Best Real Money Online Casinos in New Zealand: Where Should a Kiwi Bet Their Money?
Did you know that some Kiwis play online casino games for free? And when they do, there’s usually insufficient consideration about site legitimacy, bonuses, and what else. Why? These players have no vested interest in such sites. In other words, you have little to lose (or win either) if you’re playing casino games without real cash.
Free casino gameplay has its advantages, but it deprives you of the critical elements that make gambling enjoyable: the anticipation and anxiety that characterise real money casinos.
Newbies to gambling soon recognise this fact, and it’s only a matter of time before they start staking their money on games when they play. However, betting real money on casino games is outright risky.
Therefore, it’s mandatory to wager real money only on trustworthy online casino sites and to maintain caution as you take this gratifying trip. The following paragraphs attempt to ease you into this dangerous yet thrilling side of online gambling. Keep reading.
Top Five Real Money Online Casinos in NZ
The New Zealand online gambling market appears saturated these days, thanks to the continuous spring up of new establishments every day. With the long-term casinos unwilling to go out of business and the more recent creations offering so much more, finding where to stake your precious cash may be challenging.
| Casino | Welcome Bonus |
| Wazamba | 100% cashback up to NZ$2,180 + 200 free spins |
| Just Spin | 100% cashback up to NZ$500 + 600 free spins |
| Boo Casino | 100% cashback up to NZ$1,000 + 150 free spins |
| Nomini | 7 Fruit-based Bonus Variations up to NZ$2,000 + FS |
| 21.com | 300% cashback up to NZ$1000 + 1,000 free spins |
To help out, we’ve compiled a list of the top five real money online casinos for Kiwis to gamble. We selected these casinos following intensive review on our part. We’ll see how we arrived at our conclusions too.
Wazamba
Bonuses and promotions? Check.
Games? Check.
Legitimacy? 100%.
What’s there not to admire about Wazamba, the current holder of SBC Awards Innovation? This mobile casino is barely two years old, and it’s already proven itself to be far ahead of competitors. It holds a license from the Government of Curacao and is traceable to Araxio Development, NV.
Wazamba woos suitors with the bonuses on offers and keeps existing players spellbound with the numerous promotions. For instance, you get to enjoy 100% cashback on your first deposit up to NZ$2,180.
The site offers a wide range of games, including slots, tables, video poker, and live casino. Thanks to the partnership with various leading software developers in the industry.
Lastly, Wazamba runs a borderless payment system. You can use both fiat and cryptocurrencies for transactions.
JustSpin
Like Wazamba above, JustSpin happens to be another new kid on the block, outperforming expectations. The casino belongs to BG Group Limited, Malta, and holds a license from the Malta Gaming Authority. It started just in 2019 and so clearly tick the bonus, game, and security boxes.
The party keeps spinning at JustSpin, thanks to continuous site upgrades to keep the dancers going. New carousers are welcome to join at any time too, and they sure feel at home at once. Thanks to the NZ$500 cashback and 600 free spins on their first deposit.
The fun doesn’t stop with rewards. JustSpin presents a comprehensive gaming catalogue that cuts across slots, tables, and everything else. Carry on with the excitement and wave to the lifeguard whenever you may be sinking.
Boo Casino
Someone let the ghost in at Boo Casino, but fortunately for us, its human side remains dominant. It even has a world-class fashion sense, as a simple website visit convinces.
Boo Casino assures gamblers of immense fun and thrilling adventures throughout their stay. You’re in the midst of so many games from the go, and the trip doesn’t end any time soon. Let’s thank the outstanding software developers for this remarkable odyssey.
You’ll have access to a plethora of bonuses too. Boo Casino offers new players the chance to win multiple bonus variations on their first deposits. Plus, they offer different promotions to old players as well.
Could a punter ask for anything else?
Nomini Casino
Nomini is similar to the other casinos we’ve listed above, but it takes things a notch further with its ‘fruity’ themes. Thanks to the website design, you are reminded to eat healthy foods as you play.
