New Zealand Gambling History
The gambling business has existed in New Zealand since the time when settlers from Great Britain began to develop the territory. Gambling was a common occupation in colonization. The 1908 Gambling Bill banned the gambling business – only horse racing remained legal. They were the only legal form until 1951, when TAB, the state bookmaker’s office, appeared. After that, the laws began to soften, and new forms of gambling became available to New Zealanders. Lotteries, slot machines, casinos and online casinos have consistently appeared.
Horse Racing
It is the oldest form of gambling in New Zealand. The first races were held in 1835. However, horse betting was banned in 1920. They were allowed again only in 1961, and then, with great restrictions.
Lotteries
The first lotteries appeared in 1933. They were relatively small in size. The large Golden Kiwi Lottery appeared in 1961. Then it was replaced by Lotto in 1987.
Slot Machines
Slot machines first appeared in New Zealand in 1991. The slang name is poker machines or pokies, as in Australia. The government allowed the establishment of arcade casinos in 1989. In the 90s, operators preferred to install slot machines in and around Wellington as it is a metropolitan area. Then in 2001, the government announced that it was going to free the capital from the gambling business. 7 city casinos were closed, because the authorities were afraid of too strong the development of dependence among the population.
Online Slots
New Zealanders, as a very gambling nation, naturally could not miss online casinos. Gambling websites and platforms started operating in 1994. Microgaming becomes the first online slots provider in New Zealand. Fruit Fiesta and Cash Splash are some of the first slot machines available to NZ players. In the late 90s, New Zealanders became familiar with slots from Playtech and Cryptologic. At first, online slots had only 1 payline and 3 reels. Then, due to the development of computers, providers began to introduce more paylines, wild symbols, scatters, bonuses, and bonus games.
Top Casinos In NZ
Casinos are among the most popular entertainment centers in New Zealand today. Since gambling is an activity that is allowed in this island state, casinos and other gambling establishments have become a very popular holiday destination not only for locals, but also for tourists from around the world. Now 6 licensed casinos are available in New Zealand, which are controlled by the government. They are located in such cities as:
- Christchurch;
- Dunedin;
- Hamilton;
- Queenstown;
- Auckland.
SkyCity Auckland is the largest and most popular casino in New Zealand. The casino is located in the capital of the country and therefore it is not surprising that it attracts the majority of players. However, it is not just a convenient location that is the reason for the casino’s success. SkyCity also operates two other casinos in Queenstown and Hamilton. Both of these locations offer the same level of comfort as Auckland’s SkyCity, but on a much smaller scale. The casino also houses a variety of world-class restaurants and nightclubs in addition to hundreds of board games. By the way, players can enjoy SkyCity online casino site full of great entertainment. Christchurch Casino is also a popular destination, although this particular location is geared more towards locals than tourists. But Christchurch boasts a well-equipped games room and regularly offers entertainment and fun activities. Every week, Christchurch Casino offers players a new way to earn cash prizes, including giveaways and tournaments. Players who are looking for a more comfortable gambling environment can visit local pubs or gambling clubs. There are no board games here, but there is an abundance of electronic slot machines. Moreover, gamblers can visit online casinos, which offer players a unique opportunity to look into the gambling world of casinos.
Gambling Legislation In NZ
The law that currently regulates New Zealand’s gambling business was passed in 2003. It was adopted to replace the 1977 and 1990 regulations. It is regularly amended. The law has the following objectives:
- control over the gambling industry and minimization of damage from gambling;
- formulation of the list of permitted gambling entertainment;
- promoting responsible gaming;
- ensuring fairness and safety of gambling;
- prevention of gambling offenses;
- involvement of the community in decision-making regarding gambling.
Under current regulations, licenses to operate land-based casinos in New Zealand are no longer being issued. However, valid permits can be renewed. New Zealand operators are not allowed to provide services to players during national religious holidays. Otherwise, the casino administration can expect a fine of 10,000 NZD. People at least 18 years old can take part in the lotteries, the minimum age of casino visitors is 20 years. New Zealand has a self-identification mechanism for problem players. If a gambler realizes that gambling causes him significant damage, he has the opportunity to request a ban on visiting the casino. According to the law adopted in 2003, the types of gambling are divided into 4 classes:
- Games with winnings and a potential turnover of no more than 500 NZD, without using machines;
- Similar games with possible winnings and a turnover of no more than 5,000 NZD;
- Games without using machines with winnings and a turnover of over 5,000 NZD;
- Slot machines.
