24 minutes
Last Updated: March 8, 2024
Gambling is a very popular pastime in New Zealand, with people flocking to live venues and online casino NZ sites to find fun.
With the country having such a big interest in gambling and a population with a lot of disposable income, it's no surprise that many NZ online casino operators are offering their services here and welcoming Kiwi players.
From generous bonuses to great gaming portfolios, including all of the best pokies, many top online casinos fight for their place in this hugely competitive market.
What this means for you as a player is that you’ll have your pick and get to enjoy the best gaming experience in every sense while getting the best value for your money.
If you’re new to online gambling or simply want to find more information, you’ve come to the right page. Here, we’ll cover everything you need to know and give you suggestions for the best online casinos in NZ so you can save some time and jump straight into the action!
Top 5 Online Casinos for New Zealanders
We’ve reviewed lots of casinos to get to this top list of the five best online casino sites for New Zealanders. Pick your favorite, and start your online gambling journey today!
#1 New Zealand Online Casino: 7BitCasino
7Bit Casino was launched in 2019 and has quickly become a go-to casino for players around the world. They’re owned and operated by Dama N.V., which is a company registered in Curacao.
Game Selection
The game selection at 7BitCasino is impressive. You’ll get to play more than 6,000 casino games. Most of the games are video slots, but there are also plenty of table games available. Just in the live casino, you’ll find close to 500 games.
A game selection like this is only made possible by collaborating with multiple game providers. 7BitCasino has chosen to work with an astounding 106 developers of casino games.
Welcome Bonus
As a new player, you’ll get to partake in a four-tiered welcome bonus. The first deposit bonus will give you a 100% match bonus of up to $300 or 1.5 BTC, plus 100 free spins. The second deposit gives you 50% more up to $400 or 1.25 BTC, while the third bonus offers 50% more up to $800 or 1.25 BTC. Finally, the fourth deposit bonus gives you a 100% match bonus of up to $3,500 or 1 BTC.
The wagering requirement is 40x, and you may bet a maximum of $1 while turning over the bonus. Winnings from free spins will have to be wagered 45x before you can withdraw your winnings.
Payment Methods
There are nine fiat currencies and eleven cryptocurrencies supported at 7BitCasino. The most convenient way for many players would be to choose one of the cryptos. However, if you prefer to use fiat, you’ll have plenty of methods to choose from. Debit and credit cards, bank transfers, prepaid vouchers, and e-wallets are among the ones you can select.
Gambling License
The license that 7BitCasino operates under is from Antillephone N.V. This is one of the four master licenses issued in Curacao. The license is held by Dama N.V., which is the company that operates the 7BitCasino site.
Site Security
The security of the 7BitCasino website is good. The site is encrypted, and its privacy policy ensures the protection of your personal information. Furthermore, all payment transactions are sure to be safe.
Learn more by reading our detailed 7BitCasino review.
#2 New Zealand Online Casino: KatsuBet
Katsubet has been around since 2020, but even as a new casino, they have quickly become popular among players. The company that owns and operates Katsubet is Dama N.V., a company registered in Curacao.
Game Selection
At Katsubet you get to enjoy an abundance of casino games. There are almost 5,500 different games for you to choose from, ranging from slots to table games. We can especially recommend the wee-sticked live casino if you enjoy classic casino games.
Welcome Bonus
As a new player, you’ll get to claim a big welcome package. Your first deposit will trigger a 100% bonus of up to 1.5 BTC as well as 100 free spins. Your second deposit gives you 75% more to play with, up to 1.25 BTC. 1.25 BTC is also the max bonus you can claim on your third deposit, this time with a 50% bonus. Finally, your fourth deposit again gives you a 100% bonus, of a maximum of 1 BTC. This last deposit also gives you an additional 100 free spins.
While wagering your bonus, the maximum bet you’re allowed is NZ$1. Furthermore, you’ll need to wager your match deposit bonus 45x, while it’s 50x that applies for free spins winnings.
Payment Methods
You can deposit using several methods at Katsubet. They support both fiat and cryptocurrencies, in order to cater to players from all around the world.
Gambling License
The gambling license that Katsubet is operating under in order to legally offer gambling services is from Antillephone N.V. This is one of the four master licenses offered within the jurisdiction of Curacao.
