This guide helps you discover the best online casinos in New Zealand, whether you are new to iGaming or a seasoned player. You will be introduced to a series of online gambling sites available for Kiwi players. You will find the latest bonuses offered, bonus reviews, and full casino reviews created by the Casinoplusbonus team of experts who are experienced players themselves, each of them with 30+ years of gambling online and in land-based venues under their belts.
Be sure to search through all three lists to find the best option for you:
- List 1: Ten options where you can play using NZD on a platform operating under the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) licensing.
- List 2: Ten options where you can play using NZD on a platform operating under the Curacao licensing.
- List 3: Ten options where you can play using NZD on a platform operating under the Curacao licensing.
The bonus and casino reviews for each platform in these lists gives you detailed accounts of what each brand has to offer. It is also important to note that these are not sales pitches. The idea is to give you pros and cons so you have all the important decision-making factors you need.
Highlights
- Up-to-date lists: Our lists rank the best real money and crypto online gambling sites.
- Real Players with Experience: 30+ years of experience gambling at land-based venues playing casino games and sports betting.
- Bonuses: No deposit bonuses, welcome bonuses, free spins bonuses, online pokies and table game tournaments, and VIP programs.
- Deposit and Withdrawals: You will find ow to high-roller deposit and withdrawal options.
- Multiple Online Gambling Verticals: Online pokies, table games in both virtual and live dealer categories, as well as sports betting, eSports, video poker, and lotto/bingo.
- Safety and Trustworthiness: All the online casinos in the lists below operate under licensing authorities that ensure player protection and fair game results.
- The Blacklist: We help Kiwi players avoid unscrupulous online casinos that cheat players by also giving you a list of platforms to avoid.
Helping our readers avoid problem gambling habits: Be aware that gambling can be addictive. If you would like to assess your current gambling habits, please read our guide to gambling addiction. For NZ citizens looking for professional help please visit the Problem Gambling Foundation.
Table of Contents
- MGA Online Casinos New Zealand in 2024!
- Curacao NZ Online Casinos Accepting NZD in 2024!
- Curacao NZ Casinos Accepting Crypto in 2024!
- Casinos with Sports Betting and eSports
- How we rate the best NZ online casinos
- Is online gambling legal in New Zealand?
- Award-Winning NZ online casinos
- Casino Bonuses Explained
- Online Pokies
- Live Casino Table Games and Game Shows
- Progressive Jackpots – A Chance to Win Millions in NZD!
- Virtual Table Games
- Mobile Casinos New Zealand – Smartphones / Tablets
- Online Casino Customer Support
- Responsible Gambling Tools
- Deposit & Withdrawals for NZD and Crypto
- iGaming Licensing that Protects Kiwi Players
- FAQ
- 2 Comments
MGA Online Casinos New Zealand in 2024!
The MGA is considered the safest licensing authority for New Zealand casino players thanks to its excellent framework and reputable player Vs—casino dispute support. Just as a side note, MGA casinos do not accept crypto.
Platform | Casino Bonus | Software Provider | Casinoplusbonus EN Test & Licence | Payments Methods | Let’s go! | ||||||
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Netbet Casino + Sports Betting | 20 Spins no deposit plus welcome bonus 100% up to 500 NZD plus 50 Frespins
*Responsible Gambling Tools Available |
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Energy Casino | 30 FS No deposit plus welcome bonus 1st Deposit 100% up to 100 NZD + 2nd Deposit 50% up to 500 NZD
*Responsible Gambling Tools Available |
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LVBet Casino + Sports Betting | 15 no-deposit free spins on Big Bass Bonanza (Pragmatic Play) plus welcome bonus 100% up to 200 NZD
*Responsible Gambling Tools Available |
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21 Casino | 50 Free Spins no deposit bonus on Narcos (NetEnt) plus welcome bonus 121% up to 300 NZD
*Responsible Gambling Tools Available |
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Wildz Casino | 100% First Deposit Balance Booster up to 500 NZD plus 200 Free Spins + Second Deposit 50% deposit match up to 500 NZD (35x Bonus Only Wagering)
*Responsible Gambling Tools Available |
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Wheelz Casino | 100% First Deposit Balance Booster up to 800 NZD plus 200 Free Spins (35x Bonus Only Wagering)
*Responsible Gambling Tools Available |
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Play Now |
Affiliate Disclosure: If you sign up for the casino via the ‘Play Now’ anchor in any of our lists or via the casino review, Casinoplusbonus earns a commission. This helps us support the site financially. The advantage of signing up to an online casino in NZ through Casinoplusbonus is we offer you full player support. For more info, see our affiliate disclosure page.
Curacao NZ Online Casinos Accepting NZD in 2024!
