A Beginner’s Guide to New Zealand Online Casinos: What You Need to Know

New Zealand is a land of tremendous natural beauty. From thermal springs and black-sandy beaches to rugby and aquamarine lakes, the land of Kiwi birds has something to offer for every tourist.

NZ is also a casino-loving nation. From Queenstown to Auckland, you can play pokies, poker, blackjack, and roulette from the comfort of your home. If you’ve never gambled online before, this guide is for you.

Hold on for the next couple of minutes for a detailed guide about how to use online casinos in NZ. Let’s get started:

Are Online Casinos Legal in New Zealand?

Online gambling is a legal grey area in New Zealand. The country’s gambling act permits land-based casinos such as SkyCity Auckland and Dunedin Casino. However, it doesn’t allow these businesses to operate online casinos.

While the law prohibits investors from starting Internet casinos, it doesn’t stop Kiwis from betting through offshore casinos. In fact, the government welcomes overseas casinos to offer their services in NZ. The only catch is that offshore casinos must pay taxes to the government.

If you would love to play some poker, blackjack, or pokies online, choose a safe offshore casino. Look for a valid license, a secure website, and a nice reputation. Presently, the best casinos in NZ are licensed in Europe. However, the government has plans to introduce local licenses soon.

How Much Do You Need to Play Casino Games Online?

Online casinos are famed for their low minimum deposits. Most websites have a minimum deposit of $5 or $10. At the best $5 deposit casino NZ sites, you can play hundreds of pokies and table games. To make things better, you can earn a welcome bonus to boost your account balance.

Many online casinos give you a bonus after you make your first deposit. You can use credit/debit cards like Visa and MasterCard. Or you can opt for a payment app such as PayPal, Apple Pay, or Skrill.

If you’re a crypto fan, find a Bitcoin Casino. You can use any of the top cryptocurrencies, including USDT, Solana, Ethereum, and Bitcoin Cash. Other popular deposit methods at casinos include electronic checks and wire transfers.

What are the Best Games for a Beginner?

Casino games come in different forms and shapes. Pokies—the luck-based machines scattered in every Australian city—are the most popular casino games. They’re beautiful and fun to play. They’re cheap and diverse. But they’re based on pure luck.

If you like to control your own luck, you can choose table games like poker, blackjack, or baccarat. Poker is a skill-based game with hundreds of international competitions. At the international level, you can fight to win millions of dollars in the game.

While poker pits you against multiple opponents, blackjack is a one-on-one competition. You play against the casino through an employee called the dealer. It is an elegant game highly popular among celebrities and VIP customers.

Both baccarat and roulette are popular games online. And so is craps. For the best experience, choose a casino with live dealer software. Also, ensure it offers games from respected developers like NetEnt, Evolution, BTG, Blueprint Gaming, and No Limit City.

How Do You Qualify for Casino Bonuses?

Casino bonuses are one of the best things about gambling online. They add money to your account to help you play more games. They are worth real money, meaning you can turn your free spins into cash.

To qualify for a bonus, you just need to join a casino with bonuses. Most websites give you a bonus for creating an account. Or for completing your first deposit. You need a minimum deposit of $5 at many websites to earn a bonus.

If you’re lucky enough, you can receive a bonus before you deposit money. It is called a no-deposit reward. The best operators give you both a no-deposit and first-deposit bonus. Usually, they match your first deposit 100%.

After the welcome bonus, you can receive freebies like loyalty points; reload bonuses, cashback, and VIP rewards. At some casinos, loyalty can win you free live theater tickets, cash prizes, or Super Bowl tickets.

Are Casino Winnings Taxable?

In New Zealand, online casino winnings are not taxable. Yes, that’s right. Whether you win $10 or $1 million, you can keep all your online casino winnings. The online time you’re required to pay tax is when you’re a professional gambler.

If gambling is your main source of income, you’re liable to pay income tax worth 10.5% to 39%. The actual amount of tax you need to pay depends on your income. Up to $15,000, the tax rate is 10.5%. On the high end of $180,000 or more, your tax rate is 39%.

What’s the Minimum Gambling Age in NZ?

At land-based casinos, the minimum gambling age in New Zealand is 20 years. On the Internet, casinos accept anyone above 18 years old. They also verify your age, meaning you need an ID, passport, or driving license to prove you’re an adult.

Can You Play on Your Smartphone?

Many online casinos now operate on both desktop and mobile devices. A few of them also support VR technology. The beauty of it all is that you don’t need to install an app.

Today’s online casinos bring you all the action through a mobile web app. You just need a quality Internet-enabled smartphone. If it supports mobile browsers like Chrome, Safari, and Firefox, you can enjoy hundreds of games.

If you’re smartphone also features a nice camera, you can enjoy every top live casino game. You can use an Android or iPhone. Web apps work on both operating systems.

What Unique Features Should You Look for?

Beyond sweet bonuses and diverse games, you should pay attention to a casino’s terms and conditions. We’re talking about bonus policies, withdrawal speeds, and data privacy rules.

You see, every casino freebie has conditions. If the terms aren’t good, the bonus isn’t worth it. Likewise, a casino’s payment policies are important. Choose websites with fast payouts and low fees.

Additionally, pay attention to a casino’s web design. Fast-loading pages, search filters, and beautiful graphics make gaming more enjoyable.