How casino bonuses work
At every online casino, a deposit bonus is the most common type of bonus players can receive. It’s especially common for first-time registrations as part of the welcome bonus. Every time you see an advertisement for a deposit bonus at an online casino, it looks something like this: a 100% deposit bonus up to NZ$500. That’s still confusing for someone who has just decided to start their online casino adventure. That’s why we’re here to make your life easier and help you. When an online casino offers a welcome bonus, it essentially wants to give you a bonus that is a portion of your deposit amount. For example, if you deposit NZ$500 to activate your 100% deposit bonus, you’ll receive an additional NZ$500 in bonus money that you can use to play online casino games on the site. Every casino deposit bonus has limits; therefore, there’s a limit imposed by the casino, which specifies the maximum amount they’re willing to give you when you make a deposit. If you see “up to NZ$500” in a promotion, this means that anything above that amount will not receive a deposit.
Online casino bonuses – what to look for?
It often happens that online casino bonuses seem very generous at first, but after reading the fine print, the conditions are not nearly as good. However, there are a couple of things that, if we pay attention to them, can make it easier to choose a bonus where there is a real chance of converting the promotional amount into real money sooner or later. Please note the following before you redeem any bonus:
- Validity period
All casino bonuses come with a time limit. This means that you must meet the wagering requirements within a certain time or the bonus amount will be forfeited. The more time you have to meet the requirements, the better your chances of converting the bonus amount into real money.
- Terms and conditions
Casino bonuses almost always come with certain terms and conditions that you should be aware of. Check the wagering requirements, the list of online casino games, and the terms and conditions for using the bonus.
- Bonus type
A real-money casino typically offers players several different types of bonuses. There are welcome bonuses, no deposit bonuses, and VIP programs. Before redeeming any offer, ensure it is the one that best suits your needs.
- Casino reputation
When selecting a bonus, it is also crucial to consider the casino’s reputation. Always play on a site that has been tested by our experts and has good reviews from users. The more you pay attention, the easier it is to find a bonus that has the right conditions.
- Payment methods
Some bonuses are only valid for certain payment methods. For example, the Skrill e-wallet service is often unavailable when redeeming rewards. Before redeeming a bonus, check whether your chosen payment method is eligible for the promotion.
- Game contributions
Not all games contribute equally to bonus wagering. Live games and table games like blackjack or baccarat often contribute less — sometimes only 10% or not at all — compared to pokies, which usually contribute 100%. Always check the game weighting.
- Maximum bet limits
Many bonuses restrict the maximum amount you can bet while wagering the bonus. Exceeding this limit can result in the bonus and winnings being voided. Make sure you know the max bet rule before playing.
- Withdrawal restrictions
Some bonuses come with a maximum cashout cap, especially no-deposit offers. Even if you win big, you might only be allowed to withdraw a fixed amount. Check if there’s a limit on how much you can cash out from bonus funds.
How do you activate a bonus at the casino?
Once you have managed to find your preferred casino bonus, you need to activate the bonus. In some places, your casino start bonus will be activated already upon registration. In other casinos, it must be selected and activated during the registration process. Here, you will find a step-by-step guide on how to activate a bonus for playing at a casino.
Time Needed: 10 Minutes
Tools Needed: Laptop/Mobile
Software Needed: Email
Step 1
Find the bonus
To begin, you need to find the casino and bonus that interest you. Maybe you are registering at a new casino, and in that case, you will usually be able to access a welcome bonus upon startup.
Step 2
Check the terms and conditions
You should carefully read the casino's terms and conditions for the bonus in question. There you will find out what it is really about. A bonus is rarely free, and you will usually have to deposit a minimum amount, as well as follow other rules.
Step 3
Check and evaluate the wagering requirements
When reading the bonus terms and conditions, you should consider whether the bonus wagering requirement is fair to you. Sometimes, the wagering requirement can be as low as 10 times the bonus value, while at other times, it can be as high as 60 times the value.
