Are No Deposit Free Spins Worth It? A Chat With Paul Puolakka, CMO of Mr. Gamble

No deposit free spins are one of the hottest bonuses in online casinos. Players love them, but some casino operators aren’t so sure.

Are they really valuable, or do they just attract people who never plan to deposit? To get some real insight, we caught up with Paul Puolakka, CMO of Mr. Gamble, to break down the truth behind no deposit free spins and how casinos can use them to their advantage.

Paul’s been in the iGaming industry since 2014, bringing over a decade of experience across major brands like Betsson, ComeOn!, and Ninja Casino. Over the years, he has consulted a range of iGaming companies on everything from affiliate marketing and localization to optimizing sales funnels.

Since 2020, Paul has been active on the affiliate side, running his own successful projects before joining Mr. Gamble, where he has served as CMO for the past two years. His well-rounded expertise gives him a unique perspective on both the operator and affiliate sides of the business.

Paul, no deposit free spins seem risky for casinos. Why should they offer them at all?

Yeah, I get why some casinos are skeptical. Giving away free spins with no deposit sounds like a recipe for attracting players who just grab the bonus and run. Some do, sure. But casinos that dismiss these bonuses are missing the bigger picture.

When a player claims free spins no deposit offers, the casino gets something just as valuable as money: data. They collect the player’s email, name, birthday, and other demographic details. That’s marketing gold. Even if the player doesn’t deposit immediately, a well-structured CRM funnel can bring them back later. So, instead of seeing free spins as a loss, casinos should see them as an investment in long-term customer acquisition.

If these players aren’t depositing upfront, how can casinos turn them into paying customers?

It all comes down to smart retention strategies. Too many casinos focus only on First Time Depositors (FTDs) and ignore long-term potential. Just because someone doesn’t deposit on day one doesn’t mean they won’t deposit later.

Here’s how casinos can convert no deposit players. First, send a special deposit offer a few days after they claim their free spins. Then, give them a VIP loyalty boost to make them feel special. Lastly, use personalized retargeting ads based on their game preferences.

Casinos that overlook CRM and loyalty tactics are throwing away a huge opportunity. The best ones know how to nurture these players and turn them into long-term customers.

Are there certain markets where no deposit free spins work better?

Definitely. We see big success with no deposit casino bonuses in Nordic countries, Canada, and parts of Europe. Players in these regions tend to be more cautious with their money, they want to test a casino first before making a deposit.

Also, in markets with strict advertising regulations, no deposit free spins are a smart way to attract new players. If a casino can’t run aggressive marketing campaigns, offering free spins gives players a reason to check them out organically.

What are the biggest mistakes casinos make with no deposit bonuses?

The biggest mistake? Focusing only on FTDs. Many casinos judge success only by how many players deposit right away. But that’s short-term thinking.

Instead, they should track how well their CRM funnel converts no deposit players, the percentage of these players who deposit later, and how loyalty programs keep them engaged.

Another major mistake is making withdrawal conditions too harsh. If a player wins from free spins but sees impossible wagering requirements, they’ll get frustrated and leave forever. A better approach would be to offer reasonable terms so players stay engaged and are more likely to deposit.

Should casinos rethink how they value no deposit players?

Of course! Too many operators dismiss these players as low value, but that’s the wrong mindset. In such a competitive industry, even getting a player’s contact information is a win.

If casinos invest in a strong CRM strategy, a well-optimized loyalty program, and easy payment methods, they can turn freebie hunters into loyal, depositing players. No deposit bonuses aren’t just giveaways. When used correctly, they’re one of the best acquisition tools.