When it comes to online gambling, you’d be hard-pressed to find anything more enticing than free money offers.

Requiring no deposit and giving players a chance to win real cash money with no risk involved, various no deposit bonuses available at many US online casinos are hugely popular among gamblers of all shapes and sizes, but especially casual players looking for a bit of fun.

Those with more experience in online gambling know a lot about free money offers, but for the players just starting, there are many questions that they need answers to. For example:

  • Why do casinos give away free real money?
  • Are no deposit bonuses really free?
  • Can I win actual money using US online casino no deposit free bonuses?

In this comprehensive guide to free real money US casino no deposit bonuses, we will try to answer these and many other questions and also give you a list of the best gambling sites in the US providing such bonuses. By the time you are done reading, you will know everything there is to know about no deposit casino bonuses and will have all the resources you need to grab a few and jump straight into the action.

No Deposit Bonuses: State-by-State Overview

Casino Michigan New Jersey Pennsylvania West Virginia
BetMGM Casino $25 free $25 free $25 free $50 free + 50 free spins
Borgata Casino $20 free $20 free
PokerStars Casino $100 after wagering $1 $100 after wagering $1 $100 after wagering $1
betmgm
Last verified: March 2024
Special Signup Offer
$25 No Deposit Bonus!
  • 100% up to $1,000 on your first deposit
  • Quality live dealer action
  • Exclusive progressive slots
Please play responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER.

Why Do US Online Casinos Offer Free Money?

Let us start at the top and answer the question that confuses most players out there — Why?

We all know that casinos are in the business of making money, not giving it away. So why would an online casino willingly throw free money at new players without requiring them to make a deposit?

The answer is quite simple — confidence and competition. There are many online casinos operating in the US, and they all battle for customers. Whether in Michigan, Pennsylvania, or New Jersey, gambling sites compete for the same player pool, trying to convince the gamblers that their site is better than the rest.

And what better way to attract someone to give your casino a chance than giving them some free money to test the games and potentially even walk away with a nice win?

Furthermore, the operators believe so strongly in the quality of their product that they’re willing to give players a free test drive, and, in doing so, the players will be so impressed with their casino that they’ll want to stay on and keep playing once the free funds run out.

That answers the question of “why.” Of course, free money isn’t everything, as there are many other aspects that come into play when choosing a site to stick with, such as the game selection, customer support, and more, but a generous no deposit bonus is certainly a good hook to get players onto the site.

Winning Real Money Using Casino No Deposit Bonuses

Even the more experienced gamblers can sometimes be leery about free money offers. Some casinos will use these as an advertising method but will tie the bonus to so many different terms and conditions that they make it impossible to cash out any winnings. This is commonly the case with many offshore casinos, which advertise to-good-to-be-true no deposit bonuses that are impossible to clear.

The good news is that no deposit bonuses at regulated US online casinos are never tied to such conditions. Because state bodies license the operators, they are on a fairly tight leash in terms of what they can and cannot do. So, if a casino wants to offer a free money bonus, they must be very clear and transparent about the terms.

Answering the most important question, it is possible to win real money using these bonuses, and most US operators do not have a maximum withdrawal cap, either. This means that, in theory, you could go on a lucky streak and turn a $25 bonus into a few hundred or even a few thousand.

That said, there are still some terms and conditions that you need to be aware of when claiming these offers to make the most out of them.

US Casinos Free Money & Wagering Requirements

While casinos are happy to treat new players to some free funds, they want to ensure those funds are used for playing and not withdrawn immediately. The only way to do this is by setting up wagering requirements.

In the simplest of terms, wagering requirements represent the number of times you need to play the bonus through before you are allowed to withdraw it. US casino no deposit bonuses are quite player-friendly in this regard, but you will still have to deal with some wagering.

To explain it in a simple example, if you receive $20 in free casino cash and the wagering is set at 20x (20 times), you will need to place a total of $400 worth of wagers before a withdrawal is possible.

There might be some other restrictions regarding what games are eligible and what the maximum bet per game is allowed, so you should always read all the terms and conditions and ensure you stick to them.

This is very important when playing with bonus funds in general. Breaking bonus terms, even at US casinos, can cause you to lose the bonus money and any related winnings, so staying within the rules is important.

While not part of the T&C’s, it is worth noting that most US casinos will require you to make a minimum deposit before you can request a cashout. This is so they can connect and verify your payment method before transferring funds out of the casino.

Finding Best Free Money Offers at US Online Casinos

Now that we have covered some of the main aspects of free casino bonuses, let us look at the best offers available to US players. A fair number of fully licensed online casinos will give you a chance to get a no deposit bonus immediately after registration without having to risk any of your own funds.

BetMGM Casino $25 Free Money Offer

betmgm casino free moneyWhen it comes to US casino free money offers, BetMGM Casino is at the very front of the pack. It is currently the best no deposit bonus available to the players, featuring $25 ($50 & 50 free spins in West Virginia) in free funds you can take straight to your favorite games.

