Best Online Casinos NZ Dollars | Compare Online Casinos for Kiwis 2021

Choosing an online casino in New Zealand [6 main factors]

There certainly isn’t a lack of excellent online NZ casino sites. The online casino industry has gained considerable momentum in the last decade. As a result, there are plenty of operators out there, and many of them accept players from New Zealand. Here are the main factors to consider when choosing an online casino:

1. License

Playing at licensed casinos is so vital in this day and age, and the trust factor that we focus on at BetPal ensures that you and your details are safe. Unfortunately, there are rogue online casinos out there who continue to operate illegally, and this is the exact reason why we take the time to review every Kiwi casino site available to NZ players. 

If you want your hard-earned money to be safe, your data and private banking details to be stored securely, and your gaming to be fair then always make sure that you play at licensed casinos. You can trust your BetPal team only to recommend officially licensed and secure casinos where you can play securely. Let us do the investigating, and you can concentrate on playing and enjoying the casino experience!

2. Bonuses

These are free signup bonuses you get when you register a new account or bonuses on your first deposit. And they are usually a percentage of the sum you’ve deposited, up to a specific amount.

For instance, a standard deposit bonus offer might look something like this:

100% bonus up to NZ$100.

This means the casino matches your deposit up to a NZ$100. So, if you deposit NZ$100, the casino will give you NZ$100 back in bonus money. Pretty straightforward, right?

Free spins

These are game rounds with a prefixed coin value that you get in a specific slot. You can either get free spins no deposit on signup and utterly free of charge or by depositing a specified amount.

Wagering requirements

Whether you get free spins or deposit bonuses, these offers almost always come with wagering requirements, meaning you must play through a certain amount to convert your bonus money or free spins winnings to cash that you can withdraw. 

The wagering requirement is always a multiplication of the money you’ve won with your free spins or the sum you’ve deposited. In some cases, Kiwi online casinos apply wagering requirements to both the given bonus sum and the amount you’ve deposited.

3. Online casino games

Fancy websites, hefty bonuses and stunning apps are all beautiful – but the first and foremost thing you’re looking for is a good game selection. The casino experience is all about the games, and without a decent game portfolio, an NZ online casino doesn’t have much to offer.

That’s why we always check the game selection thoroughly when we assess a new casino. The casino must have a diverse game portfolio covering all essential categories. We want to see plenty of video slots, jackpot slots, online pokies, table games and a reasonable amount of high-end live casino games. Furthermore, we appreciate search filters and subcategories that make it easier for us to browse the list of casino games. 

The total number of games and the diversification of game categories aren’t the only things we look at. We also make sure that the casino has partnered up with several game providers: we need to see games from several of the industry’s leading providers. The rule of thumb is the more, the better. 

4. Payment methods

Nobody likes to wait for their winnings. That’s why casinos need to offer quick processing times for withdrawals. We also want to see plenty of payment methods and reasonable fees.

When we look at a new casino, we expect to see standard e-wallets like Skrill, Poli and Neteller. If the casino has PayPal too, that’s a plus. Other payment options we look for are Paysafecard and Ecopayz. We also expect the casino to offer direct bank transfers and Visa and Mastercard.

As far as processing times are concerned, we consider anything beyond 24 hours excessive.  It shouldn’t take more than 24 hours for a casino to process a withdrawal, given that the KYC (Know Your Customer) procedure is complete. 

Casino tip: pay attention to the currency symbols – $ and NZ$

You should always remember that simply because you see beneficial deals offering $ wins, it doesn’t necessarily have to mean they concern New Zealand dollars.

❗Just to be on a safe side, you must double-check the currency of the chosen real money casino and avoid misunderstandings between the USD and NZD options. 

Any online casino real money NZ which doesn’t accept the NZD currency will convert your winnings from USD – this might be problematic for some operators and often inconvenient for you as well. Try to avoid such conversions, as they can turn out to be a heavy hit for your funds.

Can I play at online casinos for real money if they don’t accept NZD?

There is no straightforward answer to this question. There are two possible scenarios – an online casino play for real money option can be simply forbidden for Kiwis or other some other online casinos for real money might only restrict the currency options.

If the operator doesn’t allow NZ players to use their services, you can immediately leave the site. However, if there’s simply no NZD currency to choose for future payment transactions, you might want to assess how the rate conversion would work for you. Make sure you also take additional fees into consideration!

It’s always the easiest, safest and most beneficial to play at a real money casino that is NZ-friendly in all aspects. Feel free to get inspired by our list of the best NZ online casinos and choose the operator that ticks all the boxes!

POLi – a TOP NZ payment method

POLi is definitely one of the most popular and trustworthy online payment methods in New Zealand and Australia. Especially the online gambling sector has seen the increase in popularity of this payment option in recent years.

How different to the well-known, global solutions can POLi really be? First of all, POLi focuses strictly on local inhabitants, making the method tailored directly to the needs of Aussies and Kiwis. It is supported by multiple platforms and can easily work on desktop, mobiles and tablets.

The use of POLi is extremely easy. It is essentially an online debit service not too different from PayPal or InstaDebit, where players can add money and transfer it to a real money casino. The service is free to use and guarantees the highest security systems in place, which offers players an extra layer of safety for their funds and banking details.

5. Security

The first thing to look at when looking for a safe casino is if the casino has a license from a famous gambling authority. A lot of casinos are licensed from the Malta Gaming Authority, making them trusty and safe to play. But keep in mind that there are several authority licensing casinos such as the UKGC. You should find this info on the homepage of the casinos (usually at the bottom of the page).

Also, keep in mind that KYC (that stands for “Know Your Customer”) is a mandatory process for all licensed online casinos. Casinos need to verify that their customers own the payment methods used on their accounts and that they are who they say they are.

This is a verification process that all regulating bodies require casinos to implement, in an effort to prevent fraud and money laundering. 

Casinos online carry out these verification procedures by asking players to send in documentation. In most cases, casinos will request players to send in copies of their id, credit cards, as well as screenshots of utility bills and bank statements. As soon as an account has been verified, the casino will be able to process the customer’s withdrawals.

6. Customer support

We don’t care how excellent of flawless a casino seems to be – sooner or later you’re going to have a chat with the customer support. And when that happens, you want to get in touch with qualified personnel that can give you the help you need. 

When we rate a casino’s customer support, we start by looking at what opening hours and contact methods the casino offers. In this day and age, we expect to see a live chat open 24/7. Ideally, the casino also has telephone support. We consider casinos that don’t offer chat support subpar, and this is something that will show in the casino’s final grade. 

When we’ve established what the opening hours and contact methods are, we contact the support to see what kind of treatment we get. We’re looking for a great attitude, short waiting times and informative answers. 

Other factors to keep in mind while choosing an online casino in NZ

Having been around the online casino market since 2002, we’ve had plenty of time to observe and assess the makings of a truly great online casino in New Zealand. 

There are several aspects to consider, and surprisingly few casinos manage to tick all the boxes. That’s why we’re here – to find and assess new casinos and present you with the best online casinos with NZ dollars the market has to offer.

In a nutshell, you could say that every great casino site does a few fundamental things very well. Here’s what we look for: 

• A vast and diverse game selection
• A good mobile site
• Great customer support
• Plenty of payment methods and short processing times
• Generous bonuses and decent bonus terms
• Respected licenses
• User-friendly site
• Unique gamification elements or themes

For us, these are the things that make up a great NZ online casino. But what does it all mean? Don’t worry; we’ll have a closer look at each criterion, and explain what makes these criteria so important. We’ll also go through every topic in detail, and explain how each category relates to the business and user experience.

Live casino

Online pokies outclassed slot machines in land-based casinos a few years ago, but for many years brick and mortar had the upper hand when it came to providing high-class table games.

That’s not the case anymore. Today’s live casino games are stunning, and they also offer several advantages that their physical counterparts can’t match. 

Live dealer variety

The best thing about these live casinos is that you have plenty of variety when it comes to the games available. Of course, blackjack and roulette are always popular and there are a lot of options to play with both small and large stakes available.

The extra bonus when playing these live casino games is that they are all available to play on your mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets. In fact, as long as you have enough mobile data or a strong enough Wi-Fi connection, you can freely play these games on any small-screen device that you like.

Best live casinos in New Zealand

Party Casino – The Party Casino brand continues to live up to its party name with its full live casino package bursting with classic games, instant win games, and loads of Vegas-styled games as well. The live dealer titles are provided by both Evolution Gaming and Playtech so you know it’s going to be high-quality gaming from the very start.

Royal Panda – Enjoy up to 30 different live dealer titles with real-world versions of all the popular casino games including blackjack, roulette, and the wheel of fortune. Experience the thrill of playing with world-class dealers in a world-class environment at Royal Panda. 