The list of Kiwi online casinos gives you platforms that accept New Zealand Dollars (NZD/NZ$) as payments. Many of these online gambling sites also accept crypto. For cryptocurrency players, you can combine this list with casinos in the Top 10 Curacao NZ Casinos Accepting Crypto in 2024!
Platform | Casino Bonus | Casinoplusbonus EN Test & Licence | Payments Methods | Let’s go! | ||||||
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BoaBoa |
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Vulkan Vegas |
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Nine Casino & Sports |
*Responsible Gambling Tools Available |
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Stelario |
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Jet Casino & Sports |
*Responsible Gambling Tools Available |
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Winstoria |
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Zet Casino & Sports |
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Sol Casino & Sports |
*Responsible Gambling Tools Available |
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iWild |
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Curacao NZ Casinos Accepting Crypto in 2024!
These casino online sites may not all accept New Zealand Dollars (NZD/NZ$) as a payment method. However, they are recommended casinos for cryptocurrency casino players. See each casino’s review for more information as to why we have selected these platforms as the top 10 Curacao crypto casinos. You can also find out more about cryptocurrency casino on our Bitcoin casinos guide webpage.
Real-Money Casino | Casino Bonus | Casino Test / License | Payments | Let’s go! | ||||||
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7Signs | 30 Free Spins No Deposit (Golden Glyph) Bonus Code: PLUS30 plus 100% up to 1,500 NZD (Choose from multiple welcome bonus offers on NZD or crypto) |
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Slottica | €/$ 10 No Deposit Bonus plus 200% up to NZ$ 200 plus 40 Spins |
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Slothunter | 20 Freespins No Deposit Bonus plus 150 % up to NZ$ 300 plus 150 Freespins *Responsible Gambling Tools Available |
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Fresh | 50 Freespins No Deposit plus 100% up to NZ$ 1,500 plus 500 Spins. Bonus Code: CASINOPLUS *Responsible Gambling Tools Available |
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Stake.com |
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Malina Casino | 100% up to 100% up to NZ$ 1,500 plus 200 Spins |
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Casinos with Sports Betting and eSports
GG.bet won the SiGMA Europe 2023 (B2C Award) for the Best eSports Operator.
Real-Money Casino | Casino Bonus | Casino Games | Casino Test / License | Payments | Let’s go! | ||||||||||
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GGbet Casino | 50 Free Spins bonus no deposit (3x Wagering) plus 100% up to NZ$ 500 (40x Bonus) plus 175 FS on Book of Dead by Play’n GO (30x FS Wagering) |
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Play Now |
Why combine casino games and sports on NZ casino sites?
- You do not need to create multiple accounts on multiple platforms.
- You can use the same payment methods and balance to place bets on casino games or sports.
- The best NZ casino sites with sportsbooks combined will offer casino and sports bonus deals giving your more promotional options.
- You can still use the same payment methods.
Sports and eSports online gaming betting markets
- In-play betting with live sports streams.
- Football (soccer), rugby, cricket, tennis, basketball, boxing, NHL, NFL, and many more.
- eSports such as Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO), Dota 2, League of Legends (LoL), Overwatch, Fortnite, PlayerUnknown’s Battlegrounds (PUBG), Valorant, Rocket League, StarCraft II, Hearthstone, and FIFA pro competitions.
eSports and Sports Book Bonuses: If you play online casino games and bet on sports and/or eSports, you’ll have the options to claim a variety of bonus offers for all these online gambling verticals.
Recommended NZ Casino & Sportsbooks Platforms
Casino & Sports | Licensing Authority |
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LeoVegas Casino & Sports | MGA |
Netbet Casino & Sports | MGA |
LVBet Casino & Sports | MGA |
Dozen Spins Casino & Sports | Curacao |
Jet Casino & Sports | Curacao |
Zet Casino & Sports | Curacao |
Sol Casino & Sports | Curacao |
Blacklisted NZ Casinos
Due to player feedback and personal experiences from the team here at Casinoplusbonus, we have blacklisted several casinos.
- Do you have a complaint about an online casino?
- Feel free to leave a comment below or message us if you have a casino you think should be added to the blacklist.
Blacklist | Reason |
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Blue Lions | Χ – Unfair terms & conditions |
Play7777 | Χ – Owned by the same operators as Blue Lions |
Blacklist | Reason |
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Flipper Flip | Χ – Poor customer service, slow cashouts |
Mr Ringo | Χ – Malta license suspended |
How we rate the best NZ online casinos
There are thousands of gambling platforms with MGA or Curacao licensing. We conduct extensive research using the methodology outlined below to separate the top NZ online casinos from the rest. For more in-depth information, visit our Casinoplusbonus ‘How We Review and Rate Online Casinos‘.
