No deposit bingo bonuses explained
No deposit bonuses are actually very simple to understand. At any real-money site, you usually have to make a deposit in order to play real-money games. So the purpose of a no deposit deal is to offer you the chance to play these games, without your having to make a deposit with the site.
As you can imagine, these deals are extremely popular among players. As they are a chance to try out a site and its games, as well as win real-money prizes, without spending a penny of your own cash.
You can find no deposit offers in many different forms. And the most common are as either a new player, or a loyal existing one.
New player promotions
As a new customer at a bingo site, you’ll get access the most generous welcome packages on the market. Bingo sites design these welcome deals to entice you to play with that site. Therefore, they are a bingo operators’ first and only chance to get you to choose them over their competitors. So it makes sense that their welcome deals must be juicy enough to catch your eye.
Also, welcome offers are not usually limited to one bonus only. In fact, you might find that you can get many different bonuses as part of one big welcome deal.
As part of a generous welcome package, we would expect to see one or more of the following:
- Free no deposit bingo games
- Deposit match bonuses
- Bingo-casino hybrid bonuses
As you can see, a great welcome deal will encompass different types of bonuses. And which one is best for you is a matter of personal preference.
But, as with any bonus deal, it’s important that you read and understand the terms and conditions attached before you take on any welcome offer.
Free bingo for existing players
It’s not just new players that have the chance to get their hands on some fantastic free bingo bonus deals.
As an existing player at a bingo website, you can get rewards for being active as well. And the top sites in the country will give out regular freebies to their loyal returning players.
As a customer making a second, third or fourth deposit, you can expect to see reload bonuses, bingo free bonus games and other promos sent your way.
No deposit bingo site of the week
Tombola Bingo
Tombola Bingo is Britains biggest online bingo site. And it’s the perfect site for anyone looking to try online bingo out for the first time. Why? Because of their £20 free bonus, that new players get on registration!
- New players get £20 of free play
- 100% first deposit bonus up to £50
- 20+ bingo rooms
As you might imagine, there are tons of players already active at Tombola Bingo. This means there is a great community to join when you start playing there. It’s an excellent way to make online friends that share you interest of online bingo.
Why would a bingo site give out free money?
It sounds a little crazy that a business based on making money would actually give out free money! But, like all gambling sites, bingo operators need to entice new customers in to play their games. And the gambling industry is a cut-throat one; with thousands of different operators up and down the UK all vying for your business.
That’s why these sites must give out the most generous bonuses, in order to attract new business. And what’s the best way to get someone to come and try out your site? By giving away the chance to win real-money prizes for free, using bonus cash and/or free bingo games.
Reasons to play with no deposit offers
So now you know why bingo sites offer no deposit deals, as well as other promotions. Now it’s time to take a look at the reasons why our experts recommend playing with a no deposit offer.
You can’t lose any of your own money
Probably the most important reason why you should consider taking on a no deposit deal, is the fact that you cannot lose any of your own money.
By their very nature, no deposit offers mean you can play bingo for free, i.e. you don’t have to deposit any funds with the site.
Whether it’s bonus cash or entry into a bingo hall for free, at no point do you have to pay into the site. So you never have to put your hand in your own pocket to play these real-money games.
This makes no deposit offers a great way to play these exciting and fun games with no financial risk to yourself whatsoever.
You can try out a new bingo site for free
One of the reasons why no deposit offers were created in the first place was to attract new customers to a site, in order to try out the games for free.
But free bingo no deposit deals are not likely to win you loads of cash, and you should never expect to become a millionaire overnight. Rather, see it as a chance to explore a new site and try out fresh games, before deciding whether or not you would like to make a deposit and continue playing.
Therefore, no deposit bonuses are the best way to get a good feel for a site and play a handful of games, without spending a penny of your own hard-earned cash. And, if you find one you like, you can decide to make a deposit and pick up a great deposit bonus offer as well!
You can potentially win money
Finally, one of the big pulls of a deposit-free bingo offer is that you can actually win real money using these bonuses.
