Casino Review Center is here to bring you the ultimate New Zealand casino experience. If you choose to play at one of the online casinos in New Zealand that we have rated and recommended, you will be enjoying top-level games that offer you not just solid support structures, but security features that are second-to-none and ensure that you are safe every step of the way.
After reading the review we have provided for a site of your choosing, you can move forward with your intentions to have fun and win money in the happy knowledge that all of that casino’s operations are totally aboveboard, and that it is in keeping with all of the required licensing and jurisdiction requirements in order to render it a safe place to play.
The online casino scene in New Zealand is an ever-growing one, and we provide you with all the latest information and breaking news regarding bonuses, games, new releases and hot topics. Find all the free spins you can handle right here, and maximise your first deposit with the sites we recommend. You can look forward to full currency support and compatibility over a range of devices.
New Zealand is widely recognised as one of the very best countries in the world when it comes to playing casino games. Whether it’s at local land-based casinos or one of the many quality New Zealand online casino sites that are based within the country, anyone native to New Zealand or even those living in a foreign country have a lot to benefit from making use of the casino sites that the country offers.
Continue reading “Why New Zealand Is Great For Playing Online Casinos”
Bingo, much like other casino games is entirely based on chance. This means that every player that’s playing on an online bingo hall has the exact same chance of winning as everyone else. Continue reading “A Simple Guide To Bingo Strategies”
Live Dealer casinos are a great way for players to have the benefit of playing from home and enjoying the thrill, ambience and excitement of a real establishment.
But before playing live dealer casino games, it is good to understand the pros and cons of this form of gaming.
A big advantage of live dealer casinos is that you will be able to track your gameplay while online betting. Once you have placed your bet you will be able to follow the action as it plays out as you get to watch everything via real time video feed.
Live dealer games at legitimate sites will make use of technology that ensures that these results are fair and random, even though they are not governed by an RNG.
Live dealer casinos try to ensure that they offer you the best possible gaming experience and will often have a news channel streaming in the background to show you that the action is taking place in real time, and not pre-recorded.
They also offer you the opportunity to interact with the dealers and this is just one way that gaming sites offer you a real time entertainment scenario. You will also hear various sounds from other games that are being played, which further increase the real feel.
Live dealer casinos may vary in their action time, but this will depend on what you are playing. The action may unfold faster or slower than what you are normally used to.
For example, with Roulette there may be between 80 and 100 spins each hour. When playing in real time you may be able to speed up or slow down the action depending on what you prefer.
Sites that offer traditional and live dealer games will also give you two types of bonuses, and often the live options offer generous bonuses, but these will vary between sites, so always check that before you get started.
With a land based casino you may often have to wait for a table or deal with various other issues. When deciding to play online these problems are no longer yours, and you can begin playing as soon as you have signed up.
Even though live dealer games try to give you the best possible gaming experience there are some players who have said that the sounds from other entertainment on offer sound cold and canned, which do not really give them the real experience.
They have also said that the graphics and announcements do not have the unique brick and mortar experience.
Casinos pay more to run video streamed services, which mean there are only a small range of options such as Baccarat, Roulette, Blackjack and variations Of Poker. Land based casinos will allow you to move between various games which are more extensive.
Because it is more costly to maintain a live dealer operation you may notice that a minimum bet may be more than a land-based or normal online casino, but the experience coupled with the convenience is well worthwhile.
Gambling has played a major part in the life of New Zealanders for centuries and while gambling in the country has undergone periods of strict regulation in the past, today Kiwis are legally permitted to participate in many forms of gambling including pokies, sports betting, lotteries, and online casinos based outside of New Zealand. Continue reading “Understanding New Zealand’s Gambling Legislation”
The last few decades have been an exciting time for both the world and the casino industry. We’ve been witness to the creation and growth of the Internet, and watched how it’s spread throughout the world and changed the way we interact with each other, and with the kinds of casino games we like to play.
For years, the only way to enjoy a game of slots or poker was to go out and visit the local venue. Sometimes, the local venue was a few hours away, meaning that a lengthy and expensive trip would need to be organised.
This all stopped the moment the internet allowed to us to simply access our games from home, and without ever having to spend more than we need to.
It hasn’t been completely flawless, however, and while crime has always plagued the casino industry, it’s gotten a lot worse for those that like to enjoy their games online.
Cyber criminals are constantly on the prowl, waiting to steal personal and financial information whenever they can, and many of them have targeted online casinos specifically, mostly because of the high volumes of money that casinos deal with every day.
