What Is A No Deposit Bonus?
A no deposit bonus is a type of online casino bonus that does not require you to make any deposit to unlock it. In rare cases, it is offered to new players simply for creating an account. On some sites with this promotion, you will get the no deposit bonus when you register as a new bettor. Some casinos require a bonus code.
Some online casinos also offer no-deposit bonuses as rewards to loyal players. These are awarded through VIP or loyalty programmes. You can earn points for time spent playing on a gambling site with this type of programme. The rewards can take the form of bonus cash, cashbacks, free spins or other forms of offers.
With no financial commitment required, no deposit bonuses are a win-win for New Zealand bettors. No deposit bonuses for new players let you test a casino for free. You can also win and withdraw real money. Whether you’re a casino novice or an experienced bettor, you can take advantage of a no deposit bonus by signing up for a new NZ online casino account.
How No Deposit Bonuses Work
A no deposit bonus lets you play online pokies for real money without a deposit. That's why they are popular. But the no deposit bonuses don't require a real money commitment. But, a few conditions make winning real money from the offer harder. Every no deposit bonus, except the rare no deposit no wagering bonus, has wagering requirements. This is the number of times you need to wager your bonus money before withdrawing it.
For example, one casino might offer a no deposit NZ$10 casino credit bonus. If the bonus has a 40x wagering requirement, you must wager $400 before withdrawing any remaining bonus money as real cash.
A no deposit bonus might also come with a cashout limit, which is the maximum amount of money you can withdraw from a bonus. At New Zealand casinos, it’s common to find limits as low as $10 or $20, though others can have a limit as generous as $200. Though it’s rare, some casinos will have no maximum withdrawal limit.
Similarly, a no deposit bonus casino might have minimum/maximum bets on its no deposit bonus. Most free spins come with a fixed bet value. Yet, a bonus credit may have a maximum wager amount that puts an upper limit on your spins (and, subsequently, on your potential winnings).
No deposit bonuses are the closest thing to "free" in online casinos. So, they usually have stricter rules about eligible games. No deposit bonuses are typically eligible for one particular pokie, yet you can often use no deposit bonus credits on various games.
This can include table games. But, they often contribute less to the wagering requirements than pokies. For example, video pokies contribute 100% to the requirements. Table games may only contribute 20%. A no deposit bonus is generally an online pokies bonus, even if sometimes it doesn't include free spins.
No Deposit Bonuses for New Players
Although rare, some online casinos do offer no deposit bonuses to new players. These bonuses work in a very simple way. You get a reward for registering a new account. So, many punters call them sign-up bonuses. The casino hopes new players will like their site. Then, they will deposit money and start betting.
How I Review No Deposit Bonuses
When it comes to reviewing no deposit bonuses, I take a thorough approach. I only recommend casinos with bonuses which I think are achievable and fair. Therefore, you can find the most generous no deposit bonuses and top-quality no deposit bonus NZ casinos on this page.
During the review process, I test and scrutinise every detail of a casino bonus. This includes wagering requirements, expiry times, game selection, maximum bets, withdrawal limits and banking restrictions. Players are usually looking for the fastest casino withdrawals, and it is my job to point them in the right direction.
Also, I check independent player reviews and consider the casino’s reputation. By evaluating these factors, I can confidently recommend the best casino sites on this page.
How To Use No Deposit Bonus NZ Casinos
At casinos with a no deposit bonus on registration, you just need to register and then claim the offer. If no deposit bonuses are part of a loyalty or VIP programme, then you usually need to gather enough points to trigger the bonus. The process is not complex. But, it can cost you dearly. Points are usually awarded based on time spent and bets placed at the casino. In both cases, you should check:
- If a bonus code is needed, and where to enter it. You can find details on whether or not you need a promo code by checking the bonus T&Cs.
- Which games can you play with the bonus? Make sure you're playing games that contribute to the wagering requirements.
- Once you've fulfilled the wagering requirements, you can withdraw your winnings.
How Bonus Codes Work
While most no deposit bonuses will reach your account automatically, some offers require a bonus code to activate them. Simply put, bonus codes are a unique string of letters and/or numbers you can enter to claim a bonus.
The casino will recognise the code you are entering and apply the bonus to your account. If your promotion requires a bonus code, you must enter it before registering your account. Otherwise, you might not be able to claim it.
