Yes, it is safe to play at an NZ online casino. But, you should only play at one that has a gaming licence. If there is no licence in place, then it’s better to avoid that casino. Additionally, those licenced offshore should be treated with caution.
There’s no one answer to this. The best casino in NZ will differ between players depending on the features they prioritise. However, the best sites will always have a licence, as well as an eclectic game selection from top providers, multiple payment options and fair terms and conditions attached to any bonuses and promotions on offer.
Yes, absolutely. If you deposit real money and play and win, you can win real money. Players that decide to take on a bonus can also win real money providing any terms and conditions have been met when it comes time for the withdrawal.
Not always, but you can trust ours. We offer objective reviews of the best NZ casinos outlining all the areas that are good and bad equally. Always check out reviews but back this up by looking to see how the casino responds to player complaints.
There are many online casino games that have good payouts. Typically, some of the highest rates are on pokies, especially if you choose from some providers known for high return-to-player rates. That being said, video poker and blackjack both have good payout rates as well.
We make it our mission to ensure that you get access to nothing but the best information about New Zealand casinos. We rate and rank the best casinos NZ has to offer using specific criteria. All our reviews are honest and without bias so that you can be sure you’re accessing a good casino. Our list is also regularly updated.
As a player, one of the first things you can do to judge whether or not you should play at an online casino is to look at the providers supplying their software. Every provider offers different games, styles, graphics and in-game mechanics. Many players already have a favourite provider because of a specific game or style, so this is something players should take a look at before signing up. Make sure they have the provider you like.
Some top providers found at Kiwi casinos include:
There are also a number of different types of online casinos in New Zealand. Players should know the difference between each of these as it will inform which one they join. Depending on the type of casino, some players will get more out of it than others will. As such, knowing what the different types are before signing up will help Kiwi players make a better selection right from the start.
While live dealer games are usually available in all online casinos, there are some sites that cater more to the live aspect. Live casinos specifically have a larger live dealer collection and make sure that there are more game varieties available. These days, the options are increasing dramatically, which means you can choose from blackjack, roulette, baccarat, game shows, craps and more.
Nowadays, most online casinos are also mobile-compatible in some way. However, not all of them will have an app that’s available for both Android and iOS users. That being said, it’s not a necessity, given that most games now use HTML5 technology making them compatible on mobile devices. Mobile casinos will tend to offer a better mobile platform though, with more games available for mobile users as well as being scalable for the small screen without being cluttered.
For anyone playing at an online casino, part of the fun is getting to have some big wins. The size and regularity of a win depends on the payout percentage or return to player rate (RTP). Typically, most casinos focus on pokies, which can have a wide array of RTPs. The higher the better in this case. Ideally, players should be playing games that have an RTP of 96% or higher. The more games like this, as well as progressive jackpot games, means the overall payout percentage of the casino can increase, benefiting the players.
When playing, we all want to be able to get hold of our winnings in a timely fashion. However, given that there are payout processes in place, some casinos can take a long time to release any winnings. Additionally, the payout time can also be because of the payment method the player chooses. As such, the best casinos with fast payouts offer a variety of withdrawal options and include e-wallets, which can be very quick. Some are faster at processing than others though, so it’s always worth checking this out.
No matter what casino players join, there is always a minimum deposit requirement. Some casinos in NZ have high minimum deposits, which can be off-putting for budget players. As such, there are some casinos that have specifically opted to have low minimum deposit requirements in place. This makes it a lot easier for the casual player to join a casino to check it out rather than commit long-term.
Aside from reading our reviews, you can also look at specific features when considering where to play. We actually use the categories listed below when rating a casino ourselves. Take a look below at the specifics to make sure you choose a casino with the qualities you are looking for.
While all casinos will offer bonuses and promotions, not all of them will have the same type of offer or be as generous. Picking a good bonus can make a lot of difference later on when it comes to using it at the casino. These offers can range from a no deposit to a match deposit bonus, from free spins to cashback. They can also be used on different games. But, make sure that any welcome offer or ongoing promotion is checked alongside that of a competitor casino.
