By Samantha Williams
The no deposit casino has in its time been a cause célèbre because it has raised wide-spread controversy. Some experts believe that the no deposit casino is a good thing while others believe it is bad, simply because it encourages scamsters and tricksters to target online casinos. These bad apples do what all bad apples do, ruin the entire barrel. So, what has actually happened in certain instances, and I see it all the time, is, online casinos treat all members as though they are tarred with the same “bad apple” brush.
I noticed this recently at Virtual Casino Group Network sites, on the Real Time Gaming software platform. Although the operator and software company is completely above board, customers are genuinely turned off because of strict withdrawal policies. But this network has made a rod for its own back by being a no deposit casino which gives away massive bonuses. These bonuses are so huge that they are actually ridiculous. For example the no deposit casino bonus for new members or potential new members is a $50 chip and they are giving away re-deposit bonuses of up to 475% on $40 deposit. I am not intending to say this network or the sites which are on it are rogue casinos, but this is the impression players get when they cannot withdraw their winnings because the sites are so strict about withdrawal and other criteria. You will also find that a reliable online casino portal will go as far as telling people not to play at these sites, and in some instances give them the label “rogue”.
Essentially, tying too much money up in bonuses also affects the liquidity of an online casino. If it is a practical, easily manageable amount, say for instance 888casino.com gave a no deposit casino bonus of $8.88 as a promotional amount to tie in with their brand. It is far more manageable to budget and project cash flows, with a small, yet still generous amount like this.
As far as players are concerned, my advice is to always choose a good branded casino with a solid reputation and a realistic no deposit casino bonus. If they give you $5, it’s still free, and allows you to try the site before you buy. If they allow you to play for an hour for free, the same applies, winnings are generally confined a minimum of $20 and a maximum of $100, which goes into the new players bonus account and has to be cleared with wagering requirements. It is true what they say about online offers of all shapes and sizes – if it looks too good to be true, it generally is.
This is a very good rule of thumb for all online operations, including online casinos, bingo sites, poker rooms, sports betting, financial spread betting, you name it, the rule still applies.