Step 4
Enter the promo code and deposit the amount
Often, the bonus will require a code to be entered. Other times, you will need to tick a box; whatever it is, it will be easy and intuitive to figure out. It will be clear on the screen how to activate the bonus. You must deposit the desired amount, but please ensure you always deposit the minimum amount; otherwise, the bonus will not be validated.
Online casino bonus types
Every online casino bonus offers something unique and is tailored to different player styles. For example, while a welcome bonus is primarily aimed at new players, a high roller casino bonus is for those who are willing to risk a larger amount of money while playing. On the promotions page of a top-paying online casino, you will likely find one of the following bonuses.
No deposit bonuses
You receive this no deposit bonus without having to deposit any money first. You simply create an account at the online casino. The welcome bonus is an extra gift for newcomers to win and play our casino games and online slots. This is real free money from the casino for you, allowing you to try your luck and start winning right away, safely. The following terms and conditions are crucial when it comes to the best online casino bonuses without a deposit. It’s important to know and understand them. First, complete the registration process, then visit your player profile and ensure you meet all the requirements.
Our picks of the best no deposit casino bonuses in New Zealand
Welcome bonuses
The most well-known is the welcome bonus. As a new member, you’ll receive a deposit bonus on your first deposit. This top casino bonus in New Zealand works very simply; read below step by step to see how you can benefit from it. First, create an account at our online casino. Registration is easy and takes only a few minutes. You’ll need to click the confirmation link in your inbox. Then activate your deposit bonus. Then make a deposit – dozens of payment methods are available for our members: Neteller, Skrill, PayPal, Mastercard, Visa, and many others. You can also choose which system you’ll use to deposit. This deposit bonus will then be immediately credited to your online casino account. From that moment on, you have access to your deposit and the bonus amount. Here, you can try your luck with your playing credits and choose from thousands of games from our game selection.
Our picks of the best welcome casino bonuses in New Zealand
Deposit bonuses
Once you’ve joined us, you’ll soon find yourself with various types of online casino bonuses. The most common and most frequently offered online casino bonus is the deposit bonus or casino registration bonus. This increases your chances of winning and gives you more money in your account to play with. A deposit bonus is the most common best casino bonus offered to new players as a welcome offer – in practice, it means our online casino doubles your first deposit. If you deposit NZ$100 into your account, you’ll then have NZ$200 in play money. Generally, a 100% deposit bonus means that your deposit amount is doubled. You usually have to wager the casino registration bonus a certain number of times – you can read more about this in the bonus terms and conditions.
Our picks of the best deposit casino bonuses in New Zealand
Free spins
One of the most popular bonuses is the free spins bonus, which gives you free spins on slot machines. Slots are also one of the most popular online casino games, making this online casino free bonus one of the most frequently used. Free spins mean free spins that you receive from our casino as a gift on slot machines or video slots. You can spend them on the game of your choice, but sometimes also on a specific game. Online casinos give free spins to new players in some slots, or if you’ve participated in a tournament, you can receive them. The way you receive or spend them can vary. This also depends on the type of online casino bonus you receive. With the free spins, you can get a taste of a new game.
Our picks of the best free spins casino bonuses in New Zealand
Bonus codes
With our online bonus offers, players can simply receive the bonus code by registering or making a deposit. But this new online casino bonus code makes everything much easier. It’s simply a short code like “Bonus1,” which you enter into a field when making a deposit or registering. Sometimes referred to as a promo code, a bonus code is straightforward to use. The advantage of using bonus codes is that you can decide when you want to use the bonus offer. Using a bonus code offers our players flexibility. You can start playing immediately without waiting for customer support to remove an automatic bonus from your account. Our players enjoy significant extra benefits at online casinos with a casino bonus code. And it certainly is!
Our picks of the best casino bonus codes in New Zealand
Cashback bonuses
You don’t just get this bonus at an online casino – only if the casino is reliable and has clear, good bonus terms and conditions. Suppose you gamble at the casino and luck turns against you; the cashback bonus can provide you with a consolation prize. In that case, you receive a portion of your lost bets back. Cashback is a great way to recoup some of your losses. Depending on your status at the online casino, you might receive a real-money cashback bonus. It’s usually based on your total losses over a specific period and is also determined by a fixed percentage. The cashback percentage ranges from 5% to 25%. In any case, you can cash out the money or simply take another gamble.
