Having plenty of choices is nice and all, but it does mean that there are more options to check out and more comparisons to make, which can make the hunt for a casino online in New Zealand into a tedious undertaking. Knowing what you want to get out of an operator is an excellent way to narrow the search. Finding casinos that offer tailored promotions and welcome offers to Kiwis is also a good sign that you may just have found one of the best online casinos in New Zealand!
There’s no need to scroll through and try out countless casinos to understand what makes a good one. Instead, you can find answers to this list of questions we’ve put together. Finding the answers to the questions on our checklist will give you a great indication of whether you’re looking at a kick-ass casino or not.
- What license are they using?
- Can you find an eCOGRA (or similar) certification of fairness?
- Does the casino offer the slots, tables or odds you’re looking for?
- Are you able to play using NZD as a currency?
- Can players from New Zealand use welcome offers, bonuses and promotions?
- Are there easy and secure payment options available?
Of course, if you wanted to do all that work yourself, you wouldn’t be here in the first place! Our gaming experts have already reviewed all of the online casinos in New Zealand and have collected the results in our unique casino reviews. Want to find out more about a casino? Head on over to our reviews to get a complete picture of what’s on offer!
Gambling regulation – Gambling Act 2003
Regulation of gambling in NZ is based on the Gambling Act of 2003, and The Gambling Commission is the regulating body that’s in control of everything from laws to licenses. The Gambling Commission is part of the Department of Internal Affairs, and they’ve set up the current regulation that states that gambling is prohibited unless the operator has a license.
There are currently six licensed land-based casinos in the country. Still, the law clearly states that remote gambling, i.e., gambling using a device from outside casino premises, is completely prohibited. Licensed land-based casino operators all have to donate a portion of their profits to community improvement, which is one of the requirements that keeps gambling from being completely banned in the country.
As mentioned earlier, although local laws restrict players from finding and using local online casinos in New Zealand, this doesn’t restrict players in any way from playing at online casinos that are licensed elsewhere. Operators that are licensed in Europe, especially those with an MGA-license, are hugely popular amongst Kiwis, and there are plenty of these types of casinos to choose from.
Casinos in New Zealand
Of course, if you’re looking for some land-based live gambling, the six licensed brick-and-mortar casinos will allow you to play plenty of table games, in addition to slot machines. The minimum age at these casinos is 20, while sports betting is permitted for those 18 and up. The land-based casinos are evenly spread out across the country, which means that you’re never too far from one.
That said, New Zealand online casinos are the primary focus of this page, and you can just start playing at any casino you wish. Just make sure that the casino you’re interested in has a recognized license, and that they do indeed accept players from NZ. Our casino reviews will give you all the relevant information about each casino to help you find the best online casino in New Zealand.