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How Can Casinos Afford to Reward Its Members?
In New Zealand’s competitive online gaming landscape, promotions are the lifeblood that fuels success for many casinos. Players have grown to expect casino bonuses, and gaming operators are more than willing to offer them. However, the art of crafting an online casino bonus package is a delicate balance – too generous, and the casino risks financial strain; too stingy, and Kiwi players may look elsewhere for their gaming needs.
Investing in player rewards is a strategic move taken by countless gaming sites, aiming to both attract and retain a loyal player base. But you’ll often find that some casino bonuses seem too generous. Well, casinos have introduced wagering or playthrough requirements to manage the costs associated with bonuses.
A higher playthrough means the casino’s payout will likely be lower, as players must use more of their own funds and face slimmer odds of meeting the cash-out criteria. Other factors such as the duration permitted for meeting the playthrough, the selection of eligible or excluded games, and the maximum bet size, all play critical roles in shaping how much casinos actually pay players.
For example, if the casino plans to distribute NZ$100,000 in bonus credits, they can implement various rules that allow them to forecast the actual withdrawal amount post-wagering – be it NZ$10,000 or as little as NZ$1,000, thus reducing their expenses.
What does this mean for Kiwi players? Well, you can’t pretty much change the wagering requirements set by various casinos. However, you can pick establishments with the lowest wagering requirements.
Who Can Get Bonuses?
There are a number of players who can qualify for casino bonuses when playing real money pokies, including:
- First-time players who meet deposit requirements: Some casino promotions are available to new players only. The minimum deposit to qualify for these match bonuses typically ranges from NZ$2o to NZ$50.
- High rollers: Some casinos have high roller bonuses awarded to players who make larger deposits typically NZ$500 and more at a go.
- Active players: To claim certain types of promos, Kiwi punters must stay active after their first deposit. Cashback bonuses, for instance, are only credited to players with a net loss during a week. Active players also qualify for reload bonuses on their subsequent deposits.
- VIP members: Most casinos in New Zealand have membership programs, where players amass royalty points for each wager. The points give them access to different levels of the casino’s VIP program, with each incremental level bringing bigger rewards.
- Mobile players: Mobile casinos will have special rewards for players who access the casino through their mobile website or the dedicated app. Check our category pages to find the best mobile casino bonus.
Pros and Cons of Accepting Bonuses
- Allows players more gaming time as they extend available funds
- Brings more fun and excitement
- Bonus winnings can translate to withdrawable cash
- An avenue to try out more casino games
- Easy to qualify for them
- Allows you to play games risk-free
- Casino promotions come with wagering requirements before winnings can be withdrawn
- High wagering requirements often dilute the benefits of getting the best casino bonuses
- Casino bonuses may also be subject to time limits, making them unsuitable for the weekend hobbyist
Formula to Evaluate Any NZ Bonus
Bonus hunters – a term coined for players with a specialty of looking for lucrative offers – employ certain formulas to gauge the best offers from casinos. Their tricks can help you determine which promos are good or bad. Here is a popular formula they use:
- 100% – (wager x house edge)
The formula is based on a simple premise. You multiply the required wager with the house edge (probability of the house winning or the likelihood of the player losing). Then, you minus the percentage from 100%.
Let’s say the wager is 30x. You decide to play Gates of Olympus which has a 96.50% RTP, which means a 3.50% (100% – 96.50%) house edge. Using the formula, we get 100% – (30 x 3.50%) = -5%. This result is negative, meaning that there is a high probability that players will lose more money meeting the requirements of the bonus than they can get.
The calculations show if a New Zealand player will theoretically benefit or lose. It’s the expected result, and no one can give any guarantees about how everything will go. The difference between offers often isn’t visible to the naked eye, and this tool can help you decide between different options.
Despite expectations, the worst available offer can turn out to be the most lucrative for you simply because of good luck.
Armed with the tools to evaluate casino bonus offers, it’s up to you whether to use them or not. The problem is that it’s easy to miss out on some fun without benefiting much from promos. That’s because professional online casino bonus hunters are not in it for the fun but to maximize their return.
