The best real money online casinos sites in NZ - based on real-time data
Discover the best online casinos in New Zealand with 2,000+ games and bonuses up to $10,000 - far above the national average of 1,000 games and $1–2,000 bonuses. With 25+ years of experience, our expert team recommends licensed casinos with fast payouts, top games and more. Explore our top-rated NZ casinos below.
Join one of our top picks for July 2025
#1 Top rated casino
- Exclusive bonus for Casino.org players
- Daily promos including Bonus Wheel
- Deposits from just $5
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- Opened in autumn 2024
- Exclusive bonus for Casino.org players
- Kiwi theme that NZ players will love
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- Extensive game selection from various providers
- 24/7 live chat support
- Multiple language options
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Claim $12,000+ and 680 free spins from just 3 sites
Our expert team has spent over 1,000 hours exploring more than 300 casino sites to find three sites considered the best NZ online casinos in 2025. These offer over 1,000 top casino games, bonuses of up to $10,000, instant payouts, excellent customer service, and the best overall casino experience for New Zealanders.1
Jackpot City Casino - NZ-leading payout rate
Pros
✅ Exclusive bonus up to NZ1,600 + 200 free spins
✅ One of the highest payout rates in NZ (98.84%)
✅ Dedicated mobile app for iOS and Android
Cons
❌ NetEnt slots only contribute 50% towards wagering requirements
❌ Small game library (600 titles)
Jackpot City is one of the best online casinos in New Zealand, trusted since 1998. New players can claim up to NZ$1,600 and 200 bonus spins, twice the spins most casinos offer. It’s also one of the few NZ sites to offer free spins for just a $1 deposit, perfect for those with smaller budgets.
The mobile app is one of the best-rated on the market and has 100k+ downloads and a 4.4★ score on the Google Play Store. This means players can enjoy high-quality gaming both on desktop or mobile.
👩💻 User review: "Withdrawals were processed faster than expected. Overall, a trustworthy platform with great bonuses that kept me entertained for hours. The mobile version works perfectly and I can play anywhere."
Esrise Pichardo - Trustpilot review - 5th June 2025
💡 Expert advice: "If you take the bonus from Jackpot City, keep in mind that only half your bets on NetEnt slots count towards it. I recommend sticking to eligible slots to maximise the bonus and give yourself the best chance of completing wagering requirements."
Hannah Cutajar - 23rd June 2025
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Kiwi's Treasure - Low deposit, high payout potential
Pros
✅ Lower than usual $5 minimum deposit
✅ Generous amount of payment options (14)
✅ High payout rate of 98.81%
Cons
❌ Up to 200x wagering on some free spins offers
❌ Welcome bonus total is on the low side for a NZ casino
Kiwi’s Treasure is designed for NZ players, offering a $5 minimum deposit, which is a great find at a NZ casino. While the $1,000 bonus is modest, 250 free spins are included. However, be aware that some free spin offers carry 200x wagering at this casino.
With 14 payment methods, 100+ jackpot pokies, and $8M+ in jackpots, it’s a smart pick for players who want fast access, big-win potential, and a clutter-free experience.
💡 Expert advice: "I tested Kiwi’s Treasure with just $5 and got access to both bonus cash and free spins, which is rare for such a low deposit. Just be cautious with the free spins: the 200x wagering makes it tough to cash out. If you’re chasing wins, I’d focus on the match bonus and skip the spins."
Hannah Cutajar - 23rd June 2025
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Allyspin Casino - NZ’s biggest casino bonus
Pros
✅ Biggest casino sign-up bonus in NZ
✅ Huge game selection of 8,000+ vs 1,500–2,000 average
✅ 20+ payment options, double most sites
Cons
❌ Only pokies count 100% towards wagering
❌ Not all game providers are available in NZ
AllySpin’s welcome bonus of NZ$10,000 + 200 spins is 4x larger than most NZ offers and comes with a respectable 35x bonus wagering and a generous 10-day clearance period. With 8,000+ games which is 4x the usual NZ casino library, and 24/7 live chat, AllySpin stands out on bonus, selection, and support.
👩💻 User review: “The people I spoke with especially Garry, were very prompt and effective in helping me.”
