100 Free Welcome Bonus No Deposit Required: The Full 2026 Breakdown
Sarah clicked the bright green banner at 11:42 PM on a Tuesday. The offer promised 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required spins on a popular slot. She registered, verified her email, and within four minutes, the credits landed. No card details were asked for. No deposit was made. That moment of instant gratification is exactly what thousands of UK players chase every single day.
But here is the part the banner does not tell you. That free spin round comes with wagering requirements, game restrictions, and a maximum cashout cap. The operator is not being generous out of kindness. They are running a calculated acquisition model. Understanding that model separates players who walk away with cash from those who simply donate an evening of their time.
This guide breaks down the mechanics of no deposit offers across the UK market in 2026. We will examine the real cost of these bonuses, compare top operators, and walk through the entire journey from registration to withdrawal. No fluff, no hype — just the numbers and the fine print that actually matters.
Why Do Casinos Offer 100 Free Spins Without a Deposit?
The economics behind free bonuses are simpler than most players assume. A casino pays roughly £40 to £80 for each new depositing customer through traditional advertising channels. Compare that to the cost of a no deposit offer, which averages between £5 and £15 per registered player. The math drives the entire strategy.
Operators treat these bonuses as a customer acquisition cost. They calculate that between 30% and 40% of players who take a free offer will eventually make a deposit. Of those, the average lifetime value across UK online casinos in 2026 stands at approximately £640 per player over an 18-month period. The free spins are a loss leader, plain and simple.
There is a second layer here. Offshore operators without a UK Gambling Commission licence use massive no deposit offers to build brand awareness in a market where they cannot advertise through regulated channels. A 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required offer cuts through the noise. It puts their name on a player’s screen without spending a penny on Google Ads or affiliate placements that UKGC-licensed sites dominate.
What Does the Player Acquisition Data Actually Show?
Conversion tracking across the industry reveals that no deposit offers convert at roughly 2.5% to 4% from registration to first deposit. That seems low until you consider the volume. A single operator promoting a 100-spin offer across multiple platforms can generate 10,000 new registrations in a week. Even at a 3% conversion rate, that is 300 new depositing players from one campaign.
The timing matters just as much as the offer size. Most no deposit credits expire within 72 hours of activation. That urgency pushes players to use the spins quickly, often within the first evening. The behavioural pattern is deliberate. Operators know that a player who engages with a game immediately is far more likely to deposit while the session is still active.
Data from affiliate networks shows that the average no deposit player spends 22 minutes on the site during their first session. Depositing players average 47 minutes. The gap represents the core challenge of the model. Free spin users browse, play their allocated rounds, and leave. The operators need to compress that window and convert interest into commitment.
What Is the Real Cost of a 100 Free Spins Offer?
Let us build the actual cost structure. A typical 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required offer on a 10p spin value costs the operator £10 in theoretical game margin. But the wagering requirement of 35x means the player must wager £350 before withdrawing any winnings. The house edge on a standard slot sits at approximately 4%. That translates to an expected £14 loss during the wagering phase.
Now factor in the maximum cashout limit. Most operators cap no deposit winnings at £50 or £100. Even if a player hits a lucky streak and converts their free spins into £200, the withdrawal is capped at the stated limit. The operator’s maximum exposure is therefore the cap amount, not the actual winnings. This is the built-in insurance policy of the bonus system.
The UK Gambling Commission reported that in 2025, regulated operators paid out £4.2 billion in gross gambling yield while spending approximately £310 million on bonuses and promotions. No deposit offers represent roughly 12% of that bonus spend. The industry treats it as a line item, not a charitable donation.
Why Do Offshore Operators Offer Larger Bonuses Than UKGC Sites?
The regulatory gap explains most of the difference. UKGC-licensed operators must comply with strict advertising rules, affordability checks, and a ban on inducing gambling through excessive incentives. A 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required offer from a UKGC site faces scrutiny. The same offer from a Malta or Curacao-licensed operator faces no such restriction.
Offshore operators also avoid the UK’s 15.5% remote gaming duty on gross profits. That saving alone allows them to fund larger bonus budgets. A Curacao-licensed casino operating at a 5% lower tax burden can afford to offer 100 free spins where a UKGC competitor offers only 20 or 30.
