New Zealand Casinos
While the legal debate of online gambling in NZ is ambiguous, the situation surrounding land-based gambling games is a lot clearer cut. Even then, though, it helps if you have a general understanding of how everything works before you head off to bet. If you want to learn the ins and outs of gambling online in New Zealand, you’ve come to the right place.
Join us as we explore the specific laws which regulate and control gambling in New Zealand. We’ll introduce you to the core concepts and most important features behind New Zealand’s leading casinos, and we’ll showcase some of the leading NZ casinos you can join online today. Allow us to begin by introducing you to some of our finer sites. Below, you’ll find a top selection of recommended, certified, and renowned casinos accepting players from New Zealand.
Best Real Money Online Casinos for NZ Players
Online Gambling Laws in New Zealand
You may be wondering, is online casino gambling legal in New Zealand? Before we get to that, we should take a brief look at the set of laws that govern gambling in general in the Oceanic country. Gambling in New Zealand is legal and has been since 1835. The current gambling law that governs the industry is the Gambling Act of 2003, although that has been amended twice since.
The current legislation doesn’t mention legal online gambling sites in New Zealand, leaving them somewhere in a grey zone. As the authorities haven’t officially licensed any online casinos, legit NZ online casinos theoretically don’t exist. However, as touched on, offshore casinos fall outside of New Zealand’s laws. This leads to confusion. The fact that the Gambling Act doesn’t permit New Zealand’s authorities to punish residents who bet online essentially means that New Zealanders can wager online as they see fit. It is something that is set to remain the status quo, as the authorities don’t want to rock the boat.
Let us look at each of the main gambling enterprises and how things shape up if you wish to bet on them over the internet to explain the situation better.
Online Casino
Legit New Zealand online casinos don’t technically exist. While land-based casino gambling is legal in New Zealand, only a license from New Zealand’s gambling commission can effectively make an internet casino legal. None of these has been granted. Therefore, all internet casinos (irrespective of where they are based) are technically illegal. However, New Zealand doesn’t punish those living there for visiting such sites. As such, most offshore and international online casinos accept players from New Zealand. Moreover, they are also open to accepting the New Zealand dollar as a currency.
Online Poker
Online poker games are deemed to fall under casino gambling. Therefore, the same rules that apply to online casinos also apply to online poker sites. As with casinos, there aren’t any fully licensed poker rooms in New Zealand, but you can sign up and play at offshore poker rooms without fear of reprisals, and this is something that many New Zealanders take advantage of.
Online Sports Betting
Sports betting is a touch different from the casino world. In New Zealand, sports betting is legal and run by the state monopoly, TAB. In theory, any betting site that is operated by TAB is officially licensed out of New Zealand, and it is legal for those bookmakers to offer their services online. If that doesn’t float your boat, there are countless offshore bookmakers and international betting sites that accept players from NZ, and again, you won’t be punished for betting at these sites. It is worth noting, though, that betting on blood sports is illegal and not licensed under New Zealand’s sports betting laws.
Online Lottery
Lottery games (specifically, Lotto NZ) are legal in New Zealand. The situation here is much like that of online sportsbooks. It is not illegal to buy tickets to play any lottery game that is run by Lotto NZ, and some tickets can be bought online. However, this is rare, with most legal lottery gameplay handled in outlets, newsagents, and other ticket retail venues.
Online Bingo
Bingo games are legal and often known as “housies” in New Zealand and Australia. However, while there are establishments that can legally offer bingo games, online bingo sites aren’t permitted. Again, the NZ authorities simply haven’t licensed any. Once more, though, there is nothing to stop you from heading over to an offshore and international site to have a crack at online bingo without being punished.
History of Gambling in New Zealand
New Zealand’s gambling history is relatively straightforward to track. There have been some interesting developments over the last one hundred and seventy-five years, and we’ve charted the key ones for you below:
- 1835: The very first horse racing event is held in the Bay of Lands. It is not clear if the native population gambling prior to the arrival of Western colonists.
- 1881: The local protestant population begins campaigning against gambling, citing religious beliefs.
- 1932: Betting and gambling are prohibited, save for a few exemptions, and will remain so for the following fifty-one years. At the same time, the first state-run lottery goes live.
- 1961: The Golden Kiwi Lottery becomes the dominant lottery in New Zealand.
- 1971: Greyhound and horse racing legalised under the Racing Act of 1971.
- 1977: By now, gambling has become socially acceptable once more. Gambling machines, prizes, and charity bingo games are organised and legalised.
- 1987: The modern lotto is launched, and the first pokies (slots) appear in the country.
- 1990: Brick and mortar casinos become legalised under the Casino Control Act. A total of six would be established within the next thirteen years.
- 2003: The Gambling Act of 2003 makes it clear that only licensed businesses can offer gambling services. Despite two further amendments, the act does not take online gambling into consideration, leaving internet betting in a grey zone that continues to this day.
Future Online Gambling Trends in New Zealand
At the time of writing, playing online slots for real money in NZ and other forms of internet betting save for licensed sports betting and lottery games are deemed illegal. However, New Zealand doesn’t want to take things any further. The authorities understand the local population gambles online and don’t stop them from doing so.
