Australia’s bonus bet ban – what punters need to know

The days of bookmaker bonus bets will soon be coming to an end in Australia in what is the latest change in an ever-evolving bookmaker industry.

Bonus bet offers have been an ongoing marketing tool of online bookmakers in Australia, coming in a number of different forms to offer incentives to register new accounts, deposit money or place bets on specific markets.

While the terms and conditions behind their use can differ from state to state, a new national framework in Australia could bring an end to the practice for good.

How much time do punters have left to take advantage of the deals still at their disposal? What will the new laws ending bonus bets look like?

We’re going to provide an in-depth look at how this effects punters.

Will free bonus bets be banned in Australia?

The short answer is, yes, eventually.

On Friday, November 30, 2018, the Australian Federal Government changed its betting landscape yet again.

While there is no set date as yet and technically an 18-month period before the policy could become active, it’s being widely reported that as soon as March 2019 all bookmakers, including the Government-backed UBet and TAB, will be banned from offering any kind of rewards or bonuses for opening a new account.

Under the new National Consumer Protection For Online Wagering, there will be no more free bets, no more rewards, no more deposit bonus and no more signup offers.

How do I beat the #bonusbetban?

While there’s nothing that can be done to stop the coming ban on sign-up bonuses with online bookmakers, punters in eligible states can still cash in while there’s an opportunity to do so.

Clever punters will take advantage of the full suite of promotions currently being offered to them by our list of recommended bookmakers. Some bookies have already updated their terminology and benefits surrounding bonus codes, with Neds now referring to bonus codes and referral codes.

While we all have our favourite bookmakers, it costs nothing to have multiple accounts and opening new accounts typically takes less than a minute in most cases.

With every new bookmaker you sign up with, you can have access to their suite of specials and offers. With every new bookmaker, you’ll have more opportunity to get a better price on your preferred bet. With every new bookmaker, you’ll have more markets and more options, giving you a better chance to maximise your every dollar.

Like the saying goes – get in while the getting is good.

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