Everything You Need to Know About How to Make Free Spins Work for You

Free spins are something you will hear mentioned a lot if you are involved in the online casino world. They are a kind of bonus that allows players to play casino games without using their real money. Normally, you can expect to find them attached to a welcome bonus, but depending on the casino, you may be able to earn them in different ways.

There is a lot to take into account when accessing online casino free spins. It's not as simple as just selecting a casino and getting in with it. There are levels to this. Below I will take you through everything you need to figure out which free spin bonus suits your needs best. I’ll make sure to cover every angle possible, such as the size of the bonus, wagering requirements, and the games that bonuses are attached to.

The knowledge I’m going to share is in part thanks to Casino.com’s background as a casino itself. Having gained lots of market knowledge, the casino has now changed over to being a reviewer of casinos. There is no one better placed to discuss free spins in Ireland than us. So, let’s get you equipped with all the knowledge you need to find the best free spin bonus for your gambling needs.

Free spin bonus is a bit of a catch-all term, but in reality, there are a lot of different kinds of free spins players can earn from a casino. Every casino will have a slightly different approach, so you need to figure out what is the best kind for you. There are lots of different types, but I am going to take you through the most common kinds of free spins in Ireland that you are most likely to come across.

By far the most common type of free spin bonus is the one that comes as part of a welcome bonus. Normally the free spin bonus will come attached to a matched deposit. Try and look out for offers that are generous with both the money and the spins.

You need to pay attention to the terms and conditions when it comes to welcome bonus spins. Some casinos will let you use them on any slot, but others will restrict you to one game. The wagering requirements are even more important to pay attention to. Sometimes, a casino will offer a really flashy free spins offer but then the wagering requirement that has to be met is very high. Remember, the devil is in the details. 

The holy grail of all free spin bonuses is the free spins bonus that requires no deposit. This is exactly what it sounds like: It's a bonus that gives you free spins without you needing to deposit or bet any money. The search for a free spins no deposit casino can be difficult as there can be strings attached to these offers.

The most legitimate offers are normally attached to welcome offers or require you to complete a task, such as logging in every day for a week. Wagering requirements are very important here. A lot of free spins no deposit bonuses will have high wagering requirements around 50x or 60x. Although as they require no deposit I really don’t mind as long as this is the only condition.

Another of the most common free spins casino offers, this one does not take too much of an explanation. Players will receive free spins in exchange for a deposit. In my opinion, one of the best indicators of a good casino is when they have regular offers like this.

It is also one of the most versatile versions of this bonus as there are many different ways a casino can offer it. Sometimes they may just require you to deposit a certain amount and bet and then you will receive free spins. For example, you could be asked to deposit €20 and play to receive free spins on a game. There are many different versions of this promotion and the more a casino offers the better for players.

This kind of bonus will come under different names but basically, it comes from the casino's loyalty programme. These are when they reward loyal players for their patronage to the casino. A lot of times the casino will divide the free spin amounts here into tiers. The more players play, the higher up the tiers they can climb.

As you can guess, free spins will increase the higher you rise up the loyalty programme ladder. The entry points to each level will depend on the casino. If you know you will be a regular player, then make sure you find the loyalty programme that gives you the most bang for your buck when it comes to the free spin bonuses offered. 

These are just some of the main kinds of offers that you will find with casinos, but there are so many more for customers to sink their teeth into. For example, in-game free spins, refer-a-friend Free Spins, seasonal Free Spins, and reload bonus free spins to name just a few of the others.

I’ve touched on some of the main types of free spin bonuses that casinos are likely to offer players. Where it can get a bit overwhelming is the amount of different kinds and the different hoops players have to jump through in order to claim them. Once again, I’ll go through the main free spin bonuses and the requirements you will likely need to fulfil to claim them. 

Players should remember that casinos offer these in order to get you to play with them. The reason that most free spin bonuses are attached to welcome offers is to get you to join the casino. After that, it's to keep you playing and to reward your loyalty. Let me now take you through the things you will need to know to claim your free spins.

The most common kind of free spin casino bonus will require a deposit. I have touched on this above but will go into more detail here. As you know, these are just free spin bonuses that will first require you to make a deposit. This might be only the first step depending on the offer as you may need to also play a game or make multiple deposits.

The most common is the welcome offer which includes free spins. The majority of casinos that Irish players will encounter will have a welcome offer that includes free spins. The most important thing players need to do here is check out the welcome bonus terms and conditions. This will include requirements like wagering, the amount you need to deposit, and what games you need to play.

Another very common bonus free spins will be offered with, are reload bonuses. While a welcome offer is to entice players to a casino, a reload bonus is to keep them playing at the casino. Normally, the bonus will request you to deposit a certain amount and when you do the spins will be credited

Here are the most common steps you will need to take to claim this bonus:

• Create your account with the casino and verify your details 
• Read the terms and conditions so you know the minimum and maximum you can deposit to claim the welcome bonus
• If there is a promo code, make sure to include it with your first deposit if necessary
• Follow the instructions to claim the free spins. These may include first playing through a certain amount of your first deposit.
• Once you have your free spins, enjoy the risk-free fun.
• For a reload bonus, you will already be registered and you’ll just have to deposit a minimum amount with a promo code to claim the offer.

