Get An Exclusive Online Gambling Bonus

How does an online gambling bonus work?

The names of online gambling bonuses can sometimes be confusing, because different sites have different names for the same kind of bonus. The most common ones are:

• Welcome bonuses are also known as sign-up bonuses. These are paid when you sign up and create an account at an online casino. The amounts are sometimes quite considerable and you will be able to play quite a number of games using your bonus money, depending on the amounts you bet on each game. Note that the payment of your winnings can be complicated or have a number of terms and conditions attached to them, and sometimes your winnings can only be paid if you have also deposited a minimum amount of your own cash at the casino (see ‘sticky bonuses’ below. As a general rule, read the terms and conditions before you commit to a site by signing up.
• Match/matched) bonuses. These bonuses come in the form of ‘matching’ the amount you deposit (or a certain percentage of the amount, since there is normally a maximum amount that the casino will be prepared to ‘double up’).
• Tiered bonuses are also called loyalty bonuses. They get the name because some bonuses are paid when you sign up, but also again later if you fulfil certain conditions (one bonus on top of another – tiered). In other words, you have to be ‘loyal’ to the casino by going back to play at least a number of times over a certain period before the bonus will be paid.
• Sticky bonuses are also called non-cashable bonuses or phantom bonuses. The casino gives you some free money to bet and play with, but normally you can withdraw your winnings in real money only once you have reached their play-through requirements. They will for instance require that you to make a certain number of bets, or deposit a minimum amount of your own cash before being allowed to cash in.
• Free spins bonuses. You get a certain number of free plays (‘spins’ or ‘turns’), without having to bet your own real money. Although you might be allowed to keep your winnings from such games, sometimes the casinos have complicated terms and conditions attached to withdrawing those winnings.
• Cash-back are also called insurance bonuses. Here the casino will pay you back a certain percentage of your losses. If you keep playing, you might win some money – but remember there is no guarantee, since the odds always remain the same, whatever money you are using.
• Referral bonuses are offered by some online gambling sites for referring people to them and will be paid when those people sign up with them.

Our reviewers are always on the lookout for the best gambling online bonuses. Make use of the top bonuses paid by our recommended sites and start winning some handy real cash in New Zealand dollars! If you’ve got any more questions, have a look at our gambling bonus guide for more information and detail.

The Sign Up Process

Exactly how you sign up for a bonus varies depending on the casino you're playing at. Sometimes, your free spins and/or % match bonus will be applied automatically but it's also possible that you'll have to enter a promo code either before or just after you make your first deposit.

The bonus may be applied automatically, or it could be added manually by a staff member of the casino site in question. What we're saying is that the process of signing up for and claiming a bonus can vary considerably depending on where you're playing, so it's worth taking a look at the Bonus section on a gambling venue's website to read up on their processes before you sign up.

When it comes to online gambling, bonus cash is a little different to money that you've deposited using your bank account or credit card. For example, bonus cash is subject to wagering requirements. Wagering requirements refer to a number that your bonus, or the value of your deposit and bonus, must be multiplied by before it can be withdrawn. For example, if you claim a bonus with a value of 100 NZD and there are wagering requirements of 30x then you need to wager (not lose) 3000 NZD before you can cash out that bonus.

They're less common than their stingier counterparts but, if you're all about bonus gambling, you'll want to look for sites with low wagering requirements and a high % match. There's usually a time limit associated with claiming bonus cash, and this gives you the best chance of clearing the wagering requirements involved successfully.

Of course, the bonus value isn't the only thing you need to look for in a good bonus site: range of games, effective support and a simple, smooth deposit/withdrawal process are still very important.

Now Find A Top Bonus

Now you know a little about how a gambling bonus works, we're sure that you'll be eager to get your hands on one. Bonus cash may not be free money in exactly the same way as a bag full of NZD left on your doorstep, but it's still worth having if you're planning on spending a bit of time in the casino.

If you've been losing, unlocking a bonus can help take the sting out of it but, if you've been winning, then a cash bonus only serves to further pad your bankroll. The sites we've recommended on this page have very generous welcome bonuses and accept Kiwi players, so you're only a couple of clicks away from being able to claim one for yourself.