses.
How to claim a Canadian online casino no deposit bonus?
Select a online Canadian casino no deposit bonus
Browse our top online Canada casino no deposit bonuses in Canada and choose the one that suits you best. Review the terms and conditions for each offer carefully.
Register and claim the bonus
Create an account at your chosen online casino. Opt-in or enter a promo code if required.
Deposit funds
Make a qualifying deposit to unlock your casino bonus. Minimum deposits range from $5 to $30, but larger deposits often maximize bonus potential.
Choose a casino game
After adding funds to your account, pick a game to play. Check out our list of slot games that pay real money, and be sure to read the online casino bonus terms and conditions to ensure your game contributes to the wagering requirement.
Meet wagering requirements
To access winnings from a casino bonus, you must first play through the wagering requirements in a given wagering period. For instance, you might have to gamble your deposit, bonus, or both 25 times in 10 days before accessing winnings earned.
Withdraw winnings
If you're having second thoughts, most online casinos allow you opt out of the welcome bonus promotion and withdraw your remaining cash balance. However, doing so will forfeit the non-cash amount (the bonus and any winnings earned during the wagering period).
The best online casinos in Canada support multiple withdrawal methods – debit card, bank transfer, e-wallets, and even cryptocurrency. Payouts are typically processed within one to three banking days, depending on which payment option you use.
No deposit bonus wagering requirements
You will find that each no-deposit bonus you encounter comes with strict wagering requirements — often 50x or higher, but you can find offers that come with more reasonable terms.
What does this mean? You must play through the bonus amount at least 50 times before withdrawing any winnings. Let’s look at an example.
If you have $10 in bonus funds to use with 50x wagering requirements, you would have to wager $500 of your own money before you can withdraw the funds.
If the wagering requirement applies to bonus spins, then the requirements apply to the winnings from those spins.
Another thing to consider is that you usually have a specific period of time to meet these wagering requirements — often between seven and 30 days. If you don’t satisfy the wagering requirements within the given timeframe, the no-deposit bonus casino will remove the remaining bonus from your account.
Are these bonuses worthwhile?
The answer to this question depends on how much you plan to wager at your chosen online casino. Suppose you’re planning to spend $10 or $20 infrequently at an online casino. In that case, it’s probably not worth wagering a significant sum of money to satisfy the wagering requirements of a no-deposit bonus.
However, a no-deposit bonus can be an excellent way to kickstart your online gaming if you plan to spend several hundred dollars (or even more than $1,000) at a no-deposit bonus casino.
No deposit bonus pros and cons
No-deposit bonuses instantly add free money to your casino account, but that doesn't mean there aren't factors Canadian players should be aware of before claiming an offer. Below, we outline some of the key pros and cons of no-deposit bonuses:
No risk to your bankrollNo-deposit bonuses allow Canadian players to test out slots and casino games without risking any of their own money.
Winning real moneyDespite the small size of the no-deposit bonus, it is still possible to win real money. Although there is usually an attached maximum payout, there is still opportunity to win.
Testing out the game lobbyNo-deposit bonuses give players the freedom to explore and test a variety of games. This allows users to experiment and become familiar with the operator.
Loyalty and rewards programsNo-deposit bonuses can kick-start users into loyalty and VIP programs that have a wide range of benefits for players.
Wagering requirementsMost no-deposit bonuses come with high wagering requirements, which must be met before you are allowed to withdraw any winnings.
Win limitsSome no-deposit bonuses have maximum win and withdrawal limits. This means that even if you hit a seven-figure payout on a progressive jackpot, the amount you receive with be capped.
Game restrictionsIt is common to see no-deposit bonuses attached to a certain type of online slot or casino game.
Overcomplicated wordingThe terms and conditions of no-deposit bonuses can sometimes be complex and confusing to new casino players.
Types of bonuses explained
With so many legal online casinos available in Canada, competition among sites is fierce. This leads to a variety of great casino bonuses in Canada with attractive terms designed to entice you to sign up. Be on the lookout for these common types of bonuses:
Sign-up bonus
- Claim when you create a new account.
- Typically available for a limited time only.
- Wagering requirements apply that you must satisfy before withdrawing.
Free spins
- Free spins no-deposit bonuses are offered to play slots.
- Only available on selected games.
- Must meet wagering requirements before withdrawing.
$1 deposit
- Offered when you make a $1 qualifying deposit.
- You may be offered free spins or bonus funds.
- $1 deposit bonuses only available on selected games.
$5 deposit
- Offered when you make a $5 qualifying deposit.
- You may be offered free spins or bonus funds.
- $5 deposit casino promotions only available on selected games.
Other bonuses
- Cashback bonuses that offer a percentage of your losses back.
- Loyalty bonus as part of VIP schemes in the form of exclusive offers.
- Deposit match bonuses that offer bonus funds up to 100% of a specific deposit.
Avoid common no deposit bonus mistakes
To make the most of each casino no-deposit bonus, it’s important to avoid common mistakes that people often commit when encountering these offers for the first time, such as:
Ignoring the wagering requirements
One of the most common mistake made when playing at a no-deposit bonus casino is overlooking the wagering requirements. As mentioned earlier, you often need to play through the bonus funds 50x or more to access your winnings. This can be a significant amount, especially if you’re only planning casual gameplay with a small budget.