Criteria | Description |
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Licensing and Safety | Must have Curacao or MGA licensing and use HTTPS. A visible privacy policy is required. |
Fair Game Results | Games must be tested by a reputable RNG algorithm testing company under MGA or Curacao licenses. |
Transparent T&Cs | Terms and conditions must be clear and concise. |
Excellent Casino Games Selection | A diverse range of games from top software providers is essential. |
User-Friendly Platforms | Must offer sleek, easy-to-navigate mobile and desktop platforms with fast registration. |
Customer Support | 24/7 live chat, how-to-play guides, FAQs, and self-help links are crucial. |
Payment Methods | The platform should cater to NZD and offer a range of payment methods suitable for Kiwi players, including cryptocurrencies. |
Responsible Gambling | Must provide responsible gambling tools and access to help with problem gambling. |
Fast Deposits and Withdrawals | Should offer instant deposits and fast withdrawals with fair conditions. |
Casino Bonus Offers | Detailed coverage of bonuses with low wagering requirements and clear terms for free spins and promotions. |
High Rollers: Look out for the payments area and the pros and cons areas in our casino reviews. Here, you will find whether the platform offers high withdrawal limits for high rollers. Some casinos like LeoVegas NZ have no limits on the amount you can withdraw.
Is online gambling legal in New Zealand?
The Department of Affairs has a webpage dedicated to this subject, and it clearly states:
- Remote Gambling Laws: The prohibition on remote gambling in New Zealand does not prohibit players from gambling at overseas online casinos.
- Domestic Online Casinos: There is no domestic online gambling licensing in place right now. Hence, all platforms offering casinos online are overseas.
- Sports Books: A legal framework exists for sports books to operate under domestic licensing, however, you can still choose whether to play at online sportsbooks under New Zealand’s licensing laws or on sportsbooks offered by overseas entities.
Award-Winning NZ online casinos
Industry awards are a great way to see how judges with years of experience in the gambling industry rate casino online sites. LeoVegas is one of the most decorated online casino brands on the list.
Stake.com, a crypto casino has also made the cut, while there is also the SOFTSWISS platform. Many of the online casino platforms in our top 10 lists use the SOFTSWISS casino and sports platform.
SOFTSWISS casinos online: Jet Casino, Gslot Casino, Slothunter Casino, and Stakes Casino are amongst the online gambling sites mentioned in our top 10 NZ casino lists above.
Casino | Award |
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LeoVegas NZ | EGR Operators – Operator of the Year (2023) |
LeoVegas NZ | EGR Operators – Casino Operator of the Year (2023) |
Stake.com | EGR Operators – Crypto Operator of the Year (2022) |
LeoVegas NZ | IGA – Mobile Operator of the Year (2023) |
LeoVegas NZ | GGA (G2E) – Casino of the Year (2022 & 2023) |
Rootz (Wildz & Wheelz Casinos) |
IGA – Mobile Operator of the Year (2024) |
SOFTSWISS | IGA – Crypto Company of the Year (2023 & 2024) |
Casino Bonuses Explained
- Bonus Wagering Requirements: Our reviews will let you know exactly what you have to do to wager your bonuses. We reveal the wagering requirements and whether these apply to the ‘Bonus Only’ or the ‘Deposit + Bonus’. Ideally, you want low wagering requirements on just the bonus. As a 30x wagering requirement that applies to ‘Bonus + Deposit’ is essentially 60x.
- Expiration Dates: How long you have to complete wagering requirements is also important. It is nigh on impossible to complete the above 60x wagering requirements within 7 days. We tell you exactly how long you have to wager your bonuses whether it is 7, 14, or 30-days. A good bonus is one that offers reasonable wagering requirements and gives you plenty of time to complete them!
- Betting Limits: Most online casinos apply a max bet limit you should adhere to when wagering bonuses. Generally, this is around a reasonable 5 NZD per bet/spin, but on other occasions, it could be as high as 15 NZD or even 30 NZD!
- Eligible Casino Games: Online casinos will also list which games you can use to wager your bonuses. Slots will always contribute 100% towards wagering requirements, but there may be a list of certain slots that are prohibited. Table games, video poker, scratchcards, bingo, and live casino titles will usually contribute a smaller percentage such as 10% or 20% towards wagering requirements. Sometimes, they will not contribute at all!
Bonuses Available to Players in New Zealand
- No Deposit Bonus
- Welcome Bonus
- Match Deposit Bonuses
- Reload Bonus
- Free Spins Bonus
- Cashback Bonus
- Tournaments
- Drop & Wins
- VIP Loyalty Rewards
Once you consider the above aspects of a New Zealand casino bonus, you can form an opinion on whether it is worthwhile. For example, if the bonus requires you to wager the bonus and deposit 40x (so actually 80x), a max bet of 4 NZD, and just a week to complete the wagering, it is pointless claiming as you will waste your time trying to complete impossible requirements.
