Can you gamble online in NZ? Yes, you can gamble online in NZ at any website licensed overseas. However, there are no sites licensed in New Zealand because the government is not interested in regulating the market.
So, you’ll need to carefully select the right online casinos and gambling portals to avoid scams. We’ve compiled some handy tips from our expert gamblers to help you avoid any traps.
New Zealand Gambling Act
Under the New Zealand Gambling Act (2003), you can play lotteries, casino games, and wager on sports on the web. You just can’t find any protection by the law or the Department of Internal Affairs for overseas gambling.
After all, Lotto NZ and the New Zealand Racing Board (TAB) are the only legally controlled ways to gamble online. Further, no New Zealand-based companies can offer gambling to residents, including virtual poker, roulette, or similar casino games.
Where Can You Gamble Online in NZ?
Since we’re passionate about safe online gambling sites, we’ve compiled a list to help you find the best of the best. These are our favourite casinos offering generous bonuses to gamble online:
Whenever you gamble online, you’ll have to review where you do so carefully. There are many pitfalls to watch for, but these are the most common:
1. Avoid Overpaying Free Pokies
Since many online casinos offer demo versions of pokies to try before buying, it’s not uncommon for scam websites to boost the payout rates. These are inaccurate, making it seem like the online gambling site is more generous than expected. If you’re unsure about payout rates, look up reviews for the correct percentages.
2. Watch Out for Dodgy Websites
When gambling on overseas sites, look for the obvious signs of a blacklisted casino or betting website. These include games breaking, terrible design, and strange design similarities to the most popular New Zealand online casinos. If anything looks untrustworthy, we highly recommend closing the website and writing off any money as a loss.
3. Duck One-Click Top-Ups
Since it’s easy to get carried away while gambling, we recommend any facilities that let you top up your account balance with one click. Rapid-fire gaming can quickly eat into your credit or debit card balance if you’re not careful.
4. Beware Social Online Casino Games
While social gaming can be a fun way to pass the time, many studies have linked free games to a shift in real money gambling. At least one in four American gamblers started playing for real money within six months of trying social casino games.
5. Keep Your Card Details Safe
Every payment method has its pitfalls, especially credit cards, because the details can be easily stolen. Most browsers will hide your details or automatically fill them in if the card is saved. However, we don’t recommend allowing the gambling portal to access your card details.
Taralynn Engels is a seasoned casino news writer with a passion for keeping her readers up-to-date with the latest happenings in the gambling industry. With over five years of professional writing experience, Taralynn has developed a deep understanding of the casino industry and a knack for delivering engaging and informative content. Aside from her in-depth knowledge of the casino industry, Taralynn possesses excellent writing skills that allow her to craft captivating narratives that keep readers hooked until the last word. Her ability to simplify complex concepts and present them in an accessible manner guarantees that her articles are enjoyed by both seasoned casino enthusiasts and newcomers alike.
Recently updated on August 4th, 2019New Zealand’s government agency is on a mission to ban internet gambling with credit cards. The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs is responsible for creating and regulating the gambling industry. One of the many reasons behind the department considering the ban of credit card internet gambling is the launch […]
Recently updated on March 2nd, 2019The New Zealand department of internal affairs (DIA) released figures on the 2018 spending habits of New Zealanders on 28 February. It found that they spent a total of $2.4 billion on gambling alone last year. This is the equivalent of every person in the country spending around $648 on […]
Recently updated on January 27th, 2019The Asian Racing Federation (AFR) from Hong Kong released a report stating Australia’s illegal gambling market will be worth AU$2 billion (NZ$293 Billion) by 2020 The report was done for Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore and South Africa. According to the reporting of the Australian Financial Review, Australia loses […]
Recently updated on December 14th, 2021Christmas Countdown bonuses are the best way to earn extra cash this festive season from sites like Wild Card City, King Johnnie, and Jackpot Jill. We’ve rounded up the best Christmas casino bonuses below to help you count down to the most wonderful time of year. These exclusive offers include […]
Recently updated on February 2nd, 2018It’s no secret that lawmakers in the United States are against sports betting and other forms of gambling. For years, it’s been illegal to bet on sports because of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). Now anti-PASPA initiatives, led by the American Gaming Association, are pushing to have […]