Misunderstanding the general T&Cs
Every no-deposit bonus casino come with its terms and conditions. Don’t assume you know how an offer works—always read the key terms to understand the wagering requirements and the time frame to meet them before the bonus expires.
Forgetting to opt-in
Some no-deposit bonus offers require you to opt in, while others may need a bonus code found on the casino’s website. Pay close attention to these requirements, as you might miss out on your no-deposit bonus if you don't follow the steps correctly.
More online casino resources
How we rate and review Canadian no deposit bonuses
At first glance, most casino no-deposit bonus offers may seem similar, but their terms and conditions often differ significantly.
To make your life a little easier when selecting the best no-deposit bonuses, we thoroughly analyse the terms and conditions in our online casino reviews and judge each offer based on a variety of categories. Whether you’re using an online casino in Ontario, USA, Canada, or across the globe, we’ve got you covered.
Check out how we rate casinos below:
Bonus size
While larger bonus amounts or more free spins may seem better, their true value depends on the accompanying wagering requirements.
For example, an offer of 100 spins with 1x wagering requirements is better value than 150 spins with a 50x wagering requirement. This illustrates why reading through the T&Cs is important before unlocking an offer.
Wagering requirements
No-deposit bonus offers tend to have higher wagering requirements than other welcome bonuses, often exceeding 50x. The lower the wagering requirements, the better the bonus's value.
Wagering periods
Some online casinos give you just seven days to satisfy the wagering requirements, while others offer up to 30 days. The longer you have to unlock the bonus and meet the requirements, the more attractive the offer.
Banking restrictions
Certain bonuses are only be accessible through specific payment methods. For instance, a no-deposit bonus casino may not award a bonus to players who use Skrill or Neteller. While this doesn't usually apply to no-deposit bonuses, it's worth noting for other types of promotions offered by online casinos.
Find the best Canadian online casinos in your province
Why trust Covers
Covers has been the go-to source for all things gambling for more than 30 years. Our team of experts has personally reviewed the Canadian online casinos' no deposit bonus offers included in this guide and only recommends the best legal online casinos in Canada and the U.S.
The following publications and media outlets have referenced Covers.com and turned to our industry experts for trusted gambling information.
Responsible gambling in Canada
At Covers, we take responsible gambling seriously. Playing at an online casino should be fun and safe, so it's important to recognize when gambling starts to impact you or your loved ones negatively.
Several organisations across Canada, such as the Canada Safety Council and the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, provide advice and support to those struggling with gambling. Information and assistance is provided in the form of counselling and online resources, which are available to anyone affected.
Additionally, 24-hour gambling helplines are accessible across Canada — ensuring help is always available for you or someone close to you when needed.
Gambling helplines
| Organisation | Phone number |
|---|---|
| Alberta Addiction and Mental Health Helpline | 1-866-332-2322 |
| Gambling Support BC | 1-888-795-6111 |
| Manitoba Problem Gambling Helpline | 1-800-463-1554 |
| New Brunswick Gambling Information Line | 1-800-461-1234 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador Gambling Helpline | 1-888-899-4357 |
| Northwest Territories Helpline | 1-844-259-1793 |
| Nova Scotia Gambling Support Network | 1-888-347-8888 |
| Nunavut Kamatsiaqtut Helpline | 1-800-265-3333 |
| Ontario Problem Gambling Helpline | 1-888-230-3505 |
| Ottawa Distress Line | 613-238-3311 |
| Outaouais Distress Line | 1-866-676-1080 |
| Prince Edward Island Gambling Addiction Treatment Program | 1-888-299-8399 |
| Québec Gambling Help and Referral | (514) 527-0140 (Montreal); 1-800-461-0140 or 1-866-767-5389 (province) |
| Saskatchewan Problem Gambling Helpline | 1-800-306-6789 |
| Yukon Crisis Line | 403 668-9111 |
Many online casinos in Canada also allow players to set account restrictions or limits on themselves. These can include deposit limits or voluntarily joining a self-exclusion list.
No-deposit bonus casino FAQ
A no-deposit bonus is a type of promotion offered by selected online casinos. It may be offered as bonus funds or as free spins, but the key thing is that you do not need to deposit any money to access the promotion. Usually, you simply create an account, and the no-deposit bonus will be available for you to use right away.
No-deposit bonuses are beneficial because they allow you to play casino games (like slots and table games) without risking your money. This enables you to try out different games before making a real-money deposit at the casino in question, placing real bets and hoping to win a cash prize.
There are several different types of no-deposit bonuses available at online casinos, but the main two are no-deposit funds and no-deposit free spins. No-deposit funds offer you cash to spend at the casino on selected games, while no-deposit free spins offer you spins to use on specific slot games. Both have wagering requirements attached.
In most instances, you can claim a no-deposit bonus by simply creating an account. As the name of the offer suggests, you don’t need to add any funds to your online casino account to access the promotion. In some cases, you might need to opt-in or enter a promo code to activate the offer.
Every online casino no-deposit bonus has its own T&Cs. Commonly, you will have between seven and 30 days to satisfy the wagering requirements (often x50 above) should you wish to withdraw any winnings from the bonus. Also, you can typically only play selected games at the casino in question.
Pages related to this topic