There is a trade-off that players rarely consider. Offshore sites do not contribute to UK problem gambling charities through the levy system, which currently stands at 1% of gross yield. They also do not participate in GAMSTOP, the UK’s national self-exclusion scheme. The bigger bonus comes with a thinner safety net underneath it.
How Does a 100 Free Welcome Bonus No Deposit Required Offer Work?
Picture the journey from the player’s side. You land on a casino homepage, spot the offer, and click register. The form asks for your name, email, date of birth, and address. Some operators ask for a phone number. The entire process takes between three and five minutes if you have your details ready.
Verification is where things slow down. UK-facing operators require proof of identity and address before processing any withdrawal. You will need to upload a passport or driving licence along with a utility bill or bank statement. This process can take anywhere from a few hours to 48 hours depending on the operator’s verification team.
The free spins themselves usually credit automatically after registration. Some operators require a bonus code during signup. Others send the spins to your account with no action needed. The 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required offer typically comes in batches — 20 spins per day for five days is a common structure designed to keep you returning to the site.
What Are the Typical Wagering Requirements in 2026?
Industry standard wagering for no deposit spins ranges from 35x to 50x in 2026. A 35x requirement on £10 of free spin winnings means you must wager £350 before requesting a withdrawal. Some offshore operators stretch this to 60x or even 75x, which makes the bonus mathematically near-impossible to convert into cash.
The calculation works against the player in most cases. With a 4% house edge on slots, a 35x wagering requirement carries an expected loss of 140% of the bonus value. In plain terms, the average player who wins £10 from free spins will lose that £10 plus £4 of their own money before meeting the wagering requirement.
Game weightings complicate matters further. Not all games contribute equally to wagering. Slots typically count at 100%, but table games like blackjack and roulette contribute only 5% to 10%. If you try to clear a bonus playing roulette, you would need to wager 10 to 20 times the stated amount to achieve the same progress. The system is designed to funnel you toward slots.
Which Games Can You Play with No Deposit Free Spins?
Operators restrict no deposit spins to specific slot titles. Pragmatic Play’s Big Bass Bonanza appears frequently in these offers, as does NetEnt’s Starburst and Microgaming’s Book of Dead. The selection is not random. These games have medium volatility and return-to-player percentages between 96% and 97%, which balances player satisfaction with operator profit.
Live casino games from Evolution and Playtech are almost universally excluded from no deposit promotions. The house edge on live roulette sits at 2.7%, far lower than slots. If operators allowed free spins to be converted into live casino play, the wagering requirements would be nearly impossible to enforce profitably.
Some operators now include newer titles from Hacksaw Gaming and Nolimit City in their no deposit rotations. These games carry higher volatility, meaning bigger swings in either direction. A player might convert 100 free spins into £300 or lose everything in the first 30 spins. The variance adds excitement but reduces the predictability of the bonus value.
What Is the Maximum Cashout on Free Bonus Winnings?
The cap on withdrawals is the most misunderstood element of no deposit offers. A typical 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required offer caps winnings at £50, £100, or occasionally £250. If your free spins generate £400 in winnings, you can withdraw only the capped amount. The remaining £300 is forfeited.
UKGC-licensed operators tend to offer lower caps, often between £25 and £100, but with fairer wagering requirements of 35x or below. Offshore operators advertise higher caps of £250 or £500 but pair them with 50x to 65x wagering requirements. The combination makes reaching the cap statistically improbable for most players.
Let us run the numbers on a realistic scenario. You win £80 from your 100 free spins at 10p each. The wagering requirement is 40x, meaning £3,200 in total bets. With average slot volatility, you have roughly a 12% chance of completing the wagering without going bust. If you succeed, the average remaining balance is around £45. The expected value of the entire bonus is approximately £5.40.
How Long Do Free Spins Remain Valid?
Validity periods for no deposit spins range from 24 hours to 7 days. The shortest windows appear on high-value offers from offshore operators. A 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required offer with a 24-hour expiry forces immediate engagement. You cannot save the spins for the weekend or a more convenient time.
Wagering requirements, once activated, typically expire after 30 days. If you fail to complete the wagering within that window, any remaining bonus funds and associated winnings are removed from your account. The 30-day clock starts the moment the free spins credit, not when you finish playing them.
