A Closer Look at the Best Online Casino NZ
The path to finding the best online casino NZ has been a long and winding one. Gambling in New Zealand has been hit and miss with the country’s conservative government for well over 100 years. Yes, Kiwis and the indigenous Maori nation have always liked a bet, but often Aotearoa administrators have thought that locals have become a little too keen on popular betting games.
This article aims to highlight the relationship between New Zealanders and online casinos real money NZ, as well as recommending how you can find the best punting opportunities within New Zealand’s borders.
The Best Online Casinos NZ
Although playing casino games in New Zealand has never been straightforward, several of the world’s top online casino real money NZ can be accessed by pokies loving Kiwis. We have reviewed a fair chunk of these entities. Take a look at our list for hints and tips on the best online casino NZ.
- Minimum $10 deposit
- 35x wagering requirement
- Multiple other deposit bonuses
- Minimum €20 deposit
- 30x wagering
- Minimum €20 deposit
- Available across 5 deposits
- Free spins spread across 10 days
- Welcome bonus: 200% up to $2000
- 35x wagering
- Valid for 30 days
- 100% deposit match up to €2,000
- 40x wagering
- Regular promos
Gambling Laws in New Zealand
Different forms of gambling are viewed in different lights by the New Zealand government. If you fancy a bet on the horses or on an array of other sports, you can head on down to your local, government owned, TAB office. Alternatively, if you wish to take part in any one of the hundreds of lotteries that are drawn in New Zealand, this is very easy to do.
However, accessing New Zealand based online casino content is currently impossible. The 2003 Gambling Act made it illegal for New Zealand casino operators to offer online casino content. However, this law was a little more nuanced than this situation suggests. Because, Kiwi online casino fans would not be prosecuted for accessing online casino platforms that were located offshore. This state of affairs means that the casino content that New Zealanders can log in to is licensed by foreign agents. In the case of the best online casino NZ, the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the Curacao Gaming Board (CGB) are therefore big players. The involvement of these legislators should give online casino real money NZ players confidence that games are fair and that sensitive data is secured.
The 2003 Gambling Act also set the wheels in motion for the expansion of bricks-and-mortar casino sites in major cities including Auckland, Christchurch, and Dunedin.
Physical Casinos
Prior to 1994, there were no physical casinos in New Zealand at all. Indeed, the only locations that were allowed to install a pokies machine were venues that were also licenced to sell liquor. This situation changed in the aftermath of the 2003 Gambling Act. The Act gave permission for the development of land-based casinos in major cities. However, there were some major restrictions. The number of casinos allowed were to be pegged at a total of six. This means that the Skycity branded casinos in Auckland, Christchurch, Dunedin, Hamilton, Queenstown, and Wharf Casino are the only places in the whole of New Zealand where Kiwis can enjoy in-house casino action.
Online Casinos
There are plenty of casinos operating in New Zealand. However, in line with the 2003 Gambling Act these venues are all based offshore. Given the preferences of Kiwis for sports betting, lotteries and pokies, it is a pleasure to report that several online casinos focus on each of these niches prominently, with some offering a great service across all genres.
Future changes
At the time of writing, the New Zealand government has little influence over the betting preferences of its citizens due to its hands-off approach to the New Zealand online casino sector. Because of this current state of play, it makes sense that any update to the Gambling Act may well see the New Zealand government take a leading role in regulating the online betting industry as a means to sway stakeholders and generate tax returns.
Casino Bonuses for Players in New Zealand
Kiwis know a good casino bonus when they see one, so you won’t be surprised that many of the casino operators that serve the New Zealand market offer new player bonuses that combine massive deposit match rewards with free spins promos. If you search for long enough you are sure to find some of the best online casinos in New Zealand that will add over NZ$1000 to your account just for signing up. When this boost comes with an added free spins deal, you know that you are receiving a market-leading promo.
Deposit bonuses
Deposit bonuses in New Zealand come in several forms. The most widely reported variety, of course, is the new player deposit bonus. This type of deal often allows newbies to make one, two, three, or even four deposits, with each boosted by a pre-ordained multiplier. The devil is always in the details though. So, make sure that you read the terms and conditions at your online casino real money NZ to make sure you know the wagering conditions that allow you to convert promo cash into bankable profits. Deposit bonuses are also offered to experienced players from time to time – these may appear as part of seasonal schemes or as a VIP reward.
