Gambling has existed for centuries in New Zealand. People would bet on horse racing, but with the ban from 1920, gambling came to a halt. The situation started to slowly change when the government started reviewing its legislation. The Gaming Act from 2003 officially declared all gambling illegal, unless approved by the Government.
The Act divided gambling into 4 classes, each of which operates within certain limitations. Class 1 covers any gambling activity, organized by either an individual or a society with a рrize that must not exceed $500. Class 2 refers to any gambling activity organized by a society with a prize that must not exceed $5000. The organizer of the event must not receive any remuneration or commission for conducting the gambling activity. Both Class 1 and Class 2 gambling do not require a license.
Best Online Casino Bonuses-
-
$99999
25% up to $99999Up to 25% Rakeback on each bet! Rakeback is calculated as a return percentage on each of your bets, depending on the edge that the house has on you theoretically. Rakeback percentage is dependent on a player’s level. Levelling up is achieved through wagering with real money. Exclusive to slots. No rollover requirements. Total rakeback percentage for Bronze users can reach up to 14%. Total rakeback percentage for Silver users can reach up to 19%. Total rakeback percentage for Gold users can reach up to 24%. Total rakeback percentage for Platinum users is 25%.Claim BonusVisit CryptoLeo Casino -
Class 3 on the other hand requires a license, as it covers large-scale lotteries, bingo, scratch cards, games of chance, and prize competitions. These activities or events can only be organized by societies. The prizes participants can win exceed $5,000. Class 4 is any activity that involves the use of a gaming machine outside a casino.
The Act also prohibits “remote interactive gambling” – “gambling by a person at a distance by interaction through a communication device”. So technically, playing in online casinos should be illegal. But it isn’t, as long as these casinos are based outside of New Zealand. If an online casino is based in Cyprus, for example, players from New Zealand will not be subject to criminal prosecution.
One might think that gambling laws in New Zealand are very restrictive, but that’s not the case. Gambling is still available to people, but must only be conducted by societies who have obtained a license from the Gambling Commission. The Government’s aim is to assure that casinos work according to all laws and regulations and there are not any unlawful activities taking place to the detriment of the country, or the people playing to the casino.
Regulation and Licensing
The three main regulatory authorities in New Zealand are The Department of Internal Affairs, The Ministry of Health, and the Gambling Commission.
The Department of Internal Affairs 
The Ministry of Health 
The Gambling Commission Players Security
As we’ve already said above, it is legal for Kiwis to play in online casinos, as long as they are based somewhere outside of New Zealand. In order to feel safe when playing online, players can take a few precautionary measures.
First of all, it is very important to make sure that the casino has got a valid license, issued by a respected and reliable authority. Such authorities include the Malta Gaming Authority, Alderney Gambling Control Commission, The Isle of Man Gaming Commission, and Gibraltar Regulatory Authority.
These regulators are very strict and have an extensive list of requirements that casinos have to meet in order to operate legally. Having a valid license means that these casinos have gone through all the necessary tests and audits in order to be able to offer their services.
Secondly, casinos must employ modern security systems, such as SSL (Secure Socket Layer) systems. This technology encrypts players’ data and thus prevents any malicious attacks or theft of sensitive information.
This is a key factor, as players provide quite a lot of personal data, and casinos must do everything within their power to secure it and keep it in a safe and reliable place. Big casinos use secure servers where they store users’ data. Their employees go through several authentication procedures in order to get access to the information.
Speaking of employees, it is important to also read the Privacy Policy. It is crucial for players to know how, when, and where the casino and its employees will use their information.
Usually, they state that your data will be used for marketing purposes and may also be disclosed to third-parties like banks or other financial institutions when you request a withdrawal and they need to verify your identity. This is a standard procedure used to prevent any fraudulent attempts.
Another very important aspect of online casinos is the use of RNG technology. RNG or Random Number Generator ensures that the outcomes of all games, especially slots, are random and unbiased. Otherwise, some people could benefit a lot, while others would lose thousands of dollars and blame it on bad luck.
What players should also check, is the RTP or Return To Player rate. Licensed and well-regulated casinos should have no problem stating their RTP rates on their websites after monthly audits. There have been problems with certain slot games that have been proven to have a lower percentage and that is not fair with players as it will lead to bigger losses and fewer chances to win.
Popular Software Providers
Software companies are the ones that players should be thankful for. They work day and night in order to produce new, more interesting and exciting games for casino players to enjoy. Some of these companies have laid the foundation of game making, and others are fairly fresh and new in the business. Some of the most famous game developers include Microgaming, NetEnt, Evolutio Gaming, Betsoft, Yggdrasil, Amatic Gaming, and many more.
Microgaming 
NetEnt 
Evolution Gaming 
Yggdrasil
Popular Payment Methods
Payments are a big part of online gaming, as players have to deposit and withdraw funds frequently. Most New-Zealand friendly casinos support NZD so Kiwis can comfortably make transactions in their national currency. These are some of the most popular payment options for players from New Zealand to use:
Credit and debit cards 
Paysafecard 
Skrill 
Neteller 
Neosurf 
POLi
New Zealand Casino Bonuses
The bonus system in online casinos is more or less similar. Players can enjoy several types of bonuses which are tied to different wagering requirements and terms and conditions. All users must carefully read those in order to not lose their winnings due to a breach of the bonus rules.
No-Deposit Bonus 
Welcome Bonus 
Free Spins 
Reload Bonuses 
Cashback Bonuses 
Loyalty Programs Top 10 New Zealand Casinos
With the endless choice of online casinos, players from New Zealand may have some difficulties choosing the right one for them. All of the casinos we have listed below are well-known and reliable operators that have been on the gambling stage for several years and service millions of players from all around the world. All of them accept payments made in NZD, so we believe that would be a great convenience for all Kiwis.
Yako Casino 
BitStarz Casino 
King Billy Casino 
Fun Casino 
Casino Joy 
888casino 
Omni Slots Casino 
LeoVegas Casino 
Videoslots Casino 
Royal Panda Casino