Best online casino in New Zealand 2024

Are Online Casinos Available in New Zealand?

Yes, online casinos are available in New Zealand. In our country, the Department of Internal Affairs oversees gambling activities, including online gambling. The Gambling Act of 2003 governs the industry, providing guidelines for operators and ensuring consumer protection. This legislation also prohibits online casinos based in New Zealand from offering their services to Kiwi players, but it does not restrict access to international online casinos. As a result, New Zealanders have access to a wide range of online casinos based overseas. Not all pokie sites, however, have made their site available in the country.

Our casino review team makes sure to scan the internet and look for the best websites. We then select the very best ones according to our performance metrics. These casinos accept players from New Zealand (18+) and often offer a variety of games, bonuses, and payment options tailored to the local market. It is however essential for players to choose reputable and licensed online casinos to ensure a safe and enjoyable gambling experience. Additionally, responsible gambling measures, such as setting deposit limits and taking breaks from gambling, are encouraged to promote healthy gaming habits.

Although online gambling is not regulated, New Zealanders are free to make online wagers as long as they stick to platforms that are offered abroad. Or as the Department of Internal Affairs states: “it is not illegal for someone in New Zealand to participate in online gambling if that platform is based overseas”. In addition to the growing number of digital platforms, Kiwis of 20 years or older are also welcome in the 5 land based casino venues. Below, we’ll give you an overview of the different casinos that are available for Kiwis.

Land Based Casinos

The very first land based casino was opened in 1994 which was when Christchurch Casino first became available to the public. Over the last three decades, 4 other casinos were added to the list totalling the number of land based casinos in New Zealand today at 5. Interestingly, two of them are found on the northern island whilst the other three are established in Christchurch, Queenstown and Dunedin. We hate to disappoint the Wellingtonians amongst us, but you guys will need to travel either up north or down south.

SkyCity Auckland

SkyCity Auckland is arguably the most sensational casino attraction on the northern island. With nightlife in Auckland never really stopping, many of the city’s nightlife venues can be found in and around SkyCity’s biggest venue in New Zealand. Head to SkyCity Auckland if you’re looking for the combination casino tables, pokie machines, dining options and pubs. And whenever there’s a big rugby match, make sure to taste the ambiance whilst many of the country’s biggest poker tournaments are also held right here.

Hamilton SkyCity Casino

Whilst Jafas (just kidding mate) will probably consider their casino the best option in the country, people from The Tron tend to label their casino as the most scenic one on the northern island. Giving visitors views of the Waikato River, this casino is yet another great option for both people from Hamilton and visitors. With 330+ pokie machines and 20+ tables we’re sure that every visitor will have a great time. And if you’re tired of making your spins you can always sit back and enjoy the 5 restaurants the venue has to offer.

Christchurch Casino

Christchurch Casino is the first, still existing casino in the country and it remains one of the most popular venues. With the main gaming floor housing 500+ pokie machines and 45+ gaming tables, it also counts on one of the biggest game assortments in the country. With a gaming floor covering more than 4000 m2, players are welcome 7 days a week. The restaurants and bars are also open every day and provide great bites and bubbles.

SkyCity Queenstown

As the name suggests, SkyCity Queenstown can be found in Queenstown. This casino opened its doors back in 2000 and has been receiving gambling enthusiasts for about 25 years now. As the country’s smallest gambling establishment, SkyCity Queenstown has a rather small assortment with 86 pokie games and 8 gaming tables. High rollers amongst us will be pleased to find out that there are 4 VIP table games found in Queenstown.

Dunedin Casino

Established a year before SkyCity Queenstown, this casino has been welcoming Kiwi gambling enthusiasts since 1999. With its classical façade, this casino venue is hard to miss once you’re in the city centre. As for the games on offer, there are 180+ pokie games and table games like roulette and blackjack to enjoy. We suggest you take a walk in the beautiful surroundings of the casino, either before or after making a real money win.