Nathan Hobbs - Trustpilot – 8th June 2025
💡 Expert advice: "I recommend using Allypin’s advanced search options to quickly find pokies or live games so you don’t waste time scrolling through the huge library. Also, the 35x wagering on bonuses is fairer than many NZ sites, but only slots count 100% towards playthrough, so keep that in mind when playing. "
Hannah Cutajar - 23rd June 2025
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Rocket Riches - Smart cashback & crypto-ready
Pros
✅ $2,000 bonus (2x most NZ sites) + 200 spins on Sweet Bonanza
✅ Huge 6,000+ game library
✅ Instant crypto withdrawals
Cons
❌ No VIP or loyalty program like other top NZ casinos
❌ Customer support lacks live agents
Rocket Riches stands out for its 20 payment options which is 2x most NZ sites, instant withdrawals for cryptocurrencies, and high transaction limits. What’s more, you can try most games in demo mode before depositing, which is a handy way to test volatility or bonus features risk-free.
👩💻 User review: "Lots of new and exciting games fun and different to the norm"
Susie Turner - Trustpilot review – 29th May 2025
💡 Expert advice: “I recommend making the most of Rocket Riches’ cashback of 20% daily with just 10x rollover, which is a rare safety net in NZ. I advise using this to recover losses efficiently and extend your playtime. It’s a practical way to get ongoing value beyond the welcome bonus”
Hannah Cutajar – 2nd July 2025
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Wildz Casino - Big wins, fast payouts, and non-stop rewards
Pros
✅ Low 35x wagering vs. 40x average
✅ Regular cashback up to 20%
✅ Withdrawals in less than 24 hours for some methods
Cons
❌ No mobile app, unlike other NZ top-tier sites
❌ Limited banking options with only 8 providers
Wildz offers a 200% bonus up to NZ$500, lower than the NZ average, but also includes 200 free spins with 35x wagering - an attractive deal for pokies fans who want extended playtime without heavy wagering. While the game library is solid, although smaller than other sites, the real draw for Kiwi players is the frequent cashback offers and quick payouts.
👩💻 User review: "I never had an issue and now I finally won a good amount and am waiting to get paid, until now, I only had losses, but this win is more than I have deposited in total, I am happy now here."
Augustin Higiuta - Trustpilot review – 12th June 2025
💡 Expert advice: “I recommend using Wildz’s Levelz system to earn free spins as you play as it’s a great way to get extra value without additional deposits. However, If you want a crypto payments casino, then look elsewhere, but for solid bonuses and fair terms, Wildz is a smart choice.”
Hannah Cutajar – 2nd July 2025
"When it comes to finding the best online casinos in New Zealand, my team and I focus on what matters most to Kiwi players: fair bonuses, fast withdrawals, and strong reputations. With years in the industry and data from thousands of NZ users, we rate casinos on payout speed, mobile usability, bonus terms, and game variety. Right now, Jackpot City is my top choice. It offers a $1,600 bonus and 200 free spins, double the NZ free spin average. With most withdrawals being processed quickly, it’s been a Kiwi favourite for over 25 years."
Our personalised casino recommendation for you
We'll recommend the perfect casino for you if you answer the four simple questions below:
"Online gambling in New Zealand is set for major reform, with full regulation of online casinos expected by 2026. Until then, it remains fully legal for Kiwis to play at trusted international casinos like the ones featured on this page. These sites are licensed by respected authorities such as the Malta Gaming Authority, offer strong player protections, and meet or often exceed the standards proposed for local operators. Keep reading to learn more about gambling regulation in NZ."
How we rate online casinos in NZ
Our expert team uses a strict 25-step review process to find the best online casinos in NZ. We sign up, deposit, and play to make sure our experience matches what the average Kiwi player can expect. That way, we can confidently recommend sites that only deliver real value. Here are the most important factors we consider when reviewing casinos in NZ:Safety & licensing
To find the best online gambling sites for NZ players, we only prioritise casinos that are fully licensed and independently tested. Since New Zealand has no local regulator, we only recommend offshore casinos approved by strict authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority or UK Gambling Commission.
We also check for full SSL encryption through trusted organisations like CloudFlare Inc, fair terms, data protection policies, and certificates from auditors like eCOGRA. Any site that fails these checks is excluded or flagged as unsafe.
🤔 Editor's tip: Not all licensed casinos are equal. We give extra points to sites that show real transparency, like JackpotCity, which links directly to its eCOGRA test results. Casinos with MGA licences, such as Wildz, also score highly, as this licence is strict, and rarely awarded to NZ sites.