For a really good online casino in NZ, you should be looking for a game library that’s large and diverse. Essentially, you want plenty of choice and it shouldn’t just all be one type of game such as pokies. Ideally, the game selection should include pokies, virtual table games, live dealer games and instant win options. Additionally, they should come from a range of providers so that the style and in-game features of each are different too.
It goes without saying that any online casino should have good licensing and security protocols in place. You should never play at an NZ online casino that doesn’t have a licence. This means looking in the footer to see if there is a licence from somewhere like the UK or Malta, The NZ Gambling Commission does limit legal casinos, but as long as the offshore casino is licensed, this will be safe. Additionally, robust security protocols such as SSL encryption, KYC protocols, responsible gambling tools and more, should all be in place.
Often overlooked, it’s important to check out the different payment methods on offer. After all, players will have to make a deposit and then use this method to claim a win down the line. The best NZ sites will have a range of different options covering e-wallets, card payments, mobile pay options and bank transfers. Limits should be fair too, as you don’t want somewhere that has high minimum limits but low maximums.
The time it takes to claim money or get started with playing is also important. Not all payment methods are fast. If speedy payouts are important to you, then you need to consider this when choosing where to play. This is because you need to check whether the casino has slow processing times or not. Some casinos process payments in under 24 hours, while others take longer. And, some payment methods, like bank transfers, are simply just slow.
Though good casinos will always work well, and offer an intuitive, navigable interface, things do go wrong. In this instance, you need to be able to access help quickly and efficiently. This is where good support is essential. The best casinos in NZ offer a range of support options including live chat, email, social media platforms and a good FAQ section. Checking these exist is essential. And, they should be available 24/7 with a good response time.
These days, as there are so many online casinos, it’s more important for casinos to really stand out from the crowd. One of the ways to do this is by adding unique features such as additional gamification elements. Having an ongoing loyalty program with additional rewards can make the casino experience more fun, encouraging players to return.
While established casinos have a lot going for them in terms of reputation and stability, there are new casinos popping up all the time. Knowing when to try one out and when to avoid a new casino is essential. They are worth checking out though as many new casinos have a whole host of additional features missing on older, more established sites.
For instance, new casinos tend to make use of gamification features more effectively. Additionally, they tend to have some of the larger promotions and welcome offers. They do so in order to entice new players to their platform. These sites also tend to offer huge numbers of games, with some of the largest selections out there.
And, like any online casino, new casinos are still beholden to the same rules and regulations. They hold licences, have security protocols in place, offer responsible gambling tools and more. The only downside is that they’re usually untested and don’t have a reputation to speak of.
So, once you have understood all these elements of online casinos, the next step is to sign up to a casino. There are specific steps to do this. Following the process below will get you up and running in no time at all.
As you’re going to be playing at a real-money casino, it’s important to consider all the different aspects of this. There are pros and cons to playing at a casino like this, so let’s take a look at them.
As bonuses are well worth claiming, it’s a good idea to take a look at the different options available. NZ casinos have several different bonus types available. These include:
Finally, it’s important to look at the legality of online casinos in New Zealand. First, it is legal and permitted to play at an online casino if you are a Kiwi. However, to legally operate in the country, the casino must be operated by the NZ Gambling Commission. This means the online casino complies with the 2003 Gambling Act.
However, for legal reasons, there are not many legalised casinos within the country at all. As such, many Kiwis opt to join offshore casinos. Luckily, there’s nothing in the law that says players can’t join these sites. In fact, it’s a grey area, but it means it’s not illegal, nor is it illegal to win money and withdraw it to your NZ account.
The only thing we do recommend is that if you are accessing an offshore casino, make sure it is fully licenced. It should ideally hold a licence with the UKGC, Malta Gaming Authority or Gibraltar Licensing Authority.
The only issue with this is when you have a complaint or an issue with a casino. If the casino is licensed in NZ, then you can go directly to the NZ Gambling Commission for help and enforcement. But, for offshore casinos, you’re a little bit on your own. Bear in mind, that the legal age for gambling is 18 for an online casino in New Zealand, so you will have to abide by that rule no matter what.
