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Free Spins & Free Bets: What They Are and How They Can be Used

October 2, 2025

The most popular promos that pop up on an online casino are the free spins and free bets offers. They let players try certain casino games or online slots either without depositing anything or after a deposit, depending on the terms.

From welcome offers to daily perks, free spins and free bets offer players something extra, but there are a few key details people should consider before diving right in.

What are Free Spins?

Free spins are the most common promos given by online casinos, and they are exactly what they sound like — a number of opportunities to take a spin on the reels, usually on specific slots. Sometimes, they are part of a no deposit bonus, meaning they don’t cost a penny, while others are connected to deposit offers, where players need to meet a minimum deposit before the spins are added to their account.

Different Types of Free Spins

  • No Deposit Free Spins: Get free spins without having to add funds. This type of promotion is for players new to online slots or those shopping for a new platform to try out. 
  • No Wager Free Spins: Winnings are paid in cash, with no wagering requirements attached. That means players can withdraw any wins straight away, though minimum withdrawal limits may still apply.
  • Deposit Bonus with Free Spins: These offers are designed to sweeten the deal, with free spins included alongside a deposit bonus, such as matching the player’s first deposit.

What are Free Bets?

Some online casinos, especially hybrid ones that also offer sports betting, may offer free bets or bonus bets. These are way more common in sports betting, but can sometimes be used in casinos with games like roulette or blackjack. They allow players to make a bet without risking their own cash, and it is a handy way to get a feel for new games. 

Bonuses That Work Like Free Bets in Casinos

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  • Deposit Match Bonuses: When a player makes a deposit, the casino matches it, sometimes up to 100%. These funds can often be used to place bets on certain games, though there are usually restrictions on how they can be used.
  • Cashback Offers: Some casinos can give a portion of a player’s losses back as bonus credit. These are popular with table games like blackjack and roulette.
  • No Deposit Bonuses: These are rare, but do happen from time to time. Players might receive bonus credit or free spins just for signing up, without needing to deposit anything first.

Difference Between Free Bets and Free Spins

While both are popular casino bonuses, there are some key differences. With a free bet, any winnings are usually credited as real cash that can be withdrawn straight away, but the value of the free bet itself is taken back by the casino. 

Free spins, however, usually pay out winnings as bonus funds, which means players need to meet wagering requirements (typically between 20x and 60x) before they can be sent over to a bank account. This means even if a player wins with free spins, they’ll need to keep betting until they reach the value of the winnings and not the value of the spins.

Does PokerStars Offer Free Spins or Bets?

PokerStars has a couple of ways for players to get free spins. First is the matched deposit bonus, which gives new players who use the code ‘FIRST500’ a 100% match on their first deposit (minimum £20), plus 50 free spins. The spins can be used on fan favourites like Book of Dead, Gates of Olympus, or Big Bass Bonanza. There’s also Spin of the Day, which lets users spin a prize wheel once daily to see what they could win. Prizes can include cash, free spins on select games, or sometimes nothing at all. Players need to have made at least one deposit to unlock the feature, but once that’s done, they can spin the wheel every day even if they don’t make any more deposits.
Written By
David Lynch

Experienced writer and editor based in Ireland. Attends poker events, covers all casino games and slots, but is really a keen blackjack and roulette player at heart. A sports fanatic among all other things with a soft spot for soccer and F1