Skip to main content

Can You Gamble Online in NZ?

Recently updated on August 30th, 2022

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.

Where Can You Gamble Online in NZ?

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:

Minimum Deposit Casino: Jelly Bean

1. Jelly Bean

  • Max Bonus: $1000
  • Min deposit: $35
  • Playthrough: 33x
Play Now
Gate777 Casino

2. Gate777

  • Max Bonus: $1000
  • Min deposit: $20
  • Playthrough: 35x
Play Now
LeoVegas Casino

3. LeoVegas

  • Max Bonus: $1600
  • Min deposit: $20
  • Playthrough: 35x
Play Now
Twin

4. Twin Casino

  • Max Bonus: $400
  • Min deposit: $10
  • Playthrough: 40x
Play Now
GrandMaster Jack Casino

5. GrandMaster Jack

  • Max Bonus: $300
  • Min deposit: $20
  • Playthrough: 50x
Play Now
WatchMySpin Casino

6. WatchMySpin

  • Max Bonus: $400
  • Min deposit: $10
  • Playthrough: 40x
Play Now
Casino Tropez

7. Casino Tropez

  • Max Bonus: $3000
  • Min deposit: $20
  • Playthrough: 30x
Play Now
Wild Card City Casino

8. Wild Card City

  • Max Bonus: $5000
  • Min deposit: $20
  • Playthrough: 50x
Play Now
King Johnnie Casino

9. King Johnnie

  • Max Bonus: $6000
  • Min deposit: $20
  • Playthrough: 50x
Play Now
Jackpot Jill Casino

10. Jackpot Jill

  • Max Bonus: $7500
  • Min deposit: $20
  • Playthrough: 50x
Play Now

Online Gaming Tips

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.

Best Casinos to Gamble Online

Casino Tropez

Casino Tropez

  • Max Bonus: $3000
  • Min deposit: $20
  • Playthrough: 30x
Play Now
Jackpot Jill Casino

Jackpot Jill

  • Max Bonus: $7500
  • Min deposit: $20
  • Playthrough: 50x
Play Now


Related Posts

Cheltenham Festival bets expected to total NZ$1.9 Billion

Cheltenham Festival spurs Billions in Bets

Recently updated on March 14th, 2018Horse racing has been one of the most popular forms of gambling for hundreds of years. One of the oldest events in Britain, the Cheltenham Festival, is expected to garner nearly £1 billion in bets this year. The festival started in 1860, and has been hosted at Cheltenham racecourse since […]

Dunedin Community to Review No-Pokies Funding Policy

Recently updated on June 30th, 2019Amid financial struggles, the Dunedin community group may have to reassess their position on not accepting funding generated from pokies machines. Their stance to refuse funding for community projects coming from gambling operators was a result of the documented harm blamed on pokies machines in New Zealand. With the organisation […]

Christchurch Casino License Riding on Charitable Trust Donations

christchurch casino licence renewal charitable conditions

Recently updated on April 10th, 2019Christchurch Casino was one of the first gambling companies to receive an operating licence back in 1993. They received a 25-year licence, and now they are up for a casino licence renewal. However, in new developments, the Gambling Commission has a condition for the gambling company to be able to […]

Sporting Index losing NZ$59 000 to Bad Maths

Sporting Index Lost NZ$59 000 on a Slip-Up – NZ Betting News

Recently updated on July 16th, 2018In the run-up to Sunday’s final, some UK bookmakers were a little too optimistic about goals. One bookie, Sporting Index, overestimated the amount of disallowed goals during the FIFA World Cup. This estimation was eventually exploited by one player, and the sportsbook is now liable for US$40 000(NZ$59 000) in […]

Star Entertainment Junket Operators Under Scrutiny

Star Entertainment Junket Operators Investigation

Recently updated on August 11th, 2019Recent inspections into Star Entertainment junket operators has prompted the CEO to speak out. According to recent reports, Star Entertainment’s junket operators have become the subject of public inquiry. Since Crown Resorts’ own troubles with authorities overseas, the sector has been extremely sensitive to legal backlash. In 2017, Star Entertainment’s […]