Bonuses
We look beyond offer size to find bonuses that give real value to players at the best online casinos in NZ. That means we check wagering requirements, eligible games, and cash-out rules. The best casinos offer over NZ$1,000 in matched deposits with wagering near 30x, while the local average sits closer to 40x.
Additionally, we check how easy the bonus is to play through. The best NZ casinos let you spend bonus funds on a wide range of games, with pokies usually contributing 100% towards wagering. Lower-rated sites often restrict bonuses to just a few games or add rollover terms above 50x, which makes it much harder to cash out.
🤔 Editor's tip: Bigger doesn’t always mean better. JackpotCity’s $1 deal with 80 free spins is great for casual players who want to test the waters, while AllySpin’s NZ$10,000 bonus suits high rollers. Just keep in mind that low deposit offers often come with high wagering - like JackpotCity’s 200x requirement - so cashing out can be tough unless you get lucky early.
Games & software
The best casinos in New Zealand stand out by offering both variety and quality. We look for libraries with over 3,000 games, covering all the best online casino games like pokies, live dealer tables, scratch cards, and bingo. A diverse lineup ensures there’s something for every type of player.
Additionally, we review the number and calibre of software providers. Sites with 20+ studios including trusted names like Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, Evolution, and Netent always score highest for keeping content fresh and gameplay smooth across all devices.
🤔 Editor's tip: Winmaker leads in size with nearly 18,000 games, but Legiano wins on quality. It features over 100 providers and 2,000+ jackpots, making it one of NZ’s most complete game lineups.
Mobile app experience
We test each casino on mobile to make sure it performs as well as on desktop. That includes checking that 95% or more games are available on mobile casinos, and that key features like live chat, search, and cashier access all work smoothly on smaller screens.
While dedicated downloadable apps on iOS and Android for online casinos are rare in NZ, we still score them higher for offering added convenience. The best mobile casinos load quickly, support landscape mode, and allow smooth play.
🤔 Editor's tip: JackpotCity ranks among the best for mobile. Its app has a 4.2 rating from 2k+ Google Play reviews and 4.7 on the App Store from 4.8k+ users.
Payment methods & cashier policy
We rate NZ casinos higher when they support 15 or more trusted payment methods like POLi, Skrill, Neteller, and instant bank transfers (the average is 8-10). Local options and NZD deposits are essential for avoiding currency fees and delays. Additionally, we favour casinos with low deposit minimums (NZ$1 to $10). These give more flexibility to test a site with lower risk.
The fastest payout casinos clear withdrawals in under 24 hours, which we consider the gold standard. High rollers should also have access to withdrawal limits above NZ$10,000. We check every site's terms to make sure payout times, fees, and mobile cashier tools are clearly explained and easy to use.
🤔 Editor's tip: JackpotCity is a solid pick for NZD and bank transfers, but crypto-friendly sites like 7Bit score higher for speed and flexibility. With NZ$1 deposits, $10 withdrawals, and 15+ crypto and fiat options, it’s one of the smoothest cashier setups we’ve tested.
Customer support
We test every NZ casino’s support before listing it to make sure its help is fast, reliable, and available when Kiwi players need it. Top-rated sites offer at least two contact channels, usually live chat and email, and respond within minutes. We look for 24/7 availability, including weekends, anything less can delay payouts or account fixes.
Extra credit is given for support that’s accessible on mobile, offers helpful agent responses, and includes self-help tools like searchable FAQs or complaint escalation paths.
🤔 Editor's tip: Christchurch Casino leads the way here. Its 24/7 live chat offers speedy responses, and email replies arrived in under 2 hours during our test. While there’s no phone support, response quality easily triumphed over other NZ sites that do offer it.
Ease of use
We prioritise NZ casinos that make it quick and simple to sign up, deposit, and start playing. From creating an account through to claiming the welcome bonus, this process should take under five minutes with no confusing steps or hidden terms.
Our experts also test how easy it is to find and play games. Top-rated sites feature smart filters for game types and providers, clear categories for popular or new titles, and clean layouts that work just as well on mobile as they do on desktop.
