Today when you walk into an online casino you automatically expect incentives in one form or another to join and become a member so to speak. These incentives are almost guaranteed and they may take the form of free spins as part of the welcoming bonus. But first things first, because as of 12th October 2017 the UK regulation and Gambling Commission forbid the use of the term ‘free spins‘ in all licensed casino establishments within their jurisdiction and in line with this directive even in this article we shall henceforth refer to this incentive by every other name except free spins. Nevertheless, we shall do our best to explain as clearly as possible because there are all sorts of names given to the things we love most and this is especially true when it comes to extra spin, bonus spins, Fair spins or super spins.
Why were “free spins” banned?
As you would expect, everything that is labeled ‘free’ must come at no extra expense. However, that was not the case with casino free spins. The truth is, spins offered by online casinos come with strings attached and at the end of the day, they may not seem to be free. For instance, casino spins come with a wagering requirement which must be met prior to making a withdrawal. For this reason, and due to increasing complaints from players, UK gambling Authority banned the usage of word “free spins” if further actions were necessitated from the part of the player.
Below are some of the names that will be used to describe casino spins.
Extra Spins
In the gambling world, the word extra spins mean that the player is awarded real spins on the same wager. Therefore, extra spins are spins on the slot machine that you do not pay for. They are awarded as part of a promotion while playing a slot game with an extra bonus feature. Some casinos opt to give free games on a specific slot instead of giving free bonus money. This welcoming bonus package is awarded instantly upon registration and even before any deposit is made; when paired with a deposit based bonus it makes for an irresistible registration package. It can also be part of an ongoing campaign for existing player’s whose accounts have remained inactive as come- back incentive. Loyal depositors are also awarded extra spins as a token of appreciation.
Extra spins explained
Although players get excited at the prospect of winning real money from extra spin, there are specific wagering requirements attached to them. What this means is that winnings from extra spin rounds will be added to the player’s bankroll which in turn encourages them to go on without financing the venture with their real money.
Fair spins?
As the name suggests fair spins are deemed to be fairer as compared to the traditional promotional Extra spins because they are not attached to complex terms and conditions in the name of wagering requirements and maximum wins. In essence, offering fair spins is a move seen as an industry –first as casinos strive to give the fairest and the best player experiences.
Fair spins explained
To understand fair spins, it is important to note that both EXTRA spins and FAIR spins give the player a chance to play a certain number of spins on selected games without making any deposit.But, on extra spins, a player is required to deposit their own money and play-through a prescribed number of times before they can make a withdrawal. On the other hand, FAIR spins come with NO wagering requirement attached so that any money made the payer can keep with no strings attached.
Super spins
Super spins take a different form with every casino, but they are mainly promotional extra spins with a thrilling touch and are more valuable than the average extra spin. That said, some casinos offer super spin on one specific day, say a Sunday with a high value attached to every spin. This makes super spins fans to eagerly look forward to every Sunday with high expectations. Other casinos offer them to only one account so that whether you are on mobile or the on pc you can still spin the reels. Yet other casinos offer super spins for a longer period, of say 4 consecutive days as a welcome bonus. However, in all the different scenarios the super spins take, wagering is a must hence it is important to get familiar with the Terms and conditions attached before you can sign on them.
Bonus Spins
Bonus spins are the most common type of No-deposit bonus, they are not only favored by casinos and but also loved by players. They take two forms the first being the sign-up bonus while the 2nd feature as an ongoing promotion. The former will award a player with extra spins once they sign in while the later will reward loyal customers with extra spins a few times throughout the year.
Read more about Finn and the Swirly Spin by NetEnt
Understanding wagering requirement
The term wagering is often used interchangeably with play- through requirements both having identical meaning. In a nutshell, this refers to the number of times or the total amount value that you will play before you can unlock your bonus and withdraw it or use it in your account.
For example, it is not uncommon to see very high requirements set for up to 80 times by some casino establishments on certain games. On the other hand, some casinos have very low requirements of 2 or 4 times in some games. A game such as the Blackjack that generally counts for a small percentage of the house edge will also account for a small percentage of the requirements. It is important that you read through the specific terms and conditions (small prints) attached to every bonus before you accept the offer
Wager less spins
Wager less means that no wagering is needed to be played on the game on offer. It’s normally offered as a loyalty reward for players with spins earned the same way loyalty points are rewarded in other sites. Wager less spins are assigned specific coin value so that players can play and withdrawal their winnings without play-though requirements
Conclusion
All things considered, it is a great time to be a casino player considering how far the casino industry has come. However, some wagering requirements have been set so high that a player is less likely to win once they pick the welcome bonus. But still, free spins are still extra spins and hence an additional chance to win money without staking any of your own money. The secret I must say is to do a bit of ‘casino shopping’ for favorable wagering requirements or find casinos that offer wager less extra spins and although they are few and far between they are definitely worth your time.
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