Online Pokies
Slots still rule the roost in New Zealand in terms of popularity. In fact, they continue to be the most popular online casino games vertical in the world. This would explain why there are tens of thousands of slot games – and you can access over 10,000 of them in New Zealand! These come courtesy of some of the biggest iGaming brands in the world such as NetEnt, Playtech, Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, Big Time Gaming, Red Tiger, Yggdrasil, and Betsoft. With so many titles to choose from, you can expect hundreds of themes, a plethora of unique bonus features, and some amazing graphics and animations!
Pay Line Slots
The most common type of video slot you will encounter at the online casinos in New Zealand is your standard pay line video slots. These will have reel formats containing 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 25, 30, 40, or 50 pay lines. This type of slot is popular as it offers simplistic and easy-to-understand gameplay. Most of the time you can customise how many paylines you want to wager on, the coin value to wager on each, and how many coins you want to wager on each pay line. Alternatively, some slots will have fixed pay lines, so that you just decide how much you want to bet per spin. This type of slot usually contains exciting features including free spins, wild symbols, multipliers, scatter symbols, and mini-games!
We Recommend Trying:
- Book of Dead
- Starburst
- Gonzo’s Quest
- Immortal Romance
- Thunderkick II
Megaways Slots
If you’ve played at the online casinos in New Zealand over the past couple of years, you will have noticed an influx of Megaways slots. Megaways is a hugely popular random reel modifier reel mechanic that could offer over 100,000 ways to win. Each spin will produce a random number of symbols on each reel. Usually, this is between 2 and 7 symbols but this depends on the particular title you’re playing. This means that each spin will provide a different number of pay lines! This mechanic was developed by Big Time Gaming, but due to its immense popularity, the firm leases it out to other brands for use in new titles. Now, all major developers are starting to use the mechanic in their new releases.
We Recommend Trying:
- Dog House Megaways
- Gonzo’s Quest Megaways
- Immortal Romance Megaways
- Great Rhino Megaways
- Bonanza Megaways
Ways to Win Slots
Developed by Microgaming, the Ways-to-Win mechanic does away with the classic payline mechanic. While the mathematics behind this mechanic is complicated to explain, it provides more ways to win than traditional slot games. Some slots offer 243 ways-to-win, while others provide as many as 1024 ways-to-win. Rather than collecting matching symbols across paylines, this mechanic works by allowing you to create winning combinations as long as you have matching symbols in any position on consecutive reels starting left-to-right.
We Recommend Trying:
- Game of Thrones
- Jurassic Park
- Asgard Warriors
- Immortal Romance
- Narcos
Cluster Pays Slots
Another slot mechanic that has proved popular over the years is cluster pays. Instead of relying on paylines to create wins, this mechanic uses clusters instead. These slots usually play out a bit like popular mobile puzzle games such as Candy Crush. You create wins by landing at least 3 or 4 symbols in clusters on a grid. Some clusters could be as large as 16 or more symbols! This mechanism is usually backed up by avalanching symbols which work by removing winning symbols so others can drop into place. This leads to sequential payouts from a single spin!
We Recommend Trying:
- Astro Legends
- Honey Rush
- Sweet Bonanza
- Reactoonz
- Aloha Cluster Pays
Live Casino Table Games and Game Shows
In New Zealand, you are fortunate to have access to more online casinos than players in many other countries. Even players in the UK, a region where online gambling is fully legal and strictly regulated, do not have the choice that you do! This is because you have access to offshore casinos licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and the Government of Curacao. You also have access to a wide variety of live casino developers for the same reasons. In fact, you can play popular titles from at least 15 different live dealer manufacturers!
Live Dealer Table Card Games
Most New Zealand online casinos will offer up a diverse selection of live card games including Blackjack, Baccarat, Andar Bahar, Dragon Tiger, Teen Patti, and various poker-style games including Caribbean Stud Poker, Casino Hold’em, Pai Gow, and Three Card Poker. Blackjack reigns supreme in this genre and you will find low, medium, and high stakes tables offering either standard blackjack rules, or unique side bets that will add to the fun. Top blackjack titles right now are ONE Blackjack (Pragmatic Play) which offers unlimited seats, and Power Blackjack (Evolution), which allows you to double, triple, or quadruple down, and has no 9’s and 10’s in the shoe.