Online Casinos in New Zealand

The number of iGaming operators finding their way to New Zealand has been on the rise in recent years. More and more international companies see the potential which is why new brands open their virtual doors in New Zealand. The good news is that they’re free to do so as long as they’re located offshore. The bad news is that some rotten apples make their way to our country as well, although transparency of the industry is growing. With the iGaming industry now representing a billion dollar industry, led by stock listed gambling companies, it is fair to say that online gambling has never been as safe as it is today. 

As it still may be tricky to find the best gambling site, CherryRed Casino is more than happy to give you a hand. It is our job to analyse every new pokie site turning their attention to New Zealand and only if they pass the test will they be recommended. With a long list of performance metrics our experienced casino review specialists make sure to put every new entry to the test after which the very best options make it to our platform. We’re here to make online gambling a safe and enjoyable experience as we’re players in the first place. We’re passionate about online gambling and we’re sure that our site shows this. 

We’re sure you’ve heard the stories, but we just can’t get enough of the many benefits online casinos have to offer over their brick and mortar counterparts. With the around the clock availability and jackpot pokies breaking record after record, it comes as no surprise that the gambling minded have rapidly moved away from land based casinos to online ones. Don’t get us wrong, we enjoy the bells and whistles of land based casinos as much as you do, but there’s no denying that online gambling has turned out to be very practical. Below, we will touch upon some of the main reasons why to go for online casinos.

• 24/7 Availability: Whereas SkyCity Auckland is available 24/7, this isn’t the case for most other gambling establishments in the country. Most casinos work with limited opening hours which means the fun is over once they close their doors. Online casinos are not tied to opening hours whatsoever. With mobile gaming becoming more popular, you can also play whilst you’re on the go.
• Bigger Game Portfolios: Whilst the biggest casinos offer a few hundred pokies, most online casinos have portfolios boasting thousands of casino games. The reason for this might not be fair, but it sure is valid: online casinos don’t have to worry about physical space whilst the fee for buying or hiring a new pokie machine is also a lot lower than adding a land based machine to the floor.
• Bigger Payouts: 2015 was the first time when the Guinness Book of World Records for a jackpot pokie was set by a game played online and it hasn’t stopped ever since. With the latest WowPot jackpot hitting an all time record of NZ$ 68,61 million we believe you get our point here when we talk about the potential of online jackpots.
• Lower Expenses, Higher Returns: Most people who visit a land-based casino do this for the full experience which normally means buying drinks and food as well. Though a pleasurable experience, expenses like these are known to lower the net yield at the end of the night. The same goes for transport, parking fees and other expenses which are automatically avoided if you choose for online gambling instead of offline. With the RTP of online pokies (95-97%) being a lot more favourable than their offline versions (88-93%) we reckon you understand why online play can be a lot more fruitful in the long term than offline visits.
• Live Dealer Experience: When online casinos became more commonplace, most people agreed about the overall functionality and practicality of pokie sites, whilst the same is true for the lack of interactiveness. Live dealer casinos, with table games and later game shows, guided by humans, live dealers changed things for the better. Thanks to a live stream and a one-way camera, you’ll be connected to the gambling floor, providing you with the real casino experience.
• Bonuses: Competition is fierce in the field of online casinos which is why most gambling operators hand out bonuses. Most pokie sites do this to both new and existing players which can be used by them to lower the risk and get the most out of every dollar. Bonuses are one of the tools in the operator’s marketing mix to attract the crowds. With land based casinos handing out snacks and drinks, online casinos offer welcome bonuses, free spins, cashbacks and other promos.
• Free Demo Play: Most online casinos and game providers let players try out their games at no fee, which is thanks to the free demo mode that is available on most online games. This means that players can enjoy full functionality without needing to make a real money spin. Now think of a land based casino that lets you play their games for free. There won’t be a lot, if any, gambling establishments willing to let players walk in and let them play for free.

Playing the game in the free demo mode is very convenient and we recommend all of our visitors to make use of this option as it will help you to learn the rules of the game. Once you feel comfortable you can always move on to real money wagers. Playing games in the demo setting doesn’t give you the opportunity to make real money wins which is clearly only possible with real money wagers.