🤔 Editor's tip: BC.Game nails the balance of depth and usability. Despite having thousands of games, it scored 4.5 out of 5 in our review thanks to its advanced filters by subcategory, provider, and even game mechanics, which makes it easy to find exactly what you want.
Final rating
View our recommended casinosEvery casino we review receives a final score based on our full 25-step process, covering safety, bonuses, games, mobile, payments, and support. Only the highest-rated sites make our NZ casino top list, and we regularly update these rankings based on policy changes, performance shifts, and player feedback to ensure you always see the best options available.
Casinos to avoid
All casinos we recommend have passed strict safety, fairness, and licensing checks. The sites below failed on key points such as payout delays, unverified licences, predatory terms, or consistent player complaints. They should be avoided by NZ players.
- Why you should avoid
- Unprofessional customer support
- Site operators linked to questionable practices
- Not paid players their winnings
- Why you should avoid
- Reports of players not receiving winnings
- Misleading claims of licensing
- Unresponsive to customer complaints
- Why you should avoid
- 18+ months for withdrawal
- Locked-out accounts
- Slow response times
Play the best free pokies in NZ
Still deciding which NZ casino is right for you? Try over 18,000 free games, more than any real-money site in New Zealand. This includes fan favourites like Sweet Bonanza, Book of Dead, and others from top-rated providers such as Pragmatic Play, Play'n GO and NetEnt. Explore how game features, bonuses, and volatility work with zero financial risk or sign up before you deposit real money with confidence.
Gates of Olympus Super Scatter
Gates of Hades
Buffalo
Cleopatra
We can help you find the right NZ online casino
Not all NZ casinos are equal, but we cover all player options. Our experts review site safety, payout speed, and bonus terms to help you choose with confidence. Whether you want fast cashouts, low deposits or mobile play, we compare the top-rated options trusted by Kiwi players. Keep reading to find out which NZ online casino is ideal for your needs.
What are the most common types of casino bonus?
The top 10 casinos on our site offer at least one type of bonus offer, and usually more than just one. Here are some of the popular bonus types that sweeten the welcome packages at NZ casinos.
- Deposit matches
- These are the standard welcome bonus at online casinos, matching part of your first deposits with bonus cash. The match rate is usually 100%. In NZ, it is common for your first two to four deposits to be eligible for such a bonus.
- Free spins
- Extra free spins on pokies, allowing more opportunities to win. A good free spins bonus comes with at least 10 free spins and fair wagering requirements. The best can be as low as 10x.
- No deposit bonuses
- No deposit bonuses usually take the form of bonus cash or free spins and are gifted by casinos just for signing up.
Games at the best real money casinos
There are tons of options to choose from when you play online casino games. Here, we cover some of the player favourites that most of the best casino operators include in their portfolios.
Online pokies
Online pokiesThe quintessential casino game, online pokies make up the majority of any NZ online casino library. They're simple, fun, and varied. Innovative themes and mechanics often add fresh spins to these casino classics.
Low volatility pokies like Starburst deliver small, frequent wins, while high volatility ones such as Book of Dead give you larger wins, but less often.
Popular games in NZ: Retro Tapes, Book of Dead, 9 Masks Of Fire, 88 Fortunes
Average RTP: 96%
Best casino for pokies: We pick JustCasino as the best for fiat casinos. Apart from the 5,000+ games, including Gates of Olympus and Wolf Gold, we like the user-friendliness it offers, allowing you to sort pokies by game studio, and with the site auto-sorting them into popular categories like 'Bonus buy' or 'Megaways'. In crypto casinos, 7Bit offers a manual sorting system that's on par, if not better.
Progressive jackpots
Progressive jackpotsA popular genre of online pokies packing a juicy twist. Every spin on a progressive pokie adds a fraction of the bet to a shared pool, which any player can win on a super-lucky spin. The biggest jackpots stretch into the tens of millions.
Popular titles: Mega Moolah, Age of the Gods, WOW Pot
Average RTP: 92-94%
Best jackpots casino: LeoVegas. New Zealand's LeoVegas portal offers over 170 progressive jackpot titles, with prize pools near the NZ$40 million mark (at the time of writing). It also hosts some progressive titles exclusive to LeoVegas NZ, like Money Train 3 and Chaos Crew II.
Online blackjack
Online blackjackProbably the most-played casino card game in the world. Players win blackjack by making sure the value of their cards is closer to 21 than the dealer's, without ever going over 21.