This doesn’t have to affect you, as long as you know how to keep your details safe, and what to look out for in different sites. Make your online betting NZ that much safer with these helpful tips.
There are international agencies that exist to monitor various, popular casinos that do business online. Agencies like eCOGRA were put in place to ensure that players are never ripped off, and that everything is always kept safe and fair.
Before joining up with a new casino, make sure that they have the eCOGRA badge of approval so that you know the casino is legitimate and won’t make off with your invested money.
While browsing online, you may have noticed that some websites have the phrase, “SSL” in the URL bar at the top. This stands for Secure Socket Layer, and is a special kind of security meant to protect the details of the people that use that site.
It’s vitally important that whatever casino you use is SSL encrypted, meaning that whenever you type in your personal details, they will be safely locked away.
The easiest way to know is by checking whether the URL bar contains the SSL on the pages where you need to type in login or financial information.
Any casino worth your time will have more than a few types of banking methods, and each one has a different layer of security.
E-wallets, for example, require the same kind of details that you’d give to a casino, but generally are extremely safe to use. If you don’t want to give any of your information to the casino, you can simply use a charge card to load up a specific amount of money to an e-wallet of your choice, keeping your identity completely anonymous from any prying eyes.
With these methods, playing your favourite games can be done in a secure environment, without you having to worry about potential crime.
We look into our crystal ball and see what new slot releases are looming on the horizon. We also look at if they are worth some hype or if they will be relegated to the corner of the online casino’s dustiest servers.
You won’t have to worry about time on your hands as these releases will come well after Australian Open tennis betting has finished.
Coming from Quickspin, Volcano Riches will be released on the 13th of March. So far we know that the reels will be laid out in a 5×4 grid with 40 paylines.
The bonus features are said to also include exploding wild symbols. Quickspin have said the RTP will be around 96%. The screens that have been released make the game look very exciting.
Also set for a March release, Drums Beast is from the small developer Casino Technology. This new title seems inspired by the Guitar Hero games.
The protagonists seem to be a rock chick but the catch is she has the devil as her drummer.
While this slot’s below average RTP of 95.75% may turn some fans off, this game looks like it is set to be something quite different from the usual slot fair.
It is always great to see more rock themed slots, so let’s hope Drums Beast also has a soundtrack that lives up to the hype.
Perfectly timed for the holiday season, Easter Island will be released near the end of March. This Yggdrasil slot looks incredibly unique.
The reels spin against a backdrop of the famous island but you are also joined by a wide range of Moai statues that come along on your quest for riches.
The reels are also arranged in an unconventional 5×5 grid featuring 27 paylines. Yggdrasil rarely fails to deliver quality slots and this game looks set to be no exception to this rule.
We know from release info that there will be a respin feature and expanding wilds in the bonus features.
Fantasma Games are looking to expand their catalogue of slot games with two releases set for April. Spooky 5000 and The Grid will both feature standard 5×3 reel layouts with both having 10 paylines.
So far we only know the slots have a horror and a retro theme to them. Anticipation is high though as Fantasma has been releasing some quality titles recently, although rarely aimed at a western audience.
Set for the end of February, Asgardian Stones is a brand new title from NetEnt. This simple yet engaging slot looks packed with small features that all work together.
It is also set to make use of a bonus wheel and giant symbols that can crush smaller symbols below.
Also from Yggdrasil, Gem Rocks features giant stone creatures that inhabit the reels. With a 96.3% RTP and 4096 ways to win, this slot looks set to keep Yggdrasil fans very happy.
This company has been delivering quality slot after quality slot so it will be interesting seeing where they go this year.
Speaking of which with excellent games like these to look forward to, it will definitely be a good year.
If you’ve ever told someone that you were interested in trying out an online casino, they probably had plenty to say and it most likely wasn’t positive.
Those unfamiliar with the online casino industry generally have the most to say, and you’ve probably heard things like “all your money is going to get stolen”, “online casinos are rigged”, or “you’re going to get a computer virus”.
However we are here to bust 5 popular online casino myths and set your mind at ease regarding the usage of online casinos.
We aren’t going to try and sugar coat it and say that bad things don’t happen online – hackers do exist after all – but the online casino industry is well aware of this fact. In fact, distinguished online casinos operate in much the same way as online government banks do, as they implement the same state of the art security and data encryption in order to keep player’s personal and financial information safe.