Site Security
The security of the Katsubet website is good, being SSL encrypted. You can also rest assured that their games are fair, as Katsubet is certified by iTechLabs. This includes the usage of a certified Random Number Generator.
Learn more by reading our detailed Katsubet review.
#3 New Zealand Online Casino: Coinplay
Having been launched only in 2022, Cionplay is one of the newest crypto casinos around. Although they’re very new to the market, they have so far been well-received by players around the world.
Game Selection
Coinplay offers all the popular casino game categories, and the selection you’ll find is impressive. There are more than 6,000 slots and table games, including a live casino. As if that’s not enough, Coinplay also features a sportsbook where you get to bet on all your favorite sports.
Welcome Bonus
New players will get to claim a bíg first deposit bonus. You’ll get to double your money with a 100% match bonus, and the maximum you can get is no less than 5,000 USDT. On top of that, you’ll also get 40 free spins.
The best part of the welcome bonus is that you can use your bonus funds both in the casino and the sportsbook. Before you can make a withdrawal of your winnings, you’ll need to wager the bonus amount 40x.
Payment Methods
The currency used at Coinplay is USDT, also known as Tether. This is a cryptocurrency whose value is the same as USD. When funding your account, or withdrawing from it, you may use any of the 30+ available cryptocurrencies. No fiat currencies are accepted at Coinplay.
Gambling License
The gambling license you’ll be protected by when playing at Coinplay is from Antillephone N.V. In the website footer, there is a dynamic license validator. By clicking this, you’ll get to check that the license is valid.
Site Security
The security of the Coinplay website is good. It’s encrypted to keep your personal information safe, and you can even add to the security if you wish. Coinplay lets all players enable 2FA verification on their accounts for an extra layer of security.
Learn more by reading our detailed Coinplay review.
#4 New Zealand Online Casino: Wildz
Wildz is a fairly new online casino, having been launched as late as 2019. However, they are owned and operated by a highly reputable company – Rootz Ltd. This is a company registered in Malta.
Game Selection
With almost 4,000 casino games, you’re sure to find a new favorite slot or two. Because, yes, slots is the game category that features the most titles at Wildz casino. However, you’ll also find plenty of table games, not least in the live casino. Also, keep your eyes peeled for exclusive Wildz live casino tables.
Welcome Bonus
Players who make their first deposits at Wildz casino will get to enjoy a two-part welcome bonus. Your first bonus is a 100% bonus up to NZ$500, as well as 200 free spins. The spins will be activated 25 at a time, for 8 consecutive days. The next deposit you make is rewarded with a 50% bonus, and the maximum amount you can claim is NZ$500.
Wildz bonus terms are good, as they are exactly in line with the industry standard. This means you’ll have to wager your bonus 35x before you can cash out winnings.
Payment Methods
You’ll have plenty of choices when depositing at Wildz. Only fiat payment methods are accepted, as this casino does not support cryptocurrencies. You may fund your account using all major debit and credit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets, and prepaid options. The exact selection of supported methods will be dependent on the country you’re playing from.
Gambling License
The gambling license Wildz uses to legally offer gambling services is issued by Malta Gaming Authority. This is considered the safest license around, for players that do not live in a country with its own local gambling license.
Site Security
The security at Wildz is good. The website is secured with SSL encryption, and games are fair thanks to a certified random number generator. You can also be sure that all payments are secure, as Wildz is compliant with PCI DSS.
Learn more by reading our detailed Wildz review.
#5 New Zealand Online Casino: Bluechip Casino
Bluechip Casino is owned and operated by XZ Solutions B.V., a company registered in Curacao. They are a very young online casino, having been launched as late as 2022.
Game Selection
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a casino with a better selection than what you find at Bluechip Casino. They offer a whopping 9,000 games, whereof more than 6,000 of them are slots. The remainder is made up of table games, live dealer games, instant win games, and more.
Welcome Bonus
Four welcome bonuses await new players at Bluechip Casino. You’ll start off with a 150% bonus of up to either NZ$500 or 1 BTC. The second deposit gives you 50% more up to NZ$200 or 0.2 BTC. Meanwhile, the third deposit offers a 75% bonus of up to NZ$200 or 0.2 BTC. Finally, your fourth deposit is rewarded with a 125% bonus of up to NZ$400 or 0.4 BTC.
