Casino Welcome Bonuses

What is a Casino Welcome Bonus?

We start with the basics here, as before we dive into the specifics of the online casino welcome bonus, you need to understand what it is exactly.

Well, the answer here is quite simple – a casino welcome bonus is a special offer designed only for newly registered players who have made their first deposit on the site.

You can also find different names of casino welcome bonuses – sign-up bonus, first deposit bonus, new player bonus, etc. The bottom line is that they all represent the same thing.

One of the best aspects that have come out of the competitive New Zealand gambling market is that operators tend to get creative when offering welcome bonuses. You can get a deposit match bonus for your first deposit, you can get a combination of the bonus with free spins, you can get a package for your first four deposits, etc.

So, casino welcome bonuses can be anything, but you should be wary of very high and appealing on-the-surface offers.

They often come with restrictive terms and conditions, but we will get into details on that later in the article. If the offer is fair, then it is a good way for you to test the welcome bonus casino or learn a new game.

Welcome Bonuses Terms and Conditions

In most cases in our lives, we seem to have grown accustomed to just accepting terms and conditions without taking the time to read what they have to say. However, this is a mistake that you simply cannot afford to make when NZ welcome bonuses are in question.

Terms and conditions at all of our recommended gambling sites in New Zealand represent the legal agreements between the casino and the punter.

These are the rules that you need to follow when you register and use the welcome bonus and they contain tons of valuable information.

Welcome bonuses are known for having the most extensive terms and conditions, but what exactly do you need to pay close attention to? Let’s take a closer look.

Wagering Requirements

Wagering requirements are an essential part of all offers, even casino welcome bonus no deposit promotions. No matter which online casino you choose from our list, you can always expect wagering requirements to be present.

There is a simple explanation of what wagering requirements are exactly – they are shown as a multiplier showing the number of times you have to play through the bonus funds before you can make any withdrawals.

Let’s make an example here –you receive a NZ$100 welcome bonus that has 30x wagering requirements. Now, you need to play through the bonus sum 30 times before you can make any withdrawals, but that is not the only thing you need to be aware of. Some other important aspects of wagering requirements include:

• Stakes on some games do not count towards the wagering requirements;
• All winnings you generate will be in your pending balance until you meet the wagering requirements;
• You cannot withdraw from your pending money balance;
• You can spend the pending balance by completing wagering requirements;
• There is always a time limit in which you can complete the wagering requirements.

Only when you complete the wagering requirements, a withdrawal will be possible. In terms of good and bad wagering requirements, most often, you will see bonuses having between 30x-40x wagering requirements.

This means that if you encounter an offer that has anything below that, we can consider it as the best online casinos welcome bonus. Anything above 40x falls under the category of casino extreme welcome bonus and you should avoid it, especially if you are a casual gambler.

Minimum Deposit

Up next, every welcome bonus has a minimum deposit amount attached that you have to make in order to trigger the package.

As you would imagine, different online casinos in New Zealand have different minimum deposit rates, but you can usually expect something in the region of NZ$20. If you are not happy with the minimum deposit required at our recommended welcome bonus casinos, then you can check our list again and choose one that matches your wallet better.

Payment Method Restrictions

This is often an overlooked aspect of welcome bonuses terms and conditions. Almost always, there are certain restrictions when it comes to the payment methods you can use when claiming the welcome offer.

Most commonly in New Zealand online casinos, certain e-Wallets such as Skrill or Neteller will be excluded from the list of eligible payment methods you can use to trigger the welcome package.

We know how popular e-Wallets are among Kiwis when gambling online, so you are best advised to check whether there are such restrictions before you proceed with claiming the welcome offer.

Game Restrictions & Contributions

It is not just the wagering requirements that you need to pay close attention to when using the welcome bonus in the casino’s game library. It would be easy for players to complete the wagering requirements on some low house edge online casino games such as blackjack or online roulette.

By using low-risk strategies, you will increase your chances of completing the playthrough requirements and making a withdrawal in the specified period.

So, you can imagine that online casinos in New Zealand are not particularly fond of these tactics, so there are always game restrictions and contributions you need to adhere to.