This brings us to this point as real money play can lead to real money wins. Whilst not everyone is aware that wagers that are made online can payout real money, we’re happy to inform you that this is actually possible. In fact, online casinos are widely known to pay out bigger prizes than their offline counterparts. This is especially thanks to the international, progressive jackpot networks outperforming jackpots in traditional casinos.

With new casino brands opening their doors on a daily basis, the options are plenty. At CherryRedCasino we’re happy with every new online casino turning their attention to our country, but not every brand deserves the same attention. This is why we continuously review new online casinos and encourage you to try them out when they perform well. The opposite is true for underperforming websites as we discourage our followers from visiting them. Our top lists only feature the gambling sites we would sign up to ourselves as well.

New online casinos can either be completely new websites with a new operating company behind them, but more common is that New Zealand is added as a new target market. Also common is that the platform itself is new, but the owner is experienced and owns other sister sites as well. In this case, the platform is likely to enjoy economies of scale and get the most out of the operator’s experience. This is why brand new websites can perform strong from the very beginning with some of the new casinos below already part of our top list. Make sure to frequently check out this list as it’s updated regularly with the latest brands.

Online gambling should clearly always prioritise the fun factor, but a lot of players make their online wagers to make real money wins. This is where banking comes into play as every transaction should be a worry free and smooth one. Banking should be safe, quick, and ideally free. Personal and financial data should be safe at any time and transactions should be immediately performed in order to readily play or enjoy withdrawals. For New Zealand punters, however, there are different country-specific criteria we evaluate.

New Zealand Dollars

The best online casino from a banking perspective is the one that accepts New Zealand dollars. This isn’t always obvious as most gambling sites tend to be more focused on the use of Euros or US dollars. As this would involve a lot of currency conversion and fluctuating values, this is far from ideal for players who make their wagers from New Zealand. This is why we always check whether the casino accepts New Zealand Dollars. The acceptance of NZD isn’t only limited to deposits, but should also be true for withdrawals and the bonuses on offer. More and more casino sites now offer bonuses in our local NZ currency which avoid the different drawbacks we mentioned above.

The best performing casino online often tends to be the website that offers big and many bonuses. With big we refer to either big packages, consisting of big sums of bonus money or many free spins, whilst many bonuses refers to ongoing promotions for both new and existing players. Whether bonuses can be considered good or bad largely depends on the terms and conditions that come with them. Below, we have selected the very best bonuses available today in New Zealand. Be sure to pick a bonus that fits your needs and get the most out of your next spins or bet. This top list is frequently updated with the latest deals.

[toplist of best bonuses]

How good a New Zealand online casino performs is often based on the games on offer which we find fair enough. Music platforms are judged by the amount of music they offer, whilst the quality of the songs and artists is just as important. The same is true for video streaming platforms and online casinos are no exception. A proper online casino offers a proper amount of casino games and works with proper game developers. Some of the most common online casino games you’ll find in the different casino lobbies are:

• Pokies: For most gambling platforms, online pokies represent the biggest chunk of the lobby. Most casinos offer thousands of online pokies that come with all sorts of mechanisms, themes, volatility levels and max payouts. Normally called “slots” or “slot machines” by international online casinos, pokies are the most important category of games which is why most bonuses can be used for pokies. Thanks to our online pokie reviews we’ll keep you updated about new releases.
• Jackpot Pokies: Widely popular amongst punters from New Zealand and other countries, jackpot pokies are the ones that pay out millions of dollars. The big boys out there are part of international progressive jackpot networks which are enjoyed by players from all the world. With a portion of every stake going to the pot, prizes can reach up to millions of dollars within a short period of time.
• RNG Table Games: Typically called “table games”, these are online versions of the traditional games that are played with cards or a roulette wheel. With Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat, and Poker being part of every casino’s lobby you can’t really miss the table games on offer. The same is true for video poker and scratch cards that can also be listed in a separate category depending on the preferences of the casino operator.
• Slingo: Combining the best of “Slots” and “Bingo”, slingo is a type of casino game that has gained popularity in recent years. This is particularly for the US and the UK, but it has spread to other countries in Europe as well. As many of our recommended online casinos are offered with European licences, players from New Zealand are becoming more and more familiar with the fun of slingo.
• Live Dealer Casino: We mentioned earlier that live dealer games have turned out to be the solution for online players looking for interaction in table games. With players taking place at a real casino table from the comfort of their couch, live dealer games have seen an explosive growth in recent years. This is why live dealer lobbies are rapidly taking over the role of RNG table games whilst the game shows add some extra fun and excitement to the live casino.

