Online Casinos in New Zealand

Author: Steven D. Thompson

Updated: 10/11/2024 11:21 AM

Enjoying a legal gambling experience is a top priority for Kiwi players, and the best online casinos in New Zealand rarely disappoint, particularly when you go with expert-vetted gambling sites. Keep reading to get all the essential information about the legality of online gambling in New Zealand and discover top-rated online casinos that accept NZ players.

Table of Contents

Online Casino Regulation in New Zealand

Land-based casinos are legal in New Zealand. However, online casinos operated from the country are not. The 2003 Gambling Act stipulates that New Zealand gambling companies cannot operate online casino sites, but it says nothing about foreign gambling sites. In other words, joining offshore online casinos operated from a foreign country is not officially illegal in New Zealand. The Department of Internal Affairs is tasked with regulating gambling in the country, while the New Zealand Gambling Commission issues, reviews, and renews casino licences.

Because there is no legislation regulating online casinos in NZ, players have no clear directives regarding paying taxes on their online casino winnings. Something similar applies to the legal age requirement. New Zealand has no age limit stipulation, as online casinos are not officially legal in the country. However, foreign online casinos licenced by international regulators will only accept players aged 18 or older. The legal gambling age for land-based casinos is 20.

Let's take a look at key events in New Zealand's gambling history and legislation:

In 1961, charitable lotteries were legalised with the Gaming and Lotteries Act.
In 1987, the Casino Control Act legalised the establishment of land-based casinos in New Zealand.
In 1990, the Department of Internal Affairs became the chief regulating authority of the NZ gambling market.
2003 saw the introduction of the Gambling Act 2003, which is the main piece of gambling legislation in New Zealand, updating gambling laws and setting out directives for issuing gambling licences.
In 2015, NZ authorities strengthened measures that minimise gambling harm with the Gambling Amendment Act of 2015.
In 2020, the NZ government took the task of reforming and updating the Gambling Act 2003, prompting many to think that NZ online casinos would be legalised.

Introduction to Online Casinos in New Zealand

If you are looking to join online casinos in New Zealand, some of the decisions will have already been made for you, while some of the choices will be for you to make. As we already mentioned, the only option for New Zealand gamblers is to join foreign gambling sites, a sort of grey area legally since online casinos operated from New Zealand are illegal. However, the most important decisions will be completely down to you. That, of course, includes choosing which online casino to join.

Even though there are thousands of online casinos that accept NZ players, you want to join only the best ones. That means picking casinos that work with renowned software providers to give you a fantastic range of games. The gaming options at top online casinos include immersive online slots, engaging RNG table games, as well as live casino blackjack, roulette and poker games that completely replicate the land-based casino experience.

But casino games are only the start. The best gambling sites for New Zealand players offer attractive bonuses for new and existing players. For instance, the top-rated casinos at Betpack allow new players to claim enticing welcome bonus offers but also have tonnes of free spins and reload promos for existing customers. At top NZ casino sites, there is also no shortage of engaging features such as mobile-compatible games, tournaments that pit you against other players, and VIP/loyalty programs that reward gamblers who deposit and wager regularly.

Lastly, players starting their NZ casino online adventure will also benefit from a myriad of banking options they can use for fast and secure casino transactions. Different payment methods come with different limits, fees, and transaction speeds. So, this large selection of banking systems will allow you to find the payment option that suits your gambling style.

How to Start Playing at Online Casinos in New Zealand

If you are new to New Zealand online casinos, one of your biggest concerns is probably joining them. However, there is nothing complicated. In fact, registering with an online casino is as easy as any online subscription or sign-up procedure you have made before. Here's what you need to do to set up your account and start playing at New Zealand online casinos.

Step 1

Check the Betpack List of Top Online Casinos in New Zealand

With so many gambling sites around, top online casinos in NZ are hard to find. So, knowing what you are looking for is highly important when picking NZ casinos. Fortunately, even if you don't, you can make an educated choice by going with the top-rated online casinos we have reviewed at Betpack, as they have aced all our assessments.

Step 2

Sign Up and Make Your First Deposit

Once you pick a Betpack-listed casino, register an account with it. To do that, go to the casino website, click on the Sign Up button and initiate the registration process, which is pretty straightforward. After you finish entering all the required information, follow the casino's instructions to verify your account, and, as soon as you are done, make your initial deposit by using some of the available deposit options.

Step 3

Claim the Welcome Bonus

A step we don't recommend skipping is triggering the welcome bonus, as it can boost your first deposit and help you play with more funds or benefit from free spins. To get your welcome bonus, use an accepted payment method when depositing and meet the minimum deposit amount. If there is a bonus code, make sure you enter it too.

