Online Casino

Use our comparison site and find the best online casino for NZ players!

Finding the best online casino that accepts New Zealand players can be quite a daunting task. While the best casinos will have great offers and many games to choose from and play, sorting the wheat from the chaff can be time-consuming.

The good news is that our comparison page can really cut down that work for you.

The founders of this site are experts in online gaming, with more than 10 years of experience in the industry.

While the gambling industry is heavily regulated in New Zealand, it is perfectly legal to play at an online casino as long as it is not based within New Zealand’s borders. Read on to learn more about what to look for to find the best online casino NZ.

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New online casino


Choosing between established casinos and newcomers puts most gamblers in a quandary. However, we’re here to tell you that new casinos are not only worthy of your consideration but can be well worth your time to try them out. After all new casinos need one thing more than anything else – players.

The market has proven time and again that great offers and promotions attract customers. This means that the best online casino NZ is not always going to be the more established one, sometimes it’s the newcomer that is going to have the best games, bonus offers, promotions and customer support options. So let’s start by taking a look at some of the different features online casinos have to offer New Zealand players.

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What’s important when you're choosing an online casino?


As we’ve mentioned above, there are a few things that need particular consideration when choosing an online casino. One online casino can look very much the same as the next, therefore making sure you enjoy the look and feel of the casino you choose is the first step you need to take. You like the look of the casino, it’s properly licensed, offers a tasty welcome bonus, and has games you want to play, so you want to sign up. Before doing so, there are a few other important things to take note of.

Do remember to check the customer support options on offer. While things generally run smoothly, if there’s ever an issue you want to be able to solve it, fast. Most casinos offer live chat and email and some include a telephone number. Make sure you are comfortable with the communication channels available and that they operate at the times you are likely to be playing. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly, check the payment methods available to deposit and withdraw funds.

Make sure you are comfortable doing transfers using the available methods as without them you can neither deposit funds nor withdraw any money you might win. Once your account has been created, you can go ahead and deposit funds into it. Different casinos will have different minimum deposits. This, however, will be made clear to you when depositing. Once the funds reach your account, you can start playing with real money.

Important aspects


  • ARE CASINO GAMES SAFE, SECURE AND FAIR
  • CUSTOMER SERVICE
  • DEPOSITS AND WITHDRAWALS FOR NEW ZEALAND PLAYERS
  • CASINO BONUSES AND OFFERS FOR NEW ZEALAND PLAYERS

Are casino games safe, secure and fair

Online casinos typically take security very seriously. Not only is this mandated by the licence through which they are allowed to operate, but casinos also want to keep their customers safe, of course. Security starts with the website. Here, you should look for a padlock sign next to the URL. This signifies that the communication between you and the server is encrypted and thus secure. When it comes to the actual games, reputable casinos work with reputable game developers. The latter are also licenced by gaming authorities, which means they need to submit to checks and audits to ensure their games are not only safe and secure but also fair.

CUSTOMER SERVICE

Good customer service is central to the casino experience and, as such, many casinos offer multiple ways customers can receive support should they need it. The fastest way to get help for simple queries is usually the FAQ section, where you can find quick answers to the most commonly asked questions.

If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for there, or your query is more complex, then most casinos offer access to their customer service team via telephone, email or live chat – but do check their operating hours. If your query is urgent, live chat is the way to go as you’ll usually get an answer within minutes. Email is the next best thing, usually taking around 24 hours for a reply.

DEPOSITS AND WITHDRAWALS FOR NEW ZEALAND PLAYERS

New Zealand residents looking to deposit and withdraw money at an online casino can expect a number of different options to be made available to them. Visa, Mastercard, bank transfers and a range of e-Wallets are the most common options that most online casinos will offer. Before committing to a method, you should check for any charges.

Generally, eWallets are usually free while card transactions may attract a fee either from your card issuer or the casino or both. Online casinos usually also have minimum limits of around NZ$10 for both deposits and withdrawals. Often there is a generous maximum limit for each deposit, while maximum withdrawal limits usually apply per month. All of these should be clearly stated on the casino’s payments page.

CASINO BONUSES AND OFFERS FOR NEW ZEALAND PLAYERS

Online casinos usually offer a welcome bonus to new players. Once signed up, casinos will also offer loyal players other bonuses and promotions including reload bonuses, cashbacks, loyalty scheme bonuses and more. New Zealand players, once signed up to a casino, are eligible for whatever bonuses that casino offers. But what makes a good bonus?

Well, as they say, the devil is in the detail and this is also true for online casino bonuses on offer to NZ players. First, make sure you read the terms and conditions, paying particular attention to the wagering requirements and the time window in which they must be completed. Quite simply, the lower the playthrough requirement, the better the bonus!

Having a longer time-frame in which to achieve that playthrough requirement also makes for a better bonus. Remember to check whether the wagering requirement is on the bonus amount or the bonus and deposit amount as this will substantially increase the amount that needs to be played through, making it not such a good bonus.

Most casinos will also have a weighting system in place, with different games contributing different amounts to the wagering requirement. Make sure you’re comfortable with this to avoid losing the bonus amount.

Other offers, such as cashback offers and VIP programmes, usually come with fewer strings attached, making them potentially a better bonus option Regardless, always take the time to read the terms and conditions to see whether a particular offer is a good fit for you or not.

Live online casino in New Zealand


Live casino games are a relatively recent innovation. They have been taking the online casino world by storm and, as such, it’s worth taking some time to talk about them. Live casino games bring the best of both worlds to your screen with the magic and allure of brick and mortar casinos delivered right to your screen in the comfort of your own home.

Live casino games, as the name suggests, are casino games that happen in real-time. Taking place in studios around the world, dressed to resemble “real” casinos, these games are streamed live in full high definition. There is a chat system that allows you to chat with the human dealer or croupier.

Here you can not only ask for information but also advice if you get stuck. With regards to the variety of live casino games, this will differ from one casino to the next. You can expect classic titles such as Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, and Poker. You can also find different versions of each game such as European and American Blackjack. Games will typically have minimum bet limits, so be sure to check before starting to play.

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Online casino bonuses


Online casino bonuses are probably one of the best, most exciting, features of online casinos. Many casinos provide a number of bonus offers and promotions to not only attract new customers but also reward existing ones for their continued loyalty. To this end, casinos can get very creative with the bonuses they offer.

With different customers enjoying different things, casinos go out of their way to ensure everyone can get the kind of reward they enjoy the most. From real money bonuses to cashbacks, bonus spins and other offers, casinos are always looking for ways to reward their players. Online casino bonuses can not only offer a great introduction to a casino but can help you play for longer, when your funds would otherwise have run dry. Casinos will typically advertise the available bonuses on their promotions page, which also includes the applicable terms and conditions governing that bonus.

Whilst it’s common knowledge that people do not read the terms and conditions, it is actually very important for you to do so when taking a bonus. It’s here you’ll find which games are eligible, whether there are wagering requirements or time limits and any other conditions that you need to stick to in order to make full use of any bonus you accept.

No deposit casino bonus

A no deposit bonus is a bonus that the casino grants its users without requiring them to make a deposit of actual cash first. Creating an account is usually the only requirement to get a no deposit bonus. The bonus itself can be anything from some free casino cash to spins, although this will vary from one casino to the next.

No deposit bonuses are not as common as other bonuses, however, they are not unheard of either. These kinds of bonuses give users a very low-risk way of trying out the casino. Keep in mind that even though no deposit is required, terms and conditions are still applicable in most cases.

DEPOSIT BONUS

A deposit bonus is, as its name suggests, a type of bonus that is linked to making a deposit of real cash to the casino. This kind of bonus is usually found as part of a casino’s welcome offer to new players making their first deposit. However, it may also be given as a reward to loyal players making further deposits into their account – see reload bonus below.

Welcome deposit bonuses vary from casino to casino, but most commonly come in the form of a deposit match – the casino matches your deposit by a set percentage and up to a fixed limit, e.g. 200% match to NZ$100. Often bonus spins will also be offered. Remember though that there are likely to be wagering requirements attached.

RELOAD BONUS

Reload bonuses are essentially the same as deposit bonuses, but they only reward subsequent deposits after the first deposit has been completed. Not all casinos who offer a welcome deposit bonus will offer a reload bonus.

Just like welcome bonuses, the reload bonus rewards a deposit by a fixed percentage (e.g. 25%) up to a certain amount (NZ$50). These are usually less generous than welcome deposit bonuses, but still give you a little extra cash to play with.

Reload bonuses are often implemented at specific times, e.g. weekend reload bonuses reward a deposit made at the weekend. As with deposit bonuses, there will be wagering requirements attached, so do make sure you read the terms and conditions.

CASHBACK BONUS

Cashback is another type of bonus offered by some online casinos. This is not as common as the welcome bonus or reload bonuses. In this type of offer, the casino will reward you with a small percentage (typically 5% to 25%) of what you have lost on bets on a specific game, or over a specified period, as cashback.

This will usually appear in your account as bonus money but sometimes it will be real cash. You can then use this to play on the games on offer at the casino, or for real cash, even withdraw it. Again all of the important information that you need to know will be included in the offer’s terms and conditions.

Loyalty programmes


Many online casinos offer loyalty programmes to their customers. Often players are automatically enrolled, but sometimes it is an invitation-only scheme. Usually, points are collected as you play the various games available at the casino. Different games will typically reward you with a different number of points, with pokies generally generating the highest number of points.

Loyalty programmes are often split into levels, with each level upping the ante on the perks the programme offers. The more points you collect, the higher up these levels you can proceed, with rewards including anything from exclusive bonuses to faster payments, a personal account manager, and free gifts including holidays and merchandise.

Wagering Requirements Explained


Wagering requirements are one of the terms and conditions usually attached to a bonus that you need to pay special attention to. The most common requirement is that players must play through the bonus or the bonus and the related deposit, a set number of times before any winnings from that bonus become available.

This playthrough wagering requirement is usually expressed as a number followed by an x, e.g. 30x, which signifies that the bonus amount needs to be wagered 30 times for any winnings to become available as actual cash. The casino may also put restrictions on the time frame these requirements must be completed in, as well as limitations on the games that contribute towards the playthrough requirement.

Online casino free spins


When visiting any online casino you may come across the term free spins. So what are they? Well, usually when playing pokies at an online casino you need to place a wager – using a real money virtual coin. Free spins allow you to spin the reels on a pokie without using any of your money. Once you use up all of your free spins, real money play will start automatically.

There are two ways to receive free spins. You can get rewarded with free spins in the game you are playing – this usually happens if you land three or more scatter symbols. The other way to get free spins is as a casino bonus.

You can think of that as a reward or a gift from the online casino. Free spins can be awarded as part of a welcome bonus, reload bonus, or any other promotion. Different casinos offer different promotions and the number of free spins varies a lot, but generally, you can expect anywhere between 10 to 200 free spins. Free spins won as part of an in-game bonus are usually yours for the taking with no conditions attached. However, free spins awarded as part of a bonus may well have restrictions regarding which pokie they can be used for, how soon they will expire and so on. Always check the terms and conditions to avoid disappointment.

No deposit free spins


There are quite a few online casinos that accept New Zealand players that offer a no deposit free spins welcome promotion, so only new users creating new accounts can receive them. This means that you will receive a free spins package, or at the very least a part of it, right after you create an account with the casino.

This all happens before you deposit any money into your player account. These free spins will have terms and conditions attached, which you should read carefully before accepting the offer. Most of the time, the spins can only be used on one, or a few, specific slot games and they will usually have wagering requirements.

Free Spins and Wagering Requirements


While there are some free spins offers that come without wagering requirements, most of them will have. If you win with free spins that have no wagering requirements, then those winnings are real money and can be withdrawn. For free spins with wagering requirements, you will first have to wager any winnings a set number of times before you can withdraw them.

Wagering requirements are always listed with the promotion and vary from casino to casino. For example, if you win NZ$10 and the wagering requirement is 25x, you will have to wager NZ$250 in total before you can withdraw your NZ$10, although of course in completing the wagering requirement you may well win more, which will also be available to withdraw.

Online casino games


Edge of your seat excitement is one of the things online casino games are really good for. To make sure there is something for everyone, online casinos work hard at expanding their games library and offer titles from a range of different game developers.

These games are from different genres, with a range of risk profiles and themes. Starting with pokies, you can find a huge variety of titles with different characteristics such as volatility, return to player (RTP) rate, paylines, reels and themes. You can also find pokies with jackpots that can be either fixed or progressive.

But pokies are not the only games you can find at online casinos. Table games are another sought-after genre. Here, you can find classic casino games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat and Poker alongside less commonly found dice games like Craps and others. Table games also come as live casino games. Here, you get to play against real live dealers and croupiers with the game streamed in full high definition from a studio dressed to look like a land-based casino.

You can also find different versions of all of these games, with different bet limits, twists to the rules and more, all of which are equally exciting. If this was already not a great choice of games, there’s more! You’ll also find ‘soft games’ such as scratchcards and bingo as well as sports betting at many casinos that accept NZ players.

Online Casino Jackpot Pokies


Most online casinos offer players a wide range of games to play. Pokies are the most popular, and within that genre, jackpot pokies can be the most exciting. Look for a casino that offers several jackpot titles alongside their other games. Some pokies have a fixed jackpot that you can win if you land the right combination of symbols.

Progressive jackpots have a pot that keeps growing until it’s won, where a small portion of every bet placed gets added to the prize. Popular progressive games include Mega Moolah, Major Millions, King Cashalot, Mega Joker and Mega Fortune. These can all have jackpots which run well into the 7 figures, making for a nice payday if you are lucky enough to win.

Online pokies

Pokie is the slang nick-name given by Kiwis and Aussies to the slot machines commonly found in both land-based and online casinos around the world. While no-one knows for certain, it’s thought that when poker machines first appeared in the Antipodes, the name was quickly shortened to pokie machine.

Because slots and poker machines tended to be found in the same pubs and clubs, pokie soon became the name for slot machines as well. Online pokies are some of the most fun and diverse casino games around. So you can be sure that you will find a pokie theme you enjoy. Like cats? There are cat-themed pokies. Like TV series? There are lots of branded pokies. Fascinated by space? There are cosmic adventure pokies too.

FREE PLAY POKIES

Many online casinos offer what are known as free play or demo-mode pokies. This means you can try out a new pokie without having to deposit or spend any money. Most of the top game developers design their pokies to include a free play version. Many casinos nowadays will also offer this free play version, allowing registered players and casual visitors to the casino site to try out a pokie before spending money on it.

With thousands of different pokies available, choosing which one to play is made easier by being able to test out a game, getting a feel for the gameplay and bonus features, before spending any of your hard-earned cash on it. Do remember though that you won’t win any real money.

PLAYING POKIES FOR REAL

Free play pokies are great for trying out games, but the real fun starts when you play for real. Simply create a casino account, deposit some cash and choose a pokie. Each one comes with an information button, which will tell you about the betting limits, paylines, paytable and more that apply to that game.

There are pokies to suit every budget, from those where you can bet as little as 1 cent per payline per spin to those where the maximum bet is hundreds of dollars. The possibility of landing a win depends on the volatility of the pokie. Low volatility games will see you win little but often, whereas high volatility games give you a big win but also lots of dry spells.

Top Five Online Casino Pokies


Pokies, as slot machines are known in New Zealand, come in all shapes and sizes. The online pokie machine market is vast, and many developers innovate day in and day out to make sure they can stand out from the crowd. Regardless of how innovative and engaging new titles tend to be, classic slots also keep attracting players. These tend to represent the cream of the crop when it comes to pokies, and you can find them at many online casinos. Titles such as Starburst, Bonanza, Book of Dead, Gonzo´s Quest and Rainbow Riches, are not only some of the most visually appealing games, but also offer exciting gameplay that’s a lot of fun.

Top five games

  • Starburst
  • Bonanza
  • Book of Dead
  • Gonzo´s Quest
  • Rainbow Riches
Playing Roulette Online

There are many versions of roulette available at online casinos. You can find European, American and French roulette games, all with low stake, high stake, and many other variations. Roulette is usually available as either a virtual video or live game. Video roulette games are rather like a computer game of roulette.

They have high-quality animation with the same, or similar, rules as a land-based casino roulette game. Live roulette games however, are even closer to their land-based counterpart. Streamed live from studios dressed to give you that casino atmosphere, there’s a professional croupier spinning the wheel, with whom you can interact.

As technology has advanced, you’ll also find new and innovative versions of Live Roulette, including Lightning, Mini and even Auto Roulette games.

Playing Blackjack online

Blackjack is an exciting card game that you can easily play online. Most, if not all, online casinos feature blackjack games with many versions for you to choose from. You can play single-hand or multi-hand blackjack, with either high or low stakes. However, the important thing to note is that even if there are other players at the table, blackjack is only played between you and the dealer.

Most commonly blackjack games are virtual video games. However, there’s a growing number of Live Blackjack games available. Live-streamed from dressed studios the professional dealers dole out real cards and close the bets. Thanks to its popularity, there are many versions of blackjack available, offering a range of different features, side-bets and bonuses.

Playing Baccarat online

Like its offline counterpart, online baccarat is played using eight decks of cards. There are a few versions of classic baccarat available online, with different stakes and side bets. Live Baccarat games have a live dealer who deals the cards, while video Baccarat usually has no dealer at all.

When playing video baccarat, you can usually change the table style, background music, and card styles helping you personalise the experience just the way you like it. Live Baccarat, however, brings you as close as possible to the real brick and mortar casino experience, since here you can interact with the dealer and your fellow players, all from the comfort of your home.

Playing Video poker online

Online video poker is a game-changer. When playing poker in a brick and mortar casino, you play against people. The cards matter, but playing people is a big part of the game. When playing video poker, you are essentially taking people out of the equation. All you have are the cards and the Random Number Generator (RNG).

It might sound a bit boring, but there are many exciting things about video poker. When playing this type of poker you can find a lot of different versions to play, each with slightly different rules. Some of the most popular versions of video poker include Jacks or Better, Joker’s Wild and Deuces Wild.

Is it legal to play at an online casino in New Zealand?


All gambling activities in New Zealand are regulated by the Department of Internal Affairs through the Gambling Act 2003. So, while it is perfectly legal to play at online casinos that are based outside of New Zealand, there are no online casinos that operate from within the country. Since gambling is considered to be a recreational activity, no taxes are applicable on winnings.

However, you should always consult a professional accountant to make sure you are safe since laws are subject to change. Many of the international online casinos that accept New Zealand players also accept New Zealand dollars, although this is not a blanket rule. It is best to check the payments page of the casino you intend to sign-up to.

This should list the currencies accepted, as well as the payment methods that are available for making deposits and withdrawals. If no information is available, you can also get in touch with the casino’s customer service team and ask. Another important item to check is the licence that your chosen casino operates under.

The Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) are considered to be two of the strongest licences out there. This means that the casino has to adhere to a strict code of conduct and submit to frequent audits ensuring everything is above board at all times. Casinos will typically operate from offshore with jurisdictions such as Malta, Gibraltar and Cyprus being some of the most popular.

Other Online gambling in New Zealand


Casinos that accept New Zealand players come in all shapes and sizes. This means there is a vast range of different games for you to choose from. Of course, not all casinos are going to have all of the games. However, you can browse a casino’s library of games to see what’s on offer before signing up.

Sports betting is one type of gambling that is fun. Figuring out the odds and placing a wager can all add to a greater sense of engagement with a particular player, team or sport. As for online gaming in general, online sports betting is, on the whole, illegal in New Zealand, although there are two exceptions. The first is for horse racing and sports betting done through the New Zealand Board of Gaming. The second is for sports bets placed on online casinos registered outside of New Zealand. So keen fans can still get in on the online action.

A number of online casinos also offer bingo games, with seasonal tournaments not being unheard of. Provided the online casino host is registered overseas, then online games, such as poker, will also become available to New Zealanders. Again, you’ll find a number of different poker versions available including video and live versions.

What’s more, casinos are always introducing new and different games. If you’re looking for something more unusual to play, check the Other Games section where you can find some of the quirkiest titles around.