The no deposit free spin bonus is a lot rarer than the deposit version but it is also the most coveted. It's a no-brainer that most players seek out these kinds of bonuses as it doesn’t require them to use any of their own money. This is why it's so popular. There is zero risk you take on with one of these bonuses. Of course, that's also why casinos offer them less frequently.

Free spins on sign up is one way that casinos offer these kinds of bonuses as it's a great way to attract new players. However, it should be a warning sign for Irish players. While plenty of legitimate casinos offer no deposit free spins, it is also a tactic that dodgy casinos use in hopes that players won’t pay attention to the lack of security the brand has.

A free spins no deposit casino will normally offer these bonuses around special events. One of the most common is getting a free spin bonus on your birthday. Others may revolve around holidays such as Christmas. Also, look out for a clever little move casinos make where you get a free spin bonus when you haven’t played with them for a while in order to lure you back.

These steps will vary depending on the casino, but here’s what you will likely face:

• Register with the casino
• Go through the verification steps 
• Make sure to use a promo code if necessary 
• Make sure to keep an eye on the promotions page and your email for any no deposit free spins offer.
• Keep a very close eye on wagering requirements as they will normally be higher for no deposit offers.

I’m going to get a bit more specific here with this section. Promotional free spins can fall under either the deposit or no deposit banner as it will depend on the kind of promotion that the casino is offering. For these, it's important players regularly check the promotions section of the casino, the casino’s social channels, and their emails as these will be the places the offers are promoted.

One of th most popular ways promotional free spins are offered is through tournaments. These can take place daily, weekly, or monthly depending on the casino and can come in many different forms. They can be focused on slots of table games and can be even more specific than that. You will be competing against other players to finish atop a leader board to earn prizes that will include free spins.

Promotions can come in other forms, such as seasonal events. Irish players will likely have offers that revolve around St. Patrick's Day, Christmas, and New Year's, to name just a few possibilities. Another thing to watch out for is new game launches, as casinos can attach promotional free spins to these too.

The steps to claim these promotions will vary a lot, but here's a quick overview:

• You will already be a member of a casino to claim promotions
• Regularly check the promotions page, your email, and the casino’s socials for promotions.
• Make sure you note any promo codes
• Claim them via the correct channels on the casino.

There are different ways that casinos decide how players are eligible for free spin bonuses. There is a lot to take into account here, but to try and break it down in layman's terms, it normally comes down to new players vs loyal players. What I mean by this is that the most common way you become eligible for free spins is by either being a new player or a loyal player.

I think it's helpful sometimes to imagine an upside-down bell curve when it comes to player eligibility for free spins. The offer you get to join the casino is likely going to be very generous. After this there will be a dip in the quality of offers. However, the more you play, the more your loyalty is rewarded, and the line on the curve heads north again. This is not always the way it works, but more often than not, it is.

The new player offers are pretty much always going to fall under the welcome bonus. The only thing to keep in mind here is the amount you will need to deposit and play through to be eligible for the free spins. The loyal player's eligibility can tie into the casino’s loyalty programme. As these are tiered, it means the more players play, the more they climb the ladder to be eligible for larger offers. 

The guide here will change depending on whether you are a new or old player, but here are the steps summarised:

New players- 

• Will need to register with the casino 
• Meet the requirements of the welcome bonus to claim the free spins. 

Loyal players-

• Need to play regularly to qualify for these free spin bonuses 
• The more they play, the higher the free spin amount will be. 

As they say, nothing good in life is free! No matter what, any Irish casino free spins offer you will see will at least have some hoops you’re going to have to jump through. The usage restrictions for these kinds of offers will vary. We mentioned that you may have to deposit a certain amount, but other restrictions may apply to the slot you can use the spins on, wagering requirements, and also, very importantly, how long you have to use the bonus.

One very typical restriction is wagering requirements. For example, the industry average for free spins is between 30x and 50x before you can withdraw. Then you have the time limit, which can vary, but a lot of casinos go within a week before the offer expires. Lastly, you have the games where the spins can be used. A lot of casinos will choose one game where you can use the free spins, others are more lenient. 

Here is a quick guide on some things you need to look out for with usage restrictions:

• Check out the promotions section of your casino
• If you are interested in an offer, click on the offer 
• You should be able to find the terms and conditions. Here you will find all the restrictions that apply
• If you have any questions, check out the FAQ or contact the casino’s customer care.

Another way free spin promotions can be divided is through platforms. As the default platform for casinos is considered to be desktop, these will mostly be specific to mobile devices. Another thing to keep an eye on here is whether the casino has an app. If the answer is yes, then they are much more likely to have mobile-specific free spin promotions. 

Examples of platform-specific free spin promotions can vary a lot. It will depend on the casino itself in regards to how many free spins they offer and what kind of terms and conditions they attach. However, the good news for those who prefer to play with mobile is that platform-specific offers normally have lower wagering requirements and lighter terms.

