The Secret behind Leading iGaming Brands Offering No Deposit Bonuses

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The welcome bonus is an established practice across the online gambling industry, with online casino platforms, in particular, experimenting a great deal with the structure. There have been massive matched deposit offers, stacks of free spins, staggered bundles of the two, but now, the welcome bonus that’s growing in prominence is the no deposit bonus.

Still a relatively new concept, the no deposit bonus allows players to experience aspects of the platform hands-on, as well as see the whole offering behind the non-customer landing pages that platforms are so fond of using. So, what has made leading websites turn to offering free gaming to new customers, and why does doing so work for all parties involved?

 

How the no deposit bonus came into being

If there’s one word that perfectly sums up the iGaming industry, it’s “competitive.” From a handful of operators and game developers to being an incredibly lively and varied gaming scene, innovative minds have found that there’s always space for another brand to muscle-in on the established order. By including a different rewards structure, variety of games, or a better gaming platform, the competition forces brands to keep on improving; this is one of the reasons why the industry has grown tremendously.

Of the many battlegrounds in online casino gaming, the welcome bonus has become a focal point and has become the primary selling-point for most brands. Over the years, players and review sites have become savvy to the ways of wagering requirements and matched deposit bonuses, which are no longer seen as free bonuses as they require a deposit and then playthrough.

So, an ingenious website decided to offer genuinely free playtime of the site’s real offering through a no deposit bonus. By splitting the sign-up aspect from more seasoned welcome bonus offers, players were able to experience the casino for free. Since its inception, the practice has caught on, with bonuses ranging in applicable games, amounts, and types across no deposit casino offers, from £88 to 5 Echoes, and further, to offers in excess of $400.

 

Why do online casinos and players benefit from no deposit bonuses?

In an entertainment medium that runs on money changing hands, it would seem counterproductive for an operator to offer the chance to play their money games for free. However, as not all new players to a casino are new casino players, they know that other bonuses, even “free spins,” require them to commit money. People are more mindful of their money these days and want to be able to test the goods before paying into the service.

With a no deposit bonus, a player will get the keys to the real website and its whole offering, being allowed to browse around and experience it for themselves, as well as enjoy the gaming that they’re there for. So, even if they don’t enjoy the site or the games centric to the no deposit offer, there aren’t any hard feelings towards the brand; because it was a free sample without any strings attached.

Should they like the offering, the instinct of reciprocity will sometimes kick-in, leading to the players now knowing that it is the right website for their future gaming needs. Free sampling, which is effectively what a no deposit bonuses are, have been proven to work across several industries, with Costco’s free sample tables, for example, being famously productive at boosting sales and encouraging customers to return. It all combines to create a more welcoming experience that opens the gate with a great deal of goodwill.

The no deposit bonus has caught on across leading iGaming brands because it offers a benefit to both parties. The player gets a truly free sample of the gaming platform to then make an informed decision on if they want to play there, while the brand sees an increase in player retention and enhances their public image.