Before you can withdraw winnings from your bonus, you need to complete the wagering requirement. This is set at 40x, which is fairly reasonable compared to other online casinos. Make sure you're not betting more than NZ$5 per game round while playing with bonus funds.
Payment Methods
You’ll have plenty of payment methods to choose from when depositing and withdrawing at Bluechip Casino. They support both fiat payments and cryptocurrencies, so players from most countries will be able to find some suitable options. Google Pay, e-wallets, bank transfers, debit and credit cards, and prepaid vouchers are some of the fiat options you might expect to find.
Gambling License
Antillephone N.V. is the licensing body that has granted a gambling license to Bluechip Casino. This is a license issued in the jurisdiction of Curacao, and one that’s very commonly used by crypto casinos.
Site Security
Security-wise the Bluechip Casino website is good. It’s encrypted so that you can be sure that your personal information is kept safe. Furthermore, the casino also offers provably fair games, and games run on a random number generator.
Learn more by reading our detailed Bluechip Casino review.
Nz Online Casino Laws & Regulation
When online casinos first emerged, people didn’t care too much about laws and regulations, and neither did the sites. However, a lot has changed since, and understanding local gambling laws has become important for every player.
With that in mind, what are the laws covering online gambling in New Zealand, is the activity legal, and what other things do you need to know about playing online?
All forms of gambling in NZ are covered by the Gambling Act of 2003. This is an outdated law that doesn’t fit the current iGaming scene and has been ready for a thorough update for some time now.
As things stand right now, playing real money games on internet casinos is perfectly legal for the player.
There is nothing in the Act that would define online gambling as an illegal activity.
NZ online casinos operate in what’s known as a grey zone. They can’t obtain a license in the country as the current law doesn’t provide such opportunities. Only a couple of state-owned sites are licensed and offer lotto and lottery-style games.
Thus, online casinos in NZ could potentially face problems in the future, but players have nothing to worry about, at least not from a legal perspective.
However, since these real money online casinos aren't locally licensed, it's paramount to look for sites with strong international licenses. Operators licensed by the MGA are usually a solid choice, and if they are also allowed to provide services in the UK, that's a big plus.
New Zealand Online Casino Taxes
The matter of taxation is often one of the biggest concerns players have when engaging in online gambling activities, especially in countries where laws aren't clearly defined.
So, to put your mind at ease, we answer an all-important question – do you have to pay taxes on your casino winnings in NZ?
The short and sweet answer is – no.
Gambling winnings are not subject to taxation in New Zealand.
Just like in Canada or in the UK, the activity is perceived as a hobby, and, as such, any winnings resulting from it are entirely yours to keep.
This is further defined and clarified by the Tax Act of 2007.
Since the 2003 Gambling Act treats all casino games the same, the no-tax rule also applies to any online poker winnings. This is good to know if your favorite casino also offers poker games on the side and you decide to try your luck on the virtual felt.
Top NZ Online Casino Payment Methods
There are many different aspects that come into play when choosing an online casino. However, none of them is as important as making sure your site of choice makes it easy to get the money in and out and maintain good control over your bankroll.
All the best sites in New Zealand give players an option to deposit, get the best NZ casino bonuses, play, and withdraw in New Zealand Dollars. This is important for several reasons, the biggest ones being:
- Avoiding currency conversion fees
- Making it easier to keep track of your spending
- Ensuring simpler withdrawals
Other than this, Kiwis can use many different payment options with gambling sites. We’ll cover some of the most popular ones you can try if you have no experience and want to get started with as little hassle as possible.
⭐ Debit Cards
Whether you’re in New Zealand or almost anywhere else in the world, all top online casinos out there accept debit cards. They’re convenient and easy to use.
That being said, since online casinos in NZ operate in a grey zone, it’s possible for credit card deposits not to go through on occasion. This isn’t a common occurrence, but it does happen from time to time, which can be a bit of a nuisance.
You should also know that New Zealand banned the use of credit cards with gambling operators, so those will no longer work for casino deposits. You can only use debit cards, which is a similar situation that UK online casinos operate.
Other than this, debit cards are a decent option for NZ players, with one caveat being that some of them can’t be used for withdrawals. MasterCard is a bit notorious for this, so if this is the method you decide to go with, make sure you have a reserve option to cash out.
