Casino Welcome Bonuses

The best casino welcome bonuses in 2023

Signing up with a new casino is exciting, but what is more thrilling is claiming the best welcome bonuses.

These days, almost all NZ online casinos offer some kind of new player promotion in the shape of a welcome package or a welcome bonus.

The offers circling the web vary from online casino no deposit welcome bonuses, deposit match bonuses, free spins and even loyalty points.

A welcome bonus provides new players with some precious extra cash or spins, enabling them to try out the platform and some of the games for free. They also act as a drawcard for new casinos or new games. 

In this article, we’re going to look at the type of welcome bonuses you can find from New Zealand, and we’ll share tips on what conditions to look out for.

1. Luckbox – 100% casino bonus

Luckbox‘s 100% casino bonus is sure to get players’ attention! Check out our Luckbox casino review for more on this offer, and other features!

2. Casumo – 100% up to $1,200 + 20 free spins

Home to a fantastic welcome bonus, Casumo is a player-friendly pokie site with multiple bonuses!

This casino also offers a 20% Live Casino cashback up to $200, as well as excellent and swift customer support.

3. TonyBet – 100% up to $1,500 bonus + 120 free spins

Licensed by top regulators and featuring multiple trustworthy game providers, TonyBet is the place to be for an amazing gaming experience!

TonyBet contains a games library of over 3,000 titles, and as a crypto casino, is compatible with popular cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin!

4. ZotaBet – Up to $10,000 + 100 free spins

Apart from an up to $10,000 + 100 free spins, ZotaBet offers a wide range of games, trustworthy payment options, and efficient customer care.

This casino also has a high minimum withdrawal and strict wagering requirements.

5. UltraCasino – Daily casino bonus

UltraCasino is home to pokies, game shows, Live Casino, and regular promotions. 

What’s interesting about this casino is that there is no fixed welcome bonus, but a daily casino bonus given to loyal players.

6. FireVegas – Up to €1,000 + 100 free spins

FireVegas features a selection of over 2,400 games, trustworthy banking options, and a potentially rewarding welcome package split over your first three deposits. So, what are you waiting for to join?

7. Betinia – 100% up to $1,000 bonus + 150 free spins

Betinia offers everything players from New Zealand seek from an online casino, such as hundreds of games, top providers, and a generous welcome bonus!

8. LeoVegas – Up to $2,000 + 200 free spins

This award-winning casino offers NZ players a trove of amazing bonuses and perks, such as its up to $2,000 + 200 Free Spins welcome bonus, exclusive deals, and a huge game selection!

Check out our LeoVegas casino review to learn more!

9. Wheelz – Up to $800 + 100 free spins

Home to over 1,500 pokies, Wheelz is a haven for casino game enthusiasts! So come on over, sign up, and start enjoying perks such as a generous up to $800 + 100 free spins welcome bonus!

10. LetsLucky – Up to $4,000 + 300 free spins

At LetsLucky, players can enjoy an impressive welcome bonus, ongoing promotional offers, and casino games from over 100 providers.

This casino is also home to convenient payment methods and dedicated 24/7 customer care.

Are welcome bonuses legal in New Zealand?

In New Zealand, online casinos are not yet regulated, however, this does not mean it is illegal to play online or claim a casino bonus.

We still suggest being cautious! There are hundreds of online casinos around and not all of them are legit or safe.

Thus, we recommend, choosing a casino that is licensed by a reputable jurisdiction like the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority.

Why are casinos offering welcome bonuses?

The best welcome bonuses are a way by which a casino rewards new players that join its platform. The more generous a bonus is the more likely it is for players to sign up.

This is especially true if a no deposit bonus is being offered!

What exactly is a welcome bonus?

A welcome bonus is one of many casino rewards that entice you to join it and become a member. It’s a form of marketing, and the casinos see it as a cost of advertising, which hopefully they will recover from new members over time.

These consist of freebies in the shape of casino money or free spins, often given to players against a minimum deposit. As it is, these bonuses rarely come without obligation, as we will see further on.

Why take a welcome bonus?

Apart from its obvious marketing value, casino welcome bonuses give you an opportunity to try out the casino at considerably less cost than you would incur during normal play.

Provided the play-through requirements are not excessive, you stand a good chance of winning from the welcome bonus.

Types of welcome bonuses

The best welcome bonuses come in two main forms, a percentage of a deposit match bonus or an online casino no deposit welcome bonus.

These are sometimes padded with free spins to make them more attractive. We suggest doing some shopping around to find the best welcome bonus for you!

Free spins welcome bonuses

Free spins are casino promotions that consist of rounds handed by the casino for free to be used either on one pokie game or on a small number of online pokies.

New player welcome bonus

A new player welcome bonus is one of several casino rewards designed to attract you to the casino. The most common type of bonus is a deposit match.

For example, a casino may offer a bonus match of 100% of your first deposit, up to a nominal value, say $100.

In other words, your first deposit of $100 effectively becomes $200. There are usually conditions to this bonus, and normally the wager has to be played through a certain number of times before it’s available for withdrawal.

