Betting Site Bonuses

The welcome bonus on sports betting is a type of promotion offered by betting sites to encourage the registration of new users.

Usually, the sports bonus consists of some sort of advantage, typically an amount credited to the player's account upon registration or first deposit which can be used to place the first bets.

The amount, the methods of redemption and issuance of the bonus can vary significantly from operator to operator: therefore, it is important to evaluate in detail the wagering requirements and the terms and conditions to find an offer that best suits our style of play. 

On Justcasinosites.com you can always find updated bonus comparisons and detailed analyses.

Wagering requirements, also called “turnover”, are the conditions that must be met in order to receive certain bonuses or promotions on betting sites.

Usually, the wagering requirement corresponds to “wagering” or “turnover”, which is the number of times a player must wager the amount of the bonus received before they can withdraw any winnings from that bonus.

To give a practical example, if you receive a $50 sports welcome bonus with a 10x wagering requirement, you will have to play the bonus 10 times (i.e. wager a total of $500) before you can withdraw the winnings generated by it.

In the context of sports betting, among the wagering requirements we often also find minimum betting odds (i.e. 1.50 or greater)  that must be met in order for the bets to be considered valid when unlocking the bonus.

Nowadays, the choice of betting bonuses offered by bookmakers in New Zealand is vast and diversified. With all of these bonuses, there are different types, with different game terms and conditions. Let's have a look at the different forms.

First Deposit Bonus

Also known as “sign-up offers” or “welcome bonuses”. Bonuses on the first deposit are certainly the most common type of betting site bonus in NZ.

They are called "first deposit bonuses" because they are bonuses reserved only for those who make the initial deposit, which usually must be made within 7 days of registering the account. First deposit bonuses usually come in the form of a matched deposit bonus or free bets. 

As for the matched deposit amount, you need to pay attention to the percentage offered (which usually ranges from 50% to 500%) and the maximum limit on the bonus obtainable. 

In addition, some bookmakers extend the offer to the 2nd or 3rd deposit, to allow you to deposit in smaller installments without losing any advantage.

Factors to pay attention to:

• Deposit Percentage (50% ~ 100%)
• Maximum bonus amount
• Wagering Requirements
• Bonus expiration

No Deposit Bonus

If you are new to the world of sports betting, there is nothing better than a no deposit bonus that allows you to start betting without any financial commitment.

There are two main differences compared to first deposit bonuses. The first is in the amount of the bonus itself: most no deposit bonuses on sports betting have a fairly small amount, usually around $10-20, given immediately after registration.

The second difference concerns the wagering requirements which tend to be more difficult to reach than those that require a deposit.

Although these bonuses do not require any deposit, it is important to remember that to obtain them it is always necessary to confirm your identity at the time of registration.

Factors to pay attention to:

• Document validation required
• Lowest bonus amount
• Stricter wagering requirements
• No deposit is required, you can play right away

Cashback Bonus

The cashback bonus is a type of refund that can be on your bets (therefore dependent on the volume of play) or on lost bets.

Even though the amounts obtainable tend to be rather small compared to other categories of betting site bonuses, this is a very popular type of offer because it allows you to bet smaller amounts but more consistently, a gaming strategy appreciated by both novice and expert players.

Another factor to take into account with cashback bonuses is that the amount refunded to your gaming account is usually not withdrawable but must be used to place other bets.

Factors to pay attention to:

• It could be on losses or on bet volume
• Lower amount but often on a periodic basis (i.e. weekly or monthly)
• Bonus is usually not withdrawable but can be used to place new bets
• Not applicable to all bet types

Free bets

Similar to no deposit welcome bonuses, free bets are a type of bonus that allows you to bet for free. However, you usually need to make a deposit or an initial bet to get the free bet. 

For example, if you $10 into your betting wallet, the betting site gives you credits in the form of free bets. You can use the free bet amount to place bets like normal, and you will receive the winnings minus the stake if the bet goes in. 

The other peculiarity of free bets is that they are one of the most common recurring bonuses: depending on the operator, it is not uncommon to unlock periodic free bets based on the volume of play generated on the platform.