The casino belongs to Araxio Development and holds a Government of Curacao’s licence. Nomini makes bonuses the main focus of their casino, so expect a couple of offers throughout your stay at the site. The weekly reload bonus, the weekly cashback, the slot offers, to mention but a few.
In addition, you’ll enjoy lots of games at Nomini. The site partners with top-notch software manufacturers to ensure you don’t tire of playing. Lest we forget, the site supports cross-border transactions as well.
21.com Casino
21.com is an excellent casino to enjoy real money games, courtesy of the unique features available to players, particularly the NZ$1,000 + 1,000 free spins welcome bonus for new players. You can trace the casino to a Maltase enterprise, the BG Group Limited.
This casino offers a competitive collection of games that satisfies one-armed bandit connoisseurs, table enthusiasts, and poker lovers. So, whatever your favourite game is, rest assured 21.com is up to the task.
The support system is readily available and effective, so all queries resolve quickly. Payment options include popular platforms, such as Revolut, Skrill, and Neteller.
How we Selected our Top Five Stars: What Criteria Did we Use?
As you may know, finding the top real cash digital casinos in New Zealand is like finding a needle in a haystack. Accordingly, we evaluate a couple of factors when shortlisting the best online casinos out there.
Let’s see what these considerations are below for transparency purposes. Plus, you may have to be the writer someday. Yes?
- Legitimacy and Security
Some Kiwis worry about losing their cash to fraudulent casinos, which explains why they stick to free gameplay. Their concerns are valid but fortunately resolvable. You can conveniently ascertain good online casinos’ legitimacy and security status even before you register at the site.
We emphasise legitimacy and security, as both are critical to your safety. A legitimate casino is subject to the regulations of an independent body, like the New Zealand Gambling Commission or the Government of Curacao. Now, these regulators reserve the right to retract the license of any erring or unprofessional casino.
These regulators also facilitate site security. Your payouts are 100% assured with licensed real money online casinos, thanks to SSL encryption. Meanwhile, the Random Number Generator (RNG) enforces game fairness.
Relating these factors to our review, the five casinos we shortlisted are traceable to recognised regulators and legitimate ownership enterprises.
- Available Games to Enjoy
Senior gamblers may remember the boredom that comes with having a minimal game board at casinos. The presence of casinos with thousands of games may even be a rude shock to them.
However, like you may have noticed, free game players can’t access the complete selection of games at a casino. And if you’re motivated by the prospect of fun that may come with unrestricted access, it’s only proper that you do so at a reputable casino.
Some online casino sites aren’t necessarily restricting your access; they just have a small game library. Thus, we played across various websites to ensure you’ll be getting immense value if you decide to take the step. From this angle, it’s easy to see why we settled for the five above.
- Bonuses and Promotions
The offers you get for registering at and maintaining loyalty to online casinos are unattainable in offline casinos. However, as good as this line sounds, you may know that you can’t enjoy them without real money gambling.
If you want to throw in your valuable dollars, you have to get rewards for your resources, including your time. Why stake cash at a casino offering 100% cashback up to NZ$200 on a single low deposit when others offer up to 5 times the same.
With this criterion in mind, we evaluated a host of casinos that met the first two factors to narrow our search. 21.com offers NZ$1,000 and 1,000 free spins for reference purposes.
In addition, these casinos run reward clubs for loyal players. We checked that the rewards for these schemes commensurate with the cash you spend.
- Banking Options
Available banking options are critical aspects of every casino. After all, you can’t wager with real cash if there are no accessible means of depositing. Similarly, cashing out your winnings has to be quick and straightforward.
Some online casinos offer straightforward deposit means but complicate the withdrawal process. It’s common to find NZ sites that charge exorbitant fees for withdrawals.
We reviewed the available banking methods at shortlisted sites before our report to prevent you from falling into this difficulty. Our five-star casinos provide numerous payment means, with some even allowing cross-border banking.
- Customer Service and Support
This factor is hardly one of the first factors players review when finding online casino sites to gamble. Ironic, because a sound support system is priceless. Remember that these casinos have no physical headquarters to report your problems?
