Gambling is a popular activity in the majority of the world, with players all over the world enjoying different casino games as a means of entertainment. However, the rules and regulations that apply to gambling activities vary greatly from one country to another, with some regulatory bodies clamping down on the industry with strict restrictions and others being more lenient. In addition, gambling laws are regularly updated, so it’s always important for players to stay up to date with these developments to know what kind of gambling activities are available depending on what country they’re playing from.
The good news for players in New Zealand is that the gambling rules and legislations in New Zealand are relatively straightforward. The heaviest restrictions apply to casinos that are based in New Zealand where most forms of online gambling activities are actually prohibited. On the other hand, for online casinos based overseas, the laws that apply for players from New Zealand are very different and it’s perfectly legal for New Zealanders to play at these sites.
In this guide to online casinos in New Zealand, we’ll take a look at the current situation of gambling in New Zealand and how it compares to Europe. Players will also learn how to find the best online casinos for New Zealanders and what to look out for, such as licenses, bonuses, and payment methods.
How Do New Zealand and Europe Compare in Terms of Regulations?
The gambling laws in New Zealand are regulated by the Gambling Act of 2003, which controls what is allowed and what is prohibited in terms of online gambling and betting. The main gambling restrictions only apply to remote gambling which refers to players gambling in New Zealand casinos. Players in New Zealand are only allowed to play in online casino sites that are based overseas.
Taking a look at the gambling regulations in Europe, it’s easy to see that there is a big difference between Europe and New Zealand. In broad terms, gambling regulations in Europe are much stricter, although this depends on the specific country. The aim of these laws is ultimately put in place to protect players from unfair or illegitimate casino sites. Perhaps the strictest regulations are those that apply to the UK, limiting how much players can wager and requiring casinos to enforce several responsible gambling measures. Sweden is another example of a heavily regulated industry, with several limits put on casino operators in terms of the bonuses and promotions they are allowed to offer their players.
Popular Casinos in New Zealand
Several online casinos accept players from New Zealand, which means players won’t have any trouble finding a great online casino to play top casino games and slots and benefit from generous bonuses and promotions. Although there are many options out there, it’s important for Kiwi players to select the best online casinos because not all of them offer the best experience for players. Below are some of the top New Zealand casinos available right now:
- Wildz – Offers a 100% welcome bonus up to NZ$500 and 200 free spins for new players.
- Betway Casino – Award-winning online casino offering live sports betting and different welcome bonuses depending on whether you’re playing on the casino or the sportsbook site.
- Jackpot City – One of the top online casinos offering over 300 casino games and a welcome bonus of up to NZ$200 and 100 free spins for new players making their first deposit.
Players can find plenty more top, recommended New Zealand casinos at www.onlinecasinosnewzealand.nz, where there are trusted reviews of different online casinos by casino specialists. The reviews are based on background checks, player reviews, and analyses of the bonuses, games, and support each casino has to offer, making it a great site for players to select the right New Zealand online casino for them.
What to Look Out For When Choosing an Online Casino
How can you tell which online casino is safe for players from New Zealand to play at? The first thing to look for is the kind of licence that the casino has obtained. There is no specific Polish licence, but the New Zealand Gambling Commission accepts six global gaming licenses that online casinos in New Zealand can obtain to accept players from New Zealand, including the UKGC (UK Gambling Commission), the MGA (Malta Gaming Authority), and the Curaçao eGaming Authority, which are the most well-known in the industry. The rest are the Gibraltar Regulatory Authority, the Panama Gaming Control Board, and the Kahnawake Gaming Commission.
All of these regulatory bodies are located outside of New Zealand, but players are allowed to play at an online casino that is registered outside of New Zealand so long as the casino has at least one of the accepted licences mentioned above.
Best Payment Options for New Zealand Players
The most popular payment services found in the top New Zealand online casinos include Visa and Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, Neosurf, PayPal, Bitcoin, and Trustly. Any good online casino should offer multiple different payment options for each player to choose from and find the most suitable one for them. Similarly, players in New Zealand should always look for an online casino that offers at least a couple of the previously mentioned payment providers.
Support is another important feature that players should pay attention to when looking for a reliable New Zealand online casino as this can impact the overall experience that the player has at the casino significantly.
Get Started at a New Zealand Online Casino Today
With so many online casinos now accepting players from New Zealand, it’s easy to get started at an online casino. The registration process typically takes a few minutes to complete and involves uploading the basic details and documents as well as choosing the preferred payment provider for deposits and withdrawals.
Every New Zealand casino also offers a welcome bonus which is a great way for players to get started at a new online casino. There are also plenty of other promotions that players can take advantage of when playing at a New Zealand casino, such as free spins, cashbacks, loyalty rewards, and bonus money.