What Is a No Deposit Bonus? Wagering and Cashout Explained

September 30, 2026

Open gift box next to fine print under a magnifying glass: no deposit bonus explained

Quick answer: A no deposit bonus is bonus cash or free spins for registering, usually with 40x to 70x wagering, a max cashout and a short expiry. The Chipstars welcome bonus is a deposit bonus of up to 270%, released at 0.5% of each bet (about 200x the bonus in bets); one round of wagering frees only your deposit and winnings.

Updated: 30 September 2026

What is a no deposit bonus worth next to a deposit bonus? Typical market ranges compared with the Chipstars welcome bonus:

What you get: Typical no deposit bonus: Small bonus credit or free spins for registering; Chipstars welcome bonus: Up to 270% in real money across the first 4 deposits, up to 15,000 USD in total
Deposit needed: Typical no deposit bonus: None to claim; Chipstars welcome bonus: 30 USD or more to activate each stage
Wagering: Typical no deposit bonus: Often 40x to 70x the bonus or winnings; Chipstars welcome bonus: Deposit wagered once to free it. The locked bonus is released at wager x 1% x 50%, about 200x the bonus in bets to release in full
Withdrawing winnings: Typical no deposit bonus: Capped by a max cashout, often a small multiple of the bonus; Chipstars welcome bonus: Deposit and winnings withdrawable after one round of wagering, and the bonus stays active
Max bet: Typical no deposit bonus: A small fixed amount per spin or hand; Chipstars welcome bonus: None under the welcome bonus terms
Time limit: Typical no deposit bonus: Bonus cash 7 to 14 days, free spins 24 to 48 hours; Chipstars welcome bonus: None under the welcome bonus terms

What is a no deposit bonus?

A no deposit bonus is a casino promotion that credits bonus money or free spins to a new account without asking for a deposit. It lets you try the casino, but anything you win stays bonus money until you meet the terms.

Common forms of no deposit bonus:

Bonus cash: a small fixed amount added after registration.
No deposit free spins: a set number of spins on one named slot, with winnings credited as bonus money.
Free bets: a sportsbook stake you do not pay for; usually only the winnings come back.

How do wagering requirements work on a no deposit bonus?

No deposit bonus wagering requirements set the total amount you must bet before bonus money becomes withdrawable cash. You multiply the bonus, or the free spin winnings, by the wagering figure. It is also called playthrough or rollover.

Wagering requirements explained with made-up numbers:

You receive a 10 USD no deposit bonus with 40x wagering.
You need to place 10 x 40 = 400 USD in bets before you can withdraw.
You play a slot with a 96% RTP. Over 400 USD of bets, the average return is 384 USD, an average loss of 16 USD.
That average loss exceeds the 10 USD you started with, so the balance often runs out before the wagering is done.

Free spins follow the same maths: 8 USD of spin winnings at 40x means 320 USD in bets. Results vary, but the wagering multiple, not the headline amount, decides whether a no deposit bonus turns into cash.

What are the usual no deposit bonus terms and conditions?

No deposit bonus terms and conditions usually add four limits on top of wagering, and together they decide what you can actually withdraw.

Max cashout: a ceiling on what you can withdraw from bonus winnings, often a small multiple of the bonus. With a hypothetical 50 USD cap, finishing on 180 USD means the other 130 USD is forfeited.
Max bet: a small per-spin or per-hand limit while the bonus is active. Betting above it can void your winnings.
Expiry: bonus cash commonly expires in 7 to 14 days and free spins in 24 to 48 hours, wagering included.
Game weighting: slots usually count 50% to 100% toward wagering, table games 0% to 20% and live dealer games 0% to 10%. At 10%, a 5 USD blackjack hand counts as 0.50 USD.

How to withdraw no deposit bonus winnings

Winnings from a no deposit bonus can be withdrawn once you finish the wagering in time, stay under the max bet and pass identity checks, and the max cashout caps the amount. Some offers also require a first deposit before a withdrawal is paid. Treat a no deposit bonus as a free trial of a casino, not a way to make money.

No deposit bonus or deposit bonus: which suits regular players?

For regular players, a deposit bonus that frees the deposit after one round of wagering can be a better fit than a no deposit bonus, whose winnings are capped by a max cashout. The trade-off is a slow bonus release.

Two ways a bonus on a 100 USD deposit can work:

Combined wagering (hypothetical): a 100 USD bonus with 30x on deposit plus bonus means 6,000 USD in bets, often within 30 days and under a max bet. Your deposit stays tied up until you finish, and what is left at the deadline can be forfeited.
Chipstars welcome bonus (real terms): a first deposit of 100 USD earns a 150% bonus, so 150 USD. You wager the 100 USD once, then your deposit and winnings can be withdrawn. The bonus is released at 0.5% of every bet on contributing games (wager x 1% x 50%), so releasing all 150 USD takes 30,000 USD of bets, about 200x the bonus.

In pure bonus terms, the combined example releases faster. The Chipstars difference is that your deposit needs only one round of wagering and, under the welcome bonus terms, nothing expires and there is no max bet. No bonus changes the house edge, so treat any bonus as a reward on play you would do anyway, not a reason to bet more.

How does the Chipstars welcome bonus work?

The Chipstars welcome bonus pays up to 270% in real money across your first 4 deposits, up to 15,000 USD in total, and each stage activates with a deposit of 30 USD or more. The full rules are on the Chipstars welcome bonus page.

Deposit 30 USD or more to activate a stage.
Wager your deposit once, then withdraw your deposit and winnings at any time.
Keep playing to release the bonus at wager x 1% x 50%. The welcome bonus terms set no time limit and no max bet, later deposits keep counting and the bonus stays active after a withdrawal.

More in the welcome bonus guide and the general bonus terms. Chipstars also pays 10% weekly cashback on casino net losses every Monday once it reaches €5 or more (terms can differ for affiliate sign-ups), and 5% rakeback on the house edge of every casino bet, both in real money.

FAQ

What does 40x wagering mean?

40x wagering means you must bet 40 times the bonus amount before you can withdraw. A 10 USD bonus at 40x needs 400 USD in total bets.

How do no deposit free spins work?

No deposit free spins are a set number of spins on one named slot, credited for registering. The winnings arrive as bonus money and usually face wagering, a max cashout and an expiry of 24 to 48 hours.

Is the Chipstars welcome bonus a no deposit bonus?

No, the Chipstars welcome bonus is a deposit bonus: each of the first 4 stages activates with a deposit of 30 USD or more and pays up to 270% in real money.

How much do I need to bet to release the Chipstars welcome bonus?

The Chipstars welcome bonus is released at wager x 1% x 50%, so 500 USD of bets releases 2.50 USD. A 150 USD welcome bonus needs 30,000 USD of bets to release in full, and the welcome bonus terms set no time limit.

Can I withdraw my deposit before the Chipstars bonus is unlocked?

Yes, Chipstars lets you withdraw your deposit and winnings once you have wagered the deposit once, and the welcome bonus stays active afterwards.

Do I need to verify my identity to withdraw?

Yes, Chipstars verifies identity (KYC) to confirm that players are 18 or over, can request documents before a withdrawal and reviews every withdrawal internally.

Play responsibly

Chipstars is for players aged 18 and over. Gambling is entertainment, not a source of income, and no bonus changes that. Set a deposit limit before you play, take regular breaks and never chase losses. If you need a pause, self-exclusion is available in your account under My Profile, Responsible Gaming, or through support. More on the Chipstars responsible gaming page.

Sources

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