Can I play slots for free on a casino app?

Four ways to play slots for free on a casino app, and the catch with each

When people search for slots they can play without paying, they usually mean one of four things. Only two of them cost nothing at all, and only one of those can ever pay out cash.

The rest of this page takes each route in turn. Our questions hub has related answers, including what demo mode is and whether free casino apps pay real money.

Demo slots in UK casino apps

A demo loads the real slot with a balance of play credits. You can learn the paytable, see how the bonus round works and try different stake levels without any money changing hands. Nothing you win can be cashed out.

Demos aren't universal. Whether a slot has a play-for-fun version depends on the operator and the studio, and Coral, Ladbrokes and PlayOJO don't publish lists of demo-enabled games, so check a slot's tile or info screen in the app. Our demo mode guide shows where to look.

No-stake prize games: the closest thing to free slots with real prizes

Several big UK apps run daily games that cost nothing to enter and can award cash, bonus spins or other prizes. These are promotions with their own terms, not gambling in the usual sense, and the prizes are set by the operator.

• The App Store listing for the Coral Casino app mentions free-to-play games with real-money prizes, alongside promotions such as Smart Rewards, Rewards Grabber and Coral Coins.
• The Ladbrokes Casino app listing names Instant Spins, a daily prize wheel and game show and live roulette contests among its free-to-play games, plus LadBucks, a reward currency used on arcade games.

Read each game's terms before you rely on it: how often you can play, what the prizes are and whether any winnings come as bonus funds. Our explainers on the Coral daily free game and LadBucks go into the detail, and the daily free games list compares apps that run them.

Are welcome free spins on a casino app actually free?

Not in the plain sense of the word. The spins themselves cost nothing, but you only get them after you deposit and, in most cases, stake your own money on slots first. The advertising rules reflect that: offers shouldn't be described as free if you must risk your own money to qualify, so the condition always sits next to the word.

That doesn't make the offers poor value. Several UK slot offers now carry no wagering, so whatever the spins win is yours to withdraw, and since 19 January 2026 any wagering on a bonus is capped at 10 times the bonus under the Gambling Commission's promotions rules (opens in a new tab). Our guide to free spins in casino apps explains expiry dates and game limits.

What bonus spins are worth in pounds

Face value is simply the number of spins multiplied by the spin value. Expected value is lower, because the slot's RTP still applies to every bonus spin.

Worked example: Big Bass Bonanza has a published RTP of 96.71%. Eighty spins at 10p is £8 of play, so the average expected return is £8 × 96.71% = about £7.74. Real results vary a lot either side, and many sessions return less. On the Coral and Ladbrokes offers you also stake £10 of your own money on slots first; at a 96.71% RTP that £10 has an expected cost of about 33p before any bonus spins. Check the help screen of whichever game you play for its RTP.

Social casino apps: free slots that never pay out

Social casino apps sit in the games section of the app stores and let you spin slots with virtual coins. They're legal, but you can't win money, and many sell extra coins through in-app purchases.

Real-money casino apps work differently. Apple's App Review Guidelines (opens in a new tab) say apps can't use in-app purchase to buy credit or currency for real money gaming, and that real money gaming apps must be free on the App Store. See our comparison of social casino apps vs real money apps and whether casino apps have in-app purchases.

How to try slots without paying in a UK casino app

1. Download a UK-licensed app from the official store listing; check that the publisher matches the brand.
2. Register and pass the age and identity checks. UK rules require these before any free-to-play version of a gambling game.
3. Look for a demo or practice option on individual slot tiles, and read the paytable and RTP while you're there.
4. Check the promotions area for no-stake daily games and read their terms.
5. If you decide to deposit, set a deposit limit at the prompt before your first payment.
6. Treat any welcome spins as part of a budget you are comfortable losing, not as a way to make money.

UK slot rules that apply once you play for real money

The moment real money is involved, the Gambling Commission's slot rules kick in. These apply in every UK-licensed app, on iPhone and Android alike.

• Stake limits: £5 per spin for players aged 25 and over, and £2 for those aged 18 to 24. See slot stake limits on mobile.
• No autoplay since 31 October 2021, and no turbo or slam-stop features.
• At least 2.5 seconds per spin.
• No celebrating a return that is equal to or less than your stake.
• Feature buys: since a Gambling Commission warning in January 2020, feature buy-ins are not offered to British players.

Our overview of the online game design rules explains why each one exists.

Slot apps with bonus spins for new customers

These three offers come closest to the idea of playing slots without paying, because two have no wagering on spin winnings and one pays its winnings in cash. Each still needs a qualifying deposit or stake. 18+, new customers only, and terms apply.

• Coral Casino: between 1 October 2026 and 1 February 2027, deposit (some methods excluded) and bet £10+ on slots to get 100 free spins on selected games, worth 10p each. Accept them within 48 hours and use them within 7 days; no wagering on winnings. Deposits by Neteller, PayPal, Paysafe, Skrill, prepaid card or certain debit cards are excluded.
• Ladbrokes Casino: deposit and spend £10+ on slots to receive 50 free spins a day for the first 10 days (500 maximum), 10p each on selected games, claimed before 23:59 each day and valid for 7 days. No wagering. Deposits by prepaid card, PayPal, Paysafe, Neteller, Skrill or Moneybookers don't count.
• PlayOJO: 80 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza at 10p each with a first deposit of at least £10, for new UK customers excluding Northern Ireland. No wagering; winnings are paid in cash. Only through the designated offer link and not combinable with other offers.

Compare more spin offers on our casino apps with free spins list.

18+. Every casino game has a built-in house edge, so over time you should expect to lose what you stake. Set a budget before you play and stop when it’s gone: safer gambling tools and support. Free, confidential help: National Gambling Helpline 0808 8020 133.