Only games of the 3rd and 4th class are subject to licensing. Each of them has its own type of license with the corresponding requirements.
Online Casino In New Zealand
According to the current law, the organization of the activities of sites that provide the opportunity to gamble online is prohibited. This does not mean a total ban on online casinos in New Zealand. New Zealand does not allow domestic online casinos to be organized. Players can legally play in international establishments, whose servers are located abroad. Besides, their winnings are exempt from income taxes. Both offline and online, players prefer to play slots, lotteries, and sports betting. The biggest bets are rugby, cricket, football, and netball. The international bookmaker receives approximately 20% of all traffic in this thematic segment. In second place is the national lottery Mylotto, and in third place is the Tab.co.nz sweepstakes. Poker fans from New Zealand often prefer to play on River Belle casino mobile, Royal Vegas, JackpotCity.
NZ Casino Games
Since New Zealanders have to visit online casinos hosted outside their home country, they get many advantages connected with the choice of games. They will be able to enter platforms with a choice of games they want to play. Kiwi players are allowed to pick among pokies (or slots), roulette, blackjack, baccarat, video poker, craps.
Popular Slots For Kiwi Players
Video slots are one of the most popular types of gambling in the country. In New Zealand, they received the slang name “pokies”. The following slots are especially popular among Kiwi gamblers:
- Gonzo’s Quest;
- Game Of Thrones;
- Batman;
- The Wizard of Oz;
- Medusa II.
Well-known gambling software developers do not operate in New Zealand. The most demanded foreign developer in the country is a Playtech provider. By the way, some casinos provide free pokies to try playing casino games before real playing process.
Choosing the Best Online Casino in New Zealand
While picking a proper website to play a slot, you need to take into account some essential points. If you have ever been screwed by a casino, this information is exactly for you. We cannot allow you to make the same mistake again. While reviewing a site, we turn attention to the next moments:
Licenses & Security
The first thing QYTO experts check is a license from an authoritative institution. In New Zealand, the following licenses are acceptable:
- Alderney Control Gambling Commission;
- the UK Gambling Commission;
- Malta Gaming Authority;
- Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission;
- Curacao Gambling Commission, and others.
As usual, these licenses are listed at the bottom of a casino website and you can easily check them out. Speaking about safety, every site must have an HTTPS extension that is used for user protection. At the QYTO, you will find the list of licensed online casinos and can pick one of them according to your preferences.
Simple Navigation & Suitable Content
First, when our team examines a casino where New Zealanders could feel comfortable, we always consider website usability — this means, a website should have an easy-to-use filter for choosing games or providers, relevant content including game rules, characteristics, enjoyable blog, etc. If you notice that the page is loading for more than 20 minutes, be sure you will not handle this site. If an online casino does not have terms and conditions, contacts, it is not so good as well.
Collection Of Games & Software Developers
It is a good sign when a website provides over 600 slots or other types of online games, for example, lotteries, scratch, and live casino rooms. This means a casino cooperates with authoritative developers, for example, Microgaming, NetEnt, Pragmatic Play, Yggdrasil, and others. Fraud casinos won’t put many games on its website knowing it’s easier to earn money due to a poker or fruit slot. When an operator provides online casino games from famous developers, their activity is regularly tested by independent organizations like eCOGRA, TST, PwC, CFG, Gaming Associates, and others.
Bonuses & Offers Value
Another one important reason why people want to register to the right casino is a bonus system and special offers that are used for attracting gamblers all around the world. Competition among online casinos in New Zealand is quite huge, that is why you can pick any of them. At the QYTO website, you will find the latest best bonuses from the most trusted gambling websites that offer deposit and no deposit bonuses. If you have already picked a casino, you have to be sure a chosen platform gives a big range of regular bonuses like monthly offers, promotions in concrete slots, welcome bonuses, gifts for a friend you invited, or the number of deposits you made. A rogue casino does not provide a wide bonus system — that is why the QYTO team checks the availability of bonuses. On our website, you will see the latest online casino no deposit bonus and other types of bonuses.
