For context, the famous SkyJump at The STRAT in Las Vegas launches from 253 metres above the Strip and holds a Guinness World Record as the highest commercial decelerator descent in the world. Vegas goes higher, but Auckland goes first — the Sky Tower attraction predates the Las Vegas version by more than a decade. Sports and racing betting is regulated under the Racing Industry Act 2020 and Gambling Act 2003. The proposed changes to online casino gambling will not change this. Opening information, table schedules, events and dress expectations can change.
Stage 2: Auction
Separate venue licences, operator licences, renewal activity and the closed Wharf record. Guidance on how to submit a licence application will be provided before this stage of the licensing process begins. During this transition period, regulatory systems, the licensing process, and operational requirements will be progressively introduced. This staged approach allows time to establish licensing arrangements, assess applicants, and ensure that regulatory, harm minimisation and compliance systems are in place before the regime is fully implemented.
Regulating this sector will help protect consumers, reduce gambling harm, prevent crime and dishonesty, and make sure casinos providing to customers in New Zealand follow clear rules. Are you curious about spicing up your gameplay with baccarat side bets and eager to explore new winning strategies? Let our editors introduce you to the 6 most popular side bets, and show you strategies to maximize your winnings. From Lucky Bonus to Dragon 7, explore the top bets and expert tips for a thrilling gaming experience. Every figure below was checked against the operator or a licensed source. Lynsey is a regular Las Vegas visitor and a keen slots and roulette player.
The CasinoList editorial team has covered some of the most common hands you will find when you play blackjack online. CasinoList stands as the industry watchdog for online casinos in New Zealand, to ensure fairness and integrity. Our independence from the casinos is what keeps our evaluations unbiased. We focus on analyzing a site’s game collection and operational practices, aiming to determine their fairness. In our review process, a fair banking policy means fast withdrawal times that are approved within one day and no withdrawal fees. We also check the cashier – we want to see a diverse range of payment methods, such as cards, e-wallets, and bank transfers, as well as options that boost anonymity, like crypto and prepaid cards.
No new casino licence can be granted without a parliamentary amendment — the cap is legislative, not administrative. All 16 NZ regions, ranked by licensed casinos and pokie venues. As part of this programme of work, the Department has gathered insights across New Zealand’s online gambling environment- including online casino gambling, online sports and race betting, and overseas lotteries. Online casino play in New Zealand is for adults aged 18 and over; casino venues admit players from 20. Offshore operators listed here hold no DIA licence — the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 licensing round is still under way.
New Zealand’s Best Online Casinos
Casinos in New Zealand are physical venues under casino operator’s licences issued under Part 3 of the Gambling Act 2003. Online casinos operate under the separate Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, which comes into effect on 1 December 2026 and creates a new licensing regime for operators serving New Zealand players online. Before December 2026, online casino play by New Zealand residents occurs on overseas-licensed offshore sites, which the DIA doesn’t regulate directly. The casino spans 71,000 square feet across two levels and houses over 2,100 gaming machines and 150 table games including blackjack, baccarat, roulette, pai gow poker and multiple poker variants. VIP facilities include the Platinum Gaming Lounge and the members-only Sky Lounge for high-stakes players.
SkyCity Queenstown
Confirm the actual destination within the precinct and give the group a workable non-gambling meeting point if some people will not enter the restricted area. Keep accommodation, food, transport and emergency money separate. Treat gambling spend as paid entertainment, not as money that should return. Do not plan a meal, fuel purchase or onward booking around a possible win. Decide whether the casino is the main activity, a short stop after dinner or simply one option.
Current requirements for providers
A busy floor or a delayed start is not a reason to extend beyond the plan. An application for renewal is a process, not evidence of closure or an approval by itself. Start with the complete active set, then locate, compare or verify without being pushed towards a gambling operator. At each step, all participants are offered the same price at the same time and choose whether to stay in the auction or withdraw. As the price rises, participants exit once the price is higher than what they are willing to pay.
Casino Bonus Codes
Only five venues in New Zealand hold a casino operator’s licence under the Gambling Act 2003. A pokie venue is a pub, club, or similar DIA-licensed site hosting between one and 18 pokies machines under the Gambling Act 2003. Pokie venues are distinct from casinos, which are licensed under a separate casino operator’s licence regime (Part 3 of the Act). They run at much lower per-spin stake caps and are embedded in ordinary hospitality venues rather than standalone gambling buildings.
The minimum gambling age is 20, higher than most comparable markets. There are currently no changes for online casino customers in New Zealand. Online casinos that provided services Golisimo online casino review to people in New Zealand before 1 May 2026 are allowed to continue to operate until 1 December 2026. During this time, we will start the licensing process, however providers must not advertise to people in New Zealand.
- We look for SSL encryption algorithms to make sure that your information is safe from all data breaches.
- We also take into consideration the perks of such a programme, and how hard or easy it is to advance through VIP levels.
- Online casinos (before and after the 2026 Act) operate entirely separately and are covered in detail on the casino vs pokies guide and the New Zealand gambling law explainer.
- Online casino gambling is now regulated by the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026.
- Are you curious about spicing up your gameplay with baccarat side bets and eager to explore new winning strategies?
- It can be a verified address, confirmation that a remembered venue has closed, or a decision that the evening works better without a gambling stop.
- For example, SkyCity’s current regulatory table lists Queenstown’s venue licence expiry as 6 December 2040.
A hospitality business can contain gaming machines without being a licensed casino venue. A remote service can use a city name without operating a physical casino there. Creating a new marker simply because a search phrase exists would turn the map into a misleading destination guide.
Player Education
Land-based casinos also usually apply a “smart casual” dress code, whereas apps obviously don’t. In all cases, verification exists to confirm age and prevent money laundering, and it’s a protection rather than an obstacle. From 1 December 2026, providers are required to cease conducting online casino gambling in New Zealand if they have not applied for a licence. Providers who have submitted a licence application can continue to operate until the outcome of their application has been determined. If the licence application is declined, the provider will be required to cease all online casino gambling operations in New Zealand and must exit the market. The auction attracted 32 bidders and concluded after 10 rounds, with the final auction price reaching $15 million (NZD) per licence.
The Secretary must not grant a licence unless the provider has demonstrated this suitability. This guidance provides detailed information on the auction process, principles, and requirements for auction participation. Because the price changes in steps, the final price clearly reflects what the remaining participants are willing to pay. This helps us to ensure the outcome is seen as fair, consistent and robust, and gives confidence that the price has been set through a transparent competitive process. An ascending clock auction is a way of setting a price when there are multiple interested buyers.
- The Department of Internal Affairs issues gambling venue licences under the Gambling Act 2003.
- In those cities, the only land-based gambling venues are licensed pokie venue, pubs and clubs that host pokies machine.
- Someone asking about a local machine venue needs the appropriate non-casino category, not a fabricated casino record.
- We start out this analysis by looking at how casinos structure the VIP scheme – do they use comp points or multi-level programmes?
- A top-rated customer support should be available 24/7, through email, phone, and live chat, and the agents should be helpful and professional.
- The Department of Internal Affairs administers the licensing regime.
Wellington has never had a licensed casino, and the Gambling Act 2003 prevents new casino licences being issued. The nearest venues are Christchurch Casino, via the Cook Strait ferry and a drive of roughly 340 kilometres, or SkyCity Hamilton, around 520 kilometres by road. New Zealand’s licensed land-based casinos are SkyCity Auckland, SkyCity Hamilton, SkyCity Queenstown and the Wharf Casino in Queenstown, