New Zealand Online Casinos

Are Online casinos legal in New Zealand?

The legalization of electronic gaming in 1988 has seen the New Zealand gambling landscape changing rapidly over the last few decades. The 2003 Gambling Act and the 2003 Racing Act regulate all forms of gambling on the island. Every law relevant to sports betting and racing is contained within the Racing Act, while the Gambling Act addresses all other types of gambling within the New Zealand territory.

Today, six land-based casinos are operating within New Zealand. Gambling has become an everyday part of New Zealand life, and it is worth looking briefly at how the gambling landscape evolved over the decades. The result is a thriving network of betting systems, pokies, casinos, and online casinos easily accessible to Kiwis and tourists locally and internationally.

New Online Casinos in New Zealand

As technology advances, the growth of online casinos has been seen. Digital technology has allowed businesses such as Casinos to remain in business despite the pandemic.

The beauty of online is the accessibility, as most of these online casinos can be accessed from anywhere in the world, attracting new players globally. In addition to that, online casinos allow you to use your mobile devices to access their games.

In New Zealand, quite a number of Casinos have sprung forth, offering amazing welcome bonuses and free spins. Punters have a wide variety to choose from. We will outline some of the best new online casinos New Zealand offers.

Book of Dead Free Play

Book of the Dead

The Book of the Dead is a simple slot with 5 reels and 3 rows. The game has an ancient Egyptian theme, with an Indiana Jones character with an Egyptian book that keeps the world of the Dead secrets.  Some say that it is a replica of the book of Ra slot and seems similar to many other Egypt-themed games.

Gonzo’s Quest Free Play

Gonzo’s Quest

Gonzo’s quest is another five-reel game. The game is a journey to finding a lost city, Eldorado, and its famous riches. The game has  20 fixed paylines and uses an avalanche system instead of the standard rolling reels. The Mayan Legend inspires all the game’s key symbols.

Wolf Gold Free Play

Wolf Gold

Wolf Gold is an online slot with 5 reels and 25 paylines from Pragmatic Play. It has a native American theme of the Shaman’s, the wolves, and their symbols. When you decide to play the game, it will be easy to see this amazing theme.

Pragmatic Play – New Zealand’s most popular game provider

In the Gaming industry, Pragmatic Play is a leading content provider prevalent in most online casinos in New Zealand. They offer a portfolio with multiple products which are strictly regulated and mobile-focused. Pragmatic Play strives to create the most engaging and unique experiences for all customers across various products, including slots,  bingo, and Live Casino.

It is an organisation that strives to deliver premium entertainment to its customers. Pragmatic Play has a single ATI in-game and promotional tools.

They also have an Innovative hub product and a certificate that licenses them to design to entertain. Pragmatic play exists in over 20 jurisdictions as a multi-award-winning company that allows players to use their mobiles and desktops with over 31 languages and all currencies.

Below we’ll look at some forms of entertainment that Pragmatic Play deals with:

• Slots
  Slots are one of the most popular and common games provided by most casinos, and Pragmatic Play always strives to create the best slots with the best bonuses and rewards.
• Live Casino
  Live casino involves games that are played in real-time. There is a dealer to assist the players as they engage in the game.  The dealer is similar to the one you would find at a land-based casino.
• Bingo
  Bingo is a game of chance with numbers that are printed on cards. Numbers are randomly selected, creating a winner.
• Virtual Sports
  Virtual sports are one of the newest additions to pragmatic play.  Players can enjoy the wide range of virtual sports that  Pragmatic Play’s portfolio provides.  Virtual sports are available on multiple devices,  with customised options and localisation.  Virtual sports create opportunities for betting, reducing the void between sporting events by keeping players engaged. This section also has amazing 3D graphics that can send you to a sports universe.

Other populars game developers in New Zealand

• NetEnt
• Amusnet
• Microgaming
• Play’N Go 
• Playtech
• Yggdrasil
• IGT 
• Novomatic 

Other popular casino games in New Zealand

Other popular casino games in  New Zealand are roulette,  blackjack,  Baccarat,  Esports, and the lottery.