There is a practical tip here. Check the terms before activating any bonus. If you have a busy week ahead, a 7-day validity offer suits you better than a 24-hour one. The bonus value is identical, but the flexibility differs enormously based on your schedule.
Top UK Operators Offering No Deposit Free Spins in 2026
The UK market in 2026 presents a mixed landscape. Regulated operators offer smaller but fairer no deposit promotions. Offshore brands counter with larger numbers attached to stricter conditions. Knowing which is which matters more than chasing the biggest headline figure.
MrQ Casino has built its entire brand around no deposit offers, frequently promoting 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required spins on Starburst. The operator holds a UKGC licence and applies a 35x wagering requirement with a £50 maximum cashout. Their approach has attracted over 500,000 registered UK players since launch.
PlayOJO takes a different route, offering 50 free spins with no wagering requirements at all. Any winnings from those spins are paid in cash, withdrawable immediately after identity verification. The trade-off is a lower spin count, but the mathematical value is significantly higher than a 100-spin offer with restrictive terms.
Which UKGC-Licensed Operators Offer the Best No Deposit Deals?
Among regulated operators, the landscape splits between major brands and newer challengers. 888 Casino offers 30 free spins on registration with a 35x wagering requirement and £100 cashout cap. Betway Casino counters with 25 spins on Book of Dead under similar terms. Both carry full UKGC licensing and GAMSTOP integration.
Grosvenor Casinos, operating both physical venues and online, provides 20 free spins with a remarkably low 10x wagering requirement. The offer appears periodically rather than permanently. Their land-based presence across 50 UK venues adds a layer of trust that pure online operators cannot replicate.
Virgin Games and 32Red both run consistent no deposit campaigns. Virgin Games offers 30 spins on Rainbow Riches with a £50 cap, while 32Red provides 20 spins with no wagering requirement attached. For players who value simplicity, the 32Red offer converts more directly to cash despite the lower spin count.
What Do Offshore Brands Offer That Regulated Sites Cannot?
Offshore operators without UKGC licensing push the boundaries of bonus marketing. A 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required offer from a Curacao-licensed site frequently carries a £250 cashout cap and 50 free spins on high-volatility slots. The headline numbers look dramatically more attractive than their regulated counterparts.
Roobet, operating under a Curacao licence, offers 100 free spins on registration with a 40x wagering requirement. The platform accepts UK players despite not holding a UKGC licence, positioning itself in a regulatory grey area. Their marketing budget allows for aggressive acquisition campaigns that UKGC sites cannot match.
Stake.com and Gamdom follow similar models, offering 100 to 200 free spins for new registrations. These platforms combine casino games with sports betting and crypto payments. The absence of UK gambling duty at 15.5% and the lack of contribution to the 1% problem gambling levy fund their oversized bonus budgets.
| Operator | Licence | Free Spins | Wagering | Max Cashout |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MrQ Casino | UKGC | 100 | 35x | £50 |
| PlayOJO | UKGC | 50 | 0x | Unlimited |
| 888 Casino | UKGC | 30 | 35x | £100 |
| 32Red | UKGC | 20 | 0x | Unlimited |
| Roobet | Curacao | 100 | 40x | £250 |
| Stake.com | Curacao | 150 | 45x | £300 |
How Do the Bonus Terms Compare Between Regulated and Offshore Sites?
The table above illustrates the core tension. Regulated operators offer fewer spins but fairer conditions. PlayOJO’s 50 spins with zero wagering has an expected value of approximately £15, assuming average slot returns. Roobet’s 100 spins with 40x wagering carries an expected value closer to £8 after accounting for the house edge during the wagering phase.
Deposit methods also diverge. UKGC-licensed sites accept standard debit cards, PayPal, and bank transfers with no restrictions. Offshore operators increasingly push cryptocurrency deposits, offering bonuses of 10% to 20% extra for Bitcoin or Ethereum transactions. The crypto route bypasses UK banking restrictions but adds volatility risk to your bankroll.
Withdrawal processing times differ as well. Regulated operators typically process withdrawals within 24 to 72 hours. Offshore brands often stretch this to 5 to 10 business days. The fine print on withdrawal limits — frequently £5,000 per month on offshore sites versus £10,000 or higher on regulated ones — affects high rollers more than casual players.
