Online Casino

✅ 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.