Best Live Online Casinos in New Zealand
Live casinos are a relatively new trend on the gambling scene. However, these types of casinos have gained broad acceptance among players worldwide. Live casinos stream real-time games via a link or from a physical casino. Now, players can place their bets on the computer and communicate with the live dealer via a chat feature.
Live casinos have been designed to give the players the same experience of being in a casino from their home or anywhere else.
These casinos have a similar house edge; thus, a player’s chances of winning while playing a live casino is the same as being in the physical location. Human dealers run the games in real-time and help players with inquiries or complaints.
Below, we will look at the best live casinos in New Zealand and how Kiwis can maximise their live casino playing experience.
Best Live Casinos in New Zealand
Wazamba
Wazamba was established in 2019 but has grown to be one of the significant New Zealand gaming sector players. This online casino’s accomplishments earned it the SBC 2020 innovation in Casino Winners Award.
Wazamba is run by Araxio Development NV and regulated by the Curacao Gaming Authority. There are over 60 live dealer games from five leading brands on Wazamba, with trained dealers at low, medium and high stake tables.
Wazamba offers two weekly live casino cashback deals and a 100% welcome bonus with specific wagering requirements. Players in New Zealand may have slightly different promotions and bonuses.
JustSpin
JustSpin is a colourful gambling platform with a license from the Malta Gaming Authority. This platform came on the scene in 2019 but now boasts a large cache of games to make gambling highly exciting.
JustSpin’s collection of live dealer games is powered by Evolution Gaming, including several variations of live baccarat, live roulette, live monopoly, live poker, and many more.
JustSpin offers more bonuses and promotions than most live dealers, plus excellent customer service and excellent banking options suitable for low-budget live players. New users get a 100% cashback up to $500.
Boocasino
Boo Casino offers an innovative, ghost-themed platform that provides an enjoyable gaming experience. This wagering platform holds a license from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) and provides a massive selection of over a thousand casino games.
The live casino is operated by expert live dealers who provide quality titles for live gaming, including live roulette, live baccarat, live blackjack and their variants.
Boo Casino offers new players a 100% deposit bonus of up to $500. New Zealanders get an exclusive $5 no-deposit bonus with which they can make decent wins.
Boo Casino takes security seriously and encrypts the platform using the SSL software to ensure all transactions’ smooth and safe processing.
Nomini
Nomini is an eye-catching online casino owned by Araxio Development and licensed by the Curacao Gaming Authority. This fruit-themed casino offers an enormous collection of over 4500 online casino games.
Nomini hosts live dealer games powered by Evolution Gaming and Ezugi. These titles include Monopoly Live, Deal or No Deal, Free Bet Blackjack, Lightning Dice, Wheel of Fortune, and are run by professional and courteous dealers.
Nomini offers seven welcome packages, each with a unique offering for every kind of player. New players get a 100% deposit bonus of up to $800. Nomini supports a diverse range of banking options for deposits and fast payouts, including cryptocurrencies.
21.com
21.com is owned by Betpoint Group and licensed in Malta and Curacao. The casino offers over 1500 games and slots with a welcome package of up to $1000. However, this bonus package comes with several wagering requirements and covers your first four deposits.
21.com hosts about a hundred live dealer casino games powered mainly by Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play. Popular live titles on this platform include live baccarat, live roulette, live blackjack, craps live, among others.
21.com uses Cloudflare and the latest SSL encryption technology to keep users’ personal and financial data secure.
What Are Live Casinos?
Live casinos let gamblers play with a live dealer rather than a computer. A live casino attempts to recreate the experience of a typical brick and mortar establishment, making it an excellent option for players who cannot visit land-based casinos or want to play from home.
Live casino games go pretty much the same way as regular games. The rules are the same, and the only difference is that a human dealer runs the games and interacts with the players. The major components of a live casino include:
- Game Control Unit
The Game Control Unit (GCU) encodes and prepares the live feed for streaming. The GCU is a device connected to every table, which controls the games and helps the dealers do their job. Live games will not work without a Game Control Unit.