The Online Gambling Industry in New Zealand


The gambling industry in New Zealand totals around NZ$ 2 billion per year. Most of this is spent on pokies, sports betting and lotteries as well as at the various land-based casinos found in New Zealand itself. It is estimated that statistically, about 80% of New Zealanders gamble in one way or another, although for many the only games they play are lotteries.

Online gambling is legal in New Zealand only if the online casino is based outside the country. While it might seem that online casinos are banned in New Zealand, in reality, the only thing that is banned in New Zealand are locally based online casinos. All players who are of gambling age can play online as long as the online casino is based overseas. This has an upside – there are no taxes applicable for the winnings from an overseas online casino and players are able to keep all of it. There are also many online casinos that accept NZ dollars.

This means that players from New Zealand won’t have to pay currency exchange fees when depositing or withdrawing funds to and from their player’s account. Placing bets in the currency you are familiar with also makes it easier to manage your bankroll and track how much you are spending.

The Future of Online Casinos in New Zealand


The first online casino was launched in 1996. Since then they have gone from strength to strength, with new casinos springing up constantly. The global online gaming market was estimated to be worth around US$46 billion (about NZ$72 billion) in 2019 and is predicted to almost double in value to around US$94 billion (about NZ$148 billion) by 2024. This is an astonishing rate of growth worldwide, and is largely down to improvements and innovations in the technology underpinning these casinos and the games they offer.

Things have come a long way from the simple early games so that now players can enjoy games on-the-go using their mobile devices as well as immersive live casino games, conjuring up the look and feel of land-based casinos. The next step looks set to be the widespread development of virtual reality games and casinos, and we’d fully expect that New Zealand players will be able to access them.

It is also fair to say that the regulations surrounding online casinos, and gambling in general, are evolving. Regulations are there to ensure that gambling sites operate lawfully and ethically, treating players fairly and keeping their personal and financial data safe. While changes to the way casinos operate are likely, it’s difficult to predict what those changes will be.

Legislation to ensure greater transparency regarding accounting procedures, stricter requirements to help prevent problem gambling and a more global arbitration service for dealing with complaints, are all areas where they may be changes.

Beginners Guide to Playing at an Online Casino


Getting started at an online casino is easy. But, as a new player, there are a few things that you should pay attention to. Keep reading to find out more. Most importantly, you need to choose the casino you want to play at carefully. Follow our handy hints, or choose one from our recommended list.

So, first, is the casino licensed and, if so, with whom. The MGA and UKGC are two of the best licensors for example. You’ll want to look for a site that is safe, secure and fair. Having licences from one or both of these jurisdictions can help set your mind at rest. Second, pay attention to the promotions on offer, and always check the terms and conditions attached.

Do try to find something that fits your risk profile and that you’ll actually enjoy using. Next, visit the casino and check out their site and games. Do you like the site’s layout? Is it easy to navigate? Do they offer the games you like in the format you prefer? Can you play games on your mobile? If the casino offers a free play mode then test-drive a few different titles.

If the answer to all these questions is yes, then you are ready to create an account with them. The casino will ask for information such as name, date of birth, email and phone number. Remember this is all in order to comply with regulatory and licencing requirements – it’s basically for your safety and wellbeing.

Customer Service


Good customer service is central to the casino experience and, as such, many casinos offer multiple ways customers can receive support should they need it. The fastest way to get help for simple queries is usually the FAQ section, where you can find quick answers to the most commonly asked questions.

If you don’t find the answer you’re looking for there, or your query is more complex, then most casinos offer access to their customer service team via telephone, email or live chat – but do check their operating hours. If your query is urgent, live chat is the way to go as you’ll usually get an answer within minutes. Email is the next best thing, usually taking around 24 hours for a reply.

Deposits and withdrawals for New Zealand players

New Zealand residents looking to deposit and withdraw money at an online casino can expect a number of different options to be made available to them. Visa, Mastercard, bank transfers and a range of e-Wallets are the most common options that most online casinos will offer. Before committing to a method, you should check for any charges.