• Roulette has a small revolving wheel and a ball that tosses into the wheel.  It is also a game of luck where the player guesses where the ball could land.
• Blackjack is one of the most popular card games with casinos.  Blackjack is played across many land casinos and online casinos.
• Baccarat is the most glamorous casino game that players love. It is also a card game comparing two hands, the Player and Banker.
• Esports are organised video games and are very competitive. They are very popular for taking your favourite sport and allowing you to participate from home.
• The lottery is also another game of chance where the player can guess the numbers that will give them the jackpot. Typically 6 numbers guessed get you the jackpot

New Zealand Live-dealer software providers

The iGaming business has a large number of Live Dealer software developers. Of course, some stand out more than others, just like in any other industry. You may want to start by looking at the products from the following software providers if you’re looking for the safest and most secure Live Dealer games. Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Microgaming, and Evolution Gaming are a few of these.

New Zealand Sports betting sites

Sports betting is common worldwide, and it comes as no surprise that New Zealanders also take part and love it. New Zealand permits most forms of online gambling, and sports betting is one of the main sections that are legal. They operate under what is termed the Totalisator Agency Board, which is a division in the New Zealand Racing board.

Kiwis can find quite a substantial amount of sports betting sites with great bonuses and high odds. Most sports betting sites have an amazing sportsbook from which you can select and bet on your favourite games.

Sportsbooks have a wide selection, from popular games such as soccer to less popular games. You can bet on rugby, horse racing, darts e.t.c. All you have to do is know your favourite game.

When you enter a site, you can see if a particular online provider is permitted in your country.  It may be very hard to find your favourite with so many options to choose from. We’ve made it easy for you to find some of the best sports betting sites in NZ. Below we’ll give you a list of the best sport betting sites in New Zealand.

Best Sports Betting Sites in NZ

Poli

POLi payment is available in Australia and New Zealand and allows for secure payments through your internet banking portal direct to a business. You don’t need to register, so your information is not stored.

POLi focuses on its security system and software by not capturing any forms of sensitive information.  The system does not store any usernames or passwords.

At POLi, they have a regular security text to ensure that their system meets security standards. When making a payment or money transfer with POLi, the payment goes through instantly and at most can take up to 60 Seconds.

Purple Pay

Purple pay is a transaction account that can be used every day and has a $0 monthly fee. This type of account can be used for any transaction, from purchasing lunch to receiving your monthly salary or sending money, and even paying your bills.

Ecopayz

Ecopayz account allows you to receive, send and spend money worldwide online.  It is a free and easy-to-open account.

It can be done in minutes with a credit check or bank account. It also has many ways to top-up your account, and funds become available to spend immediately.

The latest security and fraud protection Technologies are used by ecoPayz to ensure secure and fast transfers. With ecoPayz, you are guaranteed security as it is treated as a top priority to safeguard your financial information.

Bitcoin

Bitcoin is one of the most common peer-to-peer technologies with no central Bank. All transactions are managed through a network called blockchain. This is also fast becoming a common payment method with online casinos. Bitcoin is more flexible as a payment method allowing fast international transactions.

Gambling regulator in New Zealand

The Department of Internal Affairs controls and regulates all gambling in New Zealand. They do all the licensing, enforcement, and compliance for gambling. There is a New Zealand gambling guide law.

The guide for New Zealand is surrounded by class 4 gambling. It is continuously updated, taking into account any recent laws and regulation changes.

The guide is an essential tool and aid for all licensed companies that operate gaming machines.  The author for the guide is Jarrod True, and Alastair Sheriff reviews it. Gaming activities in New Zealand are controlled by the Gambling Act of 2003.

Below the classes of gaming will be listed:

1. Class 1 – no licensing needed
2. Class 2 – no licensing needed
3. Class 3 – is for instant games and  large-scale lotteries, and an operational license is required
4. Class 4 – is for operating gaming machines outside a casino; an operational license is required
5. Casino – operational license is required; and
6. Lotteries – all games are conducted by the New Zealand Lotteries Commission

Currently, NZ does not permit any gambling that the Department of Internal Affairs does not regulate.

New Zealand -specific Gambling restrictions

The following gambling restrictions exist in New Zealand, and all gambling activities outside these specifications are prohibited.