Types Of No Deposit Bonus
There are several types of no deposit bonuses that you can claim from our highlighted online casinos. Each bonus comes with unique advantages and disadvantages. Yet, the two types of no deposit bonuses most commonly offered to new players are bonus credits and free spins.
No Deposit Bonus Credits
No deposit bonus credits give you free stakes to wager in the casino. A key advantage of bonus credits is that, unlike free spins, you can usually use them on games other than pokies. Roulette rollers, blackjack bettors, and poker pros can buy in using no deposit bonus credits.
Another difference between credits and free spins is that you can adjust your wager when betting with bonus credits. However, no deposit no wagering bonus credits are much rarer than free spins. So, expect to find wagering requirements attached.
No deposit bonus credits often have steep requirements. You can turn them over quickly by betting the maximum stake.
No Deposit Free Spins
As the name suggests, no deposit free spins give you free stakes on online pokies to wager with. The golden tickets of the casino world, you can use your free spins without needing to make a deposit.
Slot Planet Casino is a good example, as it currently offers 22 Free Spins on Dead or Alive just for registering!
Most no deposit free spins tend to come with a wagering requirement attached. Yet, the number of times you need to wager your winnings will depend on the casino you choose. The casino will usually limit the games for free spins. But, each spin will typically count 100% towards the wagering requirements.
On the other hand, many New Zealand online casinos will offer no deposit no wagering free spins. This type of bonus is not only deposit-free, but you don’t need to play through your wins to withdraw them. No deposit, no wagering free spins are rare at NZ casinos. But, sites like Betway, PokerStars, and Sky Vegas offer them to NZ players.
Though it may seem too good to be true, you can win real money with a no deposit bonus. However, you must jump through several hoops before withdrawing your winnings as real money.
Of course, you must fulfil the bonus wagering requirements within the given timeframe. If you don't turn your funds over before the bonus expires, you will lose your winnings. Depending on the casino you choose, the wagering requirements will typically range from 1x to 70x.
Bet the maximum stake when using your bonus credits. It gives you the best chance of meeting the requirements. Unfortunately, this strategy doesn’t apply to no deposit free spins since they have a predetermined value.
If the casino lets you pick which games to wager on, choose one with an "Autospin" feature. This will bet your free spins as quickly as possible.
Most no deposit bonuses also have a maximum withdrawal amount. Imagine you used your no deposit bonus and met the wagering requirements. Now, you have $100 left in your account.
You go to withdraw your winnings, only to find that there is a maximum withdrawal of $10. Not fun, right? To avoid disappointment, choose a casino with a reasonable max withdrawal limit. Also, check the site's T&Cs.
Always check if the bonus funds are eligible regardless of which deposit method you select when you're about to make your first deposit. You might prefer Neteller casinos. Or perhaps you are looking for the top online casinos that accept maestro. But, if such a deposit will make you ineligible for a bonus, consider other options.
Best No Deposit Bonus Casino Games
Wagering your no deposit bonus on pokie games is the quickest way to meet the wagering requirements. If the casino allows, you can use your bonus on table games. But, pokies will usually contribute 100% to the wagering requirements. And the best online pokies sites will give you bonuses on the more popular and exciting games.
Some pokies sites may have a lower wagering contribution than some casino sites. So, check the T&Cs before you start spinning the reels of your chosen game.
High RTP pokies are your best bet at scoring a win with your bonus free spins. Some of the highest RTP pokies include:
- NetEnt’s Mega Joker - 99%
- Bloodsuckers - 98%
- Relax Gaming’s Book of 99 - 99%
- Marching Legions - 98.12%
- The Catfather - 98.10%
- Jokerizer - 98%.
Other games you can play to maximise your no deposit bonus are pokies with free spins rounds. These bonus rounds are an opportunity to boost your bankroll while saving up your no deposit spins. You can find free spins bonus rounds in games like Play’n GO’s Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead, Quickspin’s Artemis vs Medusa, and NetEnt’s Gonzo’s Quest.
On the other hand, using your no deposit bonus credits on table games can have many advantages. Depending on the games you choose, there is less reliance on chance and more opportunity to control the outcome.
It is also an excellent way to change the rhythm of playing on pokies. Blackjack gives you the best chance of winning since the house edge is usually less than 1%. Alternatively, craps and roulette both offer 50-50 odds.
One disadvantage is that many casinos will limit how much table games contribute to the wagering requirements. Make sure to check the T&Cs for game weightings before you start spending your credits.