We Recommend Trying:
- No Commission Baccarat
- Free Bet Blackjack
- Casino Hold’em
- One Blackjack
- Speed Baccarat
Live Game Shows
The fastest-growing live casino genre is live gameshows. These offer a blend of television game shows and casino betting. Often wheel of fortune or bingo-style games, you can wager small amounts with the potential of walking away with handsome payouts! These games also provide an excellent social aspect, as you can cheer along with other players, and even the live host using the community chat rooms! Evolution leads the way in this genre and currently offers some of the most popular titles such as Crazy Time and Monopoly Live. Playtech also offers the superb Adventures Beyond Wonderland. If you are yet to try out live game shows, we strongly recommend that you do!
We Recommend Trying:
- Crazy Time
- Monopoly Live
- Deal or No Deal
- Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt
- Adventures Beyond Wonderland
Live Roulette
Probably the most played traditional casino game at live casinos is roulette. Therefore, you will find a plethora of roulette titles and tables at most online casinos that carry live games. As well as the European, French, and American versions of this classic game, you will find titles that offer up some interesting twists. For example, Double Ball Roulette uses two balls and delivers two winning numbers. Essentially you have double the chance to come away a winner!
We Recommend Trying:
- Age of the Gods Live Roulette
- Mega Roulette
- Lighting Roulette
- Double Ball Roulette
- Immersive Roulette
Live Dice Games, Live Bingo & Novelty Games
Aside from the types of games already mentioned, there is a ton of other live titles to help get your juices flowing. For instance, you can enjoy dice games such as Craps and Sic Bo which always prove popular at online casinos. Plus, you can play live bingo-style games such as Live Bingo (Vivo Gaming) and Lucky 7 (Betgames.TV). Each game is delivered using a personable and chatty live host and all results are determined without the need for an RNG!
We Recommend Trying:
- Craps
- Live Bingo
- Mega Ball
- Lucky 5
- Dice
Live Casino Brands To Look Out For: Evolution and Playtech are by far the most popular live dealer software platforms with the largest collection of games. Other popular brands available in New Zealand online casinos are Ezugi, Pragmatic Play, Playtech, BetGames.TV, Lucky Streak, BetConstruct, Vivo Gaming, TVBet, Hollywood TV, Super Spade Gaming, Absolute Live Gaming, Quick Gaming, Authentic Gaming, and Microgaming.
Progressive Jackpots – A Chance to Win Millions in NZD!
We know New Zealand players love playing on progressive jackpot slots! A quick look over at Microgaming will show you that New Zealand players have won over a combined NZ$48 million from the Mega Moolah progressive network alone! Plus, in 2020, three lucky New Zealanders won the Mega Moolah jackpot, which is over a third of all Mega jackpot wins recorded that year!
A progressive jackpot is a shared jackpot that grows as players around the world contribute to it via playing casino games. A small percentage of each wager goes into the jackpot, building it up until one lucky winner manages to scoop the lot. Below, you will learn about the three most popular progressive networks, but you will also find several smaller networks offered by the likes of Betsoft, Yggdrasil, Pragmatic Play, and iSoftbet.
- Microgaming Progressive Jackpot Network (MPJN): Microgaming, one of the pioneers of online casino games, is renowned for producing fantastic progressive jackpot slots. The firm has paid out over €1.3 billion in jackpots since 1998 when it launched Cash Splash, its first progressive slot. Aside from the infamous Mega Moolah collection of progressive slots, the company also offers the WowPot progressive network which offers a WowPot jackpot seed of $2 million! You just have to follow our daily news to see that this network produces some big WowPot winners regularly.
- Playtech Progressive Jackpot Network (PPJN): Another huge iGaming firm, Playtech also offers a progressive network that continues to prove popular with slots players. The Age of the Gods jackpot network, in particular, is one that always attracts punters to the online casinos. This series includes several titles such as God of Storms, Rulers of the Seas, and Apollo Power. The firm has also brought this network into the live casino genre via Age of the Gods Roulette!
- NetEnt Progressive Jackpot Network (NPJN): NetEnt has been around almost as long as Microgaming and the firm is another that has created a good selection of progressive jackpot slots. Mega Fortune and Hall of Gods are among their most popular titles, with both being responsible for some huge payouts in the past. The largest was a €17,860,868 Mega Fortune jackpot win back in 2013!
Popular Progressive Jackpot Games in New Zealand
- Mega Moolah
- Age of the Gods Live Roulette
- Wheel of Wishes: WowPot
- Mega Fortune
- Absolootly Mad Mega Moolah
- Ozwin’s Jackpot
- Hall of Gods
- Major Millions
- African Legends: WowPot
- Immortal Romance: Mega Moolah
Finding Progressive Jackpot Slots: Knowing which online casinos features some of the progressive jackpot networks above, is simple. We make all of this clear in each of our online casino reviews. We set aside a topic just for this type of video slot – just so that you can quickly learn which casinos will provide you with a chance at winning millions!