⭐ PayPal
While PayPal is certainly not the first method you think of when thinking about online gambling, the good news is that this option is available at all top online casinos in NZ.
New Zealand is one of a few countries where PayPal actually allows gambling-related payments, and it's one of the favorite methods used by Kiwis.
It's not hard to see why this is the case, as you can use PayPal to deposit and withdraw with ease without needing to supply any financial info to the casino site. Thus, this option offers an added layer of safety, which is always a good thing when making any online purchases.
⭐ Skrill / Neteller
Skrill and NETELLER are two of the largest and most popular e-wallets that focus heavily on gambling transactions. Hence, it’s no surprise that all major NZ online casino sites offer these.
As long as you have enough funds in your wallet, depositing with an online casino is easy and fast. Funds are transferred immediately and ready to play with.
Both Skrill and NETELLER are great for withdrawals as well since your funds can be available within as little as a couple of hours from requesting a cashout.
One downside is that fees can be a bit heavy, so these aren’t the best option for casual players who make smaller transfers. These fees don’t play such a huge role for big players, as they are capped.
⭐ Paysafecard
Online casino real money NZ sites also accept Paysafecard. This is a safe and quick option to get some funds into your account when you don't have access to other options or don't want to use any other sources to send money to a casino.
The downside of Paysafecard and other similar prepaid options is quite obvious. They only work one way, so you still need to connect a different payment method, be it an e-wallet, debit card, or bank account, before you can cash out.
Most Popular NZ Online Casino Games
Like anywhere else in the world, tastes differ widely among New Zealand gamblers, so all casino games have their customers. That said, slots, or pokies as they’re often called, are certainly the most popular option among Kiwis.
⭐ NZ Slots Online
Understanding what their players want, top NZ online casinos make sure to offer a great variety of video slot options. You’ll find hundreds and even thousands of online slots for real money featured at some of the best and biggest sites operating in the country.
These days, you can find pokies of all shapes and sizes, so it’s ultimately down to your preferences on what option to go for.
Some New Zealand players seem to prefer games with the classic vibe, while others enjoy modern titles with thousands of win ways and huge maximum win potential.
Whatever the case may be, the variety of NZ slots online does not disappoint.
The same goes for the range of betting options. You can play your favorite games for anything from a few cents a spin to dozens or even hundreds of NZD per round if you have the bankroll for it.
⭐ Video Poker
Video poker is another popular option among Kiwi gamblers. There are many different variations to choose from at NZ online casinos, including Jacks or Better, Deuces Wild, Tens or Better, and much more.
While these are all old games that don't offer much in terms of features or even the visual experience, they have some of the best returns found in any casino game, and experienced players know this.
Combining good RTP with a solid VIP program offered by many top online casinos in NZ can be a good strategy. You won’t bring the house down, but it’s a solid way to lose the minimum while still having fun and chasing big wins.
⭐ Live Dealer Games
Pokies and video poker may be players' favorites, but New Zealand didn't stay immune to the live casino phenomenon's latest craze.
Many online casinos in NZ offer elaborate live dealer sections featuring everything from blackjack and baccarat, over roulette, to craps.
Players flock to these games as they provide an opportunity to experience the atmosphere of brick-and-mortar venues without even leaving their homes.
You can place wagers at these tables in NZD as well, and there are even special rooms catering only to New Zealand players, which is a really nice touch.
Finding Top Online Casinos NZ
With so many available options out there, it’s not always easy for the player to pick out the best and most reliable ones. These are some of the things you should pay attention to when choosing the best NZ casino.
⭐ Licensing Information
You’ll usually find the information about the casino’s license at the bottom of the page. You should check this out before doing anything else. While NZ online casinos don’t have local licenses, make sure the site you want to play with is regulated by the MGA or another relevant body like Curacao.
⭐ Payments
Check out the list of payment options to ensure they support an option that you're comfortable using. It's much easier to find a casino that supports your preferred option than setting up a whole new method so that you can play.
Also, make sure that you can deposit and withdraw in NZD. All top online casinos in New Zealand have this option, making everything much more convenient.
⭐ Welcome Bonus
All casinos offer a welcome bonus, or at least all that are worth looking into. That said, not all bonuses are created equal, so you should take some time to check out a particular offer.
There are no hard rules when it comes to this. You know what your preferences are and what kind of gambling budget you have. Thus, look for a casino that will give you the best value.