Popular titles: Dragon Blackjack, Rapid Multi-Han Blackjack, Classic Blackjack
Average RTP: 99.5%
Best casino for blackjack: Lucky Spins. We like it because it offers over 125 RNG blackjack games in a region where 5-40 is normal, with titles ranging from Blackjack Touch to Rapid Multi-Hand Blackjack. Some casinos have 150+, but our vote still goes to Lucky Spins for its massive 700+ live game library, which adds on hundreds of extra blackjack options.
Online roulette
Online rouletteThe top online casinos should stock a few different roulette variants, including European, American, and French, among others. In roulette, a ball spins on a numbered wheel, and you can make dozens of bets on where the ball will land. Red or black sections, odd or even numbers, and specific numbers are all up for grabs.
Popular titles: Roulette, European Roulette, American Roulette
Average RTP: 94.74-97.30%
Best NZ casino for roulette: Our expert team is split here, so we're giving you two choices. Christchurch casino is small, with about 40 roulette titles and a few more live titles. However, they're all top titles, like Auto Roulette, Lightning Roulette, and the inevitable Immortal Romance Roulette. If you want so play a small number of the best roulette games, go here.
Otherwise, head to Lucky Wins if you're a quantity-over-quality player. You'll get around 250 roulette titles there, though you'll never have heard of a lot of them.
Live casino
Live dealer casinosThe best New Zealand online casinos run live dealer games, where a real human dealer spins the roulette wheels or deals the cards. Most live casinos focus on table games, and our top scoring casinos will have extras like game shows or even live pokies, where a live presenter spins the reels on a machine.
Popular live games: Mega Wheel, Monopoly Live
Average RTP: Depends on the game
Best casino for live games: Depends what you're looking for. If you're a bonus hunter, JackpotCity is a great choice — it doesn't make the mistake of tying its welcome bonus to one slot. Read the terms; five named table games are excluded from the bonus, but none of them are live games at the time of writing.
If you're not a bonus hunter and want to make a home at a live casino, head to Lucky Spins. Apart from the 700+ live game library which includes Speed Roulette and Crazy Time, the loyalty perks and 20% cashback make it a good target for the long run.
Video poker
Cross a pokie machine with a poker game, and you've got video poker. This RNG-based version of the glamorous card game allows Kiwi casino players to test their fortunes against the computer, without having to look at anyone's poker face.
Popular titles: Jacks or Better, 3 Card Brag
Average RTP: 95-99%
Best casino for video poker: Spin casino. Realistically, video poker is a minor game, and there's not much difference in playing it at different casinos. So you might as well go for Spin, and play on the casino with the best mobile app.
My opinion: Stick to the smaller, top-title casinos as a new player, then go wild on the big ones once you're ready for some experimentation and adventure. Yeah, Lucky Wins has 250 roulette titles, but what on earth is 'Live Football French Roulette' anyway? If you're a maniac who wants to play the most random titles, consider graduating to crypto casinos. 9,000+ pokies is more than anyone needs, but I respect your choices.
The biggest casino software companies
Some of the biggest and best NZ online casino sites produce their own games, but that's rare, even for a great site. Even casinos with exclusive titles get most of their games from casino software specialists. They've built their careers around developing top-quality games.
No matter where you play online casino games, you'll find titles from external studios. Get to know some of the best software studios you can find at online casino NZ sites. Any casino that stocks all of them is worth considering.
- Pragmatic Play: One of the most frequently-found providers at any NZ online casino, practically every casino has Pragmatic. Lauded for its extensive portfolio of diverse slot games, with hits like Wolf Gold and Great Rhino.
- Microgaming: A pioneering studio that helped shape online gaming. Notable for progressive slots like the record-setting Mega Moolah, both on and offline. The largest local win we could find was a staggering NZ$13,615,861 at the River Belle on May 8, 2020.
- Big Time Gaming: An Australian developer celebrated for high-volatility pokies with games like Bonanza and Danger High Voltage. Inventors of the Megaways mechanic. They offer a mid-range number of high-quality titles. A large casino like Lukki stocks around 45 of their 70-odd games.
- NetEnt: Hailing from Sweden, NetEnt is acclaimed for its Scandinavian design and innovation, featuring titles like Starburst and Gonzo's Quest. NetEnt has over 200 games, and a large online casino will typically have about 180 in the library.
