New Zealand is well-known for its numerous islands, volcanoes, and diverse culture. The island’s inhabitants enjoy all the luxuries of modern life, including a long tradition of gambling. Even before Europeans set foot on the island’s lava-strewn coastlines, the native Maori had tested their luck with wagers of varying sizes and stakes.
Today, gambling is more popular than ever in New Zealand. According to a 2017 study, over 80% of Kiwis gamble at least occasionally, with many spending hundreds or even thousands of dollars on their favorite games every year.
This guide will introduce you to the world of online gambling in New Zealand. We’ll start by discussing the legal landscape of gambling in the country.
Is Gambling Legal in New Zealand?
The 2003 Gambling Act of New Zealand merely governs the activity of service providers, prohibiting them from providing online gambling alternatives, but it does not address the position of intending bettors. Hence internet gambling is not effectively covered by New Zealand law within the islands.
The national age restriction on offline (or conventional) gambling in New Zealand is the closest legislation on the age requirement for online gambling in the country. According to Casinocrawlers.com, those of legal gambling age in New Zealand can participate in various gaming options. They can gamble in Restaurant Pokies, buy lottery tickets, and collect winnings from any lottery service, but they must be at least 20 years old to enter a land-based casino and play casino games.
Although similar regulations will apply to New Zealand’s online casinos, there is an exemption because the Department of Internal Affairs and other New Zealand gambling organizations do not control these offshore casinos. Therefore unable to impose any age restrictions on them. Offshore gambling establishments would be subject only to the law of the jurisdiction in which they are officially registered.
If the casino is based in Europe or the Americas, players from New Zealand will need to be of legal age to play there.
What Types of Gambling is Popular in New Zealand?
The most popular form of gambling in New Zealand is pokies, also known as slot machines. In fact, over 43% of Kiwis play pokies regularly. Pokies can be found in bars, clubs, and restaurants all over the country.
Another popular form of gambling in New Zealand is sports betting. In 2017, over NZ $1 billion was wagered on sports in the country. The most popular sports to bet on in New Zealand are rugby union, cricket, and rugby league.
Why Kiwis Gamble Online
There are many reasons why Kiwis choose to gamble online. Here are some of the most popular reasons:
- Convenience
Who doesn’t love the convenience of being able to gamble from the comfort of their own home? With online gambling, there’s no need to dress up and travel to a brick-and-mortar casino. You can gamble in your pajamas if you want!
- A Wide Selection of Games
Online casinos offer a wide selection of games, including all the classics like blackjack, roulette, and poker, as well as hundreds of different slot machines. There’s something for everyone at an online casino. Plus, some online casinos offer live dealer games, allowing you to gamble in real time against a human dealer.
- Bonuses and Promotions
Kiwis love a good bonus, and online casinos are more than happy to offer them. Bonuses can include welcome bonuses, deposit match bonuses, free spins, and more. Promotions are also common at online casinos, and they can take the form of prize draws, leaderboard challenges, and cashback offers.
- Free Online Gambling Games
One of the best things about online gambling is that you can play many games for free. This allows you to try out new games and hone your skills before playing for real money.
How to Gamble Online Safely in New Zealand
Although online gambling is safe for the most part, there are always going to be some risks involved. That’s why it’s important to take some precautions when gambling online, such as:
- Check that the online casino is licensed and regulated by a reputable authority
- Make sure the online casino uses SSL encryption to protect your personal and financial data
- Read the terms and conditions of any bonuses or promotions before claiming them
- Only gamble with money that you can afford to lose
- Stop when you’re ahead
- If you ever feel like you’re gambling more than you can handle, plenty of resources are available to help.
Final Thoughts
Gambling is a popular pastime in New Zealand, and online gambling is growing in popularity every year. With so many different online casinos to choose from, Kiwis have never had more options when it comes to gambling. Just remember to gamble responsibly and always have fun!
Narciso Baldo
Narciso Baldo is the Director and Head Coach of Texas Hold'em Questions. He has been playing poker for over 16 years. After spending many years as a professional, he now runs UK poker training site Texas Hold'em Questions. Narciso regularly writes poker articles sharing tips, strategy, news and experience with gambling enthusiasts. Narciso also writes for reputable gambling portal Casino City Times, (bio here). Contact: [email protected]
