Bonus Bet Offers And Promotions
Aussie bookies still offer dozens of exciting bonus bets and promotions. But due to the recent regulation changes, you have to create a betting account before checking out any bonus offers.
We have gathered the top Aussie bookmakers with the best betting bonuses, including betting sign up bonuses, bet boosts and enhanced odds. Scroll down to learn how to find the best offers on any site.
Bookies with the Best Bonus Bet Offers
| # | Betting Site | Best Feature | Secure Link | T&Cs | |||
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Unibet |
100% AUSSIE Watch and bet live! |
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Visit Site |
Reliable Bookmaker with Flawless Track Record
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2.
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Picklebet |
100% AUSSIE Sports and eSports markets on offer |
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Visit Site |
Great eSports and sports offering
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PlayUp |
100% AUSSIE Great Sports Coverage |
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Visit Site |
Key Player on the AUS Betting Scene
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Palmerbet |
100% AUSSIE Great App |
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Visit Site |
Traditional Values and Great Betting App
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5.
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CrossBet |
100% AUSSIE Horse racing live streaming |
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Visit Site |
Top new Australian bookmaker
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6.
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BlueBet |
100% AUSSIE Weekly Specials |
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Visit Site |
Variety of Betting Markets
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7.
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Draftstars |
100% AUSSIE Leading Fantasy Sports Betting Site |
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Visit Site |
POLi for Quick FS Tournament Buy-ins
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Why Can’t Aussies See Betting Bonus Offers?
Following the public outcry for enhanced restrictions on betting and gambling in general, operators in Australia had to come to an agreement with the Federal Australian Government. Betting sites based in Australia are still legal, but bookmakers are forbidden from advertising bonuses or any other incentives to unregistered customers.
However, there are still lots of bonus bet offers available. All you need to do to see them is register and verify a betting account. After that, you can claim any of the bonus bets you like.
On a positive note, betting sites in Australia have become slightly better since the new set of betting laws came to power. Now, bettors must make their decision where to play based on the brand image and the product, like the odds, the payment options and the quality of the customer support.
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Since these rules apply to us as well, we can’t show you any actual betting offers. Instead, we list bookies that we believe have the best selection of online betting bonuses. However, you’ll have to register an account before claiming any promos.
Bonus Bets for NSW Residents
Betting regulations in New South Wales are even more strict than in the rest of Australia. NSW Liquor, Gaming and Racing has amended previous laws and effectively banned licensed betting sites from offering the following online betting promotions:
- Betting sign up bonuses
- Money-back specials
- Referral bonuses
You’ll often see an asterisk in the bonus T&Cs that says ‘Not available to NSW residents’. This means that the NSW punters will have to bet like in the old days when finding a bookmaker with the best odds was paramount to success. However, NSW bookmakers are still offering other types of promotions, such as free bets and deposit bonuses, to all registered customers.
Bonus Bets for Victorian Residents
Australian bookmakers are forbidden from offering any betting site bonuses aimed at new customers from Victoria. These kinds of incentives were unavailable to Victorian punters way before the Federal Government passed the new set of gambling laws.
However, you can still see many other bonus bet offers as soon as you register an account. These are just some of the specials available to Victorians:
- Odds boosts
- Reload bonuses
- Cashback bonuses
How to Pick the Best Betting Bonuses
When a bookmaker hands out a bonus offer, it requires the punter to follow a certain set of rules, also called bonus terms. Unfortunately, the new regulations don’t allow us to show you any actual bonus T&Cs. That’s why we have decided to list and explain the most common restrictions, so you can start using bonus bets with more confidence.
Almost every single bonus bet offer at Australian betting sites comes with the following terms
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Minimum oddsMost qualifying bets have to be at the specified odds or more. In the past, these were cunningly hidden, but now, bookmakers make them easily visible. The minimum odds are usually somewhere around 1.50 or 2.00. Bookies do this to combat bonus hunters who only want to claim a bonus, wager it on the smallest possible odds to ensure victory and then withdraw the money. Always check T&Cs to see if a bookie has set the minimum odds restrictions.
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Turnover requirementsAlso known as playthrough requirements, they indicate how many times punters have to wager their bonus funds before withdrawing. Luckily, bookmakers have made wagering requirements a lot more reasonable these days.