Joining an online casino only takes a few minutes of your time as setting up an account has become a piece of cake. Registering at an online casino site is possible on both a desktop computer computer or a mobile device and can be done as follows:

1. Pick A Recommended Casino: You don’t have to if you don’t want to, but selecting our casinos makes sure you’re registering on a pokie site that is available in our country. This will significantly make your gambling experience a lot more enjoyable as you won’t have to worry about whether a certain game or promo is available for New Zealanders or not. Also, we’ve made sure to separate the wheat from the chaff which saves you a lot of time and effort.
2. Sign up: Once you’ve picked a casino that fits your needs it is time to sign up for an account. Go for the button that says “Create Account”, “Join”, “Play” or whatever sounds like you’re about to make your first spin and follow the steps. Online casinos have made sure to make the sign up process as easy as possible and we don’t expect you to have any problems here.
3. Check Out the Bonuses: Of course, bonuses. Most new players are welcomed with special packages which are always highly appreciated if you ask us. Before you make a real money spin it is therefore advisable to check out the bonuses on offer as this will help you start off in the best possible way. Make sure to read the bonus terms and conditions as well as this will make a huge difference on whether a promo is worthwhile or not.
4. Deposit Money: Make your first real money deposit and try to adapt the amount you deposit to the minimum deposit amount to claim a bonus. We don’t want to push you towards playing with large sums of money, but hey, if there’s a deposit bonus for the grab, why not get the most out of it?
5. Go To the Lobby and Pay Your Favourite Game: Check out the games on offer and make your first spin or bet. Make sure whether the game is valid for the bonus you claimed above and enjoy the experience. We always recommend to set limits in your account, such as loss limits and session limits. Make sure to read the responsible gaming page to have a good time and enjoy the ride.

Like many online activities, online gambling has shifted towards mobile screens. This is why the best casino online takes into account that the biggest portion of their visitors makes mobile wagers. There aren’t a lot of online casinos anymore that haven’t optimised their website for mobile usage, but it does remain an important part of our casino evaluations. Every player should be able to enjoy a similar experience on both a desktop screen or mobile device. This can be done with either an app or responsive site that automatically adapts to the screen size of the used device. Not only the site’s functionality should be satisfactory, as the player should also be able to enjoy the same games.

Mobile First

Many players have a preference (or perhaps a habit) to access online gambling sites in NZ on their phones which is why most online casinos are optimised for mobile play. If you’re new to gambling and don’t plan to make your wagers on a desktop computer, but on a mobile phone, you’ll be delighted to know that there’s really no better time to step into the action than now. Many of the pokie sites we recommend work with a mobile first approach which means they’re focussed on providing the ultimate mobile experience before anything else. CherryRed Casino caters for the needs of mobile users by providing in-depth guides helping to find the best mobile casino sites in the country of New Zealand.

New Mobile Casinos 2024 in New Zealand

With new mobile casino NZ platforms launched on a daily basis, there are thousands of options to choose from. The biggest challenge therefore is to choose the right website as there are so many new brands out there fighting for attention. At CherryRed Casino, we’re always looking for the best new mobile casinos which is why we carefully analyse every new brand entering the market. So if you’re looking for the best casino site, look no further as you will find it right here. Especially the new online casinos out there are taken to the test as they will still need to prove themselves. Every gambling enthusiast wanting to make their wagers from a mobile device, will find a complete and updated list on our platform. All you need to do is go ahead and pick the brand that best suits your preferences and needs.

