Best Online Casinos in New Zealand

Playing online casino games is highly entertaining, especially with all the modern-style game titles you get to choose from. The online gaming industry has grown a lot since the basic days of table games and classic slots. As the industry progresses, more regions are opening their doors to online gameplay. This includes New Zealand, a region with a long and interesting gambling history. 

One of the regions where online gameplay is quite popular is New Zealand. If you’re a Kiwi or a visitor to the region looking to find out more about casinos in NZ, then this guide is for you. In this New Zealand gambling guide, we take a closer look at the NZ gambling industry.

Keep reading to find out more about the history of gaming in New Zealand, the legalities, and the game variety available. 

The land-based and online gambling activities in New Zealand are governed by The Gambling Act of 2003. The age restriction for betting on sports, horse races, or lottery is 18, and to take part in land-based gaming, you need to be at least 20 years old. This is unlike gambling in Australia, where the legal age is 18 across the board.

Any gambling activity that falls outside the authority of the Gambling Act 2003 is considered illegal in New Zealand. In the region, only the National Lottery Commission and TAB can offer online gaming services. Other than that, all other local companies are banned from providing these services. That being said, there is the option of playing at international sites licensed outside of NZ. This is due to the fact that it is a grey area in the law. 

The legislation continues to change and update through the years, and quite soon, the online gambling industry in New Zealand will fall under heavy regulation restricting any unlicensed sites. Despite the restrictions, this also means more legal options with sites licensed by the local government.

Sites are not allowed to advertise their services in New Zealand, as those caught can incur massive fines of up to $10,000 for every infraction. You can get access to the best New Zealand-based online casinos via our list of top recommendations. 

Much like many countries around the world, New Zealand has a long and interesting gambling history. It all started back in the 1830s when European immigrants introduced billiards, cards, and dice games. These were fondly played over the next 30 years.

According to reports, sports betting started in the 1840s with betting on whale hunting ship races. In 1860 Chinese gold miners introduced locals to some of their favourite region-specific games like pakapoo. 

Horse race betting started in the 1880s and quickly grew popular. In the 1900s, automatic machines known as totalitors were used for horse race betting. The fun came to a half in 1910 when the government banned all forms of gambling.

In 1989 casinos were legalised. The Department of Internal Affairs controls all gaming activity. The main legislation covering gambling activity is the Gambling Act, which was enacted in 2003. 

After it was passed, the new regulatory framework and body was established. All gaming operations run under the Gambling Commission, which started in 2004. There were amendments made to the Gambling Act in 2004 to bring change to the gambling industry. Casino gambling is limited to operators who already have a license. 

According to the Gaming Act, no local online gaming sites can operate in the region. However, there is a grey area in terms of gambling at foreign sites. Despite the current legislation, the government will soon add legislation to prevent gambling at foreign sites illegally. This will mean opening the market to foreign operators. This can happen in the next two to three years. Giving local players more options to choose from. 

Stay tuned as we provide you with all the latest news in terms of online casinos, games, and legislation updates for New Zealand.

If you’re curious about the New Zealand gambling industry and the games it has to offer, no need to look further, we give a brief overview of the betting and game types available to explore. 

Look at the different game types and betting options available at casinos in New Zealand: 

Online Casino Gaming

At online gaming sites for Kiwi players, there is an abundance of different types of games to choose from. The online gambling industry has evolved, and today it’s home to many games from top software providers. You get to take your pick from popular classics or the latest releases. 

As an online slot player, there are classic slots, video slots, Megaways slots, jackpot slots, and more you can choose from. The games come with different themes, bonus features, and payout potential. 

For those who prefer the classic table game, there are ample options, including modern versions with special side bets. There are various options of Blackjack, Baccarat, Roulette, and Poker you can try. The games run through random number generator software to provide a random and fair outcome. 

And if you’re craving an immersive live gaming experience, then the live casino is for you. The games are streamed in real-time with a real host. You can play the best live blackjack, baccarat, roulette, and poker games on any device. The live section also includes an exciting range of gameshow variants. 

Playing at online gaming platforms also gives you access to instant win game variants such as bingo, scratch cards, and keno. 

Land-based Casinos

The land-based casino industry is doing quite well in New Zealand. There are six casinos which include the popular Dunedin Casino, which opened in 1999. The venue is quite popular among both locals and visitors. At land-based casinos, you have plenty of options to choose from, including the best table games, poker variants, and slot machines. 

Sports Betting

New Zealand allows for wagering on international sports betting sites. With all the best sports betting sites, you get plenty of options. Sports betting sites give you access to wagers on popular sports markets and leagues and fair odds. Popular sports you can bet on include Football, Basketball, Ice Hockey, Baseball, UFC, and more. 