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Expiration dateBonus bet offers usually come with an expiration date. In most cases, you’ll have to use your bonus bets within 7 days. However, some bookies extend this to even up to 30 days. After the date expires, you can no longer use that particular bonus.
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Excluded territoriesDifferent regions of Australia are subject to different regulations. Punters from certain areas are completely excluded from welcome bonuses. For example, bettors from NSW are restricted from seeing some promos, such as money-back specials. You can find this information displayed in any bonus T&Cs. -
Payment method restrictionsSome bookies impose payment method restrictions, but that’s not that common nowadays. Payment restrictions were much more common back in the time when players had to make the first deposit to claim welcome bonuses. If you deposit with some of the popular banking options, such as VISA, MasterCard or PayPal, you won’t have any problems.
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Overall quality of a betting siteEven if a bookie offers amazing bonuses and promotions, that doesn’t matter if their betting platform is unusable. Having a betting site that fits your needs is much more important than any betting promo. Look for sites that are easy to use and have great betting features, such as live streaming or superb betting apps. If those sites also offer some exciting betting offers – even better!
How Do Bonus Bets Work?
Bonus bets, or free wagers, are among the most common promotions at Australian betting sites. They offer a lot of value and are very simple to use, so both punters and bookies like them a lot.
A bonus bet is basically just an extra bit of free cash the bookie adds to your account. These usually come in the form of a bookmaker sign-up bonus, where you are rewarded for being a new customer, or as a token of gratitude for your loyalty. Of course, you can’t withdraw those funds right away. However, you can use them to place a free wager at that betting site.
You will often see bonus bets around big events and tournaments, such as offers that allow you to place a free world cup bet. It’s always worth checking with bookies around the time of big events when they are looking to attract more customers.
Keep in mind that bookmakers in Australia may impose different bonus rules, so always read the full T&Cs. Most bonus offers come with an expiration date, and all of them have to be wagered at least once. Certain bookies even restrict some payment methods, so always double-check the small print.
Note – If you win when betting with bonus cash, the bookmaker will keep the initial stake, while the extra profit is yours to keep.
If you’re unsure whether bonus bets are for you, we have made a quick overview of the most important pros and cons of using these betting promos.
How to Get Bonus Bets?
If this is your first time claiming a free bet bonus, we have prepared a step-by-step guide about how to do it with ease. The steps may be slightly different depending on a bookie, but for the most part, it’s all the same regardless of where you’re playing.
Fill in the required details and register a betting account.
Verify your identity by uploading some of the personal documents. Don’t worry this is a standard procedure.
Deposit using some of the listed payment methods. Check bonus T&Cs for restricted payment methods.
Visit the promotions page. It’s usually linked in the main navigation.
See what bonuses are available and claim the one you like the most.
You can place a free bet once the bonus money is available on your account.
Top 3 Bookies with Bonus Bet Offers
Most bookies have at least some form of sports betting bonus, but only the very best betting sites in Australia have enough resources to offer a truly great range of bonus offers. All the listed bookies are packed with bonus bets, so you should focus on finding an operator that best suits your betting style.
If you’re still unsure where to go, take a look at our overview of the bookmakers with the best bonus bet offers.
1# Unibet – Excellent Mobile Apps
Unibet is another big European brand that quickly became popular among punters in Australia. They offer lots of great features, such as live streaming and live betting, however, mobile betting apps are probably Unibet’s top product. They’re straightforward to use and have all of the top desktop features, including the full range of online betting bonuses. When we add to this great odds and a strong selection of markets, it’s clear why Aussie bettors love Unibet.
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2# BlueBet – Excellent for Aussie Sports
BlueBet is a great Aussie bookmaker that covers plenty of domestic and international sporting events. They have a good number of markets and very competitive odds.
BlueBet has some excellent additional features for punters, including good multi bet options and an impressive app. One of the biggest highlights for racing fans is that they have horse racing live streaming on offer free of charge for their registered customers.
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3# Palmerbet – Great Racing Betting Bookie
Palmerbet is a 100% Australian bookmaker with a long tradition of excellence. Their speciality is horse racing betting, so if you like to have a punt on Melbourne Cup or some other top race, this is the bookie for you.