Reload welcome bonus

Reload bonuses are casino rewards often awarded after your initial welcome bonus. These could appear at any time during normal play or as a specific promotion.

To qualify for a reload bonus, you only need to make a deposit. Some casinos offer these weekly or monthly and some will provide them randomly. They still come with the same wagering requirements and other terms and conditions as the welcome bonus. 

No deposit welcome bonus

No deposit bonuses are usually a fixed amount often consisting of free spins, credited to your account on signing up with the casino. These may be in conjunction with a deposit bonus.

In both cases, a play-through requirement is usually in place. Before accepting any bonus, always check the conditions attached to it.

Welcome bonus codes

Sometimes a code needs to be entered during the deposit process, in order to access a welcome bonus. This can either be a general code or one assigned exclusively to you.

How to withdraw your winnings after using a welcome bonus?

Most casino welcome bonuses are cashable unless they carry wagering requirements.

Only no wagering welcome bonuses can be cashed right away, however, these are relatively rare.

Cashable vs non-cashable casino offers

Cashable casino bonuses can consist of either a welcome bonus with wagering requirements or no wagering casino welcome bonuses.

The first is only withdrawable once the playthrough requirements have been met, while with the latter, any wins go directly to your cash balance for you to cash out at your convenience.

On the other hand, non-cashable bonuses, also known as “sticky bonuses”, can’t be cashed out and remain with the casino. While that sounds like a bad thing, it can actually be used to bolster your winnings, as you can still use it to play for free.

Maximum win limit

A maximum win limit, or as it is often referred to, ‘caps on winnings’, is usually imposed on free spin offers for online pokies.

The value can vary from casino to casino, thus we advise checking the terms and conditions carefully.

In rare cases, table games may also be subject to a win limit. 

Cash-out limits

Casinos often impose cash-out limits, and these may be daily, weekly or monthly transactions with a maximum limit.

There are several reasons for this, firstly to protect the casino’s cash flow.

The second reason could be to protect you from drawing a large sum of money and then blowing it, although we feel that what you do with your winnings is your own affair!

A possible third reason could be to protect against fraud. Should your account be hacked, though that should be impossible, the perpetrator will be limited to how much they can take.

Always check the casino’s maximum withdrawal policy before signing up.

Bonus percentages and payouts

Bonus percentages vary between casinos. The most common is 100%, although some casinos go the extra mile and offer a 200% deposit match.

Check the conditions of the bonus before committing to it, as some bonuses can’t be withdrawn or have restrictions on how many payouts you can land.

Solutions for common Issues

Here are some solutions to common problems encountered by new players while claiming an online casino welcome bonus.

1. I don’t want a welcome bonus anymore

You can bypass the welcoming bonus by not inserting the bonus code or leaving the opt-in box unchecked. You will probably be prompted to confirm that you wish to skip the bonus, in which case you can confirm, and then play as normal.

2. I can’t see the progress of my welcome bonus

Your account will have a tab tilted “offers” or similar. Click on this to view any bonuses or promotions that are active. You should be able to see the remaining time until expiry as well as your stage in the wagering process.

3. My offer page is not showing me a bonus

Possibly you are not eligible for this bonus in your area. It might also be that your time limit to claim the bonus has expired.

4. How much time do I have to claim and use my bonus?

It depends on the casino! Usually, the bonus must be claimed and used within 30 days, but some casinos require that it be used during a much shorter time frame, even as low as 24 hours.

Tips when using a welcome bonus

Here are some basic tips to help you make the best of your casino welcome bonus!

1. Always read terms and conditions

The dreaded small print! It is always wise to go through all the terms and conditions attached to any bonuses, promotions, and anything else to do with the casino. 

2. Check the wagering requirements before you grab a bonus

There are usually wagering requirements attached to any bonus offer unless otherwise stated. Make yourself familiar with these before committing yourself. If the play-through conditions for a bonus are excessive, it may cost you more than the bonus is actually worth.

It would be best if you avoid any bonus with more than a 30X playthrough requirement.

3. Make sure your payment methods are accepted

When registering with a casino, check which payment methods are accepted. If you don’t already use any of them, you may need to open an account with a new provider.

Most casinos accept a variety of payment methods, but beware, as many will only allow you to withdraw back to the source of your deposit. Try to use a method that qualifies for both deposits and withdrawals.

4. Look out for location restrictions

Make sure that the bonuses are available in the area that you are playing from. Some bonuses may be valid for certain regions only. Some casinos that are restricted to certain areas will use geotag software to identify your location, and if not eligible, you will be denied access. 

5. Check on the withdrawal times

Most casinos will process withdrawals immediately, however, some may impose a delay. Even if your withdrawal is immediate, there may be a delay imposed by the financial institution you’re withdrawing to.

Different withdrawal methods may also have different availability times, so check on these beforehand.

6. Check your welcome bonus free spins

Some bonuses require that the play-through cycle must be completed within a certain time. Failure to do this may result in the bonus, and even your deposit, being forfeited.

There are occasions where the bonus may be split over a number of days or sessions, which must all be completed.