New Zealand Casinos

Gambling is a popular pastime in New Zealand, with more than 80% of the adult population engaging in some type of betting. It’s part of the country's culture and can be traced as far back as the early 1830s when horse racing was the sport of the day. It’s estimated that every year, approximately $2 billion is spent on gambling by New Zealand citizens.

New Zealand Casinos

Kiwi players seem to prefer online pokies, roulette, baccarat, blackjack, and video poker. Although online gambling is prohibited in New Zealand due to the Gambling Act of 2003, there are many overseas-based online casinos for enthusiasts to enjoy.

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up to $200

+200 Free Spins

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up to C$2,550

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250% up to €1,000

+125 Free Spins

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100% up to C$250

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up to €1,000

+150 Free Spins

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250% up to €1,000

+125 Free Spins

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100% up to €100

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up to $5,500

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50% up to C$1,500

New Zealand-Based Casinos

Players that want to gamble purely within the country’s borders are limited to slot machines, lottery, sports betting, and other games offered at one of six brick-and-mortar casinos. Queenstown is regarded as the largest gambling city in New Zealand with two casinos, but Auckland has the largest casino in the county, Skycity casino.

The benefit of playing at any of these casinos is the guaranteed legality of the games and easy access to winnings. Land-based casinos give you a different type of thrill and are enjoyed by those who like to dress up and spend the night in a glamorous and entertaining environment. Even though New Zealand is host to a handful of gambling institutions, people from all over the world, especially Asia, flock to the country to play at these high-quality casinos.

Online Gambling in New Zealand

As we mentioned above, it’s illegal for New Zealand-based online casinos to operate, but plenty of overseas casinos accept the New Zealand dollar. Players are subject to the host country’s gambling laws and should read through the rules before playing. To further ensure your safety when using these sites, it’s mandatory to check their homepages for licensing information and certifications from testing agencies like eCOGRA.

Skycity casino online, powered by Gaming Innovative Group (GIG), was launched in 2018 and is aimed at the New Zealand market. It’s an extension of the famous land-based casino in Auckland with the same name. The online section of this casino is located in Malta to prevent infringement of laws. Here, players enjoy a lively casino experience at any time and from all devices.

Benefits of Online Gambling

There are various games to choose from at online casinos, with new ones being added regularly. You’ll also receive perks such as:

  • Deposit bonuses 
  • Loyalty or VIP programs
  • Play at mobile casinos 
  • Interactive chat rooms 
  • Reviews of games  
  • Free spins

It’s crucial to find out what casinos offer before spending any money.

Tips for New Zealand Gamblers

It’s easy for New Zealand players to be taken advantage of since they’re at the mercy of other countries’ gaming laws. Here are our recommendations on how Kiwis can have fun and be safe during online gameplay.

Verify the licensing information

A simple check to ensure the credibility of the casino’s license will prevent significant problems for you down the line. Go to the licensing authority’s website to make sure all is in order.

Read online guides and reviews

There are many sites dedicated to providing information on the best and safest online casinos in NZ. Take into account their opinions as well as any reviews you can find about the casinos.

Choose casinos with many payment methods

You want to know your money and financial information are safe at all times. Go for casinos that offer a variety of trusted banking options such as PayPal, bank transfers, VISA, Neteller, and Skrill. This will make it easy to deposit and withdraw your money efficiently.

Test their customer service

Casino players need 24\7 live support, especially when playing in a country with a different time zone. Before playing, reach out to customer service to see how quickly they respond to queries. 

FAQs

There are six land-based casinos in New Zealand that offer many traditional casino games. These include Dunedin casino, Christchurch casino, Skycity Auckland, Skycity Hamilton, Skycity Queenstown, and Skycity Wharf casino.
The New Zealand government prohibits remote interactive gambling or online gambling; however, players can partake in online gameplay at overseas casinos.
You have to be 20 years or older to engage in any type of betting.
Yes. Many sites allow Kiwi players to deposit and withdraw money in NZD. This will enable players to bypass conversion fees.
No. Any winnings received from international-based online casinos belong solely to the winner and are not subject to any form of tax.
Table games like blackjack tend to have the best odds; however, all gambling games have the potential to produce huge wins.
All certified online casinos are inspected regularly to ensure they meet specific criteria. Things like random number generators and protecting players’ information through encryption software are compulsory.
Unfortunately, the New Zealand government can’t do anything to overseas-based casinos, but any mistreatment can be reported to the company that licenses those sites. There are also quality-assurance organizations such as eCOGRA that handle disagreements with casinos they certify.

Responsible Gambling in New Zealand

We hope you now understand the gambling laws in New Zealand and feel more confident when playing online pokies or other games at international-based casinos. It’s important to remember that any type of betting may come with losses. Keep the information in this article in mind, and go have fun!

If you feel that you or someone you love are becoming addicted to gambling, you can contact the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand. They provide counselling and support groups for those who need help.