Palmerbet has a very straightforward site and solid apps for iOS and Android, so we recommend them to new and experienced bettors alike. They may not have that many fleshy features as the bookies mentioned above, but when it comes to the sheer quality of odds and markets, this operator is the real deal.
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What Betting Offers Are Available?
Even though they can’t advertise them, betting sites in Australia still offer tons of different sports betting bonuses. We’re going to list below the most popular bonus bet types.
Keep in mind that operators may offer slight variations of these bonuses, so always read T&Cs before betting. For example, bigger bookies usually have lots of custom-made bonus deals for big sporting events.
All these betting bonuses are usually available for every sport, so you can use them wherever you want. Some bookies even offer sport or racing-specific promotions. For example, they can offer you some benefits if you bet over/under on goals in certain matches or give you your money back if your horse finishes second.
Here are some of the most common betting promotions in Australia.
Free Bets
Free bets are the most common types of bonus offers at any betting site in Australia. It’s basically a free money bookie gives you to bet at their site. They will usually either match your deposit or your qualifying bet when giving away free bets, so you have more money to play at their site. Bookmakers do this to incentivise players to bet more or to reward their customer’s loyalty.
Different operators tend to name these promotions differently, so if you stumble upon terms such as ‘bonus bets’ or ‘free bet credits’ know that all of those are basically the same thing.
You can wager with free bet funds in the same way you do with real money. Just this time, the amount of money you have will be shown on a separate free bet account, usually next to your real money account. But apart from that, everything is the same. Pick the free bet funds in your bet slip when placing your wager, and if you win, all the profits are yours to keep!
Note that the free bet amount isn’t included in your final winnings. For example, if you bet $100 free bet money on the odds of 1.80, you’ll receive $80 on your real money account since the initial $100 free bet is excluded from the final number.
Also, keep in mind that you’ll have to wager your free bet a certain amount of times before you can withdraw your winnings. You have to wager it at least once to comply with the money laundry prevention laws, but some bookies will require you to do it multiple times. The lower the wagering requirements, the better, since the more you have to wager, the lesser the chances are to turn a profit. If the requirements are more than 5x, the bonus probably isn’t worth it.
How to Qualify for Free Bet Bonuses?
Free bets come in all shapes and sizes and can be as big as a few hundred dollars or small as 5 or 10 dollars. But in the end, they all work the same.
First, you have to do a certain action to qualify for the free bet bonus. It usually means to make a deposit or place a bet, like bet $10 and get $20 in free bets. Note that some bookies may restrict certain payment methods, so for example, they can ask you to deposit only via VISA or PayPal if you want to qualify for a free bet.
After that, they’ll add the bonus bet fund to your account. It’s usually displayed in the ‘Rewards’, ‘Bonuses’ or ‘Promotion’ section of your account, so don’t worry if you don’t see bonus funds on your real money account. Some bookies will even send you an email and explain how to claim your free bets and what you need to do to qualify.
Now you’re ready to start betting! All you need to do is pick a bet and choose bonus funds instead of real money when entering your wager. Some bookies may not allow you to bet on certain sports or events using free bets, but they’re all available for the most part.
Also, be aware that free bets come with an expiration date, which is usually between 7 and 30 days, so don’t forget to use all the free bet bonuses in time!
Some free bets are available only to be used in a single instalment, while others can be split between multiple bets. For example, if you have $30 free bet, some bookies will allow you to use it as three separate $10 bets, while others only let you place a single $30 free bet wager. This is always disclosed in bonus T&Cs, so read those carefully before betting.
Free Bets Example
Let’s say you want to take advantage of a bet $10 get $20 bonus offer. You first need to register an account and deposit at least $10 using a non-restricted payment method. After that, pick a bet and place a $10 wager. Once the qualifying bet is settled, the free bet should be on your bonus account.
T&Cs say that you can split the free bet, so you decide to place these wagers:
- $10 bet on the Sydney Swans to beat the Brisbane Lions at odds of 1.90
- $10 bet on the Dallas Mavericks to beat the Miami Heat at odds of 2.10
Sydney Swans are victorious, but unfortunately, the Heat won the other game. So, you lost one of your bets, but you still made a $9 profit on your other wager since the initial $10 free bet stake is excluded from the final profit. Not bad if we consider that you used only free funds!
