Top New Zealand Casinos: The Cream of the Crop in the Gambling Industry!

A Brief History

For a fact, gambling in New Zealand dates back to the 1830s when Kiwi players would place their stake levels strictly on horse racing. Regardless of the island’s deserted location, one resident by the name of George Julius made a significantly positive impact on the wagering and sports world and molded it to be what it is today. In 1913, he came up with a device known as an “automatic totalisator” or rather a tote board which allows fans to view the position of the horses in a race.

However, in the 1920s, the prohibition of horse race betting came about until 1961. The regulation on all other forms of wagering also became stringent until the 1980s when Parliament made an approval of lottery games, alongside casinos. The legalization and introduction of slot machines came shortly after, with the initial one opening in the year 1994.

After long durations of restrictions on all types of gambling in the area, betting expenditures are currently amounting to approximately $NZ 2 billion, per annum. Slots account for 35% of this figure, whereas Gaming Platforms, sports gambling, and lotteries account for 26%, 18%, and 21% respectively.

All public betting entities have an obligation to donate a fraction of their returns towards community development, with six brick and mortar casinos operating on the islands. The law also permits New Zealanders to legally indulge in gameplay at online casinos if they are not located in this island country.

Modern Day Gambling in NZ

Under the Gambling Act of 2003, the prohibition of wagering is in place unless authorized by the State. There are four types of betting, with each requiring a unique operating license from the government. The highest cash prize amounts, alongside turnovers, vary in each type. Players ought to be at least twenty years in age to enter gaming parlors, but only eighteen to relish in sports gambling (which is inclusive of horse racing), lotteries, and scratch cards.

Betting-related activities which are still forbidden across the board run the gamut from bookmarking, alongside online gambling. Nevertheless, while the Kiwi law states that it is illegal for punters to wager at any online casino whose location is in NZ, any participant of legal age (18) can delight in web-based betting parlors situated outside the country.

It is vital to note that marketing from gambling operators located overseas within this jurisdiction is not permitted.

Betting in this island is controlled by The Gambling Commission, and is part of the Department of Internal Affairs, as mentioned earlier. With its establishment over a decade ago in 2003, the Commission issues licensure to gaming platforms, requirements for licensing, and the approval of agreements between the operators and the venue licensure holders.

The Most Popular NZ Casino Games

As you know, Pokies have had a long history in this country. Since the early 1900s, the popularity of these games is skyrocketing in clubs, casinos, and pubs. To date, there are nearly 20,000 slot machines in the country. Therefore, it is no surprise that these Internet gameplay options which offer punters the opportunity of winning real money are a big hit with a myriad of Kiwis.

With that being said, below are the best online pokies in NZ.

• Mega Moolah– Launched over a decade ago in 2006 courtesy of Microgaming, it has paid out more than $320 million, which is inclusive of the greatest Mobile grand prize reward of $5.8 million. It encompasses four various levels of progressive jackpots, with the largest beginning at $1 million. Furthermore, the game has a captivating jungle outlook, and is easy to grasp, hence making it a fun encounter.
• Gonzo’s Quest– It is one of the flagship pokies from Netent, in addition to being among the original games to break out of the typical rotating wheels through the invention of Tumbling Wheels. Here, the icons fall into place and their explosion occurs upon the formation of a winning pay line. Additionally, the 3D graphics are equally as delightful as the cashouts. The RTP (Return to Player) lies at 96%, which means that you will be accumulating your fair share of gold as you embark on a mind-blowing adventure with the Spanish Conquistador.
• Major Millions – As the title depicts, Major Millions is a highly rewarding progressive machine from Microgaming with cashouts amounting to as much as $400,000 or in some cases, millions. While the theme may be slightly outdated, there is a profusion of bonus features, such as Scatters, Wilds, and so much more.
• Starburst – It is immensely famous among punters across the globe. Comprising five wheels and ten pay lines, this slot exudes simplicity. While it may lack promotional rounds, Starburst is indeed preferred for its frequent cashouts and expanding Wilds. Therefore, if you are on the quest for an option to the regular fruit machines without delving too deep into video pokies, then this game might be ideal.

The Top of the Range NZ Mobile Gaming Platforms

Without a doubt, Mobile gambling parlors are flourishing, with their soaring popularity, as a result of the incorporation of all types of mobile devices, which has significantly increased, since the current gaming encounter has evolved beyond recognition. An abundance of the platforms, such as the ones outlined below have an increasing number of online pokies and other casino games such as Roulette, Blackjack, and Baccarat, with response to the desire of more and more punters having the ability to play while on the move. Additionally, there is the fact that growing numbers of bettors utilize their portable gadgets (smartphones and tablets) as their main means of web-based gaming.