Claiming the free bonus at BetMGM Casino is easy. You just need to sign up for a new account and verify your player details, and the money will be immediately available for you to use. Of course, you can claim this bonus only once when signing up, and you are not allowed to make additional accounts just to get free cash.

The FREEPLAY bonus is issued immediately after successful verification and is valid for three days. You need to use the funds within this period, and you are allowed to play any games you want except progressive jackpot slots. It is also important to mention that free casino funds cannot be used to place bets on BetMGM Sportsbook.

BetMGM Casino free real money no deposit bonusThe wagering requirement for the FREEPLAY bonus is just 1x — the lowest possible requirement. You will only need to wager the funds once, after which you will be able to cash out the bonus and any winnings you may have achieved.

All play on casino games counts towards the wagering, with slots, scratch cards, and virtual games contributing in full ($1 played contributes $1 towards wagering). Table games like roulette only count for 20%, while blackjack only contributes 10% (for $10 wagered, only $1 is counted towards wagering requirements).

As far as free real money US casino no deposit bonuses go, the one available at BetMGM Casino is very generous and quite player-friendly. The offer is easy to claim, comes with the lowest possible wagering requirements, and there are very few restrictions in terms of how you can use the funds.

States Eligible for BetMGM Casino Free Money

Michigan BetMGM Casino MI $25
New Jersey BetMGM Casino NJ $25
Pennsylvania BetMGM Casino PA $25
West Virginia BetMGM Casino WV $50 + 50 Free Spins

Sign up now and claim your free casino cash or head to our in-depth BetMGM Casino Review to learn why this is our top-ranked online casino in the US!

betmgm
Last verified: March 2024
Special Signup Offer
$25 No Deposit Bonus!
  • 100% up to $1,000 on your first deposit
  • Quality live dealer action
  • Exclusive progressive slots
Please play responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER.

Borgata Casino $20 No Deposit Bonus

borgata casino free moneyBorgata Casino is another great option for US players looking to get some free money. The operator has a similar offer to BetMGM (which is not a surprise, given they are both owned by the same company), but the total amount of free play on offer is a bit lower.

New players can claim $20 in FREEPLAY when signing up, and all you need to do is create and verify your account after joining. The bonus is added immediately after, and you can use it on various casino games, excluding progressive slots.

Borgata Casino free real money no deposit bonusThe associated wagering requirement is also just 1x, so as soon as you wager a total of $20, the funds will move to your real money account, and you will be able to withdraw them.

This quality no deposit casino offer works well for casual players and more serious gamblers. It will allow you to explore the casino, test what they offer, and potentially even win some money without any risk involved.

States Eligible for Borgata Casino Free Money

New Jersey Borgata Casino NJ $20
Pennsylvania Borgata Casino PA $20

Sign up and start playing for free or find out all about what this casino has to offer in our in-depth Borgata Casino Review.

borgata
Last verified: March 2024
Special Signup Offer
100% deposit bonus up to $1000!
  • $20 no deposit bonus after registering
  • Best jackpot slots around
  • Excellent live dealer casino
Please play responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER.

PokerStars Casino $100 Special Bonus Offer

pokerstars casino free moneyPokerStars Casino is also a popular no deposit casino option among US players, but as far as free money offers are concerned, the operator does not quite keep up with the rest. You can claim $100 in bonus funds to get you started, but in order to do so, you will need to first wager $1.

This is not a particularly tall order, as you just need to wager $1 on any poker or casino game. You will immediately receive $100 in casino credits, divided between bonus spins, and casino credits.

PokerStars Casino free real money no deposit bonusHowever, the only way to have that $1, to begin with, is to make a real money deposit, which makes this offer a bit less appealing than the other ones we mentioned in this extensive US online casino free money guide.

It is also important to mention that the qualifying wager needs to be made within five days of registering your account. Once done, visit your casino account’s Challenges section and activate the $100 bonus.

The bonus is issued over the course of five days. Each day, you will receive $10 in instant casino credits and 50 bonus spins to use on selected games.

States Eligible for PokerStars Casino Instant Bonus

Michigan PokerStars Casino MI $100 after wagering $1
New Jersey PokerStars Casino NJ $100 after wagering $1
Pennsylvania PokerStars Casino PA $100 after wagering $1

Create your PokerStars account or find out all about what this poker king has to offer casino players in our in-depth PokerStars Casino US Review.

pokerstars casino
Last verified: March 2024
Great Welcome Bonus!
Bet $1 & Get $100!
  • Unlock a $100 bonus after wagering $1
  • Great variety of gaming options
  • Quality player rewards program
Claim Signup Offer
Please play responsibly. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call 1-800 GAMBLER.