Deposit Match Bonus
Back in the day when advertising of online betting bonuses was allowed, match deposit promotions were among the most popular bonus types. They are also pretty simple to comprehend. For example, you deposit $100, and the bookmaker gives you a $100 free bet as a reward.
These bonuses are usually formulated as a percentage of your deposit, such as a 100% match, 50% match, or even a 200% matched deposit bonus. This marks the portion of the deposit you get back as a free bet, so the bigger percentage, the better! However, in most cases, it will be 100%.
Don’t forget that betting deposit bonuses also come with an expiration date, usually between 7 and 30 days!
Also, keep in mind that there is a maximum limit for this type of bonus. For example, a 100% matched deposit bonus of up to $100. So, in this case, even if you deposit $200, you get a $100 bonus since that’s the max limit. But if you deposit $30, you’ll end up with a $30 free bet.
How to Qualify for Matched Deposit Bonuses?
To qualify for the matched bet bonuses, you should first register an account and then go to the betting sites’ bonus page and pick this promotion if available. After that, go to the cashier and make the required deposit.
Apart from minimum and maximum limits, some bookies also impose payment methods and sports restrictions. So you may have to deposit with certain payment methods to claim a bonus, but in most cases, popular banking options like VISA, MasterCard and PayPal will be ok. Some sports may be restricted, however, this isn’t that common nowadays. Still, you should read the full T&Cs just to be sure.
After the bonus money is in your account, you’re free to use it however you like. But don’t forget that you’ll have to wager the bonus amount at least once before withdrawing it.
Some bookies may allow you to split this bonus between multiple bets, while others will require you to use the whole amount in a single wager. This goes for all bonuses where you get a free bet as a reward, so don’t forget to check T&Cs for more details.
Matched Deposit Bonus Example
Let’s say you claim the match deposit bonus that looks like this ‘100% deposit match up to a $150’. You register an account and deposit $200 straight away. Since the bonus is 100% up to $150, you’ll receive $150 in free bets.
After that, you pick the following bet and add it to your bet slip.
- 150$ bet on Manchester United to win against Liverpool at odds of 2.20
Don’t forget to pick in your bet slip to place this wager using bonus money rather than the funds from your real money account.
If your bet wins, you’ll end up with a $180 profit. This is because 2.20 x 150 equals 330, but the initial stake is excluded from the winnings since you used free bet funds.
No Deposit Bonuses
No deposit free bet bonuses work similarly to free bets, with one significant difference – you don’t have to do anything to qualify for the promotion! All you need to do is register an account and claim the no deposit bonus.
After that, you can spend the bonus funds however you like. However, it’s not all as good as it sounds since there are a few catches:
- No deposit betting bonuses are very rare. Don’t expect to see them often since bookies don’t get much value from these kinds of offers. It’s because lots of people just claim no deposit promotion and then move to other betting sites without even placing a deposit.
- Wagering requirements are usually super high. You’ll have to play through a no deposit bonus much more than the usual 1x bonus amount. It’s usually from 5x up to even 15x or 20x, making it almost impossible to turn a profit.
- The bonus amount is very low. No deposit bonuses are usually limited to only $5 or $10.
However, it’s not all that bad. You probably won’t profit from no deposit free bets, but it’s a great way to try a betting site without risking your own money. Sign-up free bet no deposit bonuses are a great way to try a new bookie and see if it suits your needs.
Betting Sites No Deposit Bonus Example
Let’s say you want to claim a $10 no deposit free bet bonus with 10x wagering requirements. All you need to do to qualify is register an account and claim the no deposit promotion. After that, the bonus funds will be added to your bonus account, which is available right next to your real money account.
You can use your free bet no deposit bonus on any bet you like, for example:
- Bet your $10 no deposit free bet on Sydney Sixers to beat Melbourne Renegades at odds of 1.90
If your bet wins, you’ll end with a total win of $19. However, since wagering is 10x, you’ll have to bet $90 more to meet the total requirements of $100 (10 x $10 initial no deposit bet = $100 total wagering requirements). This makes this bonus much less favourable, but at the end of the day, it’s completely free money you got from a bookie just to play around.