Online pokies will typically count 100% towards the wagering requirements, as they are games of chance with a big house edge. Live casino games and table games mentioned above will usually count between 0-50% towards the wagering requirements.

Time Limits

All welcome bonuses in our list have time limits attached. You won’t be able to use the bonus indefinitely, so you have a specific time frame in which you have to fulfil the wagering requirements.

Even if there is a combination of a deposit match bonus with a free spins package, you will have separate wagering requirements and time limits for both offers. Usually, you can expect to have around 30 days to complete the wagering requirements for the deposit match offer, while free spins are valid for a shorter period.

Always make sure to check the time limits with each welcome bonus you claim, as you don’t want to miss the deadlines and lose your potential winnings.

Maximum Winnings

All online casinos active in the New Zealand gambling scene have a maximum winning clause that is there to protect them against astronomical wins.

These types of limitations ensure that the risk of bonus abuse is smaller, so you cannot expect wins to go into millions with welcome bonuses.

There are certain bonuses that don’t have maximum winnings, but it is a very rare situation. Usually, if you see a welcome bonus that has lower wagering requirements than the average in the industry, the more likely it is that there is a restriction on the amount you can win.

No Combination With Other Bonuses

Lastly, it might seem obvious, but new casino players in New Zealand need to know that you can only have one bonus at a time on our recommended sites.

You cannot use an additional deposit or no-deposit offers until you are done with the welcome bonus. Only after you hopefully complete the wagering requirements of the welcome offer, you can head to the promo section of the website and see what else you can claim.

Can You Win Real Money With Welcome Bonuses?

The short answer to this question would be – absolutely, you can always win real money when you claim a welcome bonus at any of our recommended online casinos in New Zealand.

However, the reality is not so straightforward. This is mainly due to the sometimes restrictive terms and conditions attached to the offer in question. Each welcome bonus has wagering requirements, bonus duration time, eligible games, and so on.

Sometimes, it is very difficult for the casual Kiwi punter to complete the wagering requirements in time to make a withdrawal.

Usually, you will have 30 days to play through the bonus before it expires. Therefore, if a bonus has wagering requirements of 40x or more, it may prove to be a big obstacle for Kiwis.

Tips When Claiming an Online Casino Welcome Bonus

If you are a new NZ player in the iGaming world, then we figure you might need a guideline on how you can get the most out of welcome bonuses at the best online casinos. Of course, to secure wins and complete wagering requirements, you need to have a good element of luck, but the points below will surely increase your chances of winning big when claiming a sing up offer:

• Always check T&Cs – you need to be very careful when you claim any online casino welcome bonus, as there are always terms and conditions attached. They contain valuable information in terms of eligible games, wagering requirements and so on. Never miss reading the fine print here, so you are better prepared when claiming any offer;
• Choose games wisely – even though there is less risk involved when claiming welcome bonuses, you cannot just dive into gambling without a strategy. See which are the eligible games and use the bonus only on titles you have good knowledge of. Testing games is okay, but it is not always the best strategy;
• Scout for seasonal offers – sometimes, the best welcome bonus casinos will introduce special seasonal sign-up offers that are valid only for that period. These offers can sometimes be better than the original welcome bonus, so we advise you to keep a close eye on special promotions;
• Do your research – always check various sites that we recommend and choose a bonus that seems like the best for you. Doing a bit of research by yourself and comparing welcome bonuses is always a good strategy to help you maximize their potential;
• Keep in mind the withdrawal limits – every online casino has maximum withdrawal limits to protect itself against huge wins. Therefore, check the general terms and conditions of the operator to see how much you are allowed to win and withdraw;
• Don’t chase losses – this is a golden rule in the gambling world. If you have just signed up and you end up on a losing gambling streak, then it is time to close shop and call it a day. There is always tomorrow with welcome bonuses, so you can continue where you left off;
• Set a budget – finally, this is closely connected to the previous tip. For you to gamble responsibly, we advise you to always set a budget and never step out of it. That way, online gambling will always be a fun pastime activity for all NZ players, nothing more.