Virtual Table Games
Although not as popular as it used to be, the virtual casino games vertical is another that will provide a ton of fun at the best New Zealand casinos. Backed by a random number generator, these games are digital versions of popular table games such as roulette, blackjack, baccarat, poker, craps, sic bo, and Andar Bahar amongst many others. The great thing about these titles is that you can bet for as low as 0.01 NZD on many games, something not possible at live casino tables or at your local brick and mortar casino. Furthermore, as well as standard variations of traditional casino games, you will find several unique variations which add something a bit different. Alongside table games, many online casinos will also have video poker titles, bingo games, scratchcards, and other virtual games. Read our reviews to establish to types of virtual games each online casino has.
Finding RNG table games: As with every other casino games vertical, we dedicate a section in our online casino reviews to table games. We will inform you of what titles you can expect to find, the developers who made them, and where they are located at the online casino.
Mobile Casinos New Zealand – Smartphones / Tablets
Ten years ago, this was not the case, but nowadays, playing at online casinos using mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones is simple! Today, more people play at online casinos using their mobile devices than those that sit and play on desktop or laptop computers. What this means is that online casinos and iGaming development companies have had to ensure their products work seamlessly on all devices. To be fair, for the most part, they have! The best online casinos are mobile responsive, offer a mobile app, or both.
While mobile apps were the original solution for those that want to play on their phones or tablets, new technology is making apps obsolete. HTML5 is used to create websites and applications such as games, which makes them mobile responsive. This allows players to access the casinos and play games via a web browser. The technology detects the specifications and screen size of the device before configuring it to display in a perfect fit.
Your Mobile Casino Options
- Play from any operating system via HTML5 web browsers
- Access casino games via iOS, Android, Windows Mobile, and Blackberry
- Some casinos offer iOS and Android apps
- Over 5000 mobile video slots available
- Hundreds of live casino games to choose from
If you do prefer using mobile apps to play the best online casinos, you will find some that still offer them. However, many new online casinos do not bother with the expense of creating apps for both iOS and Android when a mobile responsive website enables all players on all devices to enjoy a top-quality casino experience!
Online Casino Customer Support
While lucrative looking welcome bonuses and a casino games collection totalling thousands is what attracts most players to an online casino, aspects such as customer support are more important in our eyes. You might have a ton of fun at an online casino, but that fun quickly evaporates when an issue arises and you get poor, or no customer support at the casino.
When performing our casino reviews, one of the first things our team looks at is the standard of customer support available. We want to know if an online casino offers support via numerous channels that are open 24/7, is friendly and responsive, and above all, eager to resolve our issues. Sometimes we encounter superb levels of customer support, while other times it amazes us just how poor it can be.
When considering a New Zealand online casino, always take the time to check the quality of customer support. Use this checklist to do so:
- When is Support Available? Ideally, you want an online casino that offers 24/7 support. Don’t forget that these casinos are offshore and thus in different time zones to you in New Zealand. A support team available during business hours in Europe is not ideal for you. If a casino does claim to have 24/7 support, test this out with a common query. You can tell if it is a genuine agent or some chatbot software spouting out scripts.
- What Support Channels are Provided? Most online casinos will give you an email address to reach support, but ideally, you want more. You want a live chat feature that puts you in quick contact with a human support agent. Even better, an international phone number is ideal.
- How Responsive is the Support Team? Responsiveness is also important. If an online casino leaves you up to an hour for a live chat response or many days for an email response, this is not good. The quicker the response, the better here. Again, test this out!
- How Effective is the Support? A casino could offer supremely responsive support via every channel imaginable, but if it is of a poor standard, it is worthless. Does the support agent seem friendly and helpful? Are they trying to solve your issue or presenting you with pre-written scripts?
In the casino reviews found in the lists above, you will find a rating for customer support and a section covering how well the platform’s customer servives perform.
Responsible Gambling Tools
We have an extensive guide to responsible gambling tools here, and we recommend finding platforms that offer this software under your profile. You will find the guide offer information such as why all online gambling sites operating under the MGA licensing must provide responsible gambling tools. However, operators using the Curacao licensing authority are not obliged to implement these tools. With that being said, some platforms still offer responsible gambling tools regardless. For example, all casino operating on the SOFTSWISS platform and all sites operating under GALATIKA N.V. all come with responsible gambling tools.
You can also check out lists above. If any of the brands offer tools to help you gamble responsibly, we’ve added it to the bonus section with a ‘*’. It will show up as *Responsible gambling tools available.
Some of the safer gambling measures you will find at online casinos includes:
- Deposit/Betting/Loss Limits: These features allow you to put limits on how much you deposit, bet, and lose. Once you reach these limits, you cannot do anymore. Removing the limits also takes at least 24 hours so that you cannot chase your losses even if you want to.