Banking System & Safe Withdrawals
The most important thing if you are going to play for real money — how secure are payment operations in this casino. The best operators use the latest encryption technology like SSL that encrypts personal data for transmitting them via the Internet. Every trustworthy casino available in New Zealand must provide a big variety of payment methods including e-wallets like Neteller or Skrill, PayPal system, credit cards like Visa or Mastercard, and some prepaid methods like PaysafeCard that helps to make financial operations without using a bank account. If you require anonymity, you’d better have a Bitcoin wallet — many trusted websites offer this method of payment. Remember, some websites can provide a payment method for deposit only and do not permit withdrawals. To avoid confusing situations, attentively learn payment conditions and be sure there are no limits.
Reputation Of Brand
As in any industry, among online casinos NZ, there are both serious and safe operators and not so reliable websites. While you start searching for the right place for gambling, read what other gamblers write about some casinos you. Look at reviews on forums, examine ratings, find licensing and certificate information of any gaming operator. Be careful some casinos pay for reviews, do not trust too exalted feedback.
Mobile-Friendly Website
If you have found an appropriate casino, you will want to spend much time playing its games on any device. This means you need to set eyes on a site that has a mobile version. Then you can easily play on smartphones with iOS, Android or Windows mobile and enjoy the gameplay without a heavy PC or laptops.
Quick & Qualified Client Service 24/7
The quality of support service is an important thing as well. If you have a problem with the withdrawals of your wins and in a moment you can lose all your money, the support manager must answer as fast as lightning. If you are waiting for the answer for more than 2 hours, this is quite a bad sign. The QYTO team checks the professionalism of the customer support of every casino and tests its contacts.
Mobile Casino In New Zealand
Modern tablets and smartphones provide an excellent opportunity to enter mobile casinos NZ for real money gameplay whenever you want. Moreover, players are not required to meet any system characteristics or rules for playing mobile casinos. Android and iOS are guaranteed to be supported by the top-rated mobile casinos. If the online casino does not offer software for downloading, then the normal browser mode works fine. If you already know how to start playing in a mobile casino, then go ahead. By the way, if an operator has mobile software, download and install it on your device. It is interesting that it automatically detects what kind of operating system is installed. The download program may be offered via a QR code in the AppStore. If it is not offered, then you just use your browser. All players can enjoy such advantages of mobile casino gameplay on your phone. Check them out:
- The possibility of winning money absolutely anywhere where there is more or less fast Internet. You have the opportunity to play even while in another country (for example, on a business trip), without having a PC or laptop.
- Thoughtful & advanced interface. It is implemented much, much more convenient than most conventional gaming sites. The reason is that mobile casinos are extremely interested in the influx of players.
- High-quality online slots. Their manufacturers are very rich companies, so they never skimp on the quality of their products. Their capabilities are much higher than those of providers of ordinary entertainment games.
Eventually, it is just really cool to win money directly from your portable device wherever you are in New Zealand.
New Casinos NZ
The fact that an online casino has been able to remain on the market among many competitors for many years indicates reliability, stability, and trust. Nevertheless, you should not write off newcomers to the industry market. The new casinos always try to offer avid gamblers incredible promotions with favorable welcome bonuses. Many experienced Kiwi gamblers often are loyal to anyone online casino due to the loyalty programs and the lack of risk tested on their own experience. However, they are missing out on great opportunities to get huge bonuses. Why might new casinos be better than well-known and proven ones? All long-running brands already have their own permanent audience and do not seek to attract new customers with some mind-blowing promotions. However, new casinos must somehow find their customers. That is why they offer
- increased welcome bonuses;
- better playing conditions;
- more free spins;
- a reduced minimum deposit
- increased limits, and even more.
Moreover, to set itself apart from conservative competitors, the new casinos stand out for their innovative website and mobile app designs.
Best Online Casino Bonuses NZ
QYTO shows only top paying online casinos in NZ and you can easily check the variety of bonuses so adored by gamblers worldwide. See the main offers that could help to keep your wins:
Deposit Bonus
When a spieler makes several deposits, he/she gets such a bonus. However, this does not allow you to withdraw this money because they are indicated for the gameplay. You can get the following deposit bonuses:
- Welcome Bonus is available for new players who just created an account on the site and made the first deposit;
- A percentage bonus can be charged to your account according to a sum you deposited;
- Referral Bonus is available when you invite your friends to join a concrete casino.
