Everything you need to know about online gambling bonuses
Online gambling has grown into multi-billion pound industry and it shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon. Operators are always launching new online casinos, sportsbooks, poker and bingo sites. The beauty of having so many operators within the same industry is that it creates a frenzy of competition, forcing them to find new and exciting ways to attract players. Of course, there are multiple ways as to how an online gambling provider can stand out, such as offering super fast withdrawals and exceptional customer support, for instance.
However, the de facto number one method that operators use to attract customers are bonuses! Why? Because all players want that little bit extra, that something for nothing deal, that extra chance to win big. So, whether you like roulette, pokies, Texas hold’em or you prefer a punt on the horses, we’ll give you a run through of the types of bonuses you can pick up. Plus, you can check out our list of this year’s top sites offering some stellar bonuses.
Casino bonuses
No deposit bonus
Online casino bonuses can begin even before you’ve made your first deposit. In a bid to attract customers, online casinos are offering a variety of no deposit bonuses. As the name implies, you won’t need to spend a penny to claim these rewards. While these aren’t the biggest bonuses, usually 20 free spins or a free $5 or so, they do serve as the perfect appetiser to give you a taste of real money gambling.
Welcome bonus
If a no deposit bonus is the appetiser, a welcome bonus is most definitely the main course. This is the casino’s beacon to attract new players and stand out from competition. A matched deposit bonus is the most common welcome bonus, where casinos will give players a percentage of their deposit as playable funds. These percentages can range from 50% to 200% – and sometimes even more! There’ll usually be a limit to how much the casino will match, but Spin and Win are an example of when online casinos throw a handful of spins into the package, offering 100 free spins alongside its 100% up to $500 bonus. Most deposit match offers come with wagering requirements, which means the bonus cash isn’t yours until you’ve cleared these. There is a growing number of online casinos that are offering no wagering bonuses as a way of standing out from the crowd, so be sure to look out for these.
Reload Bonus
Existing casino players needn’t miss out on bonuses, either, thanks to casino reload bonuses. These reward players for topping up their casino balance, but the way they’re rewarded will vary from site to site. Some casinos will offer deposit match reload bonuses, while others will gift players free spins, it’s all about finding which best suits your playing needs.
Rebate Bonus
Given that casino games are mostly down to chance, no one is excluded from the possibility of making a loss. However, rebate bonuses are the perfect way to make back some of these losses. These bonuses aren’t just paid out according to the amount you lose, you may also earn money through rebate bonuses based on your average spend over a certain period of time.
On top of these bonuses, many online casinos offer prize drawers and VIP clubs, so there are plenty of ways that existing players can continue to get a bankroll boost.
Sportsbook bonuses
Matched deposit bonus
For all intents and purposes, this is the same as a casino deposit match bonus. Players make a deposit and the bookmaker will match a percentage of this in playable funds. Just like casino bonuses, these often come with a cap in terms of how much the bookies will pay out. You might see it advertised like this, ‘100% up to $50’. This means that, if you deposit $40, you’ll have $80 in playable funds. If you deposit $60, you’ll have $110 in playable funds, because the operator will pay out a maximum of $50.
Free bets
This bonus is exactly what it sounds like. Bettors have the opportunity to place a bet without wagering any of their own cash, though you’ll often need to make a minimum deposit. These bonus bets will often come with wagering requirements that you must meet before you can withdraw your winnings. An example might be a site offering players up to $30 in free bets with a deposit of just $10, with a low 1x wagering requirement.
Bet insurance
Some online casinos will offer bet insurance as part of their welcome bonus package. Bet insurance promises bettors a refund if their bet doesn’t pay out. You’ll usually be required to wager a minimum amount, and the bookmaker will only refund a specified amount, but these bonuses are great if you’re looking to place a slightly riskier bet for the first time.
Sportsbook bonuses differ to casino bonuses in that bookies tend to offer more promotions to existing players. While these aren’t technically bonuses, these promotions can give bettors that extra push and might include enhanced trebles and insurance accas, as well as free bet clubs and loyalty schemes. All of these help keep existing players loyal to the same operator.
Poker bonuses
For years poker has been a money-making machine for the site operator. Players play against one another and are happy to pay the rake for doing so. So, what do poker sites do with all this profit?
Matched bets
New Zealand poker sites offer some of the most lavish bonuses available online, and matched bets are one of the most common among these. Whereas an online casino might offer 100% up to $300, a poker site could offer 100% up to $1,000. However, these bonuses aren’t just handed out to anyone, expect to play a lot of games of poker to claim the maximum amount from these poker bonuses.
Freeroll bonus
This is the most iconic poker bonus. While the daily freeroll might be a modest $20, a sunday night game might offer $250, and monthly prize pots might reach $5,000. Some freeroll bonuses have entry criteria, such as having made a deposit the previous week, but others are completely free. Whatever the size of the prize pot, poker freerolls are a great chance to win some money without risking any of your own.
On top of these bonuses, some poker sites also offer guaranteed prized tournaments, which keep existing players interested, as they know the minimum amount they can win- which is up to $1,000,000 in some cases. These aren’t freerolls, but they offer a huge payout and players can enter through qualifying events for just a small sum of money.
Grab a bonus and start playing!
Now that we’ve given you the lowdown on the types of gambling bonuses you can pick up online. Ready to claim one for yourself? Check out our list of the top operators in New Zealand offering the best bonuses to pick your favourite to sign up, claim your bonus and start playing today!
