Free Spins Bonuses Explained
A free spins bonus gives you a set number of spins on one or a few pokies at a fixed stake chosen by the casino. You do not pick the bet size, the game or, usually, the lines. What you keep depends on three numbers: the value of each spin, the wagering applied to the winnings and the maximum you can cash out.
Free spins in casino promotions are different from the free spins feature inside a pokie, which is triggered by scatters. That in-game feature is covered in our free spins features guide. This page deals with promotional spins and is part of our bonus guides.
Where Free Spins Come From
| Source | How they are triggered | Example from our reviews |
|---|---|---|
| Welcome package | Added to one or more first deposits | Casiny: 25, 50 and 75 spins on deposits 1–3, wager-free |
| Weekly deposit spins | Deposit on a set day | RocketPlay Friday: A$30/A$75/A$150+ for 20/50/100 spins, x40 |
| Promo code spins | Code plus a minimum deposit | GunsBet Wednesday: code COWBOYFS, deposit over A$85, 50 spins, x40 |
| No deposit spins | Registration or app install | CristalPoker: 100 spins, x30, A$80 cap |
| Reload combos | Match bonus plus spins | HellSpin Wednesday: 50% up to A$600 + 100 spins |
See the full terms in our reviews of RocketPlay, GunsBet and Casiny, or browse current offers in the bonus archive.
Step 1: Find the Value per Spin
The number of spins means little without the stake. 100 spins at A$0.10 are worth A$10; 20 spins at A$1.00 are worth A$20. Most casino spins are set at the game’s minimum stake, commonly A$0.10 to A$0.20. If the stake is not shown in the terms, check the game’s bet display when the spins load.
Expected return from the spins = number of spins x stake x RTP. 100 spins at A$0.20 on a 96% RTP pokie return about A$19.20 on average.
Step 2: Apply the Wagering
Spin winnings are normally credited as bonus money with wagering attached. Using the same 100 spins:
- Average winnings: A$19.20.
- Wagering at x40: 40 x A$19.20 = A$768.
- Expected loss on A$768 at 96% RTP: A$30.72.
- Expected withdrawable amount: A$19.20 – A$30.72, so on average nothing reaches the cashier.
At x30 the turnover is A$576 and the expected loss A$23.04, still above A$19.20. Wagered free spins are a chance to win, not a positive-value offer, unless the rollover is very low.
Wager-Free Spins
With wager-free (no-wagering) spins the winnings go straight to your real balance. The same 100 spins at A$0.20 then have an expected value of A$19.20, minus nothing. Casinos balance this with win caps. Casiny’s welcome spins are wager-free with winnings capped at A$500, and Wild Fortune lists wager-free spins in later steps of its welcome pack. A A$500 cap equals 2,500x a A$0.20 stake, so it is reached only after a rare large win; a A$50 cap would cut far more outcomes.
Step 3: Check the Cap and the Game
- Win caps: 7Bit’s Wednesday spins cap winnings at A$1,000; Wild Tornado caps welcome spin winnings at A$1,750.
- Game RTP: spins are locked to a named pokie. A 94% game returns A$18.80 per A$20 of spins instead of A$19.20. Look up the title in our slots reviews or the high RTP pokies guide.
- Volatility: a high-volatility game produces more zero results and occasional large wins that then hit the cap. Lower volatility gives more frequent small balances to wager.
- Batches: many casinos credit spins in daily batches (PlayAmo and Neospin release 20 per day). Unused batches expire.
Tiered Weekly Spins: Which Tier Makes Sense
RocketPlay’s Friday offer gives 20 spins for A$30, 50 for A$75 and 100 for A$150+. That is 0.67 spins per A$1 at every tier, so a larger deposit does not improve the rate. 7Bit’s Wednesday code gives 35/75/100 spins for A$40/A$70/A$150: the A$70 tier gives 1.07 spins per A$1, more than the A$150 tier (0.67). Divide spins by deposit before choosing a tier.
| Casino | Deposit | Spins | Spins per A$1 |
|---|---|---|---|
| RocketPlay Friday | A$30 | 20 | 0.67 |
| RocketPlay Friday | A$150 | 100 | 0.67 |
| 7Bit Wednesday | A$40 | 35 | 0.88 |
| 7Bit Wednesday | A$70 | 75 | 1.07 |
| 7Bit Wednesday | A$150 | 100 | 0.67 |
Terms from our 7Bit review.
Free Spins vs Match Bonus
A first deposit choice like King Billy’s (125% up to A$375 or 200 free spins) can be compared directly. 200 spins at A$0.20 are A$40 of spin value; 125% of a A$100 deposit is A$125 of bonus money. The match carries more turnover but more playing balance. The spins option suits a smaller deposit and a shorter session. Our bonus buy vs free spins page covers the related question of buying a feature directly.
Common Free Spins Terms
- Spins must be activated within a set period, often 24 hours to 7 days.
- Winnings must be wagered within a separate period, often 3 to 7 days. See bonus expiry.
- Deposits with some e-wallets may not qualify (Casinoly and MrPunter exclude Skrill and Neteller).
- Only one active bonus at a time; claiming spins may cancel an active match bonus.
For the full process of turning spin winnings into cash, see how to clear a bonus, and for casinos that run regular spins, our free spins casinos list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Multiply the spins by the stake. 100 spins at A$0.20 are worth A$20 of play and return about A$19.20 on average on a 96% RTP pokie, before wagering.
Only with wager-free spins. Otherwise winnings are credited as bonus money and must be wagered, often 30x to 40x, before withdrawal.
Rarely. Spins are tied to a named game, such as Take Olympus for CristalPoker’s no deposit spins or Bonanza Billion for Wild Tornado’s welcome spins.
Not always. RocketPlay’s Friday tiers give 0.67 spins per A$1 at every level, while 7Bit’s middle tier gives more spins per dollar than its top tier.
They expire at the end of the activation period stated in the terms and cannot be restored.
Free spins are a gambling product. Play only if you are 18+, and call Gambling Help Online on 1800 858 858 for free support.