Enhanced Odds Boost
With enhanced odds promotions, bookies usually offer higher prices than usual just for one particular match or event. The enhanced odds are usually available only for more attractive sports matches, be that derbies, big tournaments or high-profile games. Odds boosts are also limited to only certain markets, for example, a bookie may give you better prices if you bet on the first goal scorer in a football match.
Although not as attractive as a bonus bet joining offers, enhanced odds could have a significant impact on your returns, especially if you plan to bet big. Always double-check if a bookie is offering an odds boost before betting since that’s probably the easiest way to increase your potential winnings.
Enhanced odds are also called ‘odds boost’ at some betting sites. So if you see any of these, know they’re the same thing.
How to Qualify For Enhanced Odds
You don’t have to do anything specific to qualify for enhanced odds promotion. A bookie will just mark a bet they’re boosting, and all you need to do is place a wager on that market. Odds boost are usually available for the upcoming games, meaning they’re only active days or even hours in advance. This means that you should regularly check a bookmaker’s site to get the best offer possible. Some bookies also use their betting blogs to promote these types of offers alongside their usual preview and tipping content.
Enhanced Odds Example
Let’s say you want to bet on the AFL match between Brisbane Lions and GWS Giants. Regular odds on the Lions’ victory are 2.00, but the bookie gave an odds boost, raising the price to 2.50. This is how your potential winnings on a $100 bet will look with and without odds boost promo.
- $100 x 2.00 = $200
- $100 x 2.50 = $250
By just picking the market with the odds boost available, you earned an extra $50 on the same bet. This show how valuable enhanced odds can be, so always check if your bookie has some available before placing bets.
Sign Up Bonuses in Australia
Australian bookmakers usually offer a bonus for their new customers. You can expect to get a few different betting sign up bonuses, but most operators tend to go with matched deposit bonuses.
It is hard to assess which are the best deposit bet bonus in Australia due to the fact you can only see them once you sign up, which is why it is important to pick your bookie on other factors.
Despite the fact you can’t see them straight away, you can be comfortable in the knowledge that all the top Aussie bookies have very competitive betting sign up bonuses for their new customers that should get you off to a good start. Depending on the bookie’s generosity, the bonus boosts range from 50% to up to 200%.
Don’t forget to read the small print in T&Cs, since there can be some important limitations. Betting operators sometimes offer juicy 200%+ betting sign up bonus bets but at the same time impose huge wagering requirements. Even once you have registered a betting account, there is no need to take up the bonus if it doesn’t suit. You could simply start wagering with your own cash.
But, while other bonuses will be available once you start betting, such as odds boosts or free bets, the deposit bonus you receive when you join is often the best.
Other Betting Bonuses
Betting bonuses mentioned above are just the tip of the iceberg. Those are the most popular promos you’ll find in one form or the other at almost every betting site in Australia. However, there are many different bonus types available.
Multi Boost – This promo will further boost the odds of your multibet. Some bookies are very generous with these offers and boost your odds even up to 50% or 60%.
Racing Refund – There are many dedicated horse racing betting bonuses, but the racing refund is among the most popular ones. Simply, the bookie will refund your stake if your horse fishes 2nd or 3rd.
Odds Drift Protector – Another popular racing promotion where the bookie will give you better odds in case the prices at the start of the race are higher than the ones you initially got.
No Runner Protector – Bookie will refund your bet in case your horse doesn’t run.
Protest Payout – If your horse wins, but a protest is upheld, the bookie will pay you the full winnings, the same as the protest never happened.
Top Tote – Bookie will give you the best prices out of all 3 Australian totes.
Get the Most Out of Bonus Bets
Turning sports betting promotions into profits requires a lot of skill, so we have asked our betting experts to reveal a few tips about how to best utilise bonus bet offers. Keep in mind that following the advice below doesn’t mean you’re going to win for sure. However, these tips will definitely increase your chances of making a profit.
Here are the top 3 things you should do to get the most out of your betting bonuses.
Betting Bonuses Codes
An exclusive promo or bonus code can add a ton of value to your first few weeks with a bookmaker. They are usually more generous than regular betting site bonuses, so you should take advantage of them whenever you can.
They work almost the same as any other promotion. Only in this case, just those who visit the bookie’s site using the code we provide will have access to exclusive bonus offers. If a bonus code is not required, just click the ‘Play’ button, register an account, and you’ll be transferred to the page with the exclusive offer.