For example, if you only want to deposit a small amount, you’ll be better served by an operator offering heaps of free spins than someone giving a big maximum match, as you don’t really have use for the latter.
⭐ No deposit bonuses
Making a decision on what casino to choose is not always so easy. Even if you have a lot of information at your disposal.
You have the option to sign up and get a bonus that is cost-free if the casino allows. That will give you full access to the site. You will be able to see the lobby, what your account looks like, what options you have, and how payments and support work.
When choosing the option of no-deposit casino offers, elements such as game variation, maximum cashout, and wagering rules are vital to your experience. Fortunately, there are online review services that test and find these details for the convenience of gamblers.
When choosing what site to play on, free bonuses are a good solution on both ends. Players get to see what the site is about and what options they might have in the future. Casinos, on the other hand, get to welcome new players to their sites.
⭐ Mobile Casino
These days, most players in New Zealand and worldwide access real money online casinos from their mobile devices. Even if you only do it on occasion, you should check to ensure that the mobile site or the app is up to snuff.
It can be frustrating to find out that your favorite games are not available on mobile only after you deposit and spend some time playing on a site. It’s always better to check these things ahead of time. Luckily, most quality online casinos in New Zealand offer great mobile solutions, so this won’t be an issue.
⭐ What Other Players are Saying
If you're happy with everything and almost ready to sign up, we advise you to take a few extra minutes and do some research. Check out different sites and forums to see what other players say about their experience with a particular casino.
The fact is that casino players like to talk and share their experiences – good and bad ones alike. So, you’ll get some first-hand accounts about a casino without risking any money. If reviews and comments are mainly positive, that’s a good sign.
How We Rate Real Money Online Casinos NZ
Having read through this entire page on NZ online casinos, you might wonder what makes us experts on the topic. And it is a good question to ask.
When it comes to online gambling, you shouldn't take anything for granted, and some extra caution can go a long way in saving you from trouble.
That said, the reason why you can trust our advice and recommendations is that we take the process of reviewing casinos very seriously. Every review is a lengthy process that entails checking out several important aspects.
⭐ Overall Safety & Reputation
When rating an NZ online casino, the first thing that we look at is overall safety, as this is the number one priority.
This starts with checking if they’re properly licensed and if the licensing information displayed on the site is correct, but it doesn’t end there.
We also make sure the casino uses modern technologies, such as encryption algorithms, to ensure the highest level of protection for your data.
Additionally, we look into other seals of approvals and information about third-party auditors who can confirm that the site truly offers a fair and safe environment.
⭐ Bonus & Promotions Quality
Top online casinos in NZ offer the best promotions and bonuses out there, and we expect this from all our recommended casinos.
Promotions speak a lot about the operator’s overall approach to business and how they treat their customers. Those sites that avoid rewarding their players or have promotions with questionable or hard-to-understand requirements cannot get high ratings.
We do look at the whole package and not just the numbers. Some smaller NZ casino sites don’t have massive promos but do their best to make them fun and engaging, which earns them extra points in our book.
⭐ Deposits & Withdrawals
As already mentioned, payments represent a very important aspect of an online casino. We spend a lot of time analyzing this particular area, looking into available options and making sure they all work as intended and there are no hidden fees.
Of course, sites that support NZD always get extra points.
Speedy and hassle-free withdrawals are required. There is no reason for you to wait for days or weeks to receive your winnings. Top NZ online casinos make sure their players are paid in a timely manner, and this is one criterion that we are very strict on.
⭐ Gaming Options
Whether you want to play online slots for real money or you prefer live dealer games like baccarat, the ideal situation is one where you don’t have to switch sites when you want to switch games.
A versatile gaming library is very important, and it carries a lot of weight in our final rating. That said, there are some very good casinos focusing on NZ slots online only, so we try to look at things from all sides and come up with a fair conclusion.
⭐ Customer Support Quality
The final major aspect that we consider is customer support, and there are a few things that we regularly check. The first and biggest one is the number of contact options.
For example, some NZ online casinos even offer phone support, and that’s always a big plus, as not all players are comfortable using chat or emails.
There is also the responsiveness of the support team and their overall attitude. By definition, customer support exists to be at the players’ disposal and help them in any way they can. The best online casino sites for New Zealanders offer great support, and we accept nothing less than full dedication.