We’re players ourselves as well and we’ve been there: wondering whether an online casino is safe or not. We therefore understand your concerns whether online casinos in New Zealand are safe or not, especially as the iGaming legislation in our country isn’t very clear. This question is particularly valid when it comes to making real money bets. You don’t want to risk any of your hard earned money whilst the same is true for your personal data. We’re happy to inform you that our recommended casinos are indeed safe. 

At CherryRed Casino we only feature NZ online casinos that adhere to the latest safety protocols which means that we work with licenced casinos only. Gambling licences are issued by authorities that are normally part of a governing body and will need to meet strict gambling laws and rules of that particular country. As New Zealand doesn’t issue local licences, most of our selected casinos hold an European licence. Some of them even hold multiple licences by different authorities which submit them to ongoing monitoring. Not adhering to the rules of a gambling authority might lead to the casino losing the licence. 

A gambling site will also need to adhere to international standards for online transactions which is also very comforting to know for players. When selecting the online casino platforms we include on our website we always take a closer look at the payment solutions as well. Most players make real money wagers which is why transactions need to take place in a safe and secured environment. The payment methods a casino works with and the banking platform it implements on its website are therefore carefully analysed. Both your financial data and personal information should be saved securely at all times.

The same holds true for the iGaming operator offering the casino brand. This factor is especially important for newer brands that tend to prove themselves as they’re new to the market. With a strong operator backing the casino, there is a lot more reason to assume this casino website is safe. The iGaming industry was once known as controversial, but it is now driven by stock listed gaming operators. It’s fair to say that regulation has contributed to making the online casino industry a lot safer than it was two decades ago. 

This brings us to our next point, that of responsible gaming. Engaging in online gambling needs to be an enjoyable and rewarding experience at all times. This might sound obvious to most Kiwis, but for some players it is actually less common than one would expect. As seasoned gambling professionals, we have to be aware of the dangers of gambling as well, which is particularly true for online platforms, due to their easy access. Being able to recognise problem gambling as a severe addiction is the first step to combat it. As CherryRed understands that online casinos can be risky, we want to stress the importance of responsible play. Luckily, different steps can be followed to control gambling behaviour.

Set Limits

First of all, online casinos that stand for responsible gambling give players the option to set deposit limits when signing up. It is therefore recommended to stick to casino websites that advocate these practices. In case of any concerning behaviour, you’re encouraged to set betting limits as soon as you sign up. These options are often shown upon signup, but can be accessed through the account settings as well. Online casinos that require the customer to contact them before being able to set a limit need to be avoided at all costs. Limits can be set for session limits, deposit limits, and loss limits, amongst other things.

Take Breaks

Be sure to take regular breaks whilst playing. Stand out, lock your screen, take a walk, or do something different. The whole idea is to get away from your phone or desktop. A simple break can help you breathe and clear your mind for a few minutes. Avoid engaging in gambling when you’re unstable, upset, stressed, or feeling any sorts of strong emotions. Don’t worry about your gambling session, most online casinos will let you continue where you left off before taking a break. You can always test this before actually taking a break.

Do A Test

If you think you might have a gambling issue, but you’re not sure if that’s the way it should be labelled, consider taking an online gambling addiction test. These are often offered by the casino itself on the responsible play page. Also find out more about safe gambling on the websites of third parties that are specialised in helping gambling addicts. A few local examples in New Zealand are the Gambling Harm Department of the government and PGF Services. There are many problems that have gambling problems which is something very important to realise. If you consider yourself a gambling addict, you’re not the only one. There are people and organisations specialised in helping people with their problems.

Talk With Friends And Family

This might be an easy one to recommend by outsiders, but we know there might be a few barriers to actually make the step and go ahead and do it. Although it may be a difficult step, do not hesitate to talk about the subject with a trusted friend or family member if you think you’re coping with a gambling addiction. Although the first step might be a difficult one, you will always see how family and real friends will be there for you. Our advice is to ask your loved ones “not to judge you” in the first place, but to listen to you instead.