If you’re still concerned, it’s a good idea to look out for the eCOGRA logo which should be clearly visible on most reputable online casinos.
If you’re under the impression that online casinos are devoid of all human input, you would be completely wrong.
Not only are these sites maintained and operated by a group of highly competent individuals, but players can easily interact with one another should they want to. Live dealer casino games also inject a bit more soul into the games and you are able to interact with both the dealer and other players thanks to live chat.
Of course there is no human interaction with online Slots NZ, but it’s no different with land based slots either!
Firstly, while most online casinos will have a wider range of games to enjoy if you do download the online casino software, you don’t have to download the software in order to play and many players opt for the instant play option instead.
Secondly, if you do opt to download the software from the online casino website, you can scan the file with ease using your own virus scanner prior to installing if you’re really concerned.
This is probably the most popular online casino myth of all and is what keeps many from trying out online casinos. People tend to assume that online casinos are rigging their games to cheat players out of their hard-earned money, but this is simply not possible.
Online casinos are subject to the same regulations as brick and mortar casinos and the eCOGRA logo should be enough to set your mind at ease, as this 3rd party casino regulator ensures that the advertised payout percentages of all online casino games on the site are accurate.
This is the most ludicrous online casino myth of them all as online casinos are actually cheaper than brick and mortar casinos!
Firstly, there are no travel expenses in order to reach the casino destination, there are no high-priced restaurants if you get hungry, the dealer doesn’t require a tip, and the list goes on.
Secondly, the overheads associated with online casinos are also much lower, which means that the house edge on all games is generally more competitive than land based casinos.
Almost all modern, western countries in the world have some sort of gambling systems in place. For the most parts, gambling is split into either sports betting or casinos, and this is how it has been for the past 100 years.
While many countries are now starting to turn away from gambling, one country in particular has made it a part of its modern culture: New Zealand. New Zealand is a country that has beauty without equal, a thriving economy, and is praised for its multiculturalism.
Of the many cities that dot the country, each one has one or more unique casinos in place, and each casino has a history of its own.
On top of this, New Zealand has a strong sports betting scene, especially with sports like horse racing and rugby, and with no immediate changes on the horizon, gambling looks to be part of the country for years to come.
Pokies in New Zealand have become as synonymous with the country as online blackjack in Canada, and are played by thousands of New Zealanders every day. It does beg the question, though: what is the history of gambling in New Zealand?
Like many of the countries that started through British colonisation in the 1800s, New Zealand adopted many of the pastimes that the British enjoyed back home.
One of these was horse racing, which has been a part of British culture for centuries. Australia and New Zealand are well known for their horse racing events and betting, and it has given rise to a huge sports punting scene that is stronger than ever.
Horse racing was also the very first type of gambling that began in the country, and it’s been recorded that a favourite pastime for the rich was betting on the various horse races that took place in 1830, which was not long after the first settlers arrived in the country.
This means that horse race betting has been a part of the country since it was first established, which is also why it has become so deeply tied to the heritage of New Zealand.
Sports betting would remain the most prominent type of gambling for almost 200 years, until the first casinos started up.
During the 1980s, the national government of New Zealand introduced the first countrywide lottery, run by the New Zealand Lotteries Commission. This proved to be an outstanding success throughout the country, and a few years later, pokies would first start popping up around both New Zealand and Australia.
Pokies were first part of special gambling clubs that could be found mainly in cities, but pokies were not technically legal throughout the country. It would be a few more years before they became legal nationwide, which is also when casinos started taking off.
From the 1980s to the early 2000s, land-based casinos grew in popularity and are still visited by millions every year.
Online casinos have also been on an upward trend in recent years, and as New Zealand has no online gambling restrictions, they will continue to remain popular for the foreseeable future.
There are plenty of casinos in New Zealand, but we’ve rounded up the biggest so you know where to start:
The Dunedin Casino opened in 1999, in the city centre of Dunedin itself. This venue, with its old world decor and charm is a great Casino to visit in New Zealand. It offers a great variety of table games and also electronic games.
The 12 table games on offer include Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, Baccarat, Blackjack and Roulette. There are 180 electronic games offered by Dunedin Casino, with a nice range of slots from 1c to $1.
Christchurch Casino was the first casino in New Zealand; it opened its doors in 1994. Offering more than just gaming, the casino has three restaurants, two bars and plenty of venue space for events.
The Christchurch Casino is found in the popular Victoria Street district, and is open the entire weekend, 24/7. It has a strict no under 20’s policy and every weekend you will find live entertainment. The Christchurch Casino is the home of the New Zealand Poker Championships.