LeoVegas – One of the big players at Betpal gives you a thrilling live casino experience that not only offers all the top live dealer games such as roulette and blackjack, but you also get the extra variety of playing at two different live casino studios – Evolution Gaming and NetEnt.

Great app or mobile site is crucial

It’s no secret that mobiles and tablets have become an important part of our daily lives. We do everything from our phones these days, whether it’s banking, shopping or consuming entertainment.

The online gambling industry is no stranger to mobile play. The business saw a significant shift when the first adventure casinos and mobile casinos emerged on the market a few years ago — and since then, playing on the go has become the new norm. A vast number of active casino players enjoy their favorite slots and table games from their mobile phone or tablet, which is why it’s paramount for NZ casino sites to be up to date in this regard.

Nowadays, most casinos we come across are fully responsive. This means they don’t have a mobile-specific URL and that you’ll see the same version of the website on all devices. With that being said, some sites fit more neatly on a smaller screen than others. And this is something we take into consideration in our final grade.

Casinos that have gone through the trouble of creating their own app get plus points. Even if most Kiwi casinos work very well on the browser in your phone, a tailor-made app undoubtedly enhances the user experience.

What’s interesting, mobile technology is also on the rise in land-based casinos, with innovations such as cashless slot machines, mobile wallets or mobile wagering, and it will continue to grow throughout 2021, according to Las Vegas Review Journal.

The importance of wagering requirements

It’s no secret that many players value good bonus offers. After all, this is another aspect that sets online casinos apart from land-based casinos. Knowing very well what bonuses and free spins mean to players, we make sure to check all offers and bonus terms thoroughly. 

There are no rules set in stone for what makes a good bonus offer. But, some guidelines can be followed. 

For starters, we pay more attention to the wagering requirements and bonus terms than the actual amount that’s offered. Why? Because a bonus doesn’t mean much if the bonus terms are unreasonable. A sky-high wagering requirement can make a bonus useless to players who are trying to win some real money.

For you to better understand what we mean, you need to know how casino bonuses work. Let’s have a quick look at some common bonuses and bonus terms found at most online casinos nz.

Hassle-free site navigation and user-friendliness

Whether you’re playing on mobile or your desktop, the user experience should be hassle-free. That’s why we have a good look at how Kiwi casinos incorporate their menus and what user functionalities they offer. 

For instance, we appreciate search filters in the game lobby, so that we can find games tailored to our liking more easily. Some casinos let you sort games by manufacturer or specific features such as pay lines, bonus rounds or theme. 

When it comes to mobile play, it’s not uncommon for operators to swap out the regular menu for a swiping one that’s better suited for a smartphone. It’s details like this that put a smile on our face and make a casino stand out.

Gamification features and uniqueness 

If a casino has nailed all other aspects, some great gamification, or a unique theme, will be the cherry on top. Such features can truly separate an nz online casino from the pack. It is the case for Duelz or Voododreams that have really well-developped gamification.

For instance, in recent years, we’ve seen a few casinos incorporate mini-games where players battle each other to win local currency that they can exchange for free spins or sign up bonuses. At the same time, competitors have created more complex universes allowing players to create and style their own avatars. 

More and more online casinos for Kiwi are trying to bridge the gap between online slots and tv games, and the industry’s game developers are certainly doing their part in this regard as well.

When we see casinos taking risks and striving for this kind of development, we get excited too. That’s why we’re likely to hand out some plus point to casinos aspiring to take the user experience to the next level.

Gambling rules in New Zealand

Currently, there is no fixed regulation that discusses online gambling in New Zealand. It can be seen both as an advantage and drawback, especially from the players’ perspective. As there is no dedicated virtual gambling law in place, all winnings that Kiwis receive when playing online are tax-free. 

This also means that you can play at remotely operated real money casinos. New Zealand is no exception and tens of other countries are in a similar place, hence why there are no restrictions in terms of accessing casino sites that are run by foreign operators.

When it comes to the legal age of players who can get involved in gambling, it’s usually 20 years of age. It depends strictly on the type of gambling activity – scratch cards require players to be at least 16 years old, wherever bingo and sports betting are allowed for players over 18 years old.

Casino games and poker are available for players who are at least 20 years old. New Zealand authorities are very strict in this manner and violating this law can cause harsh penalties.

List of online casinos with NZ Dollars