Factors to pay attention to:

• Bet without risk
• Requires document validation
• You must meet the wagering requirements in order to withdraw your winnings.

Increased odds

Another great classic is the increased odds bonus,(also known as “odds boost”) available both in the form of a sports welcome bonus and as a periodic promotion for regular players.

As the name suggests, it is an increase in the odds on a certain event, which significantly increases the “standard” odds. For example, a team’s victory can be quoted at 4.00 instead of 1.30. The amount of the bonus is calculated by making the difference between the two odds and usually has a maximum of around $20.

This is a bonus that is automatically applied to your betting slip if all conditions are met, usually minimum odds requirements. Keep an eye on the most popular sporting events: being one of the most popular sports bonuses, it is offered frequently in conjunction with the most popular competitions.

Factors to pay attention to:

• Bonus applied automatically
• Available on peak events for both new and returning users
• Pay attention to the minimum wagering requirements

For years, our team of sports betting experts has been analyzing and comparing the welcome bonuses available in New Zealand in order to find the best offers, always putting the safety and protection of our users first.

We pride ourselves on being able to offer extremely accurate bonus reviews and ratings, analyzing the offers in 360° and taking into account factors such as the bonus amount, wagering requirements, minimum odds, expirations, the bookmaker's reputation and in general how easy it is to receive and unlock each bonus.

Welcome bonus amount

Inevitably, the first thing that catches our attention on betting sites is the amount of the welcome bonus. It indicates the money or equivalent value offered by the bookmaker to new players.

It is not uncommon to be attracted by bonuses that offer considerable amounts, but it is important to evaluate them against the wagering requirements and other conditions. The biggest bonus isn’t always the best. 

Minimum deposit and payment methods

Most betting bonuses require a minimum deposit to be awarded. For this reason, we always look at how much you need to deposit to qualify for each offer and understand whether it is convenient or not.

Speaking of convenience, we always make sure to specify if there are any limitations on the payment methods that can be used for betting site bonuses that require a deposit.

Validity period and expirations

When evaluating welcome bonuses, there are several deadlines that you need to consider to understand how easy a bonus is to unlock or not.

The first deadline to keep in mind is obviously the bonus collection period after registering on the betting site, but even more important is the time limit to meet the wagering requirements. In short, a bonus becomes more difficult to clear the less time you have to meet the wagering requirements.

Bonus Wagering Requirements

Most betting bonuses are tied to wagering requirements. In simple terms, this is the number of times you will have to wager the bonus amount before you can withdraw the money you win.

These requirements can vary greatly depending on the bookmaker, some bookmakers for example include the deposited amount together with the bonus amount in the calculation of the wagering requirements. The most important thing is to realistically evaluate how difficult it is to meet these requirements in light of the expiration date and the amount.

Minimum odds

Another important factor to consider when evaluating sports betting welcome bonuses is the minimum odds.

Bonuses can usually only be used on bets (single or multiple) that meet a minimum odds requirement, usually between 1.40 and 2.00. Clearly, the higher the odds to be met, the more difficult it will be win.

Market and Sports Limits

Unfortunately, some sports betting welcome bonuses can only be used on specific markets and sports.

It is therefore important to make sure that the bonus you are interested in is usable on the games you would like to bet on before making deposits. Fortunately, the most popular sports are almost certainly available and there are not many sports that are excluded from welcome promotions.

Bet limits

Speaking of welcome bonus limits, it is finally important to also take a look at the bet limits.

In addition to the maximum bonus amount that can be played on a single bet, there are often limits on what type of bet you can place. It is not uncommon for system bets, cashout functionality, increased odds, etc. to not be compatible with the bonus.

Bookmaker Reputation

Last but not least, is the bookmaker's reputation, determined by multiple factors such as their gambling license, transparency in information and user reviews.

Added to these factors are also our personal experiences and tests with deposits and withdrawals and the availability of customer service. We only list welcome bonuses from betting sites that have passed various reliability checks.