Which Operator Gives You the Best Chance of Converting Free Spins to Cash?
Mathematically, PlayOJO and 32Red offer the highest conversion probability. With zero wagering requirements, any winnings from their free spins are yours immediately after verification. The expected value calculation is straightforward: spin value multiplied by the return-to-player percentage of the game.
MrQ Casino’s 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required offer provides the highest gross value but a lower conversion rate. The 35x wagering requirement means you must bet £350 to release any winnings. With a 96.5% RTP slot, the expected loss during wagering is £12.25, reducing the net value of the bonus significantly.
For players who enjoy the chase, Roobet’s 100 spins with a £250 cap offers the largest potential payout. The probability of hitting the cap sits around 0.8% based on slot variance models. The realistic expected outcome is a £10 to £20 withdrawal after completing the wagering, assuming you do not bust out first.
Step-by-Step Guide to Claiming a No Deposit Bonus
The claiming process looks straightforward but hides several traps. Begin by reading the full terms and conditions, not just the promotional banner. Look for the wagering requirement, game restrictions, validity period, and maximum cashout. These four numbers determine the actual value of the offer.
Registration requires accurate personal details. Any mismatch between your registration information and your verification documents will delay or block your withdrawal. Use your legal name, correct address, and a valid email address. Operators cross-reference this data against electoral rolls and credit databases during verification.
Verification documents must be current. A passport or driving licence that expired three months ago will be rejected. Utility bills and bank statements must be dated within the last three months. Preparing these documents before you register cuts the withdrawal waiting time from days to hours.
What Information Do You Need to Register?
Standard registration fields include your full name, date of birth, email address, residential address, and phone number. Some operators request your occupation and annual income as part of affordability checks. UKGC-licensed sites conduct these checks as a legal requirement under the 2019 LCCP guidelines.
Offshore operators typically ask for less information during registration but require full KYC documentation before processing withdrawals. This includes a government-issued ID, proof of address, and sometimes a selfie holding your ID for facial recognition. The process mirrors regulated standards even without the regulatory mandate.
Payment method verification adds another layer. If you deposit using a debit card, you may need to provide a photo of the card showing only the last four digits. E-wallet deposits require screenshots of your account details. These measures prevent fraud but add friction to the withdrawal process.
How Do You Activate the Free Spins?
Most operators credit free spins automatically within minutes of registration. Some require manual activation through the promotions page or a bonus code entered during signup. The 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required offer from MrQ Casino credits automatically, while other operators require you to opt in.
Check your account’s bonus balance after registration. If the spins have not appeared within 15 minutes, contact customer support via live chat. Screenshot the promotional terms before claiming. This evidence protects you if the operator disputes the offer details later.
Some operators split the spins into daily batches. You receive 20 spins per day for five consecutive days. Missing a day forfeits that batch. Setting a daily reminder ensures you claim every tranche of the bonus.
What Happens When You Win from Free Spins?
Winnings from free spins land in your bonus balance, separate from your cash balance. You cannot withdraw bonus funds until meeting the wagering requirement. The bonus balance converts to cash only after you wager the required amount. Any attempt to withdraw before completing wagering voids the bonus and associated winnings.
Some operators allow you to forfeit the bonus and withdraw your original deposit instead. This option matters if you deposit £50, trigger a bonus with high wagering, and prefer to walk away with your deposit intact. The forfeit option resets your account to cash-only mode.
Winnings from spins with no wagering requirement, such as PlayOJO’s offer, credit directly to your cash balance. You can withdraw them immediately after completing identity verification. This distinction makes no-wagering offers dramatically more valuable than their wagering-based counterparts.
How Long Does Withdrawal Take After Meeting Requirements?
Withdrawal processing times vary by operator and payment method. UKGC-licensed sites process most withdrawals within 24 hours. E-wallet withdrawals typically arrive within 2 to 4 hours after approval. Debit card withdrawals take 1 to 3 business days. Bank transfers stretch to 3 to 5 business days.