- Cameras
Powerful cameras stream the events in the casino to the player. Live casinos use Optical Camera Recognition (OCR) to capture the minutest details in the casino and stream them to the players’ screens.
These details – shuffling cards, spinning wheels, dealing of hands – give the player the same feeling of being in a real casino.
- Monitor
The monitors display what players see on their screens. Monitors help dealers see who’s online and keep track of bets.
- Dealers
The dealer’s job is to take bets and manage individual live dealer games. Dealers undergo some form of training to help them provide players with the smoothest possible experience.
- The Pit Manager
Also known as the pit boss, the pit manager’s job is to watch and ensure that there are no dealing errors and that everyone from dealers to players follow the rules.
- Players
Everyone (yourself and other players) placing wagers on the live games.
How to Select a Top Live Casino in New Zealand?
Choosing a live casino in New Zealand is a bit different from other jurisdictions. While some countries have a fully regulated industry, New Zealanders can only play at foreign-regulated live dealers.
Looking out for specific parameters will help you choose the most suitable live casino for you. A top live casino should possess the following:
- Licensing
The absence of local regulation for live casinos is no reason to begin to patronise just about any casino. It would help if you only played at casinos with trusted offshore regulators like Malta Gaming Authority or the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.
- Bonuses
Live casinos typically offer bonuses to attract new players and reward loyal ones. It’s better to opt for casinos that have great perks with fair wagering requirements. If a casino’s bonus sounds too good to be true, you may want to read their terms and conditions carefully.
- Payment Methods
A reliable live casino should support various payment methods to meet the banking needs of every player. For New Zealanders, the ideal live casino should support bank transfers, e-wallet and online deposits in NZD to prevent charges related to currency exchange.
- Customer Support
Since you are not in the same location, the live casino should have a friendly and responsive customer support system that quickly attends to issues as they arise. Slow or unresponsive customer support can make playing online frustrating.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Playing Online Live Casinos
Advantages
- Live casinos allow you to track what is happening during gameplay. Players can follow their bets and monitor the balls or cards to see the outcome. The available technology lets you observe every detail of the dealer’s action. Some casinos even place a television streaming the news to show that the games are not pre-recorded.
- You can play and enjoy your games anywhere. Live casinos give you a genuine casino experience without having to leave your comfort zone.
- Communicate with dealers in real-time. Players can speak to dealers and other players using a live chat feature. Thus, there is a more personal touch giving you a richer gaming experience.
- Live casinos offer bonuses and promotions exclusive to live players giving them better winning odds.
- Live casinos offer dedicated live table games so all types of players can enjoy the same rich gaming experience. You can easily find baccarat variants, blackjack, poker, roulette, and other games with different betting limits.
Disadvantages
- There are no free games with live casinos. The operators invest considerable sums of money in operating, transmitting, and maintaining live dealer tables. The minimum stakes for live casinos are typically higher than that obtainable at regular casinos.
- There may be technical errors, and games may be slow. The quality of your live gaming experience depends on your Internet connection and the actions of other players.
- Live casinos have time limits on placing a bet, making gameplay faster which may not suit every player.
- Live casinos have a limited number of game options. The cost of running a live casino limits the gaming options players have. Live casinos for New Zealanders usually offer classic games such as live roulette, live baccarat, live blackjack, and live poker games. However, live casinos powered by top developers may offer a broader range of games including, Red Dog, Mega Ball, Super Six, Live Craps, and many more.
Are Live Dealer Games in New Zealand Safe and Secure?
Live dealer games for New Zealanders are safe and secure, provided players choose a licensed and reputable operator. New Zealand does not have local regulations for live dealer casinos.
Gambling commissions in Malta, Gibraltar, and the United Kingdom regulate New Zealand live casinos and compel them to ensure gambling fairness, transparency, security, and safety.
Live dealer casinos protect players’ personal and financial information with encrypted software. Ideally, you want to patronise live casinos that have no history of data breaches.
Types of Live Casino Games
Live Poker
Poker games require a combination of skill and luck to beat the house and other players. Poker is popular among live casino players, with Texas Hold’em being the most prevalent variation.
