Best New Zealand Online Casinos 2023

Best Online Casinos In New Zealand 2023 March

We go into great details below, but if you are egging to get started at some safe and legit New Zealand online casino sites, how about checking our top list we've put together for you below?

How To Choose NZ Online Casinos?

There's no shortage of online casinos operating in New Zealand. You could say that the market is saturated with well-known, established brands and also newcomers on the scene. The general rule when playing real money casino games and online pokies is always ensuring you play at licensed and safe gambling sites. This rule applies to Kiwis as much as it does to anyone playing at online casinos and gambling sites worldwide.

Knowing which casino is legit or the best can be difficult, especially when there's not a lot to go on because the casino is new. That's where we can help. We are a team with a high amount of experience in online gambling. We've reviewed hundreds of casinos, slot sites and gambling sites over the years, so we like to think we know what we're doing and can spot a top or bad casino a mile off.

Don't just take our word for it, though. We have selected some great New Zealand casinos for you to look at if you're looking to join a new site and take advantage of some top NZ casino offers. We think it's a good idea to spread the "how to spot a safe and reliable casino" checklist so that you, too, can learn how to choose the best online casino, know which ones are legit, and also spot the likely candidate that will give you the best entertainment for your hard earned dollar.

The casinos we've selected above have made it to the list for many reasons, which we go into detail below. The following points are the 'fundamentals' of choosing a new casino. If you stick to the fundamentals and do your homework, you cannot go wrong when selecting a new casino to gamble at.

Licensing

Whilst there's no official New Zealand gambling licensing, selecting online casinos that official gambling regulators heavily license is essential. The UK Gambling Commission, the Malta Gaming Authority, and the Gibraltar Gaming Authority are the most solid licensors. Not all casinos operating with these licenses will accept Kiwi customers, but most will. Another license you will see many online casinos possess is the Curacao Gambling License. Now, there's nothing wrong with this license; in fact, many of our Bitcoin casinos are licensed by the Curacao Gaming Commission. However, we must say that the Curacao license is probably the less strict of all the mentioned regulators.

To determine if a casino site is regulated or licensed, you can check a casino's website footer. All legit casinos will make their licensing information easy to find and look up. If you find it hard to get any information about a casino's license status, we recommend avoiding it and finding a fully transparent casino. Tip: the UKGC offers a handy licensee look-up tool on their website, which lists all gambling companies and licensed gambling sites if you want to be extra vigilant. Furthermore, we ensure that all online casinos mentioned on this page comply with and meet any relevant restrictions from the NZ Gambling Act of 2003.

Security

Beyond all the licensing and regulation stuff, we also check to ensure that the site is registered with eCOGRA or other legit 3rd party auditors to ensure all on-site games are fair and have entirely (proven) random outcomes.

A Top Selection of Software Providers: It's not uncommon for the best New Zealand casino sites to integrate casino games and pokies from over 50 (yes, 50!) different software providers. Gone are the days when online casinos only had one software provider they worked with, these days, in 2023 it's different. We are utterly spoiled for choice. Casino games and pokies are a personal choice, but most of the top providers offer plenty of options regarding different games. The leading contenders for top casino games and pokies include Play 'N Go, Netent, Nolimit City, Elk Studios, iSoftBet and casino game pioneers Microgaming.

💡 We prefer NZ casinos with a quality over quantity approach, with a high-quality library of slots, new slots, progressive jackpots and new games like Drops & Wins, Must Fall Jackpots and Slingo games. This is why we check how many casino games and slots a casino has in its library and which game studios are available.  

Generous & Fair Welcome Bonus

Once you have established a casino's license status and checked out the games available, the next area to concentrate on is the bonuses available. It's entirely up to you if you claim a casino welcome bonus. Some Kiwi players prefer not to play with bonuses because they do not enjoy having restrictions (bonus wagering) that could jeopardise their chance to cash out winnings later on down the line. Most New Zealand casinos offer new players a welcome bonus package. Upon a successful real money deposit, you will often get a bonus based on the amount you deposited and possibly, depending on the casino, some free spins on a specific online slot (pokie).

At this point, it's essential to check the bonus terms. All of the bonuses you see at the best online casinos in New Zealand above have the corresponding significant terms underneath, so it's easy to read the small print if you like. You'll notice that all of the above bonuses are lower (fairer) in wagering terms (unless they are wager free!) - they are the player-friendliest bonuses we could find you. Avoid casino bonuses with wagering conditions over x40 as they swing towards the unfair end of the scale. Basically, the lower the wagering number, the better. A bonus wagering term is usually signified by an x and a number, such as x30.

Easy Sign-Up Process & Usability 

We check the casino sign-up process (and understand if you want to skip this laborious task). If a casino makes it difficult to sign up, make a deposit, and play, we say "Next"! Plenty of other top online NZ casinos have made it easy for the customer. Signing up for an online casino should not be a challenge. A simple form to fill in and easy navigation toward the banking area are all you need. All of the Kiwi online casinos above are precisely that. They have been tested for an easy-to-use UI and top UX (user interface and user experience for those who didn't know).