Generally, eWallets are usually free while card transactions may attract a fee either from your card issuer or the casino or both. Online casinos usually also have minimum limits of around NZ$10 for both deposits and withdrawals. Often there is a generous maximum limit for each deposit, while maximum withdrawal limits usually apply per month. All of these should be clearly stated on the casino’s payments page.

Casino bonuses and offers for New Zealand players


Online casinos usually offer a welcome bonus to new players. Once signed up, casinos will also offer loyal players other bonuses and promotions including reload bonuses, cashbacks, loyalty scheme bonuses and more. New Zealand players, once signed up to a casino, are eligible for whatever bonuses that casino offers. But what makes a good bonus?

Well, as they say, the devil is in the detail and this is also true for online casino bonuses on offer to NZ players. First, make sure you read the terms and conditions, paying particular attention to the wagering requirements and the time window in which they must be completed. Quite simply, the lower the playthrough requirement, the better the bonus!

Having a longer time-frame in which to achieve that playthrough requirement also makes for a better bonus. Remember to check whether the wagering requirement is on the bonus amount or the bonus and deposit amount as this will substantially increase the amount that needs to be played through, making it not such a good bonus.

Most casinos will also have a weighting system in place, with different games contributing different amounts to the wagering requirement. Make sure you’re comfortable with this to avoid losing the bonus amount.

Other offers, such as cashback offers and VIP programmes, usually come with fewer strings attached, making them potentially a better bonus option Regardless, always take the time to read the terms and conditions to see whether a particular offer is a good fit for you or not.

What Makes a Good Casino Game


There is no secret formula for success when it comes to creating a good casino game. However, most players would agree that for a casino game to be good it has to be of good quality, with engaging gameplay and a fair return. Online casinos usually offer players a broad mix of game types – some requiring varying degrees of skill and strategy, others being purely based on luck. There are good, and bad, games to be found in both. For example, pokies are by far the most popular casino game and come in all shapes, sizes and themes.

There are classic 3-reel games with simple game mechanics and a small number of fixed paylines. There are 5-reel video slots with scatters and wilds, bonus features, thousands of paylines, and even fixed or progressive jackpots. But what makes a good pokie? The answer is, essentially, whatever the player enjoys! However, not all players love pokies. Many players prefer games that require the implementation of strategy such as Poker and Blackjack, or the understanding of betting rules as in Roulette. Again there are many variations of these games, but the same is true here, a good game is simply one that players enjoy.

Building an online casino


Online casinos are the sum of many parts, all of which need to work with each other. At the centre of everything is the casino platform, this is the software that everything else connects to. This platform takes care of user account information and allows you to log in to the casino and access the many features and games that it has to offer.

As mentioned previously, online casinos must also obtain licences from a competent authority to be able to offer gambling services to the general public. Next, let’s look at the casino games.

They are typically sourced from game developers. Some casinos will also have exclusive titles, which, as the name suggests, are exclusive to that particular casino. Live casino games are also sourced from providers who operate studios dressed as casinos. They have all the necessary equipment to stream games live, from many angles, in full high definition.

Online casinos must also work with the payment providers who process player deposits and withdrawals. Here, casinos work with a number of different payment providers. This will affect the different types of payment methods users can use for their transactions.

Playing online casino games for free


Many casinos offer free play or demo-mode games, usually pokies or table games, which means you often do not need to register or deposit and play with real money. Games having this feature will have a Free Play or Demo button. Once you click it, the game will load and you will have a balance of play money which you can use to play the game.

Of course, you cannot withdraw any winnings you might achieve since, after all, you are playing with pretend money. This feature lets you experience a game before playing it for real. You get valuable practice time in, to get to know the game.

Responsible Gaming at an online casino


While gambling is fun, we all know that sometimes it can become a problem. Most reputable online casinos promote responsible gaming. They do this by including a range of responsible gaming tools on their websites.

These can vary from one casino to the next, but generally, they include: (a) counters telling you how much money you have spent so far; (b) timers letting you know for how long you have been playing; (c) a self-exclusion tool to bar yourself from the site for a short or a long period ; (d) links to sites and organisations that offer help for problem gambling including The Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand (PGF). If you suspect you have a problem, do reach out to someone for help.