Horse Racing

Horse Racing has a long history in New Zealand that spans decades. As a horse racing bettor, you will find a wide range of sites and land-based betting venues where you can wager on all the most popular and biggest races. 

Lottery

Lottery-style games like Bingo and Keno are quite popular in New Zealand, as players get to win big with small bets. The games have a high return-to-player percentage, which makes them one of the preferred options among online casino players. There are different types of lottery-style games you can choose from with fun themes and big payout potential. 

Online Poker

The online poker scene is the place to be for players who enjoy the thrill of testing different strategies. There are various sites that give you access to all the most popular poker game variants. You can partake in single games or tournaments as you attempt to get the best hand and cash in big wins. 

Fantasy Sports

For Kiwi players, there are plenty of Daily Fantasy Sports sites that allow you to wager on popular sports for a choice of different fantasy leagues. Some of the most popular sports leagues you get to bet on include the NBA, La Liga, Premier League, Serie A, NFL, ATP, and NHL. You can wager at popular sites like DraftKings, where tournaments can lead to impressive prizes. 

One of the most important things for players at online gambling platforms is the boost that comes with online casino gameplay. At the top-rated NZ-facing sites, you get access to a wide range of promotional offers. 

Here is a quick overview of the different offers available online:

All promotional offers come with set terms and conditions, which include wagering requirements. These must be met before any withdrawals can be made. Always check the terms before opting for an offer.

All promotional offers come with set terms and conditions, which include wagering requirements. These must be met before any withdrawals can be made. Always check the terms before opting in to an offer.

When you’re playing at an online casino, you want to be assured that you’re doing so securely. This is why it’s important for a site to give you access to the most trusted payment methods available. For New Zealand players, NZ online casinos provide access to the best payment methods provided by trusted payment providers. 

There are different payment methods available, especially for New Zealand players. The option you choose depends on your personal preference and the type of experience you are looking for. Here is a quick preview of the top 5 payment methods NZ has to offer:

Debit/Credit Cards

First, there are the well-known and traditional payment methods recognised across the globe, Debit and Credit Cards. You can make use of trusted providers like Visa and MasterCard to deposit and withdraw at NZ casinos. They provide quick and secure deposits and withdrawals. Some sites may require withdrawal fees for the use of debit or credit cards. 

e-Wallets

If quick and secure payment methods are what you’re after, then popular eWallets like Neteller and EcoPayz are what you’re looking for. These payment methods make deposits and withdrawals quick and convenient. The transactions are almost instant, and deposits are free. Withdrawals may be subject to fees. 

PaySafeCard

If you prefer prepaid payment methods, then you can make use of options like PaysafeCard. This method allows you to top up in a quick and simple way while staying in control of your spending. You can buy vouchers at many retail outlets. The vouchers feature a 16-digit code which you can enter in the deposit section at your casino. The vouchers can be NZ$10 or up to NZ$100. 

Bank Transfer

Another traditional payment method you get access to at NZ gambling sites includes Bank Transfer. It is trusted, secure, and well-established. One thing to keep in mind is that fees do apply. Despite this, it’s a preferred method thanks to the added security. 

Safe gameplay is one of the top priorities in NZ-based casinos, with various regulatory restrictions and rules in place to ensure participation. On all NZ gambling sites, there are responsible gambling tips, tools, and helplines you can make use of should you require to. There are options to set limits on your account or self-exclude whenever you need to. The tools include the option to set deposit and loss limits, reality checks, and time-outs. 

Aside from the range of helpful tools, there are special organisations that have been created with the goal of minimising the number of problem gamblers. They are there to assist with already established bad gambling behaviour and provide tools and information to help prevent future gambling problems. 

Here are the different organisations you can contact:

Safe Gambling Aotearoa (GamCare)

This is the helpline for the Government’s Safer Gambling Aotearoa campaign, and it is available 24 hours a day. It forms part of GamCare and provides support to those who require help or information in regard to gaming. They are there to assist anyone who is gambling or has been gambling, friends and family who have concerns about someone’s gambling, and those curious about the impact NZ gambling has on players.

Telephone Number: 0800 654 655

Website: gamblinghelpline.co.nz

PGF Services

PGF Services is a company that is there to assist anyone whose life has been impacted by gambling. There are duty counsellors available to aid via email, text, telephone, or live chat. You can contact the friendly team between 8.30 am and 5.00 pm. This free and professional counselling team provide counselling, education, and support group sessions. The organization provides help to those directly and indirectly impacted by gambling problems.

Telephone Number: 0800 664 262

Website: pgf.nz