Casinos & Gambling Industry in New Zealand
When talking about scenic and beautiful views of mountains, New Zealand is one country that comes to mind. Known for its cinematic landscape, rich indigenous Maori culture, and national rugby team, New Zealand boasts of stunning and natural beauty. Just like most countries, gambling activities in New Zealand have their limitations.
New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs controls gambling activities within the country. Public gambling activities must return portions of their profits to the community. State-owned institutions operate the most considerable amount of the gambling industry in the country. Gambling activities within the country are limited to the following: Lottery, Horse Racing, Slot Machines, and Casinos.
In 1920, bookmaking was considered illegal in New Zealand. Therefore, only horse race betting is available in the country. On the other hand, lotteries in New Zealand are considered legal. In 1987, the New Zealand Lotteries Commission was established. Slot machines are also available in New Zealand. A term they have coined for this is “Pokies.” These can usually be found in hotels and bars. In addition to that, Pokies are operated by charitable foundations.
As for casinos, New Zealand has six (6) operating casinos. These are namely: Dunedin Casino, Christchurch Casino, SkyCity Auckland, SkyCity Hamilton, SkyCity Queenstown, and SkyCity Wharf Casino. Therefore, casino & Gambling in New Zealand is allowed but with limitations.
Online Gambling Laws in New Zealand
The gambling industry in New Zealand is primarily land-based. However, online gambling activities such as sports betting are allowed but with limitations. According to the Gambling Act of 2003, if you are already 18, you can participate in any gambling activity the law allows. This would include horse race betting, lottery, scratch card betting, and sports betting. However, you must be at least 20 to play at their land-based casinos.
Online casinos are considered illegal to play in New Zealand. This also includes remote interactive gambling. Remote interactive gambling mainly refers to gambling at a distance by a person through a communication device. This specifically refers to computers, radios, telephones, and other devices.
On the other hand, online sports betting is allowed. In addition to that, the New Zealand Lottery Commission has been allowed to operate online lottery sales. As for offshore gambling, there is a lack of legislation for offshore gambling since it is neither legal nor illegal to access offshore gambling sites. This means that you can place your bets without breaking the law.
Payment methods in New Zealand
Countries with access to online gambling sites have convenient payment methods for their local players. Since playing at offshore online gambling sites isn’t considered legal or illegal, you don’t need to worry about having your bank account blocked in New Zealand. The most common payment methods are Visa, MasterCard, Neteller, and Skrill.
International gambling sites offer cryptocurrency as their payment method, with BitCoin as the popular choice. However, if you want a more reliable and safe payment method, go for e-wallets. It’s also essential to choose a gambling site that offers payment methods that are convenient for you. For example, some betting sites might take days for you to pay out, while some may only take a few hours. Therefore, always research before signing up for a gambling site.
How to Bet online in New Zealand
Online betting is allowed in New Zealand but with a few limitations. You must first choose an online betting site to bet in New Zealand. One way to select a betting site is to look up the best betting sites in New Zealand. These betting sites have the best features and offer for their New Zealand players.
Once you choose an online betting site, you must register for an account. The registration process varies from one betting site to another. However, this is usually quick and easy. So as long as you have your requirements ready, you can register your account quickly.
Once you have signed up for an account, don’t forget to claim your welcome bonus. Most casinos would usually require a minimum deposit, but there are also some that offer no-deposit bonuses. Once you’ve claimed your welcome bonus, you can browse through their selection of sports games and start betting.
Online Games in New Zealand
Despite online gambling being considered illegal in New Zealand, its top online game is Lightning Link Casino Slots. However, this game isn’t considered gambling since it’s a playful slot game. Next off the list is Roblox. Candy Crush Saga follows third on the list.
Aside from the ones mentioned, another online game is widespread in New Zealand.
Zealand is FIFA 22. Many locals in New Zealand enjoy this simulation game. This game has a range of options where you can choose to play a traditional football game. You can also play this online game with your friends, with a five-a-side mode for a small group of friends.
Online slots or pokies are also popular in New Zealand. These have better and more advanced graphics compared to regular slot machines. They also have higher RTP rates. This can also be played on mobile devices, which Kiwis enjoy.