New Zealand Online Casinos
Best New Zealand Online Casinos
New Zealand Gambling Laws
Gambling industry in New Zealand is monitored by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) and, for the most part, operated by the public institutions. According to the Gambling Act 2003, remote interactive gambling is prohibited, with only a couple of exceptions – lottery and races. At the same time, online gambling is extremely popular among the locals and the government has announced plans for adjusting the existing laws to the new and inescapable trends.
It was estimated that the New Zealanders collectively spent around $2.4 billion on gambling last year, which was $49M more than the amount wagered in 2017. The largest portion of the total amount (some $895M) went into slot machines or pokies as the locals call them, while around than $350M was spent on sports betting.
The land-based casinos have, on the other hand, recorded a decrease in revenue as New Zealanders are steadily turning to online casinos, operated by remote gaming companies. This prompted the government of New Zealand to shift the focus to the offshore sites, which have not been included in the DIA’s report of annual expenditure on gambling. Internet betting is gradually becoming a force to be reckoned with, and although the rough estimate is lower than one might expect (between $15M and $50M, notwithstanding the sports betting markets), this sector has recorded rapid growth.
The amendments of the Gambling Act were proposed in July 2019, when DIA suggested modification of the existing regulations. Increasing the selection of online gambling products available to Kiwis and licencing international casino operators is among the proposed reforms.
Software Developers Powering New Zealand-Oriented Online Casinos
New Zealand has an extremely competitive gaming development industry; however, the accent is on video rather than casino gaming design and production. Certain developers, such as Audio Game Hub, do offer a limited selection of casino games, but in view of current laws, it is hardly a surprise that the providers listed below are the top-rated casino suppliers for the New Zealand market.
Playtech is one of those companies you heard about even if you have never dabbled in online gambling. They have been on the market since 1999, growing into a large-scale provider with thousands of employees across 20 regulated markets. Their product suite includes RNG casino games, live dealer tables, bingo, poker, etc.
Microgaming is the creator of Mega Moolah progressive slot, one of the most popular progressive slots on the market, especially among Kiwis. The company launched its first casino software in 1994 and introduced the mobile compatible gaming platform in 2004. Apart from slots, Microgaming also develops bingo, casino, land-based, live dealer, poker, and sportsbook products.
Aristocrat is an Australia-based company founded in 1953 and currently licenced in 240 jurisdictions across 90 states. In 2011, Aristocrat formed a partnership with NextGen and focused on conquering the USA markets. The supplier is best known for its Reel Power System, which allows the players to purchase an additional set of reels, thus increasing their winning odds. Walking Dead and 5 Dragons are Aristocrat’s top-rated slots.
NetEnt is a Swedish company with over 1,000 employees across the globe and more than 200 releases under its belt (live tables, branded slots, RNG casino games…). NetEnt software is tested for fairness by eCOGRA, a globally approved testing agency that also provides its services to Microgaming and other acclaimed developers. NetEnt’s most popular slot is Starburst, which was replicated by Play’n GO in the spring of 2019 and released as Starblast. After facing a prospect of litigation, Play’n GO removed Starblast from their offer.
Gaming Innovation Group (GiG) is a public company founded in 2008, as Donkr International. GiG Games studio was launched in November 2017, and a couple of months later, the company opened a new headquarters in Malta. In May 2019, the GiG signed a long-
term supply deal with SkyCity Entertainment Group, Auckland-based gaming company that operates several gambling resorts in Australia and New Zealand, including Sky Tower in Auckland.
According to the deal, GiG will power SkyCityCasino.com, managed by SkyCity Malta (SkyCity Entertainment Group’s subsidiary).
Top Gaming Choices in New Zealand-Oriented Online Casinos
When it comes to online gambling, Kiwis are set in their ways and they will rarely drift away from the traditional casino games (live and RNG) – roulette, blackjack, poker, and baccarat.
Slots – there is a visible increase of interest in video slots in the past few years, especially the ones that offer progressive jackpots. Some of the highest Mega Moolah jackpots were triggered by Kiwi players, the latest being recorded in June 2018, when a player won NZ$8,332,554.01.
Sports Betting – players from New Zealand are avid sports bettors, and some of the most popular markets include Rugby, Basketball, Cricket, Netball, and Soccer.
Popular Payment Methods in Online Casinos for New Zealand Players
Along with Visa and MasterCard, New Zealanders often use online banking services and cryptocurrency wallets to fund their casino cashiers.
Bitcoin has lately become one of the most popular payment alternatives, predominantly dues to the increased level of safety and discretion. As a digital, decentralized currency, Bitcoin can be exchanged between the users without a mediator (as opposed to using online banking services). All Bitcoin transactions are recorded, which prevents safety violations and adds an extra layer of security. New Zealand-friendly online casinos that accept Bitcoin as a payment method often run Bitcoin promotions and include a special welcome offer for those who submit their first deposit using this method.
POLi is a standard internet banking solution, ideal for Kiwi players who do not wish to use payment cards for online casino wagering. POLi functions as a server network that creates a link between the service provider and the consumer’s bank account, enabling safe and fast transactions. The system is supported by all major internet banking sites and New Zealand banks. including Kiwibank, TSB Bank, Bank of New Zealand, and Westpac.
PayPal is one of the easiest ways of funding the casino cashier and can be used for both withdrawals and deposits. The main advantages of this e-wallet are fast processing times, low fees, and wide coverage. The total number of PayPal account holders is estimated at 250 million, and the payments can be sent across 200 locations.
New Zealand Online Casino Bonuses
Welcome bonuses available to the players from New Zealand are often released in the local currency, and the new account holders can claim the bonus cash (often accompanied with free spins) immediately after submitting the first deposit. Some casinos will even extend the offer and award bonus cash on the subsequent deposits as well. There are a lot of online casinos that welcome the new players with no-deposit bonuses, which can be redeemed on sign-up, before funding the casino cashier. It should be mentioned that the no-deposit bonus cash and free spins carry a much higher wagering requirement.
The most common incentives found at New Zealand-friendly online casinos are free spins, which is hardly surprising, considering the popularity of video slots. Free sports bets and risk-free bets can be a part of both the welcome bonus or short-term promotions, whereas cashbacks (partial refund of previously lost bets) and loyalty points are usually redeemed on a regular basis.