Free spins
The best online casinos NZ have a lot of things going for them. Exemplary customer service, no doubt. A great product range, absolutely. And, of course, a great selection of free spins bonuses. The most common free spins deals are awarded to new players as a part of first deposit deals. However, slots tournaments and VIP rewards schemes are also great places to look if you like to play your favourite pokies for free. Our list of online casinos for real money NZ provides links to several establishments that follow this exact trend.
No deposit bonuses
New Zealanders can often be reluctant to part with their dollars at a new casino with test driving the facilities first – and this is where no deposit bonuses come into their own. As a try before you buy incentive, no deposit offers allow casino fans to have a snoop around any of the best online casino in New Zealand without spending a cent. Typically these deals give interested parties 10 to 20 free spins on a named online slots as a means of promoting their website. As a means of introduction this is a fantastic idea, and many of our recommended casinos provide such packages from time to time.
How We Review the Best Online Casino NZ
There is no one criterion that enables us to sort the wheat from the chaff when it comes to the best online casino NZ. There are so many different ingredients that go into making a good or a bad casino that we need to muse over them all before coming to a final verdict. For a more detailed analysis of our thought processes when it comes to adding a casino to our favourites list, read on below.
If you are playing at a site that can boast a licence from either of these organisations you can be guaranteed that your deposits are protected and that any complaints that you make against a provider will be escalated if it is deemed appropriate. Secondly, depending on where you live, you will need to be playing at an online casino that is accepted by the authorities in your jurisdiction. Our recommended list of casinos has been checked to ensure that they are compatible with New Zealand’s iGaming landscape.
Beyond the pokies lounge it is also a plus if there are a variety of games types to explore. An additional sportsbook, an esports section or an intriguing crash games mix will always appeal to our markers
Popular New Zealand Casino Games
New Zealanders enjoy an interesting mix of gambling pursuits. Yes, traditional pokies either online, at bricks-and-mortar casinos, or at licensed bars and clubs are the number one casino game product for New Zealanders, but not by a huge margin. Given the restrictive betting landscape that has existed within New Zealand for a number of decades, Kiwis have grown accustomed to placing a substantial amount of sports bets and purchasing a good number of lottery tickets. Because of this, the best online casino NZ is likely to be a multifaceted affair that contains an epic slots lounge, a well organised sportsbook, as well as a dedicated lottery section.
Pokies
When it comes to online casino play, pokies are probably the first product that springs to mind. This is the same for online casinos that serve New Zealand as it is in most jurisdictions that allow some form of gambling. Thousands have pokies have been developed over the past three decades, with legendary developers including Pragmatic Play, Yggdrasil, and NetEnt having legions of fans. Slots come in all shapes and sizes, you should have no problem finding either a traditional or feature-driven pokie that meets your preferences at every one of the best online casino NZ.
Roulette
Roulette is an iconic game in the eyes of Kiwi betting fans. What can be more simple than taking a punt on your favourite number from zero to thirty-six on any spin of the roulette wheel. The best NZ online casinos host roulette in many forms. First, video versions of roulette see an RNG determine the result of every wheel launch, in the same way that pokies infrastructure lets you know if you are lucky. Secondly, numerous live casino versions are also streamed. These are often piped in from casino studios, or, perhaps more atmospherically, from an iconic bricks-and-mortar casino located in Las Vegas, Macau, or Monte Carlo.
Blackjack
Card games don’t come in any more combative form than Blackjack. The classic game of 21 has had New Zealanders agog since the days of the emigration voyages of the mid-19th century. If you have never played Blackjack, the aim of the game is to amass a hand that is close to 21 without exceeding this figure. Busting sees players lose their stakes, while a Blackjack combination commonly pays 3:2. Innovations allow participants to make side bets such as Perfect Pairs, 21+3, or Buster, with each providing a jackpot payout possibility.
Best Online Casino NZ Payments
Casinos that access the New Zealand market tend to be licensed by authorities in Malta and Curacao. These legislators are reasonably relaxed when it comes to allowing diverse casino payment options, so you can expect to be able to fund your account at your favourite betting venue via a combination of cryptocurrency, e-wallets and locally popular vouchers like the Paysafecard.
Cryptocurrencies
Kiwis who wish to protect their anonymity are choosing cryptocurrencies as the vehicle to fund their accounts at the best NZ online casinos.