This casino offers 500 modern slot machines and 34 table games, including Baccarat, Blackjack, Poker, Roulette and more.
SkyCity Casino opened in 1997 and is located in the Central Business district of Auckland, this was the second ever casino in New Zealand, and the only casino in Auckland. Included in the SkyCity Auckland is the SkyCity Hotel, one of the busiest hotels in New Zealand; it offers over 300 rooms, which were recently refurbished in 2013. The separate SkyCity Grand is a luxury 5 star hotel mainly used for the VIPs and High stake players, and also offers over luxury 300 rooms.
The SkyCity Casino also has a large range of restaurants, which can cater to any and all taste bud desires. This casino also offers s few bars, with great live entertainment and lively atmospheres.
On offer in the casino, which is open 24 hours a day 7 days a week, you have a massive 1700 plus modern and fun gaming machines and over 130 table games. Just a few of the table games on offer are Pai Gow, Blackjack, Baccarat and Roulette.
The SkyCity Hamilton is located behind the Hamilton’s Historic Post Office building overlooking the Waikato River. This entertainment complex first opened in 2002, and it currently offers some great entertaining restaurants and bars, and a convention centre that can host up to 600 guests.
The casino in SkyCity Hamilton is also open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and is very lively and entertaining. This casino offers 23 table games, such as midi baccarat, Roulette and Blackjack. The 330 plus gaming machines on offer are world class and highly entertaining.
SkyCity Queenstown actually has two casinos to offer the visiting player, the Queenstown Casino and the Wharf Casino. The Queenstown casino opened its doors in 2000, and currently offers 8 table games, just as you’d find when you play online Roulette NZ, as well as 86 highly entertaining gaming machines.
The Queenstown casino also has a great little bar and kitchen to keep you fed and entertained on you gaming breaks.
The smaller Wharf Casino has 6 gaming tables and 61 modern gaming machines; this boutique casino offers a quieter but no less exciting evening of entertainment in Queenstown.
Online gambling is legal in New Zealand and as such, you will be able to enjoy pokies and table games from developers all around the world there.
Having an open gaming market means you can enjoy games from the best developers working for the biggest operators.
Let’s look at some of the biggest names for New Zealand casino fans. These developers are immensely popular in New Zealand thanks to the quality of their games and how regularly people win on them.
You don’t always want to follow the crowd but with these developers below you can’t go wrong. They have stood for quality experiences for a long time.
By no means are these the only developers you should pay attention to, but they are great enough that they should be mentioned in any conversation about the best gaming experiences for a casino fan in New Zealand.
This Swedish company is a midsized developer with 700 staff. It produces not only casino themed games, but also provides back-end solutions for casino operators to streamline their business.
NetEnt provides New Zealand players with the option of mobile games as well as their cross platform NetEnt Engage tools to create a one of a kind experience for kiwis.
Evolution – Most well known for their incredibly immersive live dealer casinos, Evolution has become one of the most trusted names in the industry. New Zealand players have fell in love with their great streaming quality and feature laden table games.
Potentially one of the biggest developers on this list, there are so many online casinos available to players in New Zealand powered by Microgaming software. Just like NetEnt, this company covers all the bases from original game development to back-end operator software, Microgaming does it all.
Amaya- With a string of recent acquisitions, Amaya Inc has managed to diversify their portfolio to bring New Zealanders sports betting, casino gambling action and more.
They recently purchased Cryptologic, one of New Zealand player’s favourite developers and now they are a gaming powerhouse.
Even though very few developers have taken their inspiration from New Zealand or created games directly targeted at a New Zealand audience, there have been a few exceptions:
This Kiwi inspired pokie game from Casino Technologies may be quite hard to find today, but it takes its inspiration directly from New Zealand’s national bird.
This highly controversial pokie game has been pulled from operator’s sites but at one time this Endorphina pokie was possibly the only game ever based on this indigenous tribe.
Even though game was kept tasteful, there was a massive outcry for what was seen as inappropriate cultural appropriation.
Maybe not directly inspired by New Zealand, the Lord of the Rings trilogy was mainly shot in New Zealand. The epic scenery can still be seen in this film inspired slot game, doing kiwis proud.
New Zealand casino fans are certainly spoilt for choice. We have just looked a small slice of the online gaming pie available to Kiwis. With such great games, it seems that gambling will be popular in New Zealand for a good while to come.