Offshore operators process withdrawals more slowly. Approval takes 24 to 48 hours, followed by an additional 3 to 5 business days for the funds to arrive. Cryptocurrency withdrawals are faster, often completing within 1 to 2 hours after approval. The trade-off is the volatility risk between withdrawal request and receipt.
Documentation delays cause most withdrawal problems. If your verification documents were not approved before the withdrawal request, the operator pauses the process until verification completes. Submit your documents immediately after registration, not after you win. This single action saves days of waiting.
Common Pitfalls and How to Avoid Them
The most common mistake players make is ignoring the wagering contribution of different games. A 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required offer on slots requires £350 in wagers at 35x. Playing blackjack, which contributes 10%, means you must wager £3,500 to achieve the same progress. The game choice determines the actual wagering burden.
Another frequent error involves claiming multiple bonuses simultaneously. Operators apply wagering requirements across all active bonuses. If you claim a no deposit bonus and a deposit match within the same session, the combined wagering requirement can exceed £1,000. Clear one bonus before claiming another.
Betting limits during bonus play also catch players off guard. Most operators cap bonus bets at £5 per spin. Exceeding this limit voids the bonus and any winnings. A single £10 spin while playing with bonus funds can wipe out your entire balance.
What Are the Most Common Reasons Bonuses Are Voided?
Voided bonuses stem from three primary causes: exceeding the maximum bet limit, using prohibited payment methods, and creating multiple accounts. Operators track IP addresses, device IDs, and payment details to identify duplicate registrations. A second account under any variation of your name triggers automatic bonus voiding.
Prohibited payment methods include certain prepaid cards and cryptocurrency wallets that cannot be verified. If the operator cannot confirm the payment method belongs to you, they treat any associated bonus as fraudulent. Stick to debit cards and regulated e-wallets for bonus play.
Bonus abuse detection algorithms flag patterns like identical bet sizes, immediate withdrawal attempts, and gameplay during unusual hours. These systems review flagged accounts manually. Legitimate players rarely trigger false positives, but rapid play patterns can raise questions.
How Do Wagering Requirements Affect Your Chances of Winning?
Wagering requirements mathematically reduce the expected value of any bonus. A £10 bonus with 35x wagering requires £350 in bets. At a 4% house edge, the expected loss is £14. Your bonus is already underwater before you spin once. This is why no-wagering offers from PlayOJO and 32Red carry higher real-world value.
The probability of completing wagering without depleting your balance depends on slot volatility. Low-volatility slots like Starburst complete wagering more often but generate smaller wins. High-volatility slots like Book of Dead offer bigger payouts but bust out more frequently. Medium-volatility games from Pragmatic Play strike the balance most players need.
Statistical modelling shows that a player with a £10 bonus and 35x wagering has approximately a 28% chance of completing the requirement without going bust. Of those who succeed, the average final balance is £18. The expected value of the entire exercise is roughly £5.04.
Can You Use a No Deposit Bonus on Live Casino Games?
Live casino games from Evolution, Playtech, and Pragmatic Play are excluded from virtually every no deposit bonus. The house edge on live roulette and blackjack falls between 0.5% and 2.7%, making wagering requirements too easy to clear profitably. Operators protect their margins by restricting bonus play to slots.
Some operators allow bonus funds on live casino games but with a 5% wagering contribution. This means a 35x requirement effectively becomes 700x. The mathematical impossibility discourages all but the most determined players from attempting it.
If live casino is your preferred format, look for deposit-based promotions instead. Many operators offer live casino cashback of 10% to 25% on losses, which provides value without the wagering restrictions of free spins.
Responsible Gambling and No Deposit Offers
No deposit bonuses create a low-friction entry into gambling. The absence of a financial commitment removes a natural barrier. For most players, this is harmless entertainment. For a vulnerable minority, it accelerates the path to problematic play. Understanding your own relationship with these offers matters more than the bonus terms.
The UK Gambling Commission reported that in 2025, approximately 0.4% of the adult population experienced problem gambling. An additional 3.1% showed signs of at-risk behaviour. No deposit offers are not the cause, but they remove the friction that might otherwise slow down impulsive decisions.
Set a budget before claiming any bonus. Decide in advance how much you are willing to deposit after the free spins expire. Treat the no deposit offer as a trial, not an obligation. If the spins end and you feel compelled to deposit immediately, that feeling warrants examination.