Many top casinos, including several that have made our best of list, are happy to accept deposits via leading digital coins. This means that as long as you have a crypto wallet you can play using:
Digital Wallets
Compared to crypto options, using digital wallets for online payments seems a little old hat. However, e-wallets are still the preferred payment method of choice for many Kiwis who prefer the versatility that this mechanism provides.
Apple Pay, Google Pay, POLi, Revolut, Skrill, and Much Better, are digital wallet payment options that are supported by a plethora of the best NZ online casino platforms.
Traditional Methods
New Zealanders are quite used to travelling to their local shop to satisfy their betting requirements. For years, Kiwis have had to meander down to their nearest TAB or milk shop to place a sports bet or participate in a local lottery.
It shouldn’t be a surprise, then, that pre-paid vouchers are still a popular deposit vehicle for many from New Zealand. Paysafecard can be purchased in many physical locations, with the generated code being accepted at leading online casinos.
Tips for Choosing Casinos in New Zealand
The most important things to consider when choosing casinos in New Zealand is safety and fairness. As long as your preferred casino is licensed by authorities in Malta or Curacao, you can largely be assured of this. However, there are always over criteria to think about.
VIP Schemes
One way for Kiwis to differentiate one casino from the next is by comparing the value of the VIP schemes that are run by these players. A good VIP casino promotion should bestow members with regular free spins, deposit match bonuses, and invites to corporate events. Our top tips for NZ casinos regularly include sites that boast a high quality VIP system.
Customer support
It is always hoped that nothing will go wrong any time that you log on to your favourite casino. However, this ideal scenario cannot be guaranteed at all times. If a winner doesn’t get credited to your account or a bonus offer crashes you are going to need help. This is where your casinos customer support team comes into its own. In the case of the best NZ casino, this should mean a 24/7 live chat facility where an operator is addressing your concerns within a matter of minutes. This is always our preference, so casinos that offer this service are likely to score well with our team.
Games
Bells and whistles are great. Still, the main reason for New Zealanders logging into any online casino website is to play the casino games that are available. If there isn’t an excellent range of slots, table games, and live casino events, what’s the point in being there? Our team of assessors always take the state of the games library into account when filing a report into the pros and cons of any gambling platform.
A Closer Look at a Recommended NZ Online Casino
Platin Casino has been doing great things since its launch in 2013. New Zealanders can also now access this classy site that comes complete with pokies, table games, and roulette, as Platin Casino has been accredited to the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). MGA sites are among the most respected casinos in the entire industry, so you can enjoy your time at Platin safe In the knowledge that your deposits are safe and that the games that you play deliver fair outcomes. As an added bonus, Platin Casino currently offers a welcome bonus on opening deposits to new players.
18+ New Players Only. Minimum deposit: $20 (or currency equivalent). Welcome Bonus: 100% up to €500 plus 200 free spins on Big Bass Bonanza. Free spins are awarded over four consecutive days. Maximum bonus €500. 40x wagering. Bonuses are active for 7 days. Full terms apply. BeGambleAware.org.
Best Online Casino NZ Summary
So, there you have it. A whistle stop tour of New Zealand’s betting scene in 3000 words! But what should your key takeaways be?
- There are no New Zealand based online casinos.
- However, Kiwis can access casino content from overseas operators.
- Most online casinos that are accessible in NZ are licensed by authorities in Malta or Curacao.
- Multiple payment methods are accepted at these venues including crypto, e-wallets, and prepaid vouchers.
There is a lot to like about the New Zealand betting scene. So, if you’re a Kiwi wanting to get in on the action sign up for one of our recommended casinos on this page. Good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
Still curious to learn more about New Zealand casinos? Below we have answered some of the most popular questions.
Yes and no. The 2003 Gambling Act ensured that Kiwis could continue to access lotteries, sports betting offices, and bricks-and-mortar casinos in bigger cities. However, under the same legislation New Zealanders were banned from accessing online casinos from NZ-based businesses. This didn’t prevent NZ players from having the opportunity to log in to offshore pokies and live tables venues.
There are a host of casinos that could get the nod in this category. However, Platin Casino is a solid all-rounder for Kiwis who wish to enjoy slots, good service, and a compelling VIP scheme.
You can play with real money at any online casino that serves the New Zealand market. Deposit options are varied at these plethora of platforms. Fiat and crypto currencies are widely accepted, with card, direct bank transfers, and prepaid vouchers being among the most popular ways for Kiwis to pay for their betting escapades.