Our picks of the best cashback casino bonus offers in New Zealand
High roller bonuses
Our online casino does everything it can to entice new players to take a gamble. We don’t differentiate between players who play with a small credit balance and those who prefer to play with much larger amounts, the high rollers. There are also separate bonuses for high rollers, which include VIP points, the fastest withdrawals and deposits, cashback casino bonuses, and weekly packages with benefits. The percentage is based on the deposit amount. The bonus range is usually between 40% and 50%, due to the large amounts deposited by players with high wagers. Our casino offers a loyalty program that rewards regular players for their continued visits to our online casino. So, the more you visit a casino, the more you deposit into your casino account, and the higher the loyalty program level will be.
Our picks of the best high roller casino bonus offers in New Zealand
Special bonuses
Special bonuses aren’t very common, but they’re certainly worth considering. They’re often offered for a number of special dates, international or national holidays such as New Year’s Day, Christmas Day, Labor Day, Independence Day, and others. Most special bonuses include a detailed explanation of how to activate them. This is because these types of bonuses are unique and often only offered once. A New Year’s bonus, for example, is that the online casino doubles players’ first deposit on New Year’s Day. A Christmas bonus is a special, top-tier casino bonus offered only during the holiday season. Interesting bonuses are often offered annually for the holidays, such as a Christmas tournament, a boosted welcome bonus, or an Advent calendar. Many more holiday-related bonuses await our customers.
Our picks of the best special casino bonus offers in New Zealand
Reload bonuses
A reload bonus also often appears on the list of online casino bonuses. The essence of the offer is that you have to reload your balance with a certain minimum amount on a given day/week/month, and for this you will receive some kind of reward. This reward can come in the form of free spins, but online casinos often give their users a deposit bonus. Here are the most common reload bonuses:
- Female reload bonus: You must top up your balance with a given amount at a given time.
- Online reload bonus: You must top up your balance with the given amount every week.
- Daily reload bonus: You must top up your balance with a given amount in a given month.
Our picks of the best reload casino bonuses in New Zealand
Online casino bonus terms and conditions
As we mentioned, most online casino bonuses have specific conditions, and only when these conditions are met can you fully take advantage of the promotion. It is essential to familiarize yourself with the offers before registering, so you can make an informed decision and find the one that best suits you. Please pay attention to the following points:
- Game offer
A casino bonus often includes the terms and conditions of the online casino games that can be played on the site. Some promotions can also be used on slot machines (not necessarily all of them), but there are also offers that primarily appeal to live casino fans. Before you redeem a bonus, check to see if the package includes your favorite games.
- Wagering requirements
Of course, it is also important that casino bonuses have achievable wagering requirements, as this is how you have a realistic chance of clearing them within a given time frame. Wagering requirements of 40-50 times are common.
- Maximum bet amount
Casino operators often set a maximum bet amount that can be played while using a given bonus. For example, 1500 HUF, which means that you can only bet a maximum of 1500 HUF during a game, so the expected winnings are also limited.
- Maximum winnings
It is also worth paying attention to the maximum winnings that can be achieved when using a bonus. This is often included in the promotional terms of online casinos and can have a huge impact on the gameplay.
How to activate casino bonuses?
Activation of a casino bonus should not be a problem for anyone, as most online casinos now have a dedicated section for their players. NZ online casinos typically collect offers on a separate promotional page, allowing users to activate promotions instantly by clicking the “Redeem” button. Here is a table of the most common bonuses and how they are usually activated:
| Bonus Type |
Who It’s For |
Activation Method |
| Welcome bonus |
Generally, for new players |
Activated automatically on first deposit or via “Activate” button |
| High roller bonus |
High roller players |
Often requires a higher minimum deposit; activated manually or through support |
| VIP bonus |
Existing, loyal users |
Typically activated by invitation or via the VIP program dashboard |
| Personalized bonuses |
VIP members |
Sent via email or account messages, activated through account or support |
There are some sites where activating an online casino bonus is a bit more complicated. There is no such casino bonus that can only be redeemed by contacting customer service via live chat and requesting their assistance. Bonus codes are also a standard solution – in this case, we need to enter a series of numbers and letters, usually on the casino’s payment page.
