Best Online Gambling Sites NZ

Gambling in New Zealand – A Comprehensive Overview!

More than $2 billion is spend on gambling in New Zealand every year. This is despite the fact that the country has some of the strictest casino and sports betting laws in Europe. Following is a comprehensive overview of the gambling scene in NZ.

Is Gambling Legal in New Zealand?

New Zealand has a history of suppressing all forms of gambling. To this end, wagering of any form in the country is highly regulated and generally prohibited.

Gambling in NZ is regulated under the Gambling Act of 2003. Under this act, wagering of any form is illegal except an application is submitted to the relevant authorities and permission granted. Allowed gambling activities have to be licensed under the Gambling Act of 2003. They are also required to comply with all the rules and regulations spelled out under the Act.

Betting is not totally unheard, despite the tough laws. The government occasionally grants temporary permits for community betting activities. To this end, most of the wagering activities in the country are conducted and regulated by government gambling agencies. Private gambling is also acceptable under law, but it should also comply with the strict guidelines defining the practice.

It is worth noting that, despite the strict regulations regarding betting in New Zealand, many Kiwis still gamble online. This is thanks to a loophole in the law’s regulation of online sports betting and other forms of online gambling. 

A Lucky Exception for Online Casinos

Online gambling is perfectly legal in New Zealand, but gamblers should know how to circumvent the loopholes in the law. Online gambling in NZ is prohibited under the Gambling Act of 2003, but this law does not apply to online platforms located outside the country. This means that Kiwis can register with any foreign casino and bet without fear of legal repercussions.

How Popular are Best Online Gambling Sites with Real Money Among NZ Gamblers?

Online gambling is gaining popularity among Kiwis. Though it is not legal and casinos cannot be licensed to operate in the country according to the Gambling Act, fans still find a way to play online. Players are not allowed to gamble online on any sites operating in the country, but they can do so on offshore sites. Despite this, the number of players who play on offshore gambling sites has been on the rise in the country. This is reflected by the amount of money that players spend playing online in offshore casinos. In 2018, New Zealand citizens spent a whopping NZ$381 million gambling on offshore platforms.

Zealanders can register with any foreign online betting platform and bet without fear of legal repercussions.

The New Zealand government does not recognize wagering with foreign betting platforms. As such, all gambling activities with these platforms are not regulated and gamblers are not guaranteed any legal protection. 

Battling Gambling Addiction in New Zealand

One of the reasons why the NZ government is so tough on betting is because of its addictive nature. It is estimated that there are about 54,000 gambling addicts in NZ, and about $2 billion is lost to illicit betting every year.

Fortunately, there are many organizations dedicated to battling gambling addiction in NZ. The biggest by far is the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand. This organization is funded by the government with money collected from levies on NZ legal casino market. It has over 60 walk-in locations all over the country and a robust online community.

Popular Software Providers for New Zealand Online Casinos

As mentioned, online gambling is robust in this country. Most websites operating here work with only the best gaming software providers. They include:

• NetEnt,
• Microgaming,
• Play N’ Go,
• IGT,
• Aristocrat,
• Yggdrasil,
• Playtech.

Available Banking Methods for Gamblers in NZ

Gamblers in NZ have a lot of banking options to choose from thanks to the country’s robust banking system. Popular banking options include:

Credit and debit cards

These include all the major credit and debit cards, including Visa, MasterCard, Maestro, Discover, and more!

Online money transfer

Most gamblers in NZ prefer online money transfer methods because, as mentioned, online betting is restricted to overseas platforms. Popular options include PayPal, Skrill, Neteller, and more!

Other deposit options include bank wire transfer and Bitcoin. Your options, however, will depend on your online betting platform of choice.

Popular Casino Games in New Zealand

Gamblers in NZ have access to a wide range of casino games. Popular options include:

Blackjack

Blackjack is by far the most popular casino game in NZ. It is available in its classic form, whereby players seek to match two cards to 21, and in more modern and progressive versions. Blackjack is available in all internet casinos operating in the country.

Roulette

Roulette is also a popular in New Zealand. The exact roulette games available depend on the particular wagering platform. Some platforms feature classic roulette games while others are going an extra mile and launching new, progressive roulette games featuring 3D graphics and more.

Baccarat

Almost all betting platforms in NZ also offer baccarat. In its classic form, baccarat entails betting on whether it is the player or dealer who will win. Some casinos have also launched progressive versions of the game.

Online Pokies

Slots or pokies are by far the widest internet casino games categories in NZ. The average platform lists at least 100 slot games. Many of the available are classics that everyone is familiar with. Some casinos have also launched unique slots powered by different themes and featuring excellent graphics.

Keno

Keno is not as popular as the other games on the list, but it is one of the fastest upcoming progressive games. Other less popular options include poker and scratch cards.

FAQ

How are the best online gambling sites regulated in New Zealand?

Online gambling in New Zealand is regulated by the Gambling Act that came to effect in 2003. The country also has a Gambling Commission that enforces this law in the gaming industry. Based on the law, online casino sites are outlawed. However, players who are aged 20 years and wish to play online can do so on a safe casinos that are based outside the country. The country does not penalize New Zealanders who choose to play online.

How can I check whether best online gambling sites are licensed?

There are several ways to check whether online gambling best sites are licensed. The best way to narrow your search to New Zealand is to select it from the down menu and check whether your chosen casino is licensed.

You can also read reviews for websites that feature the casino you have identified. Such sites will have a section on licensing with details about the licensing authority. Players can also find licensing information on the online casino’s website. Usually, licensed casinos will have logos of the licensing authority or commission at the bottom of their homepage.

Which are the most popular devices for online gambling in New Zealand?

Kiwis prefer to use mobile devices for gambling because they facilitate access to their preferred best gambling sites online anytime and from anywhere and in high visual performance. By using mobile devices, players are able to get the same casino experience that they would get if they were playing from desktop computers. In New Zealand, the mobile devices that most gamblers prefer to play from are phones and tablets.

What payment options are mostly used by best online gambling sites?

Payment options is one of the most important factors that players consider when choosing a gambling website – and casinos know this. As such, most online casinos that allow players to access their games on mobile devices provide players with a wide range of payment options. These include:

1. Debit and credit cards,
2. Bank transfers,
3. E-wallets.

In most instances, wagering sites use the same payment options to receive and make payments. Some of the most common debit or credit cards that these sites accept are Visa, MasterCard and PaySafeCard. E-wallet options that online gambling best sites use include:

1. Neteller,
2. Trustly,
3. Skrill,
4. Entropay,
5. EcoCard,
6. PayPal,
7. EntroPay,
8. Instadebit.

Which bonuses are available in the best online gambling sites NZ?

Online gambling best sites offer players a wide range of bonuses to players who opt to play online. The most common bonuses that casino websites make available to players is the welcome bonus for new players. In most instances, this offer features an attractive amount and is often accessed in several installments. Each installment has a corresponding matching deposit bonus or free spins. Online gambling sites also give no deposit bonuses to new and existing customers. Examples of online casinos that offer these kinds of bonuses include Jackpot City, Gaming Club and Zodiac.