Because you are playing on a real-money site, it means there are real-money prizes up for grabs. And you have just as good a chance as anyone else of scooping a win!
That being said, it can be quite hard to cash out a large amount of winnings when you use a bonus. And that’s why it’s important to read and understand the terms attached, so that you can use your bonus and cash out easily.
Reasons to play without a bonus
As with anything, there are potential downsides to playing with bingo sites no deposit deals. So, let’s take a look at some of the cons of taking on these offers.
You can cash out winnings immediately
Unfortunately, all bonuses at real-money sites come with some pretty heavy terms and conditions attached. Adhering to all these T&Cs when using your bonus can make it difficult to cash out your winnings.
But, if you only play with your own money and don’t take on a bonus, then you don’t have to worry about all these pesky rules.
In fact, if you play without a bonus, then you don’t have to think about wagering requirements, maximum cash out limits or expiry dates. And everything you win is automatically yours. And you can withdraw your winnings immediately.
Less T&C’s to worry about
We’ve already mentioned that bonus offers are laden with T&Cs. So, if you choose to play without any type of bonus offer, this means that you can ignore the vast majority of the terms attached. As these caveats are put on bonus cash and other promos, but not on your deposit amount.
So, with no cheeky terms to worry about, you can get on with playing bingo. And you don’t have to even think about T&Cs. And this simplified experience is one of the main reasons why some players turn down bonuses.
You can usually only get a bonus once
Finally, while online bingo no deposit deals are a fantastic way to boost your banboll and try out lots of new games, chances are you will only get one bonus per person/household.
If you’re using your PC or phone, for example, the bingo operator will be able to see your IP address. And can restrict the bonus offers accordingly. So, if you were hoping to log in on another computer, or start another account, think again!
That being said, there is no reason why you can’t sign up to more than one bingo site at a time. And take advantage of each one’s individual and very generous welcome package, which might include online bingo no deposit deals.
What we look at when rating a bingo site
At the Casino.srl offices, we love to write about and review bingo operators and their awesome sites!
Our team of expert reviewers have over 10 years’ experience in the online gambling industry. And they’re here today to share with you exactly what they look for in a fantastic UK bingo site.
So, let’s take a look.
Welcome promotions
As we’ve seen, a fantastic welcome promotion can be the key to a brilliant new bingo experience. That’s why, one of the first things our experts look for in a site is that they offer their new players the best welcome deals around.
We like to see no deposit deals, as well as bingo deposit bonus and bingo-casino hybrid offers given out to new customers. That way, you get the very best selection of offers to suit your taste.
T&Cs for promotions
The second thing our experts look at is the terms and conditions applied to these bonuses. While a site might be giving out thousands of pounds in bonus cash, or a massive free bingo bonus, it doesn’t necessarily mean that this is the deal you should take.
Terms and conditions can drag an offer down and make it impossible to convert winnings into real cash. And, as a player, a bad bonus deal can sour your experience very quickly.
That’s why our reviewers pick apart all the T&Cs on each bonus deal. And make sure that the site is offering a bonus with realistic expectations of the player.
Amount of bingo games available
Some bingo sites will offer players bonus cash to use across various bingo games. Whereas other bingo operators will give out time to spend in the online bingo hall.
If you get entry into the bingo hall, then this type of bonus is usually offered in one of two ways. The first is that you’ll be given a number of bingo games that you can play. The second will invite you into the bingo hall for a specified amount of time, in which you can play as much bingo as you can handle!
Therefore, our experts look at exactly what you’re being offered, as well as time frames, expiry dates and other T&Cs; before listing the best offers with the best amount of bingo game-time on our site.
Chat rooms and chat games
Ask any seasoned bingo player and they’ll tell you that the chat rooms are what make a bingo site special.
Unlike a lot of other real-money games, bingo has a particularly sociable aspect to it. Plus, players love to meet other people and mingle in the chat rooms. Not only that, but the chat rooms themselves are hosted by the most fun and professional hosts in the UK.