Officially, New Zealand can prosecute offshore and international casinos that do offer their services to players in the islands, but in reality, they don’t bother to follow through with this, either. Everybody seems content with the status quo, so this situation is likely to remain the case for the immediate future.
Is It Safe to Gamble at an NZ Online Casino?
Unquestionably so. While the New Zealand authorities don’t regulate and license online casinos, many of the international and offshore sites that cater to players are regulated and licensed elsewhere. These casinos can, for instance, be licensed by the UK Gambling Commission and Malta Gaming Authorities, two of the strictest and most trusted regulators and licensing authorities in the world.
On top of that, there is no shortage of Curacao licensed sites catering to players in New Zealand, but while these are safe online casinos in New Zealand, they are not the most regulated. If no doubt, don’t hesitate to check our page for trusted, certified, fair, and secure NZ online casinos.
How to Choose the Best Online Casino?
New Zealanders live at a time where virtually every online casino in the world is open to them. The flexibility (and grey zones) of the New Zealand gambling laws make this possible. With so many sites to choose from, how can you afford to be picky and only end up at the most trusted online casinos for New Zealand players?
One of the best ways to do this is to only choose those sites that appear in our online gambling reviews for NZ players. Our team has done in-depth research on each of these sites to ensure that they are top drawer venues. Of course, we don’t expect you to take us at our word alone, which is why we’ve put together a short guide showcasing the ideal things you should look for in top New Zealand casinos. If you want to do the legwork for yourself, here is what you need to know:
Casino Bonuses
Most offshore casinos catering to players in New Zealand have bonuses and promos to offer you. It may be tempted to snap up the offer that provides you with thousands of New Zealand dollars. However, you don’t necessarily have to rush off to claim that deal. On the contrary, with so many casinos at your disposal, you can cut through them all to accept just the best deals. These will often be the bonuses and promotions that have the most favourable terms and conditions, alongside tasty cash prizes and free spins.
Games and Software
Again, why settle for playing at an online casino that has just several hundred games from a handful of developers? Why not opt to play at a site that features games from over twenty or even thirty software providers. Ensure that your site offers you video slots (known as pokies in New Zealand), table games of both RNG (random number generator) and live dealer variants, plus a lot more besides.
The Reputation of the Casino
Our team does its homework to ensure that any site you play at it is not only licensed but fully regulated and certified for offering fair play games. On top of this, you should also try and do a little research into the reputation of your chosen casino. Our team checks its background, the number of complaints, and its license details to ensure that the gameplay offered really is as good as the casino claims.
Casino Customer Support
Whatever the question you have, there should always be a member of an NZ casino’s support team on hand to answer it. Ideally, live chat and e-mail assistance are a must. However, we also want to see telephone support if you require it. Moreover, those support options should be available in English, be accessible around the clock and no cost kiwis a cent.
Payment Methods
Every online casino will have its own array of payment methods, but you need to choose ones that are unique for players in New Zealand. Ideally, you’ll find New Zealand-friendly options such as POLi, and will be able to deposit, wager and withdraw using New Zealand dollars. You shouldn’t expect fees for depositing and withdrawing, and the limits and transaction times should all be reasonable.
Online Casino Games Available for NZ Players
If you opt to play at one of our top sites offering the best online casinos games in NZ, then you’re in luck. Even if you choose to go your own way, you need to be sure that your site isn’t just an online casino that accepts New Zealand players but also one which carries a new array of online casino games for NZ players. Here is what you need to see:
- Games should be RNG certified for fair play
- A good mix of new games and old classic ones should be present
- Games should be mobile-friendly and free to play in a demo mode
- There should be more than just pokies, with table games and live dealer titles supported
- The more software providers a casino has, the greater the array of games you can play
- Tournaments are ideal, especially those covering slots
- Be sure that jackpot slots are easily identifiable in their own genre
- Easy navigation of gaming libraries, such as through filters and genres, is a must
With that in mind, let’s look at some of the top games you should expect to see at any reliable and trusted NZ casino site.
Online Slots
Online slots in NZ are commonly referred to as pokies. Slot machines in New Zealand are popular options spanning all sorts of genres. Expect to see fruit machines, jackpot pokies, video pokies, and games featuring MegaWays, Cluster Pays engines and more.
Online Blackjack
If you fancy having a crack at blackjack online for real money in New Zealand, be sure that you find a site that carries multiple variants. Playing games with varying table limits and twists on the rules will give you more to play.
Online Roulette
Online roulette games span all sorts of genres and should do so at your casino, too. The best online roulette gambling sites in NZ will be those that offer European, French, and American roulette, but also oddities such as Auto Roulette, Double Ball Roulette or Jackpot Roulette, amongst others.
Live Dealer Games
How do you fancy having a crack at live casino games in New Zealand? Even if you haven’t made your mind up yet, it is nice to have the option of doing so. For this reason, you should ensure that your chosen casino can handle this. Blackjack, baccarat, and roulette are the bare minimum you should look for here.
