How to Read Casino Bonus Terms

Had NZ casino bonus terms surprised you with a less known condition? Discover the proper way to read casino promotional policies so you will never be caught off-guard by any T&Cs or the fine print. Our experts simplify all the important policies that usually catch some punters unprepared, like wagering contributions, maximum bets, eligible payment options and a few others.

How Do Casino Bonus Terms Affect Your Gameplay?

They’re like a user manual for the specific bonuses the casino offers. You’ll find details about allowed games, validity period, withdrawal conditions, wagering requirements, and more. We agree that not all bonus terms need an explanation. Actually, most of them are straightforward – especially if we’re talking about new online casinos licensed by a reputable regulator.

Others, however, can be confusing for new players and come in convoluted forms that can misguide even experienced casino enthusiasts.

Which Casino Bonus Terms Should You Look Out For?

We won’t bore you with explanations for easy terms like bonus validity or available games. These are usually exactly what they seem, and there’s no interpretation for “Valid for 7 days upon claiming” or “Spins available only on Starburst.”

The ones we’re focusing on are those that are misleading or can be interpreted. So, let’s jump in.

Wagering Requirements and Contribution

Wagering requirements are always tricky, especially for beginners. That’s why you need to know exactly what to look for and how to read the information in the casino bonus terms.

• Wagering requirements – the number of times you need to play the bonus balance before you can request a withdrawal. For example, you deposit $10 for a 100% welcome bonus with 30x wagering requirements. The amount you need to wager is $10 x 100 = $1,000.
• Wagering contribution is the percentage of each bet deducted from the wagering amount. Following up on the above example, you place a $3 bet on a pokie with a 100% contribution.

Regardless of your bet’s outcome (win or lose), the amount left to wager becomes $997.

NZ Online Casinos with Various Wagering Requirements

NZ gamblers should opt for online casinos that provide slot bonuses since these games have a 100% wagering contribution. It’s a great option for beginners, and you get a great opportunity to get accustomed to the rules.

Wagering Contribution of Various NZ Games

• Pokies – 100%
• Live Casino Games – between 0% and 50%
• Table Games – up to 50%
• Poker – usually 0%
• Scratchards – 0%
• Progressive Jackpot Pokies- 0%

Casinos display information about wagering requirements and contributions with each match bonus or free spins no deposit offer. It’s usually a “Read More” or “Bonus Terms” link right under the promotion, where you’ll find all these details.

Maximum Bet and Cashout

Knowing how much you can bet when playing with a bonus can make a world of difference. Likewise, you should be aware that some offers come with a cap on the cashout amount.

• Max Bet  – usually $5 for pokies and even lower for other casino games, this is the highest you can go if you don’t want to risk losing the entire balance;
• Maximum Cashout – especially valid for minimum no-deposit bonuses, this value tells you exactly how you can withdraw.

As an example: You play with a $10 no deposit bonus and manage to turn it into $500 after finishing the wagering requirements. Before celebrating, you need to make sure the max cashout isn’t $100. Otherwise, you’ll just forfeit the difference.

Terms Regarding Payment Methods

Another set of conditions you need to be careful with, relates to the method you use to deposit. More specifically, the payment options that make you eligible for a given bonus. Some real-money online casinos in New Zealand add such conditions to their welcome bonus. For example, Kiwi players won’t be able to claim the first deposit bonus with a Skrill or Neteller deposit.

Even though the deposit amount makes you eligible and all the other boxes are checked, you’re still going to play with your funds only. To avoid this situation, make sure to go over the full terms for such a condition. It’s usually further down the list, so read everything.

OnlineCasinos365 helps you ensure you’re missing out on any welcome bonus due to limitations applied to payment methods. Our experts review the T&Cs and mainly check for these details.

What Is Bonus Irregular Play?

Irregular play can include making low-risk bets, betting above the set limit, as well as other actions as determined by the casino.

Each operator can have a different definition for “Irregular Play”, but it’s something you need to pay attention to in the bonus terms. For instance, if you place a $100 bet on a roulette wheel spin, you win that bet and immediately switch to a low volatility pokie to safely meet the wagering requirements.

Delaying a game round, including free spins and bonuses, until no wagering requirements remain can also be labelled as irregular play. If the bonus terms don’t reference irregular play, don’t just assume they don’t use it. Contact customer support to get a clear answer, and make sure to take a screenshot.

Jurisdiction Restrictions

The last term we’re analyzing relates to bonus eligibility, depending on location. An online casino that gladly accepts NZ players may not be so friendly regarding handing out certain bonuses.

This information is usually hidden deep in the bonus terms, and it’s vital you get it out into the light. Otherwise, you may end up depositing for an offer that’s only available for European players, for example.

Go over the General Terms and Conditions before registration to ensure New Zealand is one of the accepted countries. Even though it makes a lot of sense to restrict the country in the Sign-up form, some operators don’t do it.

The Most Important Takeaways on Casino Bonus Terms

If you’re in New Zealand and see a bonus, we’ve got a little advice for you. It’s a good idea to give those terms and conditions a thorough read. While some deals might give you the lowdown on minimum deposits, how long they’re good for, and the wagering stuff, they might not show you everything upfront.

For example, it’s crucial to know which games are in on the action, how much each game chips in toward meeting those wagering requirements, and what the max cash you can take out is.