How to Make the Most Out of Your No Deposit Bonuses at US Casinos

As you can see, getting some free money at US online casinos is not all that hard. Several operators across a few states will happily give you some free casino dollars to get you started and even let you cash out your winnings with very few restrictions.

However, getting the bonus is just the first step. You might be wondering how you can give yourself the best chance to actually make something out of it, and there are some strategies to get the best bang for your (free) buck.

All gambling is down to luck at the end of the day. No matter what casino-housed game you pick, you will be the underdog as the house always retains an edge, which can be anything from 0.5% (like in blackjack) up to 4%-5% or more on slots.

As you can see, slots have a pretty big casino advantage, so these games always contribute to bonus wagering requirements. But this is not necessarily something you need to worry about when playing with free casino bonuses. Slots’ RTP is calculated over millions of spins. It is an average number that guarantees the profit for the operator, but you will not play anywhere near that number of spins when you take a no deposit bonus.

There are basically two approaches you can take, and both are equally as good, depending on what you want to achieve:

  • Play a high-volatility slot on higher bets and try to get lucky
  • Find a low-volatility game and play on a lower bet to virtually guarantee some profit

Given that you are not risking any of your own money, the first approach is probably slightly more advantageous and definitely more exciting. When using a free US casino bonus, you can give yourself a chance to try and hit big. If it does not happen, you will only “lose” a bit of your time, but you will have a lot of fun in the process.

With the second approach, you can expect to almost always end up with some cash from your $20 or $25 free bonus. Sometimes it will be a bit lower than what you started with, sometimes a bit higher, but if you stick to low volatility slots on lower bets, you are unlikely to end up with more than $50 in withdrawable funds.

It ultimately boils down to what works better for you as a player. The most important thing here is that you are not really risking anything, so you can fully relax and enjoy your gaming experience the way you like it, without any unnecessary pressure.

Are There Any Reasons to Not Take Free Money From US Casinos?

In today’s world, very few things are truly free, so it is natural for players to be skeptical about free money offers at US online casinos. Plus, some of the more experienced players might have not-so-good experiences with international gambling sites from years ago, where “free” offers turned into a proper nightmare when the time came to cash out.

The good news is that there are no hidden tricks with licensed casinos in the United States. State regulators would never stand for such practices, so you will find that all terms and conditions are very straightforward and concise.

There is no reason to avoid free casino offers, whether you’re a casual player or a high-roller. They will not get in the way of your gaming experience and will not become an obstacle to cashing out at any later point. If you take a no deposit bonus and lose, that is all there is to it. On your next deposit, there will be no hidden restrictions.

We suggest not mixing free casino credits with real money funds to keep things simple. This will not get you in trouble, but keeping track of the wagering is much easier when only the no deposit bonus is active.

US Online Casinos No Deposit Bonus FAQ

Can I get free money to play with at licensed US casinos?

Yes, you can claim a no deposit bonus at many licensed online casinos in the US, including BetMGM Casino, Borgata Casino, and PokerStars Casino. Operators use this type of promotion to attract new players. They will give you some free credits to try their games and see what they offer without risking any of your own money.

Is it possible to win real money using a US casino no deposit bonus?

Yes, you can win real money using a free casino bonus. Although you do not have to deposit, these bonuses act like real cash, meaning that any winnings are completely legitimate. You can start with a completely free bonus and end up with a handsome cashout.

What do I need to do to withdraw my free casino bonus?

You will not be able to withdraw your free bonus immediately. Before you can cash out, you will need to fulfill the wagering requirements. This is the total number of times you need to stake the full value of the bonus before a withdrawal is possible. Most US casino free money offers have very low and player-friendly wagering requirements, where you can cash out as soon as you wager the bonus one time.

What games can I play at US online casinos using free casino credits?

The list of eligible games varies from one casino to another. For the most part, you will be able to play all slots (except for progressive jackpots), and these are your best choice, as they count in full towards wagering. Some casinos will also let you play electronic table games like roulette and blackjack, but with lower wagering contributions.

Do I have to register for an account to claim free money at US online casinos?

Yes, since no deposit bonuses are treated like real money, you will need to register for an account with the operator before you can claim these offers. In fact, you will probably need to verify your account as well before you can access free casino money.

Will I need to make a deposit before I can withdraw my free bonus winnings?

Most US online casinos will require you to make the minimum deposit before you can initiate the withdrawal of your free funds, even after you complete the wagering requirements. By making a deposit, you will connect your banking method to the casino, so this is usually a mandatory step in the process. On the bright side, the minimum deposit will usually suffice for this purpose.

What are the best US online casinos offering free money bonuses?

The top two US casinos offering free money bonuses are definitely BetMGM Casino and Borgata Casino, giving you $25 and $20 in free casino funds, respectively. These bonuses also come with wagering requirements of just 1x, so you will have no problems clearing the requirement and cashing out some winnings.

If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help, call the Virginia Council on Problem Gambling (VACPG) helpline at 1-888-532-3500