We didn’t allow this detail to slip by us, and it’s where most casinos lost their footing. Few casinos bother with a responsive and helpful support team because players don’t prioritise it as well. However, these sites impressed our team.
They replied to queries rapidly and provided helpful recommendations.
Types of Real Money Online Casinos in New Zealand: Do the Platforms Differ?
All online real money casinos operate in the same way: through an Internet-enabled gadget. But does that mean they don’t have slight differences? Of course not.
What Device: Desktop or Mobile?
Continuous technological advancements have made their mark on real money gambling. Unlike before, most casinos now offer mobile versions of their websites. You can access 90% of NZ online real money casinos using your phone.
The quality of both types of devices hardly differs, whether in graphics, animations, accessibility, or speed. This innovation explains why over 70% of New Zealanders gamble using their handhelds instead of desktop. What’s better?
You don’t have to be at a particular place before fluttering on your favourite slots or tables anymore. Whether on a journey or at a high school reunion, you may enjoy as many real cash games as you decide. Make extra cash while on the move.
Instant Play or Download?
Technical prerequisite is also another difference among real cash online casinos. Usually, most platforms allow you to open your browser and start playing without downloading apps or software.
However, this typicality doesn’t rule out that some sites require some prepping before you can play. In such cases, you’ll have to download an app or software before enjoying available games. We prefer instant-play websites, as our choice of casinos reflect.
Fiat- or Cryptocurrency-oriented?
The recent acceptance of cryptocurrencies among casinos has led to a new category of casinos: Bitcoin casinos. In essence, this term refers to sites that accept cryptocurrencies from customers.
The development has divided online casino players too. Conservatives maintain that casinos stick to good, old fiat currencies, while tech-savvy players are hell-bent on sites incorporating cryptocurrencies.
Both sides have their unique appeal. Bitcoin transactions are much cheaper and faster than fiat payments. Plus, crypto assures you of 100% anonymity.
On the flip side, corrupt people use this feature to their advantage. Crypto-oriented sites are likely instruments for siphoning funds. Fiat transactions are traceable, so this disadvantage is inexistent.
Games at Real Money Online Casinos, NZ
We’ve repeated that you have access to more online casino games when wagering with real money. Therefore, you can play all titles at a typical online casino as long as you’ve made your initial deposits.
We’ll check out the standard game classifications across these NZ casinos. But before that, we thought to mention that some casinos reserve unique games for VIP club members who’ve attained specific levels. Your first deposits may not be enough to play select games.
Let’s see the common game types in New Zealand’s real money online casinos.
Slots at Real Money Online Casinos, NZ
Slots are the most popular game type across real money casinos in New Zealand, Europe, and the rest of the world. These games are the fashion statement in nearly every casino these days. Why wouldn’t they be?
They have excellent graphics and animations and are always available in abundance. Slots are super thrilling! Know what’s better?
Slots are the most lucrative real money games in online casinos, and we’re not even referring to the fact that there are usually up to a thousand at high-class new generation casinos. Instead, we are talking about the real deal: progressive jackpot slots!
Winning the jackpot is the ultimate gambler’s dream, and only one-armed bandits offer a chance. A jackpot win may run into millions and set you up for life. For instance, the Sisters of OZ WowPot provide up to $3 million, and the Book of Atem WowPot, perhaps $2.5 million.
However, the odds of winning are low, but this reality doesn’t mean that you stand no chance. You have an equal opportunity as much as anyone else does to hit the progressive jackpot slot.
Table Games at NZ Real Money Online Casinos
Table games are a relevant part of every real money mobile casino. Therefore, if blackjack, baccarat, and roulette are your preferences, you’ll also have great fun.
These games are your usual board games, although this time, you can play against players in another part of the world. Thanks to the live dealership technology.
Trust that the beer and skittles also make it to this party.
Video Poker
Video poker maintains a low status among gamblers these days, but that doesn’t mean that no one wants to play the game. As such, real money online casinos in NZ also offer video poker to players.