The promotions themselves will be similar to what you see on your desktop. The only thing readers should keep in mind is that they might have to add a promo code. Free spins are one of the most common platform-specific types of promotions and a lot of the time will revolve around a new game. You will need to log in on your mobile to claim the bonus.

The process will differ, but here’s a quick summary of what you may need to do to claim a platform-specific free spins promotion:

• Make sure to log in to your chosen casino on the specific platform 
• Check to see if the promotion has a code
• Make sure to also familiarise yourself with the terms of the bonus
• Follow the instructions to claim the free spins.

This may seem obvious to some, but you would be surprised by how much trouble people can run into when it comes to bonus codes. Free spins bonuses in Irish online casinos are very coveted, this can lead to a lot of fake codes in circulation. One quick Google search for free spin bonus codes and you will see what I mean.

There is no shortcut when it comes to bonus codes; you have to go straight to the source: The casino itself. Probably the most important free spins code is the one that comes with the welcome offer of your chosen casino. The reason for this is that if you make your first deposit without entering the bonus code, you may never be allowed to claim the welcome offer and the free spins attached.

With other promotions such as a free spin loyalty bonus or something similar, there is less jeopardy attached as the code will likely be mandatory. This does not take away from the importance of these codes, as they are the barrier to entry for your free spins! 

The obvious answer is yes because, of course, any free promotion that lets you win real money is going to be worth it. What I want to look at is to what extent they can be worth it. Different free spins will have different levels of worth. For example, the Free spins no deposit offers will always be worth it as you take on no personal risk.

After this, we can look at the welcome offer and the free spin promotion attached to this. This will depend on a player's bankroll as sometimes, the more you deposit, the more free spins you will get. You are not guaranteed to win anything from these welcome bonuses so make sure to consider your bankroll so you can make it worth it.

The same can be said of free spin loyalty promotions. You will need to spend time playing games at the casino to qualify for this kind of free spin bonus. Players need to make sure they bet within their means so they can make the most of these promotions when they get the chance.

I have already touched on these throughout the article, but it's helpful to have them all in one place. There are a number of things to keep in mind before claiming a free spin promotion. The important thing is to read the terms and conditions before deciding you want to claim the bonus and look out for the following:

• Check out the wagering requirements to see how long it will take before your winnings become withdrawable
• Make sure to keep an eye out for a time limit and use the free spins within the allocated time 
• Check if the free spin bonus is for games in general or a specific title
• Have a look for a maximum cash out which may limit your winnings
• Overall, just check how eligible you are for the bonus before claiming it.

This will come down to dealer's choice. Some people prefer free spins and others prefer the free play money. The money will give you a wider variety of games to play at the casino, but the wagering requirements are normally higher than for free spins.

Another way the free spins are superior, I would say, is that you have more chances to land bonus rounds, but then you can be more restricted with this offer compared to free money. Both of their perks are just about what you prefer more.

The best time to make free spins worth it is when they come as part of the welcome offer. They will also be worth it for other free spin promotions, but the welcome offer will likely be the largest amount of free spins you receive from a casino, so make it worth it. Some players use the free spins to get used to the games the casino offers so that when they use their own money, they know where to go.

An even better tactic is to use the free demo mode to practice, find the highest RTP% games, and then use the free spins on these games. This is the best way to maximise potential profit. Now, not all casino welcome offers will allow you to use the free spins on multiple games, but these tactics can also apply to the welcome offers that are game-specific.

Pros:

• You can win real money 
• They can be completely risk free 
• They can help you get better at games
• You can win them as part of a prize 
• They provide fun for players. 

Cons:

• They can have strings attached
• They can sometimes be limited to select titles.

The game you choose to use your free spins on, should you have the luxury of that choice, can have a very big impact on both your potential winnings and also your overall enjoyment. I have touched on some factors related to this already, but I want to go into more detail here. 

Some games are more popular than others when it comes to free spin promotions. This can be because casinos like to attach the game to their offers, or players choose them because of advantages they may have. Here are two of the most popular:

Blood Suckers- This is definitely a player's choice and probably one casinos don’t want you to choose because of its massive RTP. provided by NetEnt, it has one of the highest RTP percentages at 98%.

Starburst- The slot that almost everyone in the industry agrees is the elite of the elite. It, of course, is a very popular game for free spins. Wild re-spins and amazing graphics are just two of the great features of this slot.

Some of the better casino games will also reward players with free spins as part of their in-game features. Here are a couple of the best-known games for this:

Book of Oz- The ‘Book of’ series is probably the best known in the casino market. Book of Oz is one the series' best games, and it is known for rewarding players with free spins in-game.

Wacky Panda- A simple 3 reel game with a decent 96% RTP Wacky panda by Games Global is a solid slot best known for being a great option for players looking to win free spins.

That about does it from me on free spins. As you can see if you got to the end of this, there is a lot more than first meets the eye when it comes to free spin promotions. Players need to take their time, read the terms and conditions and do their homework to really make the most out of any potential free spins they can earn.