- Reality Check: This tool is designed to prevent you from gambling for long sessions. A notification pops up informing you of how long you have been playing for. You can set the time intervals for each notification but by default, this is usually every 15 minutes.
- Self-Exclusion: If you really want to take a break from gambling or have realised you have a problem, you can self-exclude yourself. You can suspend your account for a few hours, a few days, weeks, months, a year, or even permanently. This is irreversible too!
You should gamble for fun only and not for an income. Only use money you can afford to lose and not money required to pay bills, rent, or food costs. We recommend that any New Zealand player that is experiencing gambling problems/addiction should visit the Mental health and Addiction article from the New Zealand government website.
Deposit & Withdrawals for NZD and Crypto
The majority of online casinos in New Zealand offer a diverse selection of payment methods you can use to deposit and withdraw your NZD. To understand the most popular methods to transact with online casinos, we recommend you check out our dedicated payments page. Using your New Zealand Dollars, you can get funds in and out of online casinos using popular Ewallets such as PayPal, Skrill, ecoPayz, and Neteller, or use cryptocurrencies, direct banking methods, and prepaid vouchers. Some casinos will even accept cheques, but this is the least convenient method.
- Currencies: We list a ton of online casinos that accept NZD, and even in the case a casino doesn’t, you can still play using another major currency such as USD or EUR. Another option available to you is to use cryptocurrencies – a method usually found at Curacao eGaming licensed online casinos.
- Depositing: Using the payment methods available at the online casinos, your deposits should be free and instant. Just be aware of any minimum deposit limits. Usually, you will have to deposit a minimum of 10 NZD but sometimes, it may be more.
- Withdrawing: Almost all online casinos will have to authorise a withdrawal when you make a request. The time period a casino takes to do this is referred to as ‘pending time’. During this time, casinos will perform anti-laundering checks as set out by the licensing authorities. The best online casinos do these checks quickly while others may take up to 3 business days.
- Withdrawal Limits: A key aspect to look out for in the terms and conditions of an online casino is any withdrawal limits. Ideally, you want your casino to offer fairly high limits. Many will set daily, weekly, and monthly withdrawal limits such as 2,000 NZD per day, 5,000 NZD per week, and 20,000 NZD per month.
- Jackpot Payouts: The only time withdrawal limits should not count is when a large progressive jackpot has been won. The jackpot is payable by the progressive network provider and therefore, you should get this paid in a lump sum.
Tip: When depositing, be aware that some online casinos will insist on payment methods you used for your withdrawals. This may not be an issue for many, but if you used a bank transfer to deposit, when you withdraw, you cannot request an alternate method for your transaction.
New Zealand Casino Payment/Withdrawal Options
- Bank Transfers: POLi, Instant Banking
- Credit/Debit cards: Visa, Mastercard, Maestro etc
- Ewallets:PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and ecoPayz
- Prepaid Vouchers: Paysafecard and Ukash
- Cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Doge, and more
iGaming Licensing that Protects Kiwi Players
Most of the reputable online casinos that accept New Zealand players will have MGA or Curacao licensing while some will offer both. The MGA operates out of Malta and regulates EU-based online casinos and Curacao is a Caribbean country that issues iGaming licenses that allow members to accept players from many countries around the world. As long as you’re over the age of 18 and the online casino does not list New Zealand as a restricted country, you’re free to sign up and play at any casino under these licenses.
Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)
For New Zealand casino players, MGA casinos offer the safest environment. There might be fewer games compared to Curacao casinos, but this is because it is more difficult for iGaming developers to obtain an MGA license. Gaining a Curacao license is simple and requires little more than paying the money. Aside from this, MGA casinos offer much better protection for New Zealand players. Any non-EU citizen is still protected under EU laws if they do business with an EU business entity. As the MGA regulates European-based casinos, New Zealanders playing at these casinos are protected under consumer rights and privacy laws. Anyone that has a dispute with an MGA casino can inform the regulator, file a complaint, and avail mediation if the MGA feels you have a case. This regulator will protect players, fine casinos, and potentially revoke licenses if online casinos under their jurisdiction breach rules and regulations.
Government of Curacao
For upcoming online casinos and iGaming developers, Curacao licensing is a popular option. It gives them access to a wide range of markets, including the New Zealand market. The Government of Curacao offers local companies Master eGaming Licenses and those companies can issue as many sub-licenses to offshore casinos as they like. For a company to gain one of those sub-licenses, the wonders have to undergo diligence checks and submit an RNG certificate from an independent third-party testing company such as iTech Labs. While there are some fantastic online casinos that have a Curacao license, there are plenty of less than trustworthy casinos as well. In fact, you will find some on our blacklist. This licensing authority does not offer as much player protection either – although the Government of Curacao keeps promising to improve in this area. That said, you will find some great Curacao licensed casinos on our recommended list.