Class 1 gambling is not allowed to have a price greater than $500. All proceeds, including interest for an individual, must be applied to winners. Individuals cannot do class 1 gambling.

Class 2 gambling might have total price values between $500 and $5,000. Turnover from gambling must exceed $500 But cannot exceed $25,000. This class of gambling does not require a license and should be conducted by societies as defined by the Gambling Act.

Class 3 and 4 gambling must have a prize size with a total value exceeding $5,000. Class 4 gambling looks at forms of gambling that use gaming machines. Both classes of gambling cannot be done without a license.

For more details on classes, check sections 22 to 31 of the Gambling Act 2003.

Remote Interactive Gambling is prohibited in section 9(2)(b) of the Gambling Act 2003. Interactive gambling is defined as gambling done by a person through interactive means of communication. Communication devices include computers, telephones, radios, and similar devices.

The exemptions that exist to the general rule are: 

• Any sales promotions like lotteries conducted in New Zealand are not included in the ban.
• The Racing Board and Lotteries are approved to conduct remote interactive gambling.
• Class 3 lotteries are licensed and are excluded from the ban.
• The prohibition only exists on remote interactive gambling in New Zealand and, therefore, can’t prohibit any gambling done overseas.

Gambling taxes in New Zealand

The excellent news for all gamblers from New Zealand is that all gambling activities are grouped and governed by the 2003 Gambling Act. This act states that all gambling is to be considered a hobby. The state will levy no taxes if the activity yields winnings on either land-based or online gambling.

That would mean that no winnings from online casinos and pokie plays are taxed by the New Zealand government either according to the 2007 Income Tax Act. The ruling applies to online casino gambling, online poker, and even online sports betting.

The only possible exception to this law is if a person is a professional poker player. If the primary source of a Kiwi’s income is generated by playing online poker, they may pay potential taxes on that regular source of income.

Online casinos and gambling sites that host New Zealand players are not required by law to report any payouts or winnings of any kind to any authority within the Kiwi government. That leaves the bonus in the hands of the professional poker player to do so if his regular income includes winnings from online poker games.

The following table briefly represents the current gaming activities available to Kiwis and tourists in New Zealand. It is based on our discussion on the gambling activities available within New Zealand earlier in the article.

Land-based Casinos in New Zealand

New Zealand is a relatively small country in size. However, it is quite a perfect place for land-based gambling.

The country has lots of brick & mortar casinos operating legally within its borders. Coupled with nice amenities and accommodation, the land-based gambling scene in New Zealand offers a perfect pastime for Kiwis and visitors.

New Zealand Land-based Casinos Map

As shown on the map In New Zealand there are 6 Land based casinos across the country.

When New Zealand is mentioned, most people think of Maori culture and the Lord of the Rings. Notably, commercial casinos are actually the biggest contributors to the country’s economy.  Land-based gambling also helps boost the country’s tourism sector significantly.

The first brick & mortar casino in New Zealand opened its doors back in 1994. Since then, more commercial casinos have been established all over the country. This, in turn, provides a thriving gambling market for most casino operators.

Even though online gambling has been on the rise in recent years, land-based casinos still thrive in many ways. This is because they provide entertainment centres and perfect locations for retreats in their own right.

As time goes by, we expect more brick & mortar casinos to come up. Nonetheless, there are still a good number of them currently available for Kiwi players and tourists.

Although the country has lots of physical gambling establishments, some tend to thrive more than others. This is thanks to the differences in the amenities and accommodations available at a casino. The following are the most popular land-based casinos in New Zealand today.

3 Best Land-based Casinos in New Zealand

SkyCity Auckland

This gaming house is the most prominent physical casino in New Zealand. The recreational complex has a restaurant, hotel, the popular sky tower, and, of course, a casino. SkyCity Auckland casino admits only 20+ year-olds, and the accepted dress code is business casual.

The casino has operated legally in the country for over 25 years. It recently ventured into the online gambling space. Nonetheless, if you are looking for an ideal brick & mortar casino gaming experience, you’ll find over 2100 slot machines and 150 table games.

Visit SkyCity Adelaide Casino to try your hand at roulette and blackjack variations. Interestingly, the casino has learning packages for inexperienced gamblers.