Finally, you and your new ‘roomies’ can play games in these chat rooms and win prizes for each other.
That’s why, before we list any bingo site, our experts make sure that these bingo operators have the most cutting-edge and sophisticated chat rooms in the industry. As well as fun and professional hosts, and lots and lots of cool side games.
Mobile bingo optimisation
If you’ve never used your mobile to play bingo, then you’re in for a treat! Mobile bingo sites are fun, easy-to-use and offer the same great experience as you would expect on a desktop version.
So, when we review bingo operators in the UK, we make sure that they offer their players the best mobile-friendly user experience possible. This means dedicated apps and/or a fully mobile-optimised mobile site. So you never have to miss out on another bingo game ever again.
Are chat hosts friendly and professional?
As mentioned, chat rooms and their side games are one of the most important elements to a great bingo site.
However, a great chat room is nothing without a fantastic host. To us, the perfect chat room host is fun, friendly and accommodating. But they are also fully trained and professional.
After all, it’s their job to moderate these chat rooms and make sure that everyone has a good time. So they need to be very good at that job!
Therefore, during the review process, our experts spend time in these chat rooms, speaking with the hosts directly; to make sure that you’re getting the most enjoyable and immersive bingo experience possible.
Modern bingo software
Something that players probably shouldn’t concern themselves with, but that’s very important, is the software powering these bingo sites.
We don’t expect you to go off and do a course in coding in order to understand your favourite bingo operator. But our experts know exactly what to look for when studying up on a great new bingo site.
We look at what software is behind the scenes, so that our customers get the most seamless experience and user-friendly sites on the market.
Is the site easy to understand and use?
When all is said and done, great bonuses, amazing chat rooms and a huge variety of bingo games all come second to a site that is easy to understand and use.
After all, there’s nothing worse than trying to find a game on a website and going round in circles. The same goes for seeing an offer and then not being able to unlock it!
That’s why, our experts go through each of these sites with a fine-tooth comb. To make sure that each one is easy to navigate and that everything you need can be found quickly and completely fuss-free.
Checklist for finding good free bingo no deposit offers
The easiest way to find a great new bingo site is simply by selecting one that has been checked and reviewed by our experts.
However, when looking for a site on your own, here’s a checklist on how to find great bingo operators with the best no deposit offers.
How much bonus can you get?
First of all, you should check exactly what kind of bonus you will get by signing up to the site in question. Every bingo operator will advertise huge bonuses, but it’s not until you look a little bit closer that you see what’s actually being offered.
Therefore, you should scrutinize these deals carefully, so that you can get the best bingo welcome bonus on the market. If it’s free bingo you’re after, then look for a no deposit deal that includes lots of time in the bingo hall. And/or tons of free games.
Or if you want loads of bonus cash, then take a look at what kind of deposit match percentage you get with each site.
Finally, consider if the site offers bonuses to existing players. If you find a site you really like, then you want to be certain you’ll keep getting rewarded, even after you’ve used up your welcome deal.
What are the wagering requirements?
Next up, it’s important that you look at the wagering requirements. As these will affect pretty much every bonus you see at any bingo site.
Wagering requirements can make or break a great casino deal. And they refer to how many times you must play through your bonus cash or free games, in order to convert your winnings into real money.
Therefore, wagering requirements cannot be ignored. And you should make sure that the offer you are about to take on doesn’t restrict you with very heavy wagering attached.
Alternatively, check our lists to find sites that offer no wagering bingo bonuses. These sites are few and far between, but are gaining popularity among customers who are sick and tired of having to meet tons of wagering rules. And, wouldn’t you know it? We’ve got the lowdown on all the top no wagering sites for bingo in the UK!
Are there limits on how much you can withdraw?
Another cheeky term that you should be aware of is ‘maximum cash out limits’. These usually only affect bonuses, but they will have a significant effect on you, if you manage to land a very big prize.