Are welcome bonuses legal in New Zealand?

Yes, betting bonuses are legal in New Zealand, as long as they are given by a betting site holding a valid license in the country they are based. Using international betting sites is 100% legal in New Zealand as per the Gambling Act 2003.

Since this is a highly regulated sector, you can always play it safe by choosing welcome bonuses from bookmakers in our list. 

Are there any restrictions on using welcome bonuses?

There might be restrictions put by the betting sites in the terms and conditions of each promotion. Some examples of possible restrictions include:

• Maximum bonus amount
• Wagering requirements
• Minimum odds
• Withdrawal restrictions (I.e. maximum withdrawal from bonus wins $5000)

How to get betting site bonuses?

Once you have found the welcome bonus that best suits you, click the “Claim” button. You will have to proceed to register a new account and make a deposit that meet the requirements for the welcome offer.

We would like to point out that all types of online gambling, including sports betting, are reserved exclusively for adults. To open a gaming account at any bookmaker, you must be at least 18 years old.

How to get a welcome bonus in just a few steps

To receive a welcome bonus when registering your gaming account, arm yourself with a computer or smartphone: it will only take a few minutes to complete the process. Also, make sure you have a valid identity document on hand to speed up the process.

1.  Compare offers and choose the best welcome bonus

First of all, it is essential to carefully evaluate the various offers of NZ bookmakers. Finding the right bonus will profoundly affect your betting experience.

Take a look at our list of welcome bonuses and choose the offer that's right for you, according to the criteria that best suit your style of play.

On this page you can find information about all the different types of welcome bonuses, first deposit bonuses, cashback bonuses and even no deposit bonuses!

2.  Read the bonus terms and proceed to registration

Once you have found an interesting registration bonus, click on one of the "Claim button on our site to access the operator's registration page.

Before proceeding with the creation of an account and a game account, we recommend that you carefully read the Terms and Conditions of the bonus to be 100% sure that it is what you are looking for.

This way you will have a clear idea right away of the requirements you need to meet to get the welcome bonus and make the most of it.

You will then only need to follow the steps required by the bookmaker to complete the registration of your account.

3.  Enter your personal data and validate your identity

The next step is usually the most tedious: correctly enter your data in the various fields requested by the operator and provide a copy of a valid identity document to confirm your identity.

Remember that in order to register and obtain the bonus, you must be at least 18 years of age. Do not trust sites that skip this fundamental step.

Finally, we also remind you that it is generally not allowed to register multiple gaming accounts in the name of the same person on the same betting site! If you happen to make a mistake when filling in your personal data, do not create a second account but contact customer service: they will help you solve the problem.

4.  Get your welcome bonus

Once you have completed registration, depending on the offer your sign-up bonus may be automatically deposited into your account but in most cases you will need to follow some instructions to activate your bonus.

The most commonly required action is to make a first deposit, while other operators may
require you to enter a promo code or place a certain number of bets.

5.  Start betting!

Finally we are at the moment you were waiting for! The welcome bonus has finally been credited to your gaming account.

Now you are ready to start betting: keep in mind the turnover conditions and the expiration date to be able to convert your bonus into real money.

6. Expert advice from John

With the ever-growing number of new betting sites in New Zealand, it can be a real challenge to find the right welcome bonus for your style of play, especially if you are approaching this world for the first time.

The advice I can give you is not to be seduced by the exaggerated amounts of a registration bonus, but to evaluate its actual value in relation to the wagering requirements and the time required to meet them. There is little point in trying to unlock a deposit bonus with a very high amount, if you don’t intend to bet very often to generate the bet volume necessary to unlock it in time.

In particular, I recommend new players to start with Free bets or smaller bonuses with low wagering requirements. These are easier to unlock and this more cautious way of playing will avoid unnecessary stress and will allow you to become familiar with the gaming platforms at your own pace.

Bonus factors to always keep an eye on:

• The amount of the bonus
• Wagering requirements
• The minimum odds
• The expiration dates
• The bookmaker's reputation