Online Casino No Deposit Bonus
Being a newbie on the gambling website, you can receive a no deposit bonus only for your registration. Every best online casino must provide no deposit welcome bonus to encourage their gamblers. The size of bonuses is not big enough and they are not allowed to be withdrawn. To cash out these bonuses, you need to meet the wager requirements to keep what you win and clarify information whether this kind of bonus is available in your country. Such restrictions are not rare in the gambling business.
Payment Options For Kiwi Players
Here you can see the list of payment methods frequently used in most NZ casinos online. All of them obtained the trust for years and now gamblers can easily pick some of them for online gambling:
Visa
The most common payment instrument is considered to be a bank card. The popularity of bank cards is due to the convenience of cashless payments in everyday life and an increase in the share of online payments. 200 countries are ready to accept Visa for payments. This service is really considered the largest and most famous method.
Mastercard
Another popular international payment system is MasterCard. The service is suitable for use in over 200 different countries worldwide including NZ. About 23 billion transactions go through this payment system annually. This service together with Visa is often accepted by most top casinos NZ.
Neteller
This payment system operates smoothly and ensures fast transaction execution. To start using it, you should go through the verification of your account, to which you can link your account for convenience when carrying out financial transactions. This payment system was created in Canada in 1999 by the British company Optimal Payments PLC (Paysafe Group PLC), providing users with convenient conditions for transferring and receiving funds. This method is also used for online shopping, eWallet replenishments, etc.
Skrill
The service was launched in 2001 and now has over 30 million users worldwide. Paysafe Group, a brand from the UK, is officially represented in most countries around the world. The service provides the safety of your transactions due to specific encryption. The payment system officially works with gambling operators (casinos, bookmakers, lotteries, etc.). The company is registered in the UK and complies with the laws of the countries in which it provides its services.
POLI
The POLi Payments payment system has been operating since 2006 and is focused on clients from Australia and New Zealand. This is a convenient service with fair and fast transactions. Due to its regional specifics, it is not as widely used as bank transfers or large international platforms, but it still remains in demand among players.
PaysafeCard
This is an electronic payment system that does not have e-wallets or customer accounts. The system is based on voucher cards with special codes (16-digit number). Paysafecard is the most popular in Europe. The company’s offices are located in 27 countries including New Zealand.
PayPal
This service was founded in 1998. The advantages of PayPal include a variety of currencies that are available for money transactions. In total, there are about 24 species. According to experts, PayPal is used in 190 countries around the world. By the way, this is the service that online gamblers prefer to use when playing in online casinos of New Zealand and Great Britain.
Bitcoin
Bitcoin is a cryptographic decentralized electronic unit that does not have an emission center, and transactions within the system are carried out on the basis of technologies of the so-called peer-to-peer information exchange (P2P). The system was launched by Satoshi Nakamoto and a group of developers in 2009. Now many online casinos accept bitcoins and all you need to do is to get a wallet and gain this currency.
Gambling Addiction In New Zealand
Compared to other countries, New Zealand has a low level of gambling addiction. Moreover, the percentage interestingly correlates with the number of slot machines: In 1991, the number of slot machines equals 6,273 and the percentage of addicted players was 1.2% of the total population. In 2000, the number of slot machines was 12,201 and the percentage of gamblers was 0.5%. This means, as the number of slot machines grew, the dependence decreased. But then, during 2007-2016, there is no correlation: the number of avid gamblers does not depend on the number of slot machines in the country.
Future Of New Zealand Gambling
The gambling market in New Zealand is formed and stable. Due to the restriction on the issuance of new licenses, it is not yet possible to talk about a possible revival in the land gambling segment. The currently licensed operators fully meet the actual needs of New Zealand players. The authorities are trying to streamline the activities of online casinos. In particular, it is planned to introduce a tax for foreign bookmakers in the amount of 2% of the profits received from New Zealand players. New Zealand is characterized by a well-developed legal framework in the field of gambling that is friendly to players and takes into account their interests as much as possible. A reasonable compromise has been found in the country between the fight against gambling addiction and the creation of comfortable conditions for gamblers.