- Aristocrat: An Australian gaming giant known for its distinctive online pokies. Top titles include Buffalo and Queen of the Nile.
- Playtech: A British gaming software powerhouse renowned for themed slots and a wide range of casino games, including Age of the Gods series.
- Evolution Gaming: This European leader in live casino gaming provides live dealer games. Most NZ casinos stock dozens of their games — the number climbs to around 400 if you count all the blackjack and roulette tables separately.
Deposit and withdrawal methods at online casinos
As a player looking for top NZ casino sites, accessing the proper payment method helps smoothen your gambling experience. It's important to understand that not all options continue to be available for players. POLi for instance, an Aussie based brand, is no longer an option at New Zealand casinos. We are however seeing the rise of cryptocurrencies and mobile first payment options like Apple Pay.
Below are some popular online casino payment options to consider:
Bitcoin casinos
In online gambling, bitcoin is now one of the leading currencies accepted. It offers instant deposits and anonymous transactions. Bitcoin online casinos are also popular due to their high withdrawal limits.
Paysafecard casinos
Paysafecard is always a top option at an online casino in NZ. It is the safest choice for players who want a traditional prepaid option with faster payout times. With Paysafecard casinos, you don't ever expose your bank details to the actual casinos, making it 100% secure.
Skrill casinos
Skrill is highly sought after at casinos because it offers instant and secure payments. Unlike other popular e-wallets like PayPal, Skrill casinos are practically ubiquitous in NZ, almost every NZ casino accepts Skrill.
Visa casinos
Visa casinos are probably the most common in New Zealand. Practically everyone has a credit or debit card registered with the company. Plus, most online casinos list the payment as an option on both deposits and withdrawals making it extremely accessible.
PayPal casinos
PayPal is one of the most sought-after options for casino players in New Zealand. Unfortunately, PayPal casinos aren't a thing here, for regulation reasons. We haven't come across a single casino catering to NZ players that accepts PayPal as an option. Watch out though; we have seen other sites trying to clickbait you into believing they're available in NZ.Did you know? Despite NZ's size, only 25 countries use PayPal more than we do (Statista).Pros & cons of playing at casino sites for real money
New Zealand online casino sites offer tons of options to play for real money; but are they for everyone? Let's run through some of the most common perks and drawbacks, to provide more information for you to make decisions with.
Pros
- Huge range of online casino games to choose from, since availability isn't limited by the casino floor space
- Tons of bonuses available for New Zealand casino players. The large online casino market means there are many sign-up bonuses waiting to be grabbed
- The unparalleled convenience of online means you can play games privately, at your convenience, without queues
- A wide variety of payment options makes depositing and withdrawing convenient for any player
Cons
- The social aspect that you'd get in land based casinos is missing. Even live dealer games can't bring the full experience of the casino floor
- Withdrawals can often take longer than expected, since the process of verifying identity isn't as clear-cut as it is when you're on a casino's premises in person
How to play at NZ online casino sites - beginner’s guide
Getting started at an online casino is straightforward once you understand the basic steps. If you’re a newbie looking for how to begin, you should consider the steps below.
- 1
Pick a suitable NZ Casino and register
Check back to our list of the best NZ casinos, and pick the one that suits you best. Once there, hit the sign-up button and fill your personal details. You'll sometimes be asked to opt-in for the welcome bonus. - 2
Verify your account
Once you finish the registration, most casinos will send a link to your email or a verification code via SMS. Sometimes you'll also need to provide a copy of your ID. - 3
Deposit and claim the welcome bonus
Depending on the bonus type, you'll often need to meet a minimum deposit requirement to be eligible. This can be NZ$10 or $20, but at some sites like Jackpot City, it's as little as NZ$1. Head to the cashier section to make your first casino deposit, then you'll be ready to start playing.
Latest on gambling regulation in New Zealand
Are online casinos safe?