Of course, even if you use all of our tips and tricks when claiming an exclusive casino welcome bonus, it doesn’t mean that you will come out victorious. Luck plays a key role in online gambling, so there are no guarantees whatsoever.

Mobile Welcome Bonuses in New Zealand

The mobile phone penetration in New Zealand is at an admirably high level, so that is a trend that all online casinos active in the region have to follow.

Nowadays, it seems like everyone in the developed countries in the world tends to spend more time on their mobile phone rather than their desktop computer. We are all used to paying our bills, communicating with our friends, and what is important here – gambling online through our smartphones.

So, the most reliable and trustworthy online casinos in New Zealand have to think mobile first. Apart from checking the security, games, payment methods, etc. when reviewing casinos, we also take a look at how responsive their website is for mobile devices.

All mobile casinos in our list have mobile-friendly websites that you can access from any mobile browser. Moreover, nothing would stop you from completing the registration process through your smartphone and claiming the welcome bonus.

There are no differences in the procedure, as you will need to provide some personal information first, choose your payment method, make your first deposit and claim the offer.

Some online casinos in New Zealand have even gone as far as creating a mobile app you can download for free.

Mobile casinos seem to be the future of online gambling, and some would even argue that casino gaming is much better from a smaller smartphone screen, but we will let you decide on that once you try out the mobile websites of the operators mentioned above.

Recommended Alternatives to Casino Welcome Bonuses

We wouldn’t consider a New Zealand operator as a top-class welcome bonus casino if it didn’t have a wide range of other promotions you can claim. Having an extensive list of ongoing offers is crucial if the operator is to retain the punters who have already registered.

A nice welcome bonus is great, sure, but if that was the only good offer, nothing would stop players from just using it and quickly switching operators.

For that, when we review casinos in New Zealand, we also make sure to check what types of other offers it has at its disposal. When you choose any of our recommended online gambling sites, besides the welcome bonus, you can look forward to the following promotions:

• No-deposit bonuses – you can get this offer as a casino welcome bonus no-deposit, or you can be eligible for it later in your gaming journey. As the name itself suggests, with this offer, you are not required to make any deposit, and these offers come in a few different forms: free spins, cash prizes and cashback incentives. Be wary of the wagering requirements, though;
• Reload bonuses – these bonuses are very popular among experienced NZ punters as they give a nice boost to their bankroll. Similar to a deposit match casino welcome bonus, you can expect a reload offer coming your way later in your gaming journey;
• Referral bonuses – referral bonuses grow in popularity in New Zealand in recent years, and it is easy to see why. If you are a registered punter and you send your friend a special referral link created by the operator, and they register through it, you get a nice thank-you bonus;
• Mobile app bonuses – as mentioned above, some casino extreme welcome bonus offers include mobile app bonuses for Kiwis who download it. All you need to do is download the app, and log in and you will be able to claim the offer;
• High-roller bonuses – apart from casual gamers, online casinos also have registered users who like to wager more. Therefore, they can always claim big bonuses with even higher wagering requirements, as they are a better match to their wallet;
• VIP Programs – lastly, we have VIP Programs that are ever-so-present in our recommended casinos in NZ. The exact structure of the Loyalty Program will vary, but usually, you will climb VIP Levels with real money bets you make. The higher your level, the bigger the perks will be.

As you can see, a reputable site in the gambling world will have you sorted out for every stage of your gambling journey.

Loyalty is much appreciated among online casinos these days, so the more you play, the better rewards you can expect. As part of the VIP Program of any operator, you can expect even more personalized promotions and bonuses, so there is plenty to look forward to if you gamble more than the average punter.

Conclusion

Overall, just by looking at the welcome bonuses and their advantages, it is easy to see why they are the main marketing tool online casinos in New Zealand use to attract more players to register.

Welcome bonuses are usually a great way for players to start their online gambling adventure and maybe secure a nice win along the way. To save you some time on research, we have grouped the best welcome bonus casino sites in New Zealand above, so you can make your pick easily.

At the end of the day, always remember to gamble responsibly and read the terms and conditions when claiming any casino welcome bonus. That way, you eliminate the chances of suffering unexpected losses.