Best Online Casinos New Zealand

What makes the best New Zealand Casinos

Our goal is to help you gamble legally also when in New Zealand, and to assist you in finding sites based outside the country so that you, too, can join the online fun. A good online casino should be licensed by an agency such as the Malta Gaming Authority or the UKGC (United Kingdom Gambling Commission), and we are here to help you find the best site for you.

The following selection of top sites was chosen with multiple criteria in mind, such as payment methods that suit New Zealand players, mobile casinos with apps for you to take your gambling with you wherever you go, good customer service and adequate security features.

Gambling statistics for 2020 showed that more people than ever were gambling in New Zealand, despite the strict gambling rules, which indicates that more and more players are finding their way to trustworthy, foreign gambling sites. Are you ready to start gambling on the internet? Make sure you read this guide to get the most out of your experience.

Are Online Casinos New Zealand legal

When you want to gamble and you happen to live in New Zealand, then there are many things you need to be aware of first. Unless the gambling type is approved by the Gambling Act 2003, most (and close to all) gambling is illegal in New Zealand. The gambling that is allowed is controlled by the Department of Internal Affairs, and it is part of an existing law that any permitted gambling activity should somehow benefit (or give back) to the community.

Before we proceed, let us bring you the good news. While online gambling falls under what is considered illegal in New Zealand, it doesn’t apply to offshore gambling sites. And, since most of the biggest online casinos are based elsewhere such as in Europe, you can safely and legally join and gamble on these sites.

Types of Gambling That are Illegal in New Zealand

As long as the online gambling site you choose isn’t based in New Zealand, you can safely and legally gamble, but you might want to gain a better understanding of what type of gambling activities are and aren’t prohibited within the country. The gambling types still allowed are divided into four different classes.

Class 1

Class 1 gambling is the only gambling class that an individual can conduct, and in this scenario, all winnings generated during the game needs to go to the winner, and this includes any type of interest or other fees. The maximum amount you are allowed to set as a prize, while still keeping it legal, is $500. The same amount applies for the turnover.

Class 2

Class 2 gambling cannot and should not be conducted by an individual, and can instead only be run by what the Gambling Act considers a society. The value of the prize must fall between $500 and $5,000, and any other amount cannot be considered class 2 gambling. The gambling turnover may not be more than $25,000 and no less than $500.

Class 3

Class 3 gambling requires a gambling licence, and you cannot legally hold a class 3 gambling activity without having first been licensed. The prize value for these types of gambling activity, and for it to be classified as a class 3 act, needs to be higher than a total of $5,000.

Class 4

Class 4 needs to meet the same requirements as class 3, both in terms of having a gambling licence and the total price being $5,000 or more, but it usually refers to gambling performed on some type of machine or device.

Beware of Bans on Remote Gambling

The Gambling Act 2003 also specifically prohibits any gambling done remotely, which essentially refers to online gambling at or through establishments based in New Zealand. The law put a halt to at least one New Zealand online casino, and you can get a hefty fine for breaking these regulations in any way.

As a result, it is important that you—as a New Zealand player—always verify that your chosen online casino is based somewhere else. Most of the sites you come across, if not all, will be, but it is always better to be safe than sorry so that you don’t accidentally end up on an illegal gambling site.

Keep in mind that if you were to find a New Zealand casino operating illegally, this site won’t be regulated or licensed the way that it should be, and it would present a risk to you, your personal information and your money to utilise it, while also risking legal trouble. Always stick to offshore gambling sites as a gambler in New Zealand.

Does New Zealand Law Protect Players who Gamble Overseas?

It is clearly stated in the Gambling Act 2003 that online gambling at foreign casinos is allowed, but that you cannot expect any help or assistance from the New Zealand government if you were to become a victim of fraud or any other crime as a result. Instead, you would depend on receiving help from the country in which the casino is based.

This doesn’t mean the New Zealand government and local laws will never step in and help, and it is simply a caution that they might not in the case of a crime committed against you as a result of online gambling.

Is Online Gambling Advertising Allowed

While you can legally gamble at online casinos New Zealand overseas, any type of advertisement for offshore gambling sites is strictly prohibited in New Zealand. Purposely attempting to promote online gambling is also banned, and if unlucky, it could lead to fines of up to the amount of $10,000.

Advertisement to prevent or discourage online gambling overseas is allowed, and there are a few additional exceptions such as casual mentions of vacation spots with land-based casinos and so on.

Licenses of Online Casinos New Zealand

Staying safe is essential when you gamble online as a New Zealand player, and especially since your own government might not be there for you if you get scammed or accidentally choose a site that isn’t licensed. Let’s start with licensing. You want an online casino to be licensed by (preferably) one of these licensing agencies: UK Gambling Commission (UKGC), Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), Gibraltar Licensing and Regulatory Authority, Alderney Gambling Control Commission, Kahnawake Gaming Commission and Curacao Gaming Control Board.

Due to the current legal status of online casinos New Zealand, you won’t be able to find any relevant licensing authorities from New Zealand, but the above listed agencies are all considered trustworthy. The biggest names on the list are MGA and UKGC.

You can find licensing information in the terms and conditions provided by the casino, or in the footer of the casino gambling page. There, you’ll also find information on where the casino is based, but the licence alone indicates that it’s not in New Zealand since these authorities wouldn’t licence an illegal casino.

What are the Wagering Requirements for Online Casinos New Zealand

Make it a habit to read the terms and conditions accompanying a bonus offer before accepting, or check for information about wagering requirements in the general casino T&C’s. You often need to wager your bonus money a certain number of times before you can withdraw them or withdraw money won, and it is not unusual for wagering requirements to be somewhere between x20 and x45.

A $100 bonus with x45 wagering requirements need to be wagered for 45 times the received amount, which adds up to a total of $4,500. Bonuses at online casinos New Zealand are great, but it doesn’t mean they’re completely free and your best bet is to make sure you know what’s expected of you once you accept a bonus.

Can I gamble responsibly at Online casinos New Zealand

Responsible gambling is about making sure it stays fun and safe, and that online gaming doesn’t start affecting your life negatively. It is easy to get swept away by flashing lights and the irresistible clinking sound of coins, but you must always remember that you are playing with real money—your money, and that it is even easier to lose than it is to win.

When it comes down to it, it is your responsibility as a gambler to make sure you gamble responsibly, but online casinos available to New Zealand players also have resources to help their players maintain a healthy relationship with their betting. Responsible gambling is usually referred to as ‘Problem Gambling’ in New Zealand.

Ways a casino can help you is by providing options to set up gambling limits for yourself, where you limit how much money you can spend over a period of time. Many New Zealand players choose to set weekly spending limits to make sure they don’t get carried away and spend more than they can afford.

External Responsible Gambling Resources for New Zealand Casinos Online

For those who need additional help or who would like to learn more about responsible gambling in New Zealand, there are a few resources available. Keep in mind that in-country gambling is mostly illegal, which is why resources may be somewhat more limited than in areas where you can legally gamble. NZ Department of Internal Affairs, PGF Services and Ministry of Health are a few organisations that can help with problem gambling.

Always be honest with yourself and never hesitate to reach out to the casino or to an external source if you feel you need help establishing a healthy gambling routine, or if you are concerned about negative any effects your gambling is having on your life.

Are there any New Zealand Casinos Online that launched recently

The good thing is that there are brand new casinos entering the New Zealand market, but how can you tell if they are worth it? Your best guess is to visit our new online casinos section, where we can review all brands that become available to New Zealanders. Games, banking options, bonuses and players’ feedback are some of the factors that influence our rating, so we give you the complete picture.