Other Online Casino Games
There are more online casinos games than those listed above for you to play. For instance, have you given some thought to playing online bingo, keno, scratch cards or instant win games? Titles such as these, video poker, and fixed odds games should also be present, even if you haven’t yet decided to have a stab at them.
Most Popular Casino Software in New Zealand
Which software providers are renowned for offering up games to players? Microgaming casinos can cater to players in New Zealand, and you will undoubtedly find many of the best NetEnt casinos in our NZ list. However, these two goliaths aren’t the only giants involved here. Expect to see games from these providers at most top kiwi casino sites:
- Amatic Industries
- BetSoft Gaming
- ELK Studios
- Endorphina
- Evolution Gaming
- Ezugi
- IGT
- Microgaming
- NetEnt
Of course, the full array of software providers catering to casinos accepting NZ players could extend far beyond this. However, if you stick to any of the developers listed, you can’t go wrong.
Banking Information for NZ Players
Given that PayPal only appears at online casinos where it is legal to gamble in that country, you wouldn’t expect to see many NZ online casinos with PayPal options. However, that doesn’t mean to say that none exist. Instead, it is options such as POLi, and online casinos in New Zealand offering VISA Debit that are more popular.
These tend to be the most popular options you can use to deposit at New Zealand casinos online:
- Entropay
- Paysafecard
- Maestro/VISA Electron
- Pay for It
- Bank transfers
Important things to consider when depositing and withdrawing at New Zealand casinos include:
- Don’t allow yourself to be charged currency conversion fees. Ensure that the casino accepts NZD, to begin with.
- Deposits and withdrawals should be free from charge.
- Only pick top NZ casinos that have low minimum deposit limits and high maximum withdrawal caps.
- Any casino that doesn’t offer POLi is unlikely to specialise in New Zealand players.
- Note that some options, such as Paysafecard, can only be used to deposit and not withdraw from New Zealand betting sites.
Cryptocurrencies
New Zealand casinos may or may not accept cryptocurrencies; they can vary. However, of those that do, you most likely see Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Ripple and Tether (USDT) as the most commonly accepted options. Here are a few reasons why crypto gambling may appeal to you:
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You get a touch more anonymity than at fiat currency NZ casinos
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It is unquestionably quicker to withdraw your winnings
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Some of the fees associated with crypto transactions are lower
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You won’t have to worry about a casino accepting NZD
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Some casinos boast a Provably Fair certificate for their BTC casino games
NZ Gambling Apps
New Zealand casinos are, for the most part, designed in HTML5. This means that you can play there without the need for online gambling apps in NZ. In short, they are browser-based casinos, needing nothing more than a web browser to play mobile casino games in New Zealand. This should work well for both iOS and Android options without fail.
New Zealand Online Casino Bonuses & Promo Codes
Most casinos and kiwi casinos are not different, offer top bonuses and promotions. If you’re hoping to find the best bonus online casino in New Zealand, look no further. Our team has put together a top selection of sites based on all manner of bonuses. However, you don’t just have to trust us here. Let us explain what we look for:
- Low minimum deposit limits
- High win caps (if any at all)
- Easy to find New Zealand online casino bonus codes
- Decent game eligibility rules for bonuses
- A broad array of offers covering all bases
- Low wagering requirements, often under 40x
With that said, let us explain a few of the bonuses you are most likely to see when betting online at New Zealand casinos:
No Deposit Bonuses
No deposit casinos in New Zealand are not as common as they used to be. However, that doesn’t mean that you can’t claim top new player NZ no deposit casino bonuses. These may be available when you first register or be churned out as loyalty offers. Either way, you will likely be eligible to claim a spot of free spins or cash and use that to play casino games without risking your own dough.
Deposit Match
The conventional first deposit bonus at casinos in New Zealand is also known as a deposit match. Here, you can claim a percentage-based bonus determined by the amount you deposit. In most cases, the offer will be a 100% match up to $100 but could be worth more. It is important to check with your New Zealand online casino that low deposit terms are in place, so you don’t end up forking out a fortune to claim the offer.
Free Spins
Free spins could be offered as a form of loyalty or VIP bonus, or they could be given as an online casino free signup bonus with no deposit required for New Zealand players. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how you can claim the offer; what matters is the value of the deal. It should allow you to spin the reels of a decent number of slots for free, and naturally, you should be able to win real money with this deal.
Reload Bonuses
Reload bonuses are near identical to deposit matches and welcome bonuses. The only real difference here is that reload bonuses may come at any time. They could be offered daily, weekly, or even monthly. Some are birthday or anniversary bonuses, and some are dished out as loyalty deals. They, too, will provide you with free cash when you deposit.
New Online Casinos in New Zealand
Even after finding a top online casino to play at in New Zealand, you may wish to stick around. Our team regularly looks for new NZ online casinos. Any top sites that we come across will be regularly added to our collection if they pass all our tests. Don’t hesitate to check our page if you fancy playing somewhere new. We may just have something for you.
FAQs
Before nipping off to our New Zealand casino review section, take a quick look at this brief FAQ guide. If you have lingering questions (or queries) about betting in New Zealand, we may be able to answer them below:
