What to compare
- Bonus type: match bonus, free spins, no deposit bonus or cashback. Pick the one that fits what you play.
- Wagering: lower is better. Check whether it applies to the bonus alone or to bonus plus deposit, which doubles the amount.
- Game weighting: pokies usually count 100%, table games much less.
- Time limit: how many days you have to finish wagering.
- Maximum bet and win cap: the two rules that most often void bonus winnings.
A quick test: multiply the bonus by the wagering, then by 4% (the house edge of a 96% RTP pokie). If the result is bigger than the bonus, the offer costs more than it gives on average. A NZ$100 bonus at 35x needs NZ$3,500 of bets and costs about NZ$140.
The bonus type decides how much risk you carry. A match bonus adds money to your deposit. Free spins give a fixed number of pokie rounds at a set stake, and our free spins bonus guide explains how they pay out. A no deposit bonus needs no payment but usually carries a low win cap. Cashback returns a share of losses and often has the lightest wagering.
Wagering is the amount you must bet before winnings become withdrawable. A 35x requirement on a NZ$100 bonus means NZ$3,500 of bets. When the rule covers bonus plus deposit, the same offer needs NZ$7,000. Always read which balance the multiplier applies to. Contribution rates matter as well. Pokies usually count in full, while blackjack, roulette and baccarat often count 10% or less. Playing a low-contribution game with a bonus active can stretch wagering far beyond the time limit.
The time limit and the maximum bet work together. A seven-day limit with a small maximum bet leaves little room to recover from a bad run. A 30-day limit gives space to play small stakes. A win cap limits how much of the bonus winnings can leave the casino. Check the cap before you accept, since a low cap on a free spins win ends the value of the offer early.
Game restrictions complete the picture. Casinos often exclude high-RTP pokies, jackpot games and live dealer tables from bonus play. The excluded list sits in the terms, usually under a heading such as restricted games. Playing an excluded game can void the bonus winnings, so check the list before your first spin.
How to claim, step by step
- Open an account at the casino. Use your real details; they must match your ID later.
- Find the bonus code if the offer needs one, on the promotions page or our bonus code page.
- Choose a deposit method that qualifies for the offer and deposit at least the minimum.
- Enter the code or opt in before or during the deposit, as the terms say.
- Check that the bonus appears in your balance. If it does not, contact support before you start playing.
- Play eligible games within the maximum bet until wagering is complete.
Claiming a bonus is a short process, but the order of steps matters. Registering first, then opting in, then depositing keeps the bonus attached to the right payment. Opt-in boxes sit in the sign-up form, the cashier or the promotions page. Missing one is the most common reason a bonus does not appear. A no deposit bonus skips the payment step, so see our no deposit bonus guide for the shorter route.
Screenshots help if a dispute arises. Save the terms page, the bonus code and the balance screen at the time of claiming. Casinos can update terms later, and a saved copy shows what applied when you accepted. Support teams resolve claims faster when you can quote the exact wording.
Withdrawing bonus winnings
- Upload ID and proof of address before you request a withdrawal.
- Withdraw to the method you deposited with where possible.
- Expect the casino to check bonus play: bets above the maximum or excluded games can void winnings.
Our guides to ID checks and bonus problems cover what to do if a withdrawal stalls.
Withdrawals are where bonus rules are enforced. The casino reviews your bet history against the maximum bet, excluded games and wagering completed. Verification should happen before you ask for money, because document checks can take days and hold the request meanwhile. Using the same method for deposit and withdrawal avoids extra anti-money-laundering questions. If the casino asks for a source of funds, answer with documents that match your registered name and address.
Pending times are a separate delay. Many casinos hold a withdrawal for a set period before sending it, and you can usually reverse it during that time. Reversing puts the money back in play, so cancel only when you intend to stop. Processing speed after approval depends on the method you chose.