1. Spin Palace – It has proven to be a famous choice with NZ players since it penetrated the market in 2001. With more than 300 gameplay alternatives from Microgaming and Evolution Gaming, to list a cadre, Spin Palace also offers an incredible sign-up reward of up to $1000, as well as other gifts, through the Loyalty Club, for instance.
2. 888 – It is one of the most trustworthy Mobile Casinos in the sector, and contains a vast assortment of table machines, live dealers, slots, and jackpots. In addition to providing gameplay options from a multitude of renowned developers, 888 Casino also provides exclusive in-house selections. Upon signing up, you automatically trigger a 100% match of up to $100 on your initial deposit.
3. Casino Land – Providing a broad range of top live croupier options, pokies, and other casino games from providers such as Thunderkick, Netent, NYX, and Microgaming, it is evident that this website has accumulated a steady following among a multitude of New Zealanders. Exuding a crisp and user-friendly design, participants can relish in the thrill immediately, irrespective of whether they are using a PC or Android/Apple tablet or smartphone. Upon registering a real money account, you receive a Welcome reward of as much as $800 which is spread out as follows.
   

   1st cash-in	100% Match	Up to $200
   2nd deposit	50% Match	As much as $200
   3rd down payment	25% Match	Up to $200
   4th deposit	25% Match	As much as $200

4. Leo Vegas– With an array of awards under its belt, for example, “Best Mobile Casino in New Zealand,” and “Casino of the Year,” Leo Vegas has indeed won the hearts of a profusion of Kiwi punters. Exuding a simple, instant-play outlook, users can delight in plethoras of online NZ slots and other games from various providers, in a heartbeat. Concerning banking, the same cash-in and payout alternatives are available across an array of desktop, tablet, and mobile platforms. They entail debit and credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, and Maestro), e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller, and Paysafecard), and Bank Transfers. The site also processes payments via Trustly, which is designed for the use on a vast assortment of portable platforms, as well as authenticating the protocols of banks across the globe.

Bonuses and Promotions in NZ Internet Gaming Parlors

Every platform has its unique promotions (such as Loyalty Programs, Welcome Bonuses, and Free Spins, among others), peculiarities, and remarkable charm. However, it is essential to bear in mind that these bonuses come with specific conditions, also known as wagering requirements, which must be met. Hence, they imply that players are obliged to wager a certain number of times before they can make any withdrawals attained from the bonus funds. Moreover, these types of rewards can only be utilized on particular days. Therefore, the main aim is to encourage members to place more stake levels, in addition to preventing them from the promotional hunt.
It is also a common occurrence when users register, utilize the sign-up gifts and fail to return to the site.

The bonus policy is equally as essential as the safety criterion as well as the choice of gameplay options. While every wagering house provides a multitude of promotions, it is your responsibility to keenly read and analyze the associated conditions, as opposed to solely focusing on the generosity of the offers.

Responsible Betting

The New Zealand casinos mentioned above take various measures in the promotion of responsible gaming.

1. 1. • Those who are below the legal age of 18 (minors) are prohibited from registering an account and partaking in the games. As such, sporadic identity validation checks are conducted regularly, to ensure that there are no minors using their services.
      • Betting under the heavy influence of drugs or alcohol is not recommended.
      • The parlors offer contacts of gambling addiction specialists to players who may require help.
      • It is not advisable to use the funds set aside for paying bills, to gamble.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Is playing online better than land-based casino wagering?

Yes, it is, since the former is more convenient, and offers players the luxury of gambling from the comfort of their own homes, hence making them more relaxed. Furthermore, punters do not have to worry about dress-codes, or making reservations.

Is it legal to partake in Internet betting in New Zealand?

As per the web-based betting laws in NZ, all forms of gambling in this jurisdiction are forbidden. There are no casinos which can attain licensure in this country, and the advertising of International legit web-based gaming parlors is also not allowed. However, it is permitted to relish in casino games in the best international wagering platforms within New Zealand, with the players not having to worry about being prosecuted or fined.

How certain am I that a New Zealand online casino is safe?

There are a few tell-tale signs concerning the safety of an online casino. For starters, you ought to keep an eye out for its accreditation and licensure. A trustworthy platform will publish its license/licenses, with players having easy access. For instance, you will find that a myriad of web-based betting parlors is under regulations by the UK Gambling Commission. Secondly, the rigorous auditing and testing of the games is through renowned agencies ranging from IGT, e-COGRA, and TST. Hence, not only do these bodies test for fairness, but they also publish the outcomes for all players to see.

Do New Zealand players pay taxes on online casino winnings?

For plethoras of Kiwi players, the answer to this query is a resounding “no!” The winnings you attain are only considered as taxable income if you are a professional bettor. Thus, as long as Internet betting is nothing more than a hobby, you are in the clear.

As per this review, it is clear that New Zealand exudes loyalty to all types of land-based betting, but is a tad biased when it comes to NZ gaming websites. While this forces punters to wager at the best New Zealander online gambling platforms abroad (some of which require no download) as discussed earlier, they still get to indulge in a mind-blowing encounter.