Best First Deposit Bonuses
Casino bonuses and promotions are now considered standards in the growing online casino business. With hundreds of online casinos competing for players’ attention in New Zealand, it is only logical for operators to come up with creative marketing pitches and offers to grab attention. And what better way to grab players attention than offering casino bonuses and perks that can sweeten the gaming experience of NZ players. Today, it’s now common for NZ players to encounter bonuses and perks, from free spins, cash backs to deposit bonuses. While all these bonuses are aimed to treat, engage and excite players, these are not created equal. And in the context of online casino gambling, some casino bonuses are definitely better and inspiring compared to others. Just take the case of first deposit bonuses, considered as one of the most exciting offers that a new casino player can enjoy. With first deposit bonus, players earn extra playing cash by simply making his first deposit on his chosen NZ casino. In a way, it’s designed like the popular welcome bonus package but its considered more specific- it’s given as a bonus for making the initial deposit.
How NZ casinos package their best first deposit bonuses
Just like other promotional offerings, deposit bonuses are packaged in diverse ways, and come with operator-specific rules and conditions. These are still marketing pitches, so NZ players should expect certain rules in place. The arrangement with the bonus offering is simple- sign up for a casino account, make that initial deposit, and the operator will match a percentage of the initial deposit, up to a predetermined amount. Here are some of the common offerings of online casinos that accept NZ players:
- 200% bonus, up to $100. If you sign up with this casino offering this bonus, it means that your $50 initial bonus will net £100, which will translate to $150 funds that can be played on the site;
- 121% unlimited bonus. Some operators go to extreme lengths and offer aggressive bonus offerings, including an ‘unlimited bonus’. This means that if you make an initial deposit worth $100, you will end up with $221;
- 100% first deposit bonus, up to $100. If your NZ casino advertises this offer and you approve an initial deposit of £100, you will end up with $200 in your account.
Consider the first deposit bonus as a welcome treat for new players who have signed up for an account, which can allow players to sample some of the games with minimal risks. And based on the examples shown above, these bonus are packaged in different ways, depending on the casino operator. This means that players who wants to take advantage of these offers should check out all available NZ casinos that offer the best first deposit bonuses. Aside from the differences in percentage offered and amount, the best first deposit bonuses in the industry also differ in terms of conditions set like wagering requirements and gaming restrictions.
How wagering requirements work on first deposit bonuses
Casino operators love to pamper their customers, but still want something in return to protect their bonuses. This is where the wagering requirements come into the picture; these are the conditions set when one is eligible for these bonuses. Also known as ‘play-through’ requirements, these are common conditions that every NZ player must satisfy before he can fully enjoy the benefits and perks that come with the promotion. Spotting these conditions is easy- simply look for a number that comes with ‘x’, which signifies the number of times the deposited amount should be wagered. For example, at Mr. Green Casino where players from New Zealand are accepted, the wagering requirement is x35. This means that if the bonus amount credited to your account is $100, it only means that you need to wager this amount 35 times, which translates to $3,500. Once this condition has been complied with, it is only the time that the winnings from bonuses can be withdrawn from the casino.
Although the best first deposit bonuses are aimed at impressing and satisfying players, this offer also works for the operator in general. Take the case of one casino with a payout rate of 97.50% across all games. The published welcome offer is 100%, up to $250, with x30 wagering requirements. If the maximum bonus is calculated at $250, it means that the expected wagering is at $15,000. Now, if this amount is multiplied by 100% less the overall payout percentage at 97.5%, the amount left is $375, which is technically higher than the initial bonus offered. Of course, based on the law of averages, and in theory, these operators are not losing when offering first deposit bonuses to NZ players.
What to know about game restrictions?
Casinos may also specify the kinds of games that will contribute to the wagering requirements. In most cases, NZ casinos will only allow the use of the bonus funds on slot games. In some instances, the contribution on the wagering requirements is based on a set percentage, with slots getting the biggest percentage and other table games will offer a minimal share. For example, in Bet365, wagering of the bonus funds is allowed on blackjack, but the share is only 10%. This means that if you play $100 on a blackjack game, the contribution to the wagering requirement is only $10. One of the reasons for this is the low house edge associated with blackjack. If a player from NZ wants to immediately consume the wagering requirements, then playing with slots and the recommended games serve as the best strategy.
The best first deposit bonuses are in place to welcome new players, and give them a chance to explore the casino games and services with minimal risks. But just like other casino offers, these bonuses are packaged in different ways, with matching limits and conditions. If you want to get the best out of these NZ casino promotions, it’s best to compare and contrast the offers of the leading casinos that cater to NZ players, and read the ‘Bonus Terms and Conditions’ before making a commitment to sign up and play.