So, before you take on any bonus to play bingo with, have a look in theT&Cs to find out if the offer you’re considering using has a max cash out limit. Because, if it has, and you win over this amount, unfortunately you will not be able to withdraw the remainder of your prize.
When does the bonus expire?
One thing to keep in mind when you sign up to any bonus offer is the expiry date. It can be easy to be blinded by tons of free bingo offers, a bingo no deposit bonus or other types of giveaway. But, if you can’t use them up in the time given, then they will simply disappear! And you’ll be left slightly disappointed.
Therefore, it’s important to take into account whether or not you think you can use your bonus within the timeframe given by the bingo site. And you should use this info to help you make your decision when it comes to selecting a great new bonus deal.
New regulations by the UKGC
Years ago, bonuses at gambling sites were reserved for high rollers and VIP members. But with the emergence of online casinos and other real-money gaming sites, competition for business surged and bonuses started being offered to new players as a way to attract more customers.
Nowadays, we expect a variety of bonuses to be thrown at us when we sign up to a new site, such as a bingo operator. With the no deposit deal being the most sought-after. However, recent changes brought in by the UK government and the UK Gambling Commission mean that these incredible deals are now on the decline.
As of 2017, gambling sites in the UK have to pay additional tax on their profits, including from bonuses and other promos. So, while they still try to offer no deposit deals where they can, this extra squeeze by the government means there’s been a sharp decline in these types of bonus in the last few years.
So, if you see a great no deposit offer at a bingo site, or any other real-money site, it’s worth snapping it up. Just make sure to read the terms and conditions first!
Other popular bonus deals for bingo
While no deposit deals are certainly considered the Holy Grail of bonus offers, they are not the only ones on the market.
In fact, there are plenty of other types of bonus that you can pick up that might well be suited more to your style of bingo playing.
Matched deposit bonuses
If you’re looking to seriously boost your bankroll, then a great match deposit bonus could be the best bingo bonus for you.
Unlike no deposit offers, match deposit deals rely on you making a deposit with the casino first, in order to unlock your offer. Then, the bingo site will match your deposit amount with a percentage. And the UK average is between 100% and 200%.
For example, if you were to deposit £100, and picked up a 100% match bonus offer, you would end up with £200 to spend.
In short, these deals are far better suited to players who are willing to take on some financial responsibility in order to increase their playing power dramatically.
Bingo & Casino bonus combos
If you love bingo and casino gambling, then the perfect casino-bingo hybrid offer is going to suit you down to the ground. These incredible offers mean that you can play bingo and fantastic casino games, using the same bonus.
That being said, you must read T&Cs to see how this offer applies to both the bingo site and associated casino. As often, you can’t use the same bonus cash to switch between the two sites freely.
Check out our casino bonus guides for more information:
Daily free bingo
Another fantastic deal is daily free bingo. There is nothing tricky to understand about this deal. And it does exactly what it says on the tin!
You can play free bingo games everyday through fantastic free bingo sites in the UK. Usually, these deals allow you to access the bingo room at certain points throughout the day. And you can win real-money prizes with these promotions every day of the week.
Side games in the bingo chat room
Getting access to fun chat rooms is almost as good as any bonus offer! In these wonderful and welcoming chat rooms, you can make new friends and help each other to win prizes during the awesome side games.
Plus, with a little help from your friendly and professional host, a great chat room side game provides just as much fun as a fantastic session of bingo. And the prizes on offer are generally small, but plentiful.
No deposit bingo sites and security
It’s important that, when playing at any real-money site, you make sure that you’re safe.
With that in mind, here are some things to look for before signing up to a new bingo site. To ensure that your personal details aren’t at risk.
Check the licensing details of the bingo site
The first thing that you can do to make sure a site is safe for you to play on is to check that the bingo operator is licensed to operate in the UK.
All gambling sites in the UK have to be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). As such, these companies need to display the UKGC logo, along with their licence number, clearly in either the header or footer of their website.
