What are free spins?
Bob Mitchell
Last Updated:
15 Dec 2024
A set number of spins on a slot game that cost nothing to play. Winnings are usually paid as bonus funds with wagering requirements attached, not as withdrawable cash.
How free spins work
Free spins let you spin a slot without using your own money. The casino sets the value of each spin, usually between $0.10 and $0.20. You play through your spins, and any winnings are added to your account as bonus funds.
Those bonus funds then carry a wagering requirement before they become withdrawable. If you win $20 from 50 free spins and the wagering requirement is 30x, you need to bet through $600 before you can take the money out. Free spins are not cash. They are an opportunity to generate bonus funds that you then have to earn the right to withdraw.
Where free spins come from
Free spins appear in welcome bonuses, reload offers, loyalty programmes, and occasionally as a no-deposit bonus for new registrations. They are almost always restricted to one or a handful of specific slots chosen by the casino. If the designated game does not appeal to you, the offer has limited practical value.
What to check before you use them
Look at the wagering requirement, the time limit for using the spins and then clearing the resulting bonus, and any cap on winnings from the free spins. Some casinos cap free spin winnings at $50 or $100 regardless of how well you do. These caps are in the terms and conditions, not in the promotional headline.