Other Certifications to Look Out For
New Zealand players will also find online casinos with other licenses that they can play at. This includes licenses from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, Alderney, and Gibraltar. These are smaller regulatory authorities and while you may find some good online casinos, we still recommend going with MGA casinos primarily, or perhaps some of the better Curacao online casinos.
Aside from licensing, there are other certifications that can tell you a lot about an online casino. An eCOGRA seal of approval in the footer of a casino page is always a good sign. This means the industry body has calculated the payout percentages on the games at the casino and produced a report. Additionally, to gain licensing in the first place, online casinos must submit all game RNGs for testing at independent testing companies such as TST (Technical Systems Testing) and iTech Labs. Some online casinos display the testing company’s logo in the footer as a badge of honour.
Reputable online casinos with valid licensing also have to promote responsible gambling, so you might see logos of safer gambling organisations such as GamCare, GambleAware, and GamStop too!
In each of our casino reviews, we make all the above clear. One of the first things we do is delve into the licensing, the history and reputation of the owning company, and the other certifications the online casino holds. You can get a good feeling about whether an online casino is safe, trustworthy, and well regulated by looking at these aspects first.
FAQ
Is Online Gambling Legal in New Zealand?
Yes, you can gamble at online casinos as long as they are based overseas. Gambling in New Zealand is illegal, but gambling at offshore online casinos, sportsbooks and other betting entities is not. They make this clear on the Department of Internal Affairs website. You can gamble freely at any online casino as long as it is not based in New Zealand. While this is splendid news, we recommend you choose your online casino carefully. Go for one that is licensed from the MGA, the Government of Curacao, or another reputable licensing authority.
What Online Casino Games are Available to New Zealanders?
You name it, and you can play it. As a New Zealand casino player, you can enjoy all types of casino games. In fact, depending on the license the casino has, you can enjoy upwards of 2,000 titles including video slots, progressive jackpot slots, scratchcards, bingo, video poker, virtual table games, poker, and live casino tables. These come courtesy of leading developers including NetEnt, Evolution, Microgaming, Play’n GO, Pragmatic Play, Playtech, Big Time Gaming, and more.
Can I Deposit and Keep a Balance in New Zealand Dollars?
Absolutely. Many online casinos accept the NZD currency alongside many others. You will also find a plethora of payment options you can use to deposit your New Zealand Dollars. It depends casino to casino whether your account balance is held and operated using NZD, but in the event it isn’t, your NZD will convert to another major currency such as USD or EUR. Do not get put off if you visit an online casino and it displays the welcome bonus in another currency, this does not necessarily mean it does not accept NZD.
Am I Eligible to Claim Casino Bonuses and Promotions?
For sure! Players in New Zealand have access to all the best bonuses, promotions, and loyalty programs that online casinos offer. When you first sign up to an online casino, you will normally have the option of claiming a welcome bonus. Some will even give you a no deposit bonus just for registering. Other bonuses include free spins, cashback deals, match deposit bonuses, and more. Just make sure you read the terms and conditions for all bonuses before you claim them. Some may apply to certain casino games only, while you will want to know the wagering requirements for any bonus cash you receive. Plus, you may have a certain length of time to complete wagering and might notice conditions such as max bet limits.
Is it Safe to Play at Online Casinos in New Zealand?
Legally, New Zealand players can play at any offshore online casino that accepts them. The trouble is, while a lot of casinos will accept you, not all of them are reputable. Many operate without a license and therefore answer to nobody. There is nothing stopping them from ripping you off. For that reason, it is important you read our casino reviews and only use the online casinos we recommend. We test online casinos extensively to ensure they have valid licensing, clear and fair terms and conditions, a strong reputation, and effective security features. Essentially, we do the work so that you do not have to. It is a minefield out there, and we show you the safest route through to the best online casinos in New Zealand.
Do I Get Support or Protection If I Have a Dispute With a New Zealand Online Casino?
Yes, depending on the license the casino has, you will have varying levels of protection. Online casinos licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority offer the best support. Even as a non-EU citizen, doing any business with an EU entity entitles you to protection under EU law. By contacting the MGA, you will receive complaints and mediation services, if the authority deems your case warrants it. The Government of Curacao does not offer the same high standards but is putting in place improved player protection services soon. That said, some Curacao online casinos offer exceptional customer support, particularly those built on casino aggregation platforms such as SoftSwiss.
Paulina Onur
February 1, 2022 at 4:25 pmHello
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Hi Paulina. Thank you so much for your comments. We are pleased to hear this. We always do our best to create high quality and accurate content.