Best NZ casino bonuses for NZ Players
Casinos issue a variety of rewards at every stage of a player’s casino journey. The types of promos will change as you transition from a new to an existing member and then to a loyal and valuable member. Here are some online casino bonuses you’ll encounter:
Welcome Bonus
The welcome bonus is availed to Kiwi players on their first deposit. It’s not only issued for the first deposit but may be extended to subsequent deposits. Typically, NZ operators give three to four bonuses.
The time allowed for the first deposit bonus isn’t always unlimited, and you might not be eligible if the window is missed. So, read the terms and conditions of the bonus before depositing funds. There may be times when you need to enter online casino bonus codes and contact the casino support team before spending any money, among other rules.
A welcome bonus set can offer a few hundred dollars or a few thousand. But don’t be bumped if it’s less. While the online casino welcome bonus should sound inviting, casinos face a fine balance between being generous and being smart about taking on any extra financial pressure. Young casinos, in particular, have plenty of expenses and fierce competition.
Note that special incentives may be given to crypto users. But the biggest online casino bonuses don’t necessarily mean better. When you consider the best casino bonus, take every rule into account and consider if the wagering requirement is acceptable.
No Deposit
Before collecting the first casino deposit bonus, you need to check if the casino offers any other free incentives you can claim, such as the no deposit bonus.
This bonus type was popular back in the early years of the iGaming industry when gaming sites were eager to win more customers by giving them a risk-free way to try out this new form of entertainment. But as the market grew and bonus misuse proliferated, free deals with only a few strings attached became a thing of the past.
Today deposit bonus is the main force used to acquire traffic, and only a small number of New Zealand operators offer risk-free bets on real money games. The ones that do release a bag of free spins or NZ$10-NZ$20, but with strict rules applied to prevent too many players from taking advantage of them. Unlike deposit rewards, they require a much higher wager and have a small max withdrawal limit, which is around NZ$50.
No deposit rewards aren’t exclusively for new members. Operators do award them on other occasions, including to show appreciation for loyalty. It’s also a tool to reactivate valuable players who have left for other venues. VIPs, who enjoy the most lucrative deals, also get a better chance of grabbing no deposit rewards.
Reload Bonuses
It isn’t enough to lure new members with a few rewards and then quit encouraging them. Gambling sites that want to build long-term relationships choose to unload a series of weekly reload promotions on casino bonuses to keep players from leaving for other venues.
For instance, operators may release a reload casino bonus on certain days, as some want to encourage deposits at the beginning of the week and others focus more on rewarding payments towards the end of the week. Some establishments may spread bonuses evenly.
If you don’t love frequent changes and want to stay at the same venue for an extended time, pay more attention to reload offers rather than welcome bonus packs. While welcome bonuses come with frequent changes, the weekly reload packages tend to remain consistent. But note that there will be several reload rewards during the week, and each offer can only be claimed once.
High Roller Rewards
Not all operators readily reward Kiwi players who make large deposits. Many casinos will have a max NZ online casino bonus cap of between NZ$200 to NZ$500. In this case, high rollers who want to deposit NZ$1,000 will not get more than an NZ$500 limit.
There are a few casinos that truly offer high-roller rewards. But most establishments impose additional caveats on special rewards for higher maximum bonuses, NZ$1,000+. For instance, the casino may lower the match bonus percentage, offering high rollers 50% up to NZ$1,000, instead of a 100% match bonus up to NZ$500. Additionally, high roller rewards may rarely extend beyond the first deposit casino bonus.
That said, players who make big wagers can quickly climb the loyalty ladder to enjoy extra benefits, exclusive rewards, and presents. Click the link provided above to visit a page dedicated to High Roller offers.
If you’re into jackpots, we also have a progressive Jackpots tracker that you can use to find the largest jackpots.
Crypto Bonuses
This one is a new casino bonus because crypto casinos are pretty young. Crypto payments are on the rise, and for some casinos, it’s the most desired way of getting money. That’s why they either boost the casino bonus cap for crypto deposits or introduce exclusive rewards that are unlocked by these sorts of transactions.
A regular 100% up to NZ$500 offer can become a 100% up to 1BTC, which is way more bonus credits because Bitcoins at times reach astronomical value. At press time, it’s around NZ$22,000. If a couple of hundred dollars in deposit money always seemed like not enough, depositing in crypto is a possible solution to try.