New Zealand Payment Methods

Obviously, if you want to play real money casino games and slots, you'll need an easy, reliable, fast way to pay. Most punters will likely opt to use their Visa, Mastercard or perhaps even PayPal, but there's another world of handy payment methods available for Kiwis at online casinos. They include Bitcoin (and other alternative Cryptocurrencies), Entropay, Paysafecard, Skrill, EcoPayz and POLi. We constantly check before adding New Zealand casino recommendations that they support local payment methods.

Fast Withdrawals

On payments, fast withdrawal New Zealand casinos are a must too. Suppose you've had a big win, then you'll be keen to withdraw that money into your bank account as soon as possible, whether to treat yourself to something nice or stop you from gambling it away whilst waiting for the cashout to be sent. There's no excuse for delays in cashing out your money from a casino site. Some online casinos are slower than others. However, we always check each of the best online casino NZ sites to see exactly how long it takes to process and withdraw your winnings, depending on the payment method used. We can save you time doing this as it's quite a large part of our research when reviewing New Zealand gambling sites, meaning all of the casinos you see above (and around this website) are fast withdrawal Kiwi casinos.

Casino Reputation 

Another lengthy task (so we don't mind if you leave this area to us because we know it can be hard to gauge a casino's reputation) to check a casino's reputation. Reputation is a huge part of the equation regarding ranking the best online casinos in New Zealand. In addition to using our knowledge and research, we also check players' experiences from around the world to see how well each casino we recommend treats its players. We do this by checking other casino review sites like iGamblingSites.com; we read forums and the latest news articles from iGaming publishers. We also check out TrustPilot reviews. It's also good to remain slightly impartial when reading reviews as they don't always show the whole picture and can be one-sided, but this research helps us gauge how a casino treats its patrons. It's natural for issues to arise, but it's also crucial for the casino to handle complaints fairly and quickly.

Unique USPs

Many casinos look the same as each other. This is because many are "Whitelabel" casinos which are basically skins and rebrands of one another. Whilst there's absolutely nothing wrong with Whitelabel casinos, they do lack some creativity. This is why we check for casinos in New Zealand that offer that extra "oomph!". You get the point: unique site features, wacky branding, imaginative promotions, extraordinary bonuses, in-game features (gamification, anyone?), excellent branding, and funny slogans. We're always looking for the best NZ online casinos with unique features to keep their customers entertained.

Kiwi Mobile Online Casinos 

Many of us prefer to play casino games and slots on mobile devices because it's more comfortable and easy. However, many NZ casino punters still enjoy a larger screen and a comfy chair on a desktop. If you prefer to play casino games and slots on a mobile device, you will want to find a casino that offers a decent mobile experience. Whilst most Kiwi online casinos will be accessible on mobile, the experiences swing wildly between top-notch and mediocre. We test every online casino in New Zealand to ensure it's 100% mobile-friendly, easy to navigate and plays games without any loss in quality or security. It's worth looking for the best mobile casinos like we do. 

Most Popular NZ Casino Games & Pokies

Most Kiwis enjoy playing classic casino games and online pokies (slots). The best online casinos in New Zealand usually offer over 3,000 games in their portfolio, giving you loads of choice. We're confident that you will find plenty of games you want to play, but not only that - you'll most likely find tons of games you have yet to try, including new variants of traditional games.

New Zealand Live Casinos 2023

Live casino games are incredibly popular in New Zealand and worldwide because they rival the experience you get in a land-based casino. Some say that the online live experience is better than a land-based experience. We'll leave that up to you whether you prefer the online version or if you still enjoy going to your local casino for real games. Whatever you believe, one cannot deny the high-quality live dealer casino games available at NZ casinos. Thanks to recent technological innovations, live dealer games have become hugely popular in New Zealand. Live dealer games certainly provide a more authentic feel for those who play online and offer a social element due to their interactive gaming experience.

Playing live games is simple. Most online casinos stream games 24/7, so it doesn't matter if you are playing at an EU-based casino when you're in a New Zealand time zone; there will be plenty of games at your disposal. To play live games, simply head to the live casino area of your chosen online casino site and choose your game. There's a good choice of classic live games, such as Roulette, Blackjack, Sic Bo, Dragon Tiger and Baccarat, and newer types of games called "Gameshows". Live game show games require little skill and strategy - they're all about pure entertainment! Top Gameshow live games include Cash or Crash, Dream Catcher,  Gonzo's Treasure Hunt, Live Deal or No Deal and Monopoly Live.