Dunedin Casino

Established in 1999, Dunedin Casino is the second most popular land-based casino in New Zealand. The recreational venue recently underwent renovations for a luxury and modern gambling experience. In fact, most gambling enthusiasts say that Dunedin Casino exudes a Monté Carlo vibe.

Dunedin is a relatively extravagant establishment with over 170 gaming machines and table games. They are spread all over the mosaic floor and below a glass dome roof.

The casino is usually full of activities, even for those that aren’t into gambling. These include a restaurant, bar, and hotel. Dunedin Casino is always open except for Christmas and Good Friday.

Christchurch Casino

Open since 1999, Christchurch is the third most popular land-based casino in New Zealand. The gambling venue has stood the test of time because of its amazing, fun game selection and amenities. It opens every day, even during holidays.

After the earthquake in 2011, Christchurch Casino had to close for an extreme makeover.  It later opened its door with a modern and luxurious look.

The recreational establishment has restaurants, bars, and various gaming options. Most importantly, the casino does not charge you conversion fees if you prefer wagering using foreign currencies.

Christchurch Casino has 500+ electronic gaming machines, 35+ table games, four restaurants and bars. It also offers exclusive promotions and prizes to loyal players.

History of Gambling in New Zealand

As access to the internet became more readily available over the last few decades, people started looking for more convenient ways to enjoy their gambling activities. Since the launch of online casinos and gambling platforms in 1988, the industry had snowballed to an estimated 20 billion US dollar industry worldwide.

More and more sites have started offering players easy access to online casinos from the comfort of their homes and the ability to play their games from wherever they want to do so. Punters were also allowed access to a wider variety of pokies and fun, which they usually would not have access to. Land-based casinos suddenly faced tough competition from the lucrative online gambling environment.

Despite the online casino industry seeing substantial growth of gambling activities in New Zealand in years to come after the launch of online casinos, it is still illegal to host online casinos within the territory of New Zealand. The state does not appreciate online gambling. The prohibition applies to interactive gambling from within New Zealand borders only but does not outlaw gambling activities conducted on sites overseas by punters.

It is stated that it is entirely legal for Kiwis of legal age to gamble and bet on sites being hosted off the shores of New Zealand.

New Zealand Gambling addictions help

Many New Zealanders enjoy buying a lotto ticket and playing an occasional pokie game. However, gambling gets out of hand for some people, and they become addicted to the game.

The main key points when it comes to gambling addiction are:

• Gambling is addictive, and it can harm you in many ways causing emotional distress and psychological effects.
• Gambling also has financial harm and can cause poor performances in your studies and at work.
• Gambling can also destroy relationships.

Gambling is an addictive behavior and can be tough to stop on your own that’s why getting help is recommended.  New Zealand has set up a few helplines to assist addicted gamblers. Find a list below of some helplines.

Helplines

• Problem Gambling Foundation of NZ 0800 664 262 or text 8006
• Choice, not Chance 24 hour helpline 0800 654 655 or text 8006
• The Salvation Army – 0800 530 000
• Maori Gambling Helpline – 0800 654 656
• Pasifika Gambling Helpline – 0800 654 657
• Youth Gambling Helpline – 0800 654 659
• Gambling Debt Helpline – 0800 654 658
• Problem Gambling Foundation Asian Hotline – 0800 862 342

Final verdict

Have a playing strategy that will see you enjoy gambling. If possible, try out free games first. It should be a fun activity; do not allow it to become the nightmare you wish you never had.

The legalization of gambling in New Zealand has opened the doors to Kiwis to a world of gambling opportunities. With casinos operating at reduced capacity or not being open over the last two years, the world of online gambling sees more people visiting gambling sites more frequently than ever before.

It has also seen plenty of dodgy gambling sites appearing more frequently on punters’ computers and mobile screens. Make sure you do adequate research before embarking on an online gambling journey. Look out for red flags and if you are suspicious of any fraud on a site, double-check it.

Support well-known brands or trusted casino sites registered and regulated by National Gambling Boards rather than just following a link to an unknown gambling site. Read the terms and conditions of any site before registering.

Make sure you understand what you read. Think twice before entering any credit card or banking account information on a site if you feel unsure about the site you are using.