Thousands of online casinos based outside of NZ accept Kiwis. But is it possible to tell the good from the bad, and are they safe? A reputable casino licence is the most important thing to look for to guarantee your safety when gambling online. We only recommend sites licensed and regulated by internationally recognised gambling authorities, such as the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. Casinos with a licence must adhere to strict rules set out by these authorities, including things like game fairness and data protection. This means you are safe and can focus on having fun if you follow our recommendations. Never join a site that isn't licenced; if you're not sure, err on the side of caution.Here are some of the key criteria licenced casinos use to protect players:Fair play and randomness
Licenced casinos offer certified Random Number Generators to affirm that game outcomes are truly random. Top casinos also show proof of regular audits by independent testing agencies such as eCOGRA, and publicly available RTP percentages. RTP stands for Return to Player, and it is a statistic that indicates the average amount of money-per-wager that a player should get back if the game is played over an infinitely long time. For example, a 96% RTP means that the player should win 96c back for every dollar wagered.Security measures
All top regulators require casinos to have solid SSL encryption to protect players' personal and financial data. Two-factor authentication (2FA) should be available to players to help secure their balance.Support and complaint resolution
There should be a transparent complaint handling process and, ideally, the opportunity for players to include a third-party mediator to resolve disputes between casino and player. Third-party mediators are a necessity for certain casino licenses, such as the UKGC's, which runs a list of approved dispute managers.Responsible gambling
Licenced casinos should provide a swathe of responsible gambling tools, including betting and deposit limits, self-exclusion, and reality checks. There should also be a library of links to support services.Player and data protection
Casinos should offer a clear and complete data privacy policy, outlining the collection, storage and usage of player info. Supported payment methods should include secure and reputable options. A thorough KYC process for identity verification should also be available, to prevent fraud and underage gambling. Ideally, a clear procedure for payment disputes and refund requests should be in place, and it should be transparently laid out.
Land-based casinos in NZ
Land-based casinos, also called offline casinos, offer certain thrills and an atmosphere that the online variants can't match, despite all the perks online casinos offer. The popular SkyCity casino reigns supreme.
However, its affiliated SkyCity online casino (launched offshore through the Malta Gaming Authority) still has a long way to go to become the best online casino NZ has to offer.
SkyCity Auckland
- Address: Corner Victoria and, Federal Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010
- Contact: +64 9 363 6000
- Opening hours: 24/7
Similar casinos with online live dealers
SkyCity Queenstown
- Address: Stratton House, Level 2,16-24 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300
- Contact: +64 3 441 0400
- Opening hours: 11:00 - 00:00
Similar casinos with online live dealers
SkyCity Hamilton
- Address: 346 Victoria Street, Hamilton Central, Hamilton 3204
- Contact: +64 7 834 4900
- Opening hours: Weekdays 10:00-04:00, weekends 24 hours
Similar casinos with online live dealers
Christchurch casino
- Address: 30 Victoria Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013
- Contact: +64 3 365 9999
- Opening hours: Weekdays 12:00-00.00, weekends 12:00-02:00
Similar casinos with online live dealers
New Zealand FAQ
What is the best online casino for NZ?
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What is the most trusted online casino?
Semi professional athlete turned online casino enthusiast, Hannah Cutajar is no newcomer to the gaming industry. With over 5 years of experience, she now leads our team of casino experts at Casino.org and is considered the go-to gaming specialist across several markets including the USA, Canada and New Zealand. Her number one goal is to ensure players get the best experience online through world class content.
Ian grew up in Malta, Europe's online gaming hub and home of top casino regulators and auditors such as eCOGRA and the Malta Gaming Authority. After completing his Master's degree in Glasgow, he returned to Malta and started writing about casinos. He's worked on hundreds of casinos across the US, New Zealand, Canada, and Ireland, and is a go-to authority for Casino.org's team.
Sources and references
- 1New Zealand Gambling Commission
- 2Te Tari Taiwhenua — Prohibited Gambling
- 3Statista — PayPal use by country
- 4New Zealand Legislation — Gambling Act 2003
- 5NZ Police — Gambling rules and regulations
- 6New Zealand Gambling Law Guide
- 7The New Zealand Herald — Is New Zealand being left behind on gambling regulation?
- 8Problem Gambling Foundation NZ — Understanding online gambling
- 9Safer Gambling Aotearoa — Online gambling
- 10Malta Gaming Authority — Regulatory Framework
- 11Alderney Gambling Control Commission — eGambling Licensees
- 12eCOGRA — Online casino test & inspection services
- 13EGR Awards — 2023 Casino operator award winners
- 14International Gaming Awards — 2023 winners
- 15Global Gaming Awards — 2024 winners