So, simply look for theUKGC logo and accompanying licence number. If you can’t see either of these things, then there’s a chance that the site you’re on is not legal in the UK. And you should abandon the site immediately.
Always check the T&C’s
Next up, always check the terms and conditions before you sign up to a new bingo operator. This is especially true if you’re looking to pick up a welcome bonus package.
It can be easy to be blinded by the promise of lots of bonus cash and loads of free bingo games, but as we’ve seen, it’s imperative that you understand the terms attached to these offers before you take them on; to ensure that you can fulfil things like wagering requirements. And be able to cash out your winnings easily.
Responsible gambling
Finally, staying safe online isn’t just about security. You must also make sure that you play any real-money game responsibly, and avoid overspending and getting yourself into financial trouble.
Real money games, like bingo, are fun and exciting. But they can lead to monetary issues quite quickly, if you let yourself get carried away.
With that in mind, we recommend things like setting an alarm to start and end you bingo sessions. And monitor how often you play.
Also, it’s a good idea to get a prepaid Mastercard, which you can load with funds specifically for bingo sites UK. These prepaid cards are a great way to keep an eye on your spending, and ensure that you don’t end up using money that you ear-marked for something else.
New no deposit bingo sites in 2024
Here at Casino.srl, our expert reviewers keep their fingers on the pulse. And they are ready and waiting to review all the new deposit-free bingo sites that come out.
We’ll keep you up-to-date on all the latest news and promos from the top bingo providers in the UK. So, to find your next great no deposit deal at one of the leading new UK bingo sites, always come to us directly.
Sites that are part of bingo networks
There are already tons of huge bingo companies operating in the UK. And they have got together over the years to create massive networks, where you can meet thousands of other players. And play a huge variety of bingo games.
In addition, the prizes offered on some of these big networks are mouth-wateringly enticing. And household names like Coral, William Hill and Ladbrokes all have their finger in the bingo network pie!
Bingo sites that are independent
While you’ve probably already heard of some of these big companies that run the huge networks across the UK, there are also smaller, lesser-known bingo operators that are just as awesome as their big-name competitors.
Plus, going with a smaller operator means you’re more likely to pick up bigger bonuses. Because, as we know, the sites are in competition with big household names and therefore have to offer a lot more to players, in order to entice them to their site.
Therefore, this is great news if you are a new player with one of these network sites. As you can pick up some of the juiciest no deposit deals, and other promos, on the market.
However, as with any bonus deal, you must read and understand the terms and conditions before signing up.
Mobile no deposit bingo sites
Playing bingo on your mobile is just as fun and exciting as sitting at your PC or laptop.
And all the major bingo sites in the UK now offer fantastic mobile-optimised sites, as well as dedicated apps, that you can download directly to your smartphone or tablet.
Browser based bingo
One of the easiest ways to access your favourite bingo operator is by simply using your mobile phone’s internet browser.
Whether you’re with Apple or Android, you can use these fantastic mobile-friendly sites to play bingo anytime, anyplace. Also, using your browser will not take up any of your phone’s internal memory, as is the case with apps.
So browser-based bingo is one of the simplest and most effective ways to play bingo when you’re out and about.
Mobile bingo applications
If you love bingo as much as we do, then it’s time to consider downloading a fantastic dedicated app. So that you can access all your favourite bingo games in an instant.
Bingo apps are incredible because they are especially designed to give you the same seamless gameplay and ease-of-use as a desktop site.
In addition, they also come with some extra features that you won’t find if you use your phone’s browser. These include things like push notifications, which will let you know when the next big bingo game is about to start. As well as instant updates on any new promotions or giveaways, including no deposit offers.
But, if we have to cite one downside of mobile apps, it’s that they take up quite a lot of your phone’s internal memory. That, and they need regular updates, which can become a little tiresome.
That being said, there is no quicker and easier way to play all your favourite bingo games in the palm of your hand.
What are wagering requirements?