Casino bonus wagering requirements
One of the most important criteria for casino bonuses is the wagering requirements. Most bonuses also have wagering requirements, or playthrough requirements, that must be met before the money can be withdrawn. Understanding the wagering requirements is also important because online casinos often impose requirements that are difficult to meet, so that as few people as possible can convert the rewards of casino bonuses into real money.
Most online casino welcome bonuses have a 40-50x wagering requirement for players. Let’s look at an example of what this means in practice. Let’s say the bonus amount is 1,000 NZD. When we see that the wagering requirement is 40x, it means that we have to wager the amount 40 times on online slots or table games.
| Own deposit |
1000 NZD |
| Amount of bonus credited |
1000 NZD |
| Amount to be deposited |
2000 NZD |
| Amount to be wagered (in case of 40x wagering requirement) |
40,000 NZD |
Mobile casino bonuses
Mobile casinos are also becoming more popular in our country, partly because almost everyone now has a smart device in their pocket for gambling. So, practically every Kiwi casino now has a mobile website. In addition, the number of New Zealand casino mobile apps is also growing, so the user experience cannot be beat. It is not possible to play from a mobile phone, but you can even redeem an online iPhone casino bonus.
One of the significant advantages of mobile casinos is that they often offer better deals for players who access the site from their mobile devices. Among the best mobile casino bonuses, we can find free spins, as well as other rewards. In addition, a mobile casino welcome bonus is also extremely popular.
Popular casino games to play with an active bonus
Many casino bonuses today require a large wagering requirement. However, in fact, many games and slot machines do not allow these requirements at all, which is why these bonuses in particular can be extra attractive.
With a casino bonus, you can quickly make the games even more enjoyable, and you can quickly increase the expected winnings. You can also greatly minimize your losses, e.g., with the help of cashback bonuses. However, it does not increase the chance of winning.
Casino bonuses are usually most popular with pokie machines.
Playing with bonus vs playing without bonus
You can choose to play without a bonus or to play with it, but what advantages or disadvantages might there be in that? You can find out here.
| Feature |
Playing with a Casino Bonus |
Playing without a Casino Bonus |
| Winnings potential |
Your winnings will often be greater |
You will only get the planned profit, and never more |
| Risk coverage |
You can get any losses covered (e.g. cashback offers) |
No protection if you lose |
| Game discovery |
It can inspire new games or ways of playing |
You’re likely to stick to familiar games |
| Playthrough requirements |
There may be large playthrough requirements |
There is no playthrough requirement |
| Game restrictions |
This often limits the playing options |
The game is more free as you are not tied down |
| Bonus features |
You may receive extras like free spins or cash drops |
There are no extra chances, such as free spins |
| Maximum bet limit |
Usually limited during wagering |
You can bet freely without restrictions |
| Withdrawal conditions |
Often subject to bonus terms or limits |
You can withdraw winnings anytime without restrictions |
| Eligibility for promos |
Eligible for ongoing or exclusive bonus campaigns |
May miss out on promotional offers |
| Strategy flexibility |
Must often follow certain rules to keep bonus valid |
Full control over your playstyle |
Final thought on online casino bonus offers in New Zealand
Bonuses are one of the biggest advantages of online casinos, so we always recommend that our readers take advantage of one at some point. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, online casino bonuses can give you access to huge rewards, free spins, and even free credits. If you frequently visit any online casino, it may be worth keeping an eye on your VIP levels, as you may occasionally receive some bonuses in your account.
In addition to casino bonuses, users who play on mobile devices are not left out. Casinos often offer special bonuses, so it’s worth checking the site’s promotional offers from a mobile phone. In addition to mobile bonuses, we can also find crypto bonuses in several places, which are beneficial for users who use cryptocurrency. No matter what style you play, you’re sure to find something to suit your needs among online casino bonuses!