Step 4

Start Playing Your Favourite Casino Games

With your deposit and bonus funds available, you can now explore the best online casino games. Go to the Games section and find the slot, table game or live dealer title you want to play. If you have problems locating the game, use the filter the casino provides. Then enter your bet size and start your NZ online casino adventure.

How We Compare and Rank New Zealand Online Casinos

The online casino NZ scene is fiercely competitive. However, not all casinos are of the desired quality. Some are best ignored, while others should be avoided at all costs. At Betpack, we review online gambling sites that accept New Zealand players and put them through a battery of tests. That way, we find the best online casinos and these are the factors we consider.

Licence / Security

Even though the New Zealand Gambling Commission doesn't licence online casinos, other reputable gambling regulators do. So, before we list online casinos in New Zealand, we assess whether they are licensed by a renowned gambling regulator. Next, we analyse how secure a gambling site is. Only casinos that utilise advanced data protection systems are considered, thus ensuring you play at the safest gambling sites.

Casino Bonuses

Online casinos that accept NZ players offer various bonuses and promotions. However, as generous as these promos may seem, they don't always come with favourable conditions. To help you find promotions that are generous and whose bonus winnings are easy to withdraw, we analyse wagering requirements and other key bonus terms and conditions. If a bonus is as attractive as advertised, we list the casino that has it.

Casino Game Selection

Some players prefer to play slot games, while others can't get enough of blackjack and roulette tables. Similarly, some gamblers go for high-RTP games, while others choose more volatile options that pay less frequently but when they do, the winnings can get quite substantial. We are aware of these player preferences, so analyse the game selection of each casino in detail to find gambling sites with the best gaming options.

Payment Methods

A wide range of banking methods is necessary if you are going to make the most of your online casino experience in New Zealand. So, when evaluating casino sites, we check and verify how many payment methods are there and whether they come with limits that work for both high-rollers and players gambling with much less. We also analyse how long it takes a casino to process your withdrawal requests and examine fees, as minor as they may be.

New Zealand Casino Bonuses

Here are the most common bonuses and promotions you'll most likely come across when you join the online casino sites that accept NZ players.

Bonus	Description
First Deposit Bonus Offers	When you make your first deposit, you don't just fund your gambling adventure; you also have the opportunity to claim the welcome bonus. And since welcome bonuses are hands-down the most lucrative promotions at most casinos, it is worth taking the time to read the terms and conditions so that your first deposit unlocks the promo instantly.
No Deposit Sign-Up Promotions	Even though most casino bonuses are triggered by a deposit, there are some promotions that you can claim just by registering with the casino. These are called no deposit sign-up offers. To get them, you may also need to enter a bonus code. However, as enticing as they sound, no deposit bonuses are usually not as generous as deposit promos.
Free Spins	NZ casino enthusiasts who play online slot games are always on the lookout for free spins bonuses. That's because free spins allow you to play without risking any of your own funds. Often, most of the free spin winnings you obtain will be available for withdrawal too. However, as with most other promos, you will need to meet wagering requirements first.
Cashback Bonuses	When things don't go your way, you end up losing your casino wagers. Fortunately, with cashback offers, you can get some of those losing bets back. Most online casinos will give you cashback promos with percentages that range from 3% to 10%. So, even though you won't break the bank with your cashback reimbursements, a 10% rebate is quite decent.
Reload Bonuses	Existing players can look forward to a lot of new and ongoing promos. One of the most common existing customer bonuses is the reload promotion. With it, the casino matches a portion of your deposit in bonus funds. However, to activate a reload deposit bonus, you must fund your account during the promotional period the casino has set for that particular promo.
Loyalty Programs	Some land-based casinos have loyalty schemes, but the perks don't come close to the benefits of the loyalty programs offered by online casinos. That's because gambling sites can keep track of each deposit and bet you make and give you loyalty points to go up the loyalty ladder and get better rewards. These incentives are quite attractive and include free spins, cashback, and other enticing propositions.
Referral Bonuses	If you think a casino is top-notch, why not invite a friend to join it? If that casino has a Refer-a-Friend promo, both you and the friend you invited will likely get some bonus funds and free spins. Referral bonuses allow you to invite others using a referral link provided by the casino. When those invitees register and deposit, the bonus will be activated.

