By Samantha Williams

No deposit casinos are a special feature that we only find when we play online. Basically this means that the player does not need to make a deposit first to play, and may try the site before they buy. There are various ways in which no deposit casinos work and some will offer a certain amount of free spins or time, while others offer a cash value for the new member to get started playing.

For example, the Gaming Club, which is a Microgaming site, offers 30 free spins on the download game ‘Madhatters’ or the no-download game, or Flash version of the Osbournes. But no other games may be played on this bonus.  Mummys Gold Casino is also Microgaming and they give potential new members  1 Hour plus $/£/€/C$500 Free to play. Winnings from this promotion may be transferred to a real money account, but there are some terms and conditions which understandably need to be met in order to claim any winnings. The player needs to place 100 or more bets on any game as well as deposit $50+.

Getting something for nothing is great fun, but it pays to remember that the more well-known a site is, the less they give away for free. This is chiefly due to the fact that these sites are not so tricky about how they draw in their customer base. In other words they are more above board. All no deposit casinos come with terms and conditions that must be met for the player to get the full value.

Even though the no deposit bonus has been common practice from as far back as online gambling first began, and were used as marketing leverage, they have become a standard practice for many sites. Yes…they are still used as marketing leverage, but if you don’t have anything to lose and you might win…well…what have you got to lose? Players now expect to receive these bonuses when they play at certain sites, and despite the fact that there was talk of phasing them out many years ago, this has actually yet to happen. We certainly believe that websites which need an edge over the big brands online will hang onto their no deposit casinos policy, tooth and nail.

Although the most common bonus is the cash match welcome bonus, this cannot be said to be a no deposit bonus. The player must register for an account and make a deposit to receive the cash match, where as with the no deposit bonus, no deposit at all is supposed to be required. It is a powerful attractor for many players, but do be careful when you play, because wagering requirements must be met, so, always read terms and conditions and make sure you agree with these. In the long term this avoids any disappointments for the player.

By Samantha Williams

Although legislation and regulation are still pending with regards casinos for USA players, this does not prevent players in this country from accessing offshore web-based casinos and playing online. No matter how legal or illegal an activity this might be for gamers from this country – it is still not entirely clear – despite a DoJ opinion regarding the legality of online casinos and other forms of online gaming. The only thing the opinion has truly made clear is the fact that online sports betting is not allowed.

 Basically the publicly traded companies such as 888.com and Party Gaming excited the US marketplace after taking legal advice, and following the promulgation of the Unlawful Internet  Gambling enforcement Act back in 2006. This Act is linked to an obscure Wire Act dating back to 1960, and has left both gamers and operators alike, stuck in a no-man’s-land of grey areas.

However, some independent brands have ignored both UIGEA, the Wire Act and the US DoJ, and have continued to ply their trade. Players have continued to frequent these websites, although some casino websites are still exiting this marketplace, most are doing this to better position themselves for when the issuance of legal licensing is written into law – if this ever takes place?! If you are a player from the USA and wish to play these games online, then the risk is available there for you to take.

It is still a bit of a risky business as these website are not governed by US law, so player protection is basically non-existent. Although fortunately, some of the software brands that offer these games in the US of A are reliable brands; operating from reliable licensing jurisdiction; these are few and far between.

Recommended lists of casinos for USA players can be found online, and as the legal status of this industry is currently undergoing change, some sites are available in some states. Whereas websites on IGT and Microgaming software do not operate in the USA under any circumstances at this point in time;  Real Time Gaming has sites operating to a USA – facing marketplace, as do a few other software brands. You will find websites such as; Club USA, Lucky Red, Aladdin’s Gold, Manhattan Slots, Sloto’Cash, Royal Ace Casino, and quite a few more.

Online poker legislation is yet again on the cards in the USA, this gives hope for online casinos to piggy-back on the coattails of a game which is as American as apple pie. The pending casinos for USA player legislation supposedly will repeal the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act, so it has to take place at Federal level and currently the only laws repealing this Act are at State level. Federal level always takes precedence over the ‘State’, so, still a great deal has to change.