Best Online Casino Software & Game Variety

When reviewing the best online casino sites in New Zealand, we like to see a wide variety of the best software developers. This not only includes pokies but top table favourites like Blackjack and roulette, not to mention live dealer games:

• Microgaming: Microgaming is one of the most widely known and recognised software providers in New Zealand. Microgaming was the first company to provide online casino games and slots to online casinos and has been around since day dot. They arguably have one of the largest game libraries, with iconic games including Thunderstruck, Game of Thrones, Agent Jane Blonde, Sisters of Oz and many more. Microgaming was the first on the scene to offer enormous progressive jackpots too, with their legendary Mega Moolah slot smashing records for the biggest win in an online casino. Most Kiwi online casinos have Microgaming games and slots as standard.
• Playtech: Playtech is another long-established casino software provider founded in 1999. Microgaming might be slightly older, but Playtech is another company that's been there from the start and has seen it all. Top slots from Playtech include the iconic (if not a little classic now) Dr Love More, Beach Life and Jackpot Giant.
• NetEnt: NetEnt is also a top-rated casino games company that's reliable and well known for pushing boundaries with innovative slot features. Netent is based out of Sweden and is probably most famous for its iconic pokies such as Starburst, Twin Spin, Gonzo's Quest, Dazzle Me, Dead or Alive and Finn and The Swirly Spin. Most New Zealand online casino sites will offer Netent slots and games - they won't be hard to find because Netent is a sought-after game provider. Basically, without Netent the casino will be lacking and will be the odd one out!
• Play'N Go: Play'N Go is another Swedish game provider that keeps going from strength to strength based on their popular online slots. Their most popular games include Rich Wilde and the Book of Dead, Shield of Athena, Forge of Fortunes, Secret of Dead and The Moon Princess saga of pokies.
• IGT: IGT is a well-known game provider in many land-based casinos worldwide, but they also provide online casinos in New Zealand with some legendary and famous games. Top games include Baywatch, Da Vinci Diamonds, Cleopatra, Ghostbusters, and Wheel of Fortune.
• Yggdrasil: Yggdrasil, in Norse cosmology, is an immense and central sacred tree. It's also a top-rated casino games provider in New Zealand! Despite the strange name for a software company, Yggdrasil has forged an excellent reputation since starting in 2013. Top Yggrasil pokies include Vikings Go Wild, Vikings Go Berserk, Valley of The Gods and Nirvana. You should be able to find Yggdrasil at most casinos that accept New Zealand real money players.
• Nolimit City: Possibly the biggest rule breaker of them all, and one of the most popular games providers because of that, is Nolimit City. Despite being established over ten years, Nolimit City started to break out and become mainstream due to some controversial slots, including Karen Maneater, San Quentin and East Coast Vs. West Coast. Their pokies are full of exciting in-game features, and the whole experience of playing their games is unrivalled. Most New Zealand casinos have Nolimit City on their books, so you won't find it hard to find Nolimit City games to play. Check the NZ casinos list above for some inspiration.

Top Payment Methods at New Zealand Online Casinos

Ensuring that there's the right choice of payment methods when choosing a new online casino is essential. The best online casino New Zealand sites offer safe, reliable and effortless payment methods, including credit and debit card payments, various e-wallets, instant bank transfers and even Cryptocurrencies. If you can't find a secure and easy way to deposit or withdraw, you won't be able to claim your welcome bonus, free spins, or play any real money games.

E-wallets, such as PayPal, Neteller, Ecopayz and Skrill, are popular with casino players in New Zealand. This is mainly due to the extra level of security they offer and also the speed of transactions. E-wallets often provide the fastest deposits and withdrawals, though the best New Zealand casinos won't keep you waiting.

Furthermore, many online casino operators accept deposits made using prepaid cards, such as Paysafecard and Neosurf. This type of payment option is ideal to select players who wish to limit the amount they spend or those who do not have any e-wallets set up. Of course, prepaid cards offer that extra level of anonymity too.

💗 The bottom line where New Zealand's payment methods are concerned is that all respected NZ online casinos will enable you to deposit safely using various payment methods. 

New Zealand Bitcoin Casinos

It has to be said that many Kiwi real money casino players are looking for newer, cost-effective ways to play online casino games and pokies, with many trying out new-age methods like Cryptocurrencies. Thankfully, awareness around these digital coins has grown, so handling money online using cryptocurrencies is no longer a novelty. Many of the top online casinos in NZ now support cryptocurrencies, check out the list above as most of them will, or head to our Bitcoin casinos page and look around to find out more.

Responsible Gambling New Zealand

Gambling is enjoyed by most as an entertaining pastime to explore new, thrilling games or bet on their favourite sports. Most punters can enjoy online gambling without it becoming a problem, but for some, this is much harder and can develop into a gambling addiction. Gambling responsibly comes with experience, so use your discretion when gambling online. If you feel your gambling is getting a bit much or your family is concerned, there are ways to help you stop. Alternatively, if you suspect that someone you know has a gambling problem and you want to seek help and advice to help them, we recommend contacting these New Zealand Gambling Help  organisations for advice:

• Gambling Helpline NZ: Gambling Helpline is a national organisation that provides 24/7 free support to anyone affected by problem gambling.
• The Ministry Of Health: The MOH works closely with the gambling industry and providers of problem gambling treatments to minimise harm.
• The PGF: PGF creates resources to help create awareness of gambling harm in New Zealand. You are welcome to download these resources for free.