Top Online Gambling Bonuses

One of the very first things you will notice when you first visit an online gambling site, is that they all offer bonuses. These gambling bonuses all have one thing in common: they are intended to attract people to sign up at the different sites, and also to keep people going back to the same online casino. The more you play at a specific gambling online site, the more you are likely to qualify for special offers and prizes. That’s why we recommend playing at Spin Palace for the best possible casino experience.

How do you decide which gambling bonus you should take? For a start, you want to know that the site also offers the major benefits that all online gamblers expect of the sites where they have an account: interesting games, encryption security and being compatible with all the devices you use. In terms of the bonuses and payment of your winnings are concerned, the following is particularly important:

  • Check that the terms and conditions for the different bonuses at a particular site are fair and transparent, and acceptable to you.
  • Ensure that your winnings from playing with the bonus money as well as money you deposit at the site can be paid to you in New Zealand dollars.
  • Check whether there is a variety or convenient payment options to transfer money between you and the online casino.

All the best online casinos that we recommend have these features.

Read more
The top online casinos of 2024

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.

FAQs

What exactly is a gambling bonus?

New visitors to online casino sites are usually eligible for a welcome bonus, a cash sum that can be used for online gambling but can't immediately be withdrawn.

Where can I find a good welcome bonus?

Just check out the sites we've listed on this page. Virtually all casinos have welcome bonuses, and the sums of money involved are often pretty similar, but the casinos we recommend here have some of the top bonuses and wagering requirements we've found.

What do I need to do to be eligible?

If you've never held an account with a particular online casino before, then it's almost certain that you'll be eligible to claim a welcome bonus from them!

Are they worth claiming?

Absolutely. They may not exactly be free money but, if you're planning to spend some time and cash of your own in the online casino, then it's pretty likely that you'll be able to unlock them to withdraw.

Do I need to make a deposit to get one?

Not always. While % match bonuses rely on you making an initial deposit, no deposit bonuses and free spins bonuses don't require that players make a deposit before they can be claimed.

Do all types of gambling count?

Can I withdraw bonus money?

Not until you've cleared the wagering requirements associated with the bonus, which can be in the thousands of NZD. This ensures that players can't simply join up, claim the bonus and cash out immediately.