If you’re hankering after a little gaming fun and don’t fancy traveling to a brick-and-mortar casino, you’re in luck. Kiwis have access to some of the best online casinos in the world. If you are new to the world of online gambling though, I understand that it’s a daunting task knowing where to start.
How do you know which casinos are worthwhile? What can you expect from the iGaming landscape in the country? Using my experience, I’ve created a simple beginner’s guide below to get you started. This includes looking at the legality of online casinos in the country, their features and how to pick safe and reliable platforms to play at.
What to expect from New Zealand online casinos
Let’s start with a look at the legality of online casinos in New Zealand. Simply put, online casinos are not legal within the country. There are no NZ online casinos. However, NZ residents can legally play at offshore casinos that are licensed in other regions, such as those on this list compiled by Time2play.
With that in mind, Kiwis have an epic range of casinos they can access, and these often feature brilliant bonuses, huge game libraries, mobile accessibility and smooth payment systems.
Epic game selection
Fun is the primary purpose for iGaming and casinos for NZ players are usually bursting with thousands of games. Expect an epic selection of pokies with legendary titles like Mega Moolah, Starburst and Gonzo’s Quest. They usually have a well-equipped table game section too with blackjack, baccarat and roulette. In recent years, live dealer games are becoming more popular too, where you get to play with a real human dealer.
Bonuses for new and existing customers
To entice new customers and keep existing customers loyal, these casinos usually offer a wide range of promotions. You can always grab a welcome offer, such as free spins or a matched deposit bonus, for example. Existing customers can enjoy things like loyalty clubs, reload bonuses and cashback too.
Excellent mobile accessibility
Modern online casinos all have brilliant mobile accessibility as smartphones are now the primary mode of technology used for gaming. Many have downloadable mobile apps from the App Store or Google Play. However, others have mobile-responsive websites that work on your smartphone browser.
Smooth banking systems
Modern payment technologies are widely used at offshore casinos for NZ players. They typically support a range of payment methods, such as credit cards, debit cards, e-wallets and bank transfers. Deposits are usually instant, and withdrawing your winnings is a smooth process too with many companies offering fast withdrawals.
How to choose the best online casinos in New Zealand
Now that you know what you can expect from online casinos in New Zealand, you need to know how to pick the best ones. Not all platforms are worthwhile, so there are some that are better avoided. Additionally, there’s specific features you need to look for, such as security and licensing, to make sure you have a safe gaming experience.
1. Does the casino have a license?
Only ever play at an NZ online casino that has a valid gambling license. As mentioned, these offshore casinos don’t have an NZ license, but they should still have a license from a reputable jurisdiction such as the Malta Gaming Authority or UK Gambling Commission.
A valid gambling license means the casino must comply with laws and regulations and is audited by the license provider. You can usually find licensing information in the website footer at the bottom of the online casino’s main page.
2. Does it work with reputable software developers?
Casino games can be rigged. To avoid this, check the software developers who provide the casino’s games. They should be from reputable developers, such as NetEnt, Evolution, Pragmatic Play, Playson, Playtech, Play’N GO, Microgaming and IGT.
These developers also have licenses and have their RNG systems independently tested for fairness. If the software developers aren’t listed, ask the customer support team.
3. Does it have great security?
Security is paramount when spending money online at any platform. I always check that the online casino has a valid SSL certificate and uses a secure, encrypted connection. You can verify this by clicking on the padlock icon next to the website URL in your web browser address bar. Also check the terms and conditions and privacy policy to make sure that your personal data is being used and stored properly.
4. Can you easily get in touch with customer support?
The best NZ online casinos offer 24/7 customer support via multiple methods. Ideally, there should be live chat as the primary support method, but also email support, a help centre and telephone support. The response times should be quick too as no one wants to wait days for answers to payment queries or for info on their withdrawals.
5. Does it support NZD and common NZ payment methods?
Obviously, it’s better if the online casinos support NZD or allow for the automatic conversion of it to their supported currency. NZD is one of the most popular global currencies, so this shouldn’t be an issue.
Also look at the payment methods available. At a bare minimum, most NZ casinos accept Visa and MasterCard, but many accept other methods such as PayPal, Interac, e-wallets and bank transfer. Simply put, they should have a payment method you can use.
Start your iGaming adventure the right way today
In summary, there are no New Zealand online casinos operating within the country. However, NZ residents can legally play at offshore casinos. These platforms are bursting with features, including thousands of games, amazing promos and excellent mobile functionality.
To pick the best NZ online casino, you first need to look for a valid gambling license. Next, check the games and the software developers they work with. Also make sure the platform is secure and has 24/7 customer support that you can easily access. Lastly, confirm that they accept NZD, and common payment methods such as credit cards.