What Protections Apply to UK Players in 2026?
UKGC-licensed operators must integrate with GAMSTOP, the national self-exclusion scheme. Registration on GAMSTOP blocks access to all licensed UK gambling sites for a chosen period of 6 months, 1 year, or 5 years. As of 2026, GAMSTOP has over 370,000 registered users.
Deposit limits are mandatory on UKGC sites. You can set daily, weekly, or monthly limits that the operator cannot override without a cooling-off period. Time-out features allow temporary breaks of 24 hours to 6 weeks. Reality checks pop up every 30 to 60 minutes during play sessions.
Offshore operators without UKGC licensing do not participate in GAMSTOP. If you self-exclude through GAMSTOP and play on a Curacao-licensed site, the exclusion does not apply. This gap in coverage represents a significant risk for players seeking help with problem gambling.
Where Can You Get Help If Gambling Stops Being Fun?
GamCare operates the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The service provides free, confidential support for anyone affected by gambling. Trained advisors offer practical advice and emotional support without judgement.
BeGambleAware provides resources and self-assessment tools at begambleaware.org. The site includes a gambling diary, budget calculator, and information about local support services across the UK. Their online chat service operates daily from 8 AM to midnight.
GAMSTOP registration takes less than five minutes at gamstop.co.uk. The service blocks all UKGC-licensed gambling sites within 24 hours of registration. For players who need immediate help, the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133 connects you with support right now.
| Support Service | Contact Method | Availability | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Gambling Helpline | 0808 8020 133 | 24/7 | Free |
| GamCare Online Chat | begambleaware.org | 8 AM – Midnight | Free |
| GAMSTOP | gamstop.co.uk | 24/7 Registration | Free |
Frequently Asked Questions About No Deposit Bonuses
The questions below come directly from player forums and support tickets across UK-facing casinos. They represent the confusion points that arise most often when players encounter no deposit offers for the first time.
Do I Need to Deposit Money to Claim a No Deposit Bonus?
No. A no deposit bonus by definition requires no financial commitment. You register, verify your account, and receive the free spins or bonus funds without depositing. The 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required offer credits automatically after registration. You can play and withdraw winnings without ever making a deposit.
Can I Withdraw Winnings from Free Spins Immediately?
Only if the bonus carries no wagering requirement. PlayOJO and 32Red offer no-wagering free spins, meaning winnings credit directly to your cash balance. Most other operators apply a 35x to 50x wagering requirement. You must wager the specified amount before any withdrawal becomes possible.
How Many No Deposit Bonuses Can I Claim?
One per player, per operator, per lifetime. Operators track registrations by name, address, IP address, and device ID. Attempting to claim multiple bonuses through duplicate accounts results in all bonuses being voided and accounts being closed. The terms explicitly prohibit multiple registrations.
What Is the Best Game to Play with Free Spins?
Choose a slot with high return-to-player percentage and medium volatility. Starburst from NetEnt offers a 96.1% RTP with consistent small wins. Book of Dead from Play’n Go provides a 96.2% RTP with larger but less frequent payouts. Pragmatic Play’s Big Bass Bonanza at 96.7% RTP offers the best mathematical return among popular no deposit titles.
Are No Deposit Bonuses Legal in the UK?
Yes, for operators holding a UK Gambling Commission licence. These operators comply with advertising standards and responsible gambling requirements. Offshore operators offering no deposit bonuses to UK players operate in a regulatory grey area. They are not illegal to use, but they lack the consumer protections of licensed sites.
The journey from Sarah’s first click to her eventual £27 withdrawal took four days. She completed the wagering requirement on a medium-volatility slot, passed verification on the second attempt, and waited 18 hours for her withdrawal to process. The experience taught her more about bonus mechanics than any guide could.
The 100 free welcome bonus no deposit required offer is not a path to riches — it is a controlled introduction to an operator’s platform, with the odds mathematically stacked in the house’s favour. Play for entertainment, read every term, and treat any withdrawal as a pleasant surprise rather than an expectation.
Gambling should remain a pastime, not a strategy for income, and if it ever stops being fun, the National Gambling Helpline at 0808 8020 133 is available around the clock.