Wagering requirements are a cheeky term that, quite frankly, nobody enjoys. Wagering requirements refer to the amount of times you have to play through any bonus cash before you can convert it into real winnings.
So, if you’ve picked up a no deposit offer, anything that you win using that bonus cash will be subject to wagering requirements. It’s easy to see these requirements in the terms and conditions, as they will be marked with a small ‘x’.
For example, if you see that you have x20 in the T&Cs, this means you will have to play through anything you win using your bonus cash 20 times over before you can take out any actual money.
Why do I need to complete wagering requirements?
Quite simply, you will need to complete wagering requirements if you want to take out cash from a bingo site using a bonus.
It’s important to remember that wagering is only attached to bonus money, not cash that you have deposited yourself. So, in order to avoid wagering requirements, it’s advisable not to take on any bingo bonus at all.
But, if you want to give your bankroll a boost, then a great bonus offer can do that for you. Just keep in mind that you will need to complete your wagering requirements in order to convert your winnings into cash. As, if you don’t, you will most likely lose this money altogether.
Additional important terms
When it comes to bonuses, wagering requirements are usually the one everyone’s on the lookout for. But, there are a couple more terms you should be aware of, which will affect how you use your bonus.
Firstly, the expiry date on the offer. Getting tons of bonus cash and free bingo games is awesome. But, all these offers will have an expiration date on them. So, if you’re using your bonus cash to play and win prizes, you will have to fulfil your wagering requirements by the time your offer expires in order to convert these winnings into real money.
Secondly, have a look to see if the bingo site has put on any maximum cash-out limits. Again, these usually affect bonuses, and they are there to make sure that you don’t land yourself a huge jackpot using bonus cash.
For example, you might find that in the T&Cs you have a max cash-out limit of £1,000. Meaning that, if you win over this amount, you will not be able to withdraw the remainder.
Withdrawing winnings from a no deposit bonus
No we get to the fun part; withdrawing your winnings! If you have adhered to all the T&Cs, and fulfilled your wagering requirements, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t have a nice little stack of winnings at the end of your bingo session.
Or, if you haven’t used any bonus at all, you can withdraw your winnings instantly. Either way, you want access to some of the most convenient and cutting-edge payment platforms at the best UK bingo sites.
So, here’s a rundown of a few of our favourites.
e-Wallets
Digital wallets are extraordinarily popular with people who like to play real-money games online. Not only are they free to set up, but you only need your username and password to make transactions online. And it’s this extra level of security that players love about e-wallets.
Furthermore, some of the top providers, like Skrill and Neteller, will also let you opt for a prepaid Mastercard. And you can load these cards with funds specifically for bingo. Which lets you monitor your spending easily and efficiently. But be aware that these cards are not free to purchase. But they aren’t expensive.
However, it’s important to remember e-wallets come with some fees for moving your money around. So check to see exactly what these charges are before you start using your account.
Debit cards
Debit cards are probably the best-known payment method online. And most of us already have a debit card in a wallet or purse. Big companies, like MasterCard, Visa, Maestro and others are all accepted globally. So you will never have to worry whether these payment methods will be accepted or not.
Quick, convenient and usually free to use, debit cards are a tried-and-true method of making deposits and withdrawals online.
That being said, they are not the safest method available. As every time you make a transaction, you need to give out your card details and personal information. Also, debit card transactions will show up on your bank statements. So, if you like a little anonymity with your online presence, the debit card is not the best option for you.
Direct bank transfers
Bank transfers remain one of the most popular ways for people to make deposits and withdrawals. They’re very secure and easy to set up. Plus, with your authorisation, bank transfers are extremely secure.
However, they are definitely the slowest method on the market. So, if you want to get your money on the same day, then choose another option instead.
Just be aware that you could be looking at up to 5 working days to process your withdrawal. So, if you have that money in mind for a special occasion, it might be better to opt for another payment platform instead.
FAQ
If you’re still unsure about deposit-free bingo websites, then check out some of our most frequently asked questions.