Keep in mind that due to new regulations, bookies don’t usually offer promo codes. If the code isn’t required, you just need to create an account and claim any bonus you like. Here are some betting sites with solid bonus offers:
Choose the Right Payment Method
Choosing a payment method is especially important if you plan on using betting bonuses because bookies can restrict certain baking options. That’s why we highly recommend taking a look at the bonus T&Cs before picking a deposit method. Skrill and Neteller are usually forbidden, so going with cards, POLi, or bank transfer is usually a safe choice.
Here is a quick overview of a few most popular banking methods among Aussie punters. If you want to learn more about any of them, visit some of our dedicated payment method pages.
Best Payment Methods |
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| Payment Option | Top Features |
 Credit/Debit Cards |
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 POLi |
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 BPAY |
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 PayPal |
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Why Do Bookies Even Offer Bonuses?
Betting offers are basically just a risk-free opportunity for players to earn profits. It seems that bookies can only lose money from deals like that, so you must be wondering: Why do bonus bets even exist?
The answer is that bookmakers have figured it out long ago that happy players tend to be more loyal. That’s why they’re ready to offer all sorts of incentives, just to prevent punters from switching to some of their competitors.
Online betting promotions are the most effective way to keep customers active and satisfied, so bookies don’t mind giving up a few stuff for free. You get a chance to earn extra profits while betting sites ensure more engaged customers. Everybody’s a winner!
Reasons to Avoid Bonus Bets
Bonus bets can be very fun and useful, but they come with a few important downsides. You should be aware of all the vital information before deciding whether to use betting promotions. That’s why we list a few of the top reasons why you should avoid special betting offers.
- Bonuses are fee-based – This means that you’ll almost always have to make a real money bet deposit before claiming a bonus bet.
- Wagering requirements – You’ll have to play through your bonuses at least a few times before withdrawing. This can significantly lower your chances of turning a profit.
- You can’t place any bet you want – When betting with bonus money, you have to comply to minimum odds, sports restrictions and many other limitations.
- Bonuses come with an expiration date – You have to use your bonus cash within a few days, which means you can’t sit and wait for the perfect betting opportunity.
Full List of Bookies with Bonus Bets
Conclusion
Australian online bookmakers offer a plethora of betting site bonuses. However, you have to register an account to see them. New laws prevent bookies from advertising any promotions to unregistered customers, which makes it harder to find great offers. That’s why we suggest you join some of the top bonus offer betting sites we list above since they are known for having the best betting features as well.
Bonus Bet Offers - FAQs
Which bookie has the best bonus offers?
Bonuses vary and you won’t see what is on offer until you join, which is why you need to pick the bookie that suits you the best, perhaps for their app or live streaming service. The good news is that our top betting sites for bonuses have at least a host of promotions available at any time.
Are bonus bets banned?
No, bonus bets and betting promotions aren’t banned in Australia. But because of the new regulations, bookmaker and review sites aren’t allowed to display any special offers to unregistered customers. So once you register your betting account, there will be lots of bonus bets waiting for you.
How do you get bonus bets?
It all depends on the bookmaker you’re playing with, but in most cases, there is a dedicated ‘Bonus’ tab in the bet slip or in the cashier. You can get bonuses on different occasions. For example, a betting sign up bonus is available as soon as you register for the first time, while some enhanced odds promos are for selected events only.
What are the best sign up bonuses in Australia?
The top bookies often offer the best sign up bonuses in Australia. You won’t see the bookmaker sign up bonus until you have registered, which is why picking a site for other reasons is the best way to go. However, having the choice of a good sign up bonus bet is a great way to start your betting with a new bookie.
What is a bonus bet offer?
A bonus bet offer is when your chosen Aussie bookie gives you bonus money to spend with them. Usually, a betting site will give you a bonus when you sign up with them, but you can also get bonuses if you are a loyal customer.
Can I combine different bonus offers? For example, enhanced odds and a bonus bet?
Unfortunately, you cannot. Bookmakers have to protect their own “investment”. Enhanced odds, bonus bets, basically any promotion serves as an incentive, as a loyalty reward. Any attempt to trick the system and do this will backfire eventually.