Popular Payment Methods for New Zealand Online Casinos

When you think about playing your favourite online casino games, it is easy to forget the importance of payment methods. So, you often join online casinos that don't work with the banking options you need. That will negatively impact your overall gambling experience, particularly the withdrawals part, where payout options that facilitate fast transactions with flexible limits are a must. Let's look at the most popular payment methods you can use at online casinos in NZ.

Credit/Debit Cards

No payment methods are as convenient and easy to use as credit and debit cards. Bank cards, such as VISA and Mastercard allow you to fund your NZ gambling adventure without having to register accounts, download apps or verify your personal information. However, bank card withdrawals might be an issue, as they are significantly slower than what other payment methods offer and take several days to complete.

E-Wallets

Fast online casino deposits and withdrawals are synonymous with e-wallets like PayPal, Neteller and Skrill. Digital wallets allow you to fund your casino account without sharing sensitive banking information. That is not the case when you use bank cards, for instance. However, unlike credit and debit cards, e-wallets won't always activate bonuses, especially sign-up offers. That is something to keep in mind if you are planning to deposit using Skrill and Neteller, in particular.

Prepaid Cards

Prepaid cards are great if you are looking to deposit without sharing any personal or financial information. For instance, if you deposit using one of the most popular prepaid options, paysafecard, you will only enter the 16-digit PIN to fund your casino account. Unfortunately, prepaid vouchers don't allow you to withdraw your winnings. So, you will need to choose a different payout option at New Zealand online casinos.

Cryptocurrencies

The best gambling sites that accept New Zealand players work with various crypto payment methods, such as Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Ethereum, Tether, Litecoin, Solana, Dogecoin, etc. Cryptocurrencies facilitate some of the safest and most anonymous online casino transactions while allowing NZ players to fund their accounts within minutes and get similarly fast withdrawals.

Bank Transfers

There are many payment methods that are faster and more convenient than bank transfers. However, even though bank wire transactions may not be the most practical, they are still the payment method of choice for some casino enthusiasts, particularly those who want to get the best maximum withdrawal limits. That said, with so many innovative and user-friendly payment methods and apps out there, bank transfers are no longer as popular as they used to be.

Top New Zealand Online Casinos by Category

The top-rated NZ casinos we feature at Betpack have all impressed us. However, different casinos got top marks in different assessment categories. So, to be completely transparent and help you find the best gambling sites for a particular category, we single out NZ online casinos that outperform competitors in categories that are important to NZ gamblers.

Catergory	Online Casino
Best Live Casino Games Casino	QuickWin
Best NZ Casino for Free Spins Bonuses	Betpanda.io
NZ Online Casino with the Best VIP Program	Betswap
Casino with the Best Progressive Jackpots	Hot.Bet
Best Online Casino with Sports Betting	Hashlucky

Mobile Gambling & Casino Apps in New Zealand

The majority of Kiwi players play online casino games via mobile devices. Mobile casinos are easier to access and offer a gambling experience that is on par, or better, than gambling on a desktop or laptop computer. The great thing about mobile gambling in New Zealand is that you can do it even if an online casino doesn't have a dedicated Android or iOS app. Even though gambling apps are preferred options for many, most online casinos can be accessed via mobile browsers, as casino platforms are optimised for mobile use.

The best mobile casinos boast thousands of casino games created with smaller mobile screens in mind. These games are created by renowned software providers and work seamlessly on most mobile devices. Mobile casino operators also offer mobile-specific bonuses that you can claim only when you gamble on the mobile version or download the app. Top NZ online casinos also integrate mobile payment methods and enable mobile communication channels such as phone help desks and 24/7 live chat support.

In short, if you want a portable casino platform in your pocket, check out any of Betpack's top-rated mobile casinos. For most of them, you don't need to download a gambling app to play your favourite games. You can do that using any mobile browser. Plus, we have singled out top mobile casinos that offer better mobile solutions than their rivals. So, if you read our mobile casino reviews, you will discover tested and approved mobile casinos that impressed our experts in multiple categories.

Online Casino Games in New Zealand

Top casino sites in New Zealand allow you to explore thousands of casino games and enjoy a uniquely engaging experience with each. Whether you are playing online slots i.e. pokies, or going for table games, such as blackjack and roulette, the best online casino NZ sites will provide you with a comprehensive selection of gaming options. Let's look at some of the most popular games available at online casinos in New Zealand.

Online Slots

Online Blackjack

Roulette Games

Video Poker

Live Casino Games

New Zealand gamblers love their online pokies. Their wide range of slot themes is just one of the things that appeal to New Zealand players. The chance to play slot games with different Return to Player (RTP) percentages and volatility levels is also inviting. That means casino enthusiasts looking for a more stable and sustainable gambling adventure can play high-RTP games and enjoy smaller but more frequent payouts. Also, the biggest pull of online slots is that you don't need any previous gambling experience to be good at them. You are also not required to use any strategies, as they have limited impact on your chances of winning.

