Despite the Australian government’s advertisement ban on bet credits, betting sign-up bonuses, bonus bets, and other sports betting bonuses, there is a loophole for punters. Gamblers, once they are signed into their account, can be offered bonuses and promotions by certain sports betting sites Down Under. To learn which sports betting bonuses they’re eligible for, players must sign up for a betting site account. Such inducements are designed to appeal to and encourage bets from eligible site members, which the sports betting sites consider to be recreational gamblers. The Australian government introduced the National Consumer Protection Framework for Online Wagering four years ago, which included measures to safeguard consumers on sports betting websites. This legislation banned betting companies from offering any form of reward to new customers, including a signup bonus bet. However, account holders at sports betting sites can still be eligible for sports betting bonuses in Australia, with conditions varying between each bookmaker.

About Sports Betting Bonuses And Promotions

Gambling websites can legally offer a sports betting site bonus to players who’ve already signed up with the site in Australia. These bonuses are a form of reward but offer no risk when used as they allow punters to place real bets without using any of their own money. These bonuses can appear in a plethora of ways, such as bet credits, bonus bets, deposit bonuses, and free bets. Sports betting promotions are slightly different and include early payout offers, money-back offers, and odds boosts.

Australia’s Betting Bonus Legislation

Australia’s stringent betting law, introduced in May 2019, made it illegal for the advertisement of betting sign-up bonuses. The legislation imposed on Australian sports betting sites means that gamblers are not allowed to be informed about any potential betting bonuses unless they have already signed up with the site. Online betting sites Down Under are banned from offering any credit, voucher, reward, or any other benefit as an incentive to open an account or to refer another person to open an account. However, it’s not illegal in Australia for betting sites to advertise a bonus to any punters who have a betting account.

How To Get A Betting Bonus

Players who have an account with a sports betting site can check out whether they can receive a betting bonus. These are often displayed on their account under either Offers. Promotions or Rewards. To obtain a sports betting bonus, punters generally need to make a deposit or place a bet to unlock their bet credits or bonus bets. However, this doesn’t apply to a no deposit betting bonus.

Popular Types Of Betting Bonus

Sports betting site bonuses don’t have wagering requirements, because of Australia’s betting laws. Punters can withdraw any bonus credits as cash without having to use these for a bet. Players should be aware that bonus credits earned are likely to have a strict expiry date, and may be restricted to betting on specific sports.

Deposit Bonus

Gamblers are offered a deposit bonus after placing a set amount of funds into their sports betting site account, which for both the minimum and maximum qualifying deposit amount varies from site to site. The amount that sites match to a player’s deposit tends to be either 50%, 100%, or even 200% in bonus bets or bonus credits. Some sports betting sites are strict about the qualifying deposit payment method; and will only offer deposit bonuses using certain sources for the initial deposit payments.

Free Bet

These are wagers that can be placed for free by players who qualify for this type of bonus after signing up to a sports betting site, so they are similar to a deposit bonus. Punters need to either make a qualifying deposit, sometimes restricted to a certain payment method; or place a qualifying bet before the sports betting site can offer a free bet bonus. A sports betting site offering a free bet bonus will either match a punter’s bet or deposit with free bet credits; which can be used instead of money when placing a wager.

No Deposit Bonus

Players offered a no deposit betting bonus are getting the equivalent of free money. They will receive bonus funds, which can be used to place a bet. Should the bet prove successful then the punter will get their winnings; not including the deposit bonus amount, and can cash in or continue to gamble with any money won. A no deposit bonus, usually offered for opening an account or as part of a loyalty program; tends to be smaller than other sports betting bonuses. As gamblers don’t have to do anything to receive this type of bonus; no qualifying bet nor qualifying deposit is required, so this is a risk-free bonus.

Racing Refund

A straightforward bonus. When a sports betting site refunds the bet stake if a punter’s horse picked to win finishes in second or third place. Some sites even include a fourth-place finish for a racing refund.

Popular Types Of Betting Promotions

Promotions are special events, which offer gamblers the chance to earn bonuses and prizes. These promotional bonuses are paid out to punters under certain criteria; although there may be restrictions on which sports these promotional bonus winnings can be used on.

Early Payout Offer

The ability to cash in winnings is when a gambler opts for an early payout offer; which tends to be restricted to team games such as Australian Rules and National Rugby League. When the team that the punter has backed is leading at the half-time interval; or some other point during the contest, the gambler can choose to receive their winnings early.

Money Back Offers

Both offers of Money Back Bet and Money Back Odds are when gamblers can potentially get their money back from a wager. A Money Back Bet is when a sports betting site advertises an offer; such as when a specific event occurs (for example more than one sending-off, at least three goals, etc); then the punter can get their stake back as a free bet or cash. The Bore Draw is a popular type of money back bet Down Under; with gamblers getting their stake back if the team they backed to win finishes the match with a scoreless draw. A Money Back Odds offer is available on eligible Australian; and international greyhound, harness, and thoroughbred races, and is similar to a Racing Refund bonus. This is when a sports betting site refunds the bet stake if the horse or greyhound picked to win finishes in second or third place.

Odds Boost

Australian sports betting sites offer different Odds Boosts under various guises and names; These products can be used once a day, with extra boosts generally available at weekends. Players add their selection to the bet slip before activating the odds boost to obtain enhanced odds.

Final Thoughts

Gamblers need never be fearful of bonuses and promotions on sports betting sites; as they can always take the money and run rather than bet again. Online gambling has firmly woven itself into the fabric of Australian culture; with sport particularly fascinating to punters Down Under as there’s no guarantee of who will finish first or win their match. This means that bookmakers often have to pay out some big bucks to punters. Many gamblers who possess excellent knowledge about certain sports are happy to back a greyhound; horse, or team as to them it offers less risk than a hunch. As the sport is unpredictable the use of a bonus and/or promotion; which takes gambling to new heights, is a safe bet for players who enjoy a personalized experience with a flutter.