The collection may be meagre compared to slots and tables. But most enthusiasts don’t bother about it since video poker is a straightforward game.
Helpful Strategies for Better Odds at Real Money Online Casinos, NZ
Real money gambling is hardly a strategic concept and much more about the gambler’s luck. However, there are recommendations to follow to increase your winning possibility and cut down on possible losses. The following are vital tips to have in mind as you enjoy slots, tables, or video poker.
- Play Only at a Trustworthy Casino
We considered skipping this point (for obvious reasons), but we suppose it’s pertinent that you recognise the importance of playing at the best NZ online casinos. Taking this step at the beginning increases your winning odds since all games are fair, and your payouts are guaranteed.
- The Lower the House Edge, the Better for You
Here’s a simple truth to realise fast: casinos (online or offline) are set to favour the house and not players. The house edge refers to the percentage of odds that the casino has on a particular game. For fair play, casinos state the house edge for every game before you play.
We suggest that you check through all games to find the one with the lowest house edge and the highest payout percentage. Both are the opposite of the other, so a 95% payout rate commensurates with a 5% house edge.
However, the higher the house edge, the greater the odds, and the higher the winnable amount.
- Avoid Chasing Losses
Whether in casino gambling or what else, every player has a bad day where nothing seems to work. We call it the losing streak. And although most people know this fact, it’s common to find gamblers who lose more than enough on such days.
We suggest that you recognise your losing days on time and pull out early. Don’t fall for the gambler’s fallacy. Avoid repeatedly betting on such days because you want to “recoup what I’ve spent.”
- Claim the Best Bonus Offers
Real money online casinos offer various bonuses, especially to new players. We recommend that you maximise this feature by collecting the most bankable bonuses.
- Be Strategic When Necessary
Games like poker provide an avenue to show some strategy. How?
They pit you against other online casino players and reward the player who manages their bankroll better and makes the right decisions.
It’d be helpful to have some moves to use in such situations.
Reasons to Play at Real Money Online Casinos
Some players are risk-aversive; thus, they question the logic of real money wagering when you could have all the fun for free. If you’re one of these persons, the following reasons should convince you.
- More Thrill When Cash Is Involved
The sweat beads rolling off your forehead, the subconscious drumming of your fingers, the goosebumps forming on your nape, and the burst of joy ripping through you when you win. Simply put, it’s real-time cash staking that makes you a gambler.
Considering that free game enthusiasts talk more about the fun they get for nothing, it’s ironic that the gameplay is much more enjoyable when you stake cash. With your money on the line, you involve yourself more in the experience. What used to be sheer fun becomes immersive!
Real cash casino gambling ups the excitement. Here’s the way to find yourself on edge!
- Unique Bonus and Promotional Offers
Bonuses are a significant advantage of online casinos over offline casinos, but these rewards are only available to players who play with real cash. No online casino offers meaningful promotions to players who haven’t staked games with actual money.
The best you’d get anywhere is the 20 free spins, no deposit bonus, and even that requires depositing funds to utilise. Consider the fact that these offers can be massive too, like the chance to win up to NZ$1,000 for small amounts on specific casinos.
Plus, online casinos organise tournaments and competitions for real cash players to enjoy. Such programs promise a huge pool prize, which will surely trump whatever cash you spent to register.
- More Games to Enjoy
There’s no online casino that allows no-cash members unrestricted access to their game catalogues. Therefore, the games you play for free are merely the toppings on your dinner. There’s always so much more to play!
If access to barely 50% of a casino’s collection excites you so much, consider how much fun you’ll have with everything at your disposal.
Conclusion
Free games may have their advantages. They help to practice, have some fun for free, and gain experience. However, the thrill doesn’t start until you wager with real money.
Playing at real money online casinos provides you with the avenue to win cash for your efforts. Also, the experience you gain here is invaluable, and we should remember the unrestricted access to your favourite game.
Lastly, if you were wondering if you could win at these sites, research proves that real money casinos have a 95% payout rate. That’s at least 95 cents for every NZD you spend. Free games don’t win you the jackpot, punter.