Other poker variations such as Caribbean Stud and 3-Card Poker are popular among live casino lovers.
Live Baccarat
Baccarat is a centuries-old card game with French/Italian roots but has become world-famous in physical and online casinos. Evolution Gaming was the first game provider to introduce baccarat to the live casino sphere.
Baccarat’s most popular variants include Mini-Baccarat, Speed Baccarat, and Baccarat Controlled Squeeze. The odds of winning in a regular 8-deck baccarat game are 44-62% for players bet, 45% for bankers bet and 9.53% for a tie.
Live Blackjack
Blackjack has a low house edge of roughly 0.5%, and it has become popular across live casinos because it offers probably the best chance of winning large sums over time. Players using an optimal betting strategy can eliminate the house edge and give themselves the chance of winning big.
The most common blackjack variants at live casinos include Blackjack Classic, Blackjack Party, and Infinite Blackjack.
Live Roulette
Live roulette is probably the most popular game in live and physical casinos. There are several variants to choose from, and casinos have a seat at the roulette table for everyone.
French roulette has the slightest house edge and is preferred by many players. Other variants include Double Ball Roulette and Lightning Roulette, each with its own set of playing rules.
Casino Hold’em
Casino Hold’em is a banking live dealer game with a low house edge. Players bet against the house and not against other players. Casino Hold’em has only one variant, the Live 2 Hand developed by Evolution Gaming.
The Best Live Dealer Platforms Developers in New Zealand
Evolution Gaming
Evolution Gaming was launched in 2006 to bring new ideas to the gambling industry. The company developed a live casino floor and streamed high definition gameplay to players’ screens from its headquarters in Riga, Latvia.
With Evolution Gaming offerings, players can enjoy their favourite live dealer games from their homes and interact with other players.
Evolution gaming is currently listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange and boasts over 5,000 employees.
NetEnt
NetEnt is among the world’s most successful online casino software providers. The Swedish company was founded in 1996 but didn’t begin live casino game development until much later.
NetEnt streams its live casino games from studios in Latvia and Malta. They have also produced a variety of popular games for other best online casinos.
Desktop and Mobile Live Casino Play
The widespread proliferation of online technology and mobile devices means anyone can access the Internet almost anywhere and on the go. Easy access to mobile technology means you can visit a casino anytime you want.
Live mobile casinos are now as efficient as playing on a desktop or on at a traditional location. You can play your favourite live casino games instantly on your mobile browsers without downloading an app. Many live casinos provide apps with additional features, but they are not necessary for live casino games.
Live Casino Bonuses
Bonuses and promotions make businesses more appealing to potential customers. This phenomenon is even truer with casinos and their bonuses. Casinos may offer a small sum of money, usually not more than $20, to play at the live tables. Players get to keep their winnings upon fulfilling specific wagering requirements.
Gamblers may sometimes get casino bonuses like free spins for games like live roulette, meaning they get a shot at winning real money without risking anything.
Tips and Tricks for Live Casino
There are no guarantees at a casino. Your primary goal should be to have a good time playing at a land-based casino, live or online. Following the tips below will help you have a satisfying experience playing a live casino.
- Never Chase Your Losses
This rule applies to all casino games. Don’t attempt to win back your losses by placing bigger bets.
- Have Fixed Playing Times
Live casino games are immersive, and it’s easy to lose track of your time and even your bankroll when playing. Set fixed playing sessions and put a cap on your bankroll.
- Learn Live Dealer Etiquette
Be friendly and respectful to the dealers and other players. Only sit at the table when you are ready to start playing.
- Speak to the Pit Manager
The Pit Boss is always on hand to ensure things in the casino run seamlessly. Call the manager’s attention if you think the dealer has made a mistake or have some other issue of concern.
- Gamble Responsibly
All forms of online gambling are entertainment vehicles that come with some amount of risk. Gambling should be seen as such and not as a money-making venture.
Visit https://www.gamblinghelpline.co.nz if you’re in dire need of support or therapy after being negatively affected by gambling.