Popular Online Slots for New Zealand Players

The number of slots are abundant. If you're looking for the best ones, here are some of our top recommendations. We've chosen these games for their popularity, engaging gameplay, and rewarding bonus features.

Game	Provider
Sweet Bonanza	Pragmatic Play
Book of Dead	Play'n GO
Wanted Dead or a Wild	Hacksaw Gaming
Starburst	NetEnt

Top 10 Live Casinos in New Zealand

The best NZ casinos with live dealer games have a lot to offer. They boast the most popular live games but also have the latest live casino releases from renowned software providers. These are our top picks:

Traditional vs New Online Casinos in New Zealand

Many NZ players are faced with a dilemma - whether to go with traditional or new casino sites. Since both types of casinos offer unique perks, it is smart to do some research to know which one works better for you. We can help too. Check out our side-by-side comparison of traditional and new online casino sites in NZ and discover your ideal type of casino.

Traditional New Zealand Casino Sites
Thousands of casino games that the gambling site has accumulated over time.
Outdated look that often needs an update.
May not be as easy to navigate as newer casino websites.
Various bonuses and promotions you can go for.

New Online Casinos in New Zealand
The selection of games is often on par with established casino sites.
Website layouts are usually attractive and engaging.
Navigation of the site is usually more straightforward.
New casino promos that reflect the latest bonus offer trends in the gambling industry.

Most Trusted Online Casino Sites in New Zealand by Betpack

Online casino games in New Zealand are fun and bonuses can be quite generous. However, if you don't play at a trusted online casino, the games you play and the bonuses you trigger won't be worth the risk, as you can lose much more than you stand to win. So, before you decide which online casino to join, we advise you to check our trustworthy NZ online casinos list. All of the gambling sites featured at Betpack are licenced by prominent regulators and use advanced security technology. These are our top picks:

Online Casinos	Licence
Betswap	Curacao
QuickWin	Curacao
Betpanda.io	Costa Rica by the Gambling Commission
Dealbet	Curacao

Conclusion

Even though gambling is legal in New Zealand, domestically licenced online casinos are still not an option. The gambling legislation in the country stipulates that all casino sites being operated from inside New Zealand are effectively illegal. So, players looking to gamble in New Zealand have no other choice than to join foreign casinos licenced by prominent regulators in other countries. Considering that this is the situation in most unregulated markets, New Zealand gamblers craving for a legal gambling adventure are left with only one option - to register with international casino sites.

However, the problem with foreign casino sites is that there are so many of them. Trying to find the right one can be exhausting, particularly if you search for a trusted online casino on your own. That's where we come in. At Betpack, we examine and compare top casino sites that accept NZ players. The gambling sites that score the highest get a top-rated status, while casinos that fail to impress our casino experts are discarded. So, if you want to play at the best online casino sites for New Zealand gamblers, start by checking out our list of top-rated gambling sites in NZ.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Online Gambling Legal in New Zealand?

Online gambling and online casino sites are not specifically regulated in New Zealand, but authorities do state that online gambling activities operated from within New Zealand are illegal. In the absence of a NZ legal framework regulating the market, many players choose to join foreign online casino sites.

How Old Do I Need to Be to Gamble Online in New Zealand?

Even though New Zealand has not set a legal gambling age for online casinos, most online gambling sites will allow you to register and play there if you are 18 or older.

Are Online Casinos in New Zealand Safe?

Your safety and the safety of your funds depends on the licence online casino sites own and the security and encryption technology they use. To find secure casinos, look for gambling sites licenced by prominent authorities that rely on industry-standard encryption.

Are There Real Money Online Casinos in New Zealand?

Many real money online casinos accept New Zealand players. However, there are no real money gambling sites operating from New Zealand. The country prohibits NZ casino companies from registering online casinos if they are operated from within the country.

What Is the Most Legit Online Casino Site in New Zealand?

Since there are no legal online casinos licenced by the New Zealand Gambling Commission, players looking for a legit online gambling experience usually go with the next best thing - casino sites licenced by prominent international regulators.

What Casino Bonuses Can I Claim at NZ Casinos Online?

You can get a lot of online casino bonuses, particularly if you play at the best NZ casino sites. These include welcome offers for new customers, free spins, reload bonuses, cashback promotions, loyalty programs, etc.