Explore the Welcome Bonus page as we don’t have a separate page for crypto rewards. If more money is offered in BTC, it will be specified in the name of the bonus, allowing you to find the best casino bonus.
Game Specific NZ Bonuses
Occasionally content suppliers seem to push extra hard to promote their games. And they cooperate with NZ casinos to attract players using special casino promotions. The entire studio’s portfolio or a few specific titles will participate in the promo.
This type of cooperation is just one form of cooperation between suppliers and their clients. When a content builder launches network-wide promo events such as tournaments or prize drops it’s another common practice. That’s when the numbers can go extremely high.
For instance, Pragmatic Play is known for investing millions of Euros at a time in their Drops and Wins promotions. Usually, the figures are significantly lower, but the rest of the competition often uses network promos to boost brand awareness.
Cashback
You win even when you lose – the concept of this category of reward. Of course, it’s nice to win, but when lady luck turns her back on you, venues show some support by offering casino cashback. It won’t be credited after every session but at the end of each week.
Look for a formula that gaming sites use to calculate the weekly cashback amount. It’s usually the small share of a net loss (amount lost minus payouts). Oftentimes bonuses are also deducted from the amount lost.
Casino bonus codes aren’t used here. But typically punters have to manually request the casino cashback before the beginning of the next week. If unclaimed, it won’t be credited.
Bonus Types
Players can also get extra credits and free spins bonuses or a combination of both:
- Credits: Getting credits is pretty straightforward. They can be obtained as a deposit match bonus, where players get credits proportionate to the payment. While credits may be fixed, sometimes they increase in increments. For example, 50FS for NZ$20-NZ$50, and 100FS for a transaction that is over NZ$50.
- Free spins: These are awarded for individual games. The only issue is that gamblers may be bound to a title they might not like as they can’t choose the slot.
Loyalty Points
VIP/comp points are part of the rewards program offered by online casinos. No bonus codes are needed, and they aren’t tied directly to payments. Although it’s not the first thing that comes to many punters’ minds, and at times slightly underestimated, a good loyalty program keeps members engaged and makes them feel appreciated.
The way it works is simple. For a certain amount of cash spent, there’s a certain amount of points issued. For instance, 1 point for NZ$50 worth of wagers.
The amount of points accumulated determines the member’s status and a status upgrade results in more benefits, from more lucrative level-up rewards to increased withdrawal limits and dedicated personal support managers. And when things can’t go even better, you realize that points are exchanged for bonus cash, bonus spins, or cash.
Finding and Claiming the Best Casino Bonus
Given the many types of promos available to novice punters, you may find the options overwhelming. But as discussed above, not all online casino bonuses are worth accepting.
To identify the best NZ casino bonuses, use this page to explore multiple options. Click on the category name to access the entire list of offers. You can still check the bonus categories to find a new casin0 bonus that you may not have claimed.
Bonuses shouldn’t be the primary reason you select a particular New Zealand gaming site. It’s good to check our casino rating and compare offers, focusing particularly on the best NZ casino bonuses. This rating should provide an idea of which operators create a more fun and user-friendly environment. And considering the welcome bonus should further help you pick the best bonus casino sites.
The Process of Claiming a Promo
Claiming a promotional offer is a seamless process. As soon as your qualifying deposit lands in your account, the corresponding bonus is credited automatically—with no further steps. However, should you decide the bonus isn’t right, you can reach out to customer support to reverse the transaction.
Occasionally, claiming your reward might involve entering a special bonus code. But remember that promotions are time-restricted and expire after some time. Additionally, if you’re eyeing no-deposit casino bonuses, you’ll need to exchange some personal details during the registration gateway.
How to Use Casino Bonus Codes
Casino bonus codes are typically offered by online casinos to attract new Kiwi players or retain existing ones. They are not applied automatically. You’ll need to take additional steps to use them:
Step 1: Find the Casino Bonus Code
You can look for bonus codes on the casino’s homepage or search for exclusive codes on third-party affiliate sites. Similarly, check your welcome email from the casino, as it may contain a bonus code.
Step 2: Check the Bonus Requirements
Read the terms and conditions for the bonus code carefully to understand the wagering requirements that must be met. Note any game restrictions or time limits associated with the bonus code.
Step 3: Enter the Bonus Code on the Deposit Page
Navigate to the deposit section of your preferred online casino for real money and enter the bonus code in the designated field before completing the deposit. Ensure the bonus is applied to your account before finalizing the deposit.
Step 4: Enjoy the Bonus
Use the bonus funds or free spins to play your favorite casino games and withdraw any winnings after fulfilling all the necessary conditions.
Remember that bonus codes often come with expiration dates. Make sure that you’re using the most up-to-date bonus code to avoid losing out on the offer.
Deposit Bonus vs. No Deposit Bonus Offers
Deposit and no deposit bonuses essentially serve the same purpose to enhance the player’s gaming experience and increase their chances of winning. But they do have some differences.
Deposit bonuses require Kiwi players to deposit a certain amount of money into their account. They come in the form of welcome casino bonuses, which are offered to new players as an enticement to join, or reload bonuses, which are given to existing players to encourage them to add more funds to their accounts.
On the other hand, no deposit bonuses don’t require players to make any initial deposit. These online casino bonuses can include cashback bonuses, which provide players with a return on losses over a certain period; free spins, which allow players to spin the reels on slot games without using their own money; tournaments, where Kiwi players can compete against each other for prizes; and VIP programs, which reward loyal players with exclusive benefits and bonuses.
Each type of bonus has its own appeal depending on the player’s preferences and strategies. Deposit bonuses can significantly boost a player’s bankroll, allowing for extended playtime and increased bet sizes. No deposit bonuses, while generally smaller, offer a risk-free way to try out games and potentially win real money without the need for an upfront investment.
Picking the Right NZ Casino
Nothing is more important than picking a good casino site. Making the wrong choice can spoil all the fun gambling can deliver. That’s why it’s hard to overestimate the importance of taking this first and most important step seriously. Follow a simple guide to find the best providers:
- Check if the New Zealand operator is licensed and has not been involved in anything suspicious or outright illegal.
- Look through the Terms & Conditions to spot any unfair rules. Or if it’s too much for you, read just the key sections such as Anti-Money Laundering and Withdrawals.
- See if the casino has an extensive and versatile library of content. Or just focus on certain titles/providers if you know exactly what you’ll be playing.
- Last but not least, explore available payment methods and currencies. Consider both deposit and withdrawal options as some methods work one way only.
Player reviews and complaints can also provide insight into casino practices without needing to sign up. You can spot any issues with deposit casino bonuses or anything else. But reviews can be biased and aren’t very good at painting a true picture. That’s why it’s better to pay more attention to legitimate complaints and how fast and professional casino representatives behave when dealing with them.
If a casino seems to meet your requirements but fails to provide appealing casino bonus treats, that’s not the reason to be upset. Plenty of other operators will be just as good plus fill in the gap by offering better rewards as long as you have realistic expectations.
Bonus Wagering
Think of playthrough or wagering requirements as a necessary part of gambling online as casinos would end up bankrupt if they offered free cash with no withdrawal restrictions. You can still end up benefiting from online casino bonuses by knowing a few key things about wagering:
- The playthrough or turnover is mostly set at 30x or 40x. It’s the threshold that needs to be reached to convert the bonus amount to cash. Suppose NZ$100 is up for grabs and turnover is 30x. Then the goal is to spend: NZ$100 x 30 = NZ$3,000.
- Time does matter. If punters were allowed to take as much time as they needed, offering online casino bonuses would cost operators their profit, but that’s not what happens. Seven days is the standard limit for wagering. Sometimes it’s more or less. Beware of casino promotions that only give 24 hours. It doesn’t give much time to enjoy the process and significantly boosts the chances of failing.
- Game contributions and restrictions are another hurdle strategically used to limit the number of successful deposit casino bonuses cashouts. There’s always a list of prohibited titles and categories that will have your bonus canceled. One accidental stake is enough to mess everything up. This is often high volatility, live casino games, and progressive jackpot content.
- The max bet is often $5. It’s rarely a larger figure, as operators don’t want players to bet big and get lucky. This would mean that the playthrough can be easily attained.
New gamblers often need time to understand how to find the best casino bonus. Initially, the process can seem overwhelming, and they might overlook details like entering bonus codes. However, with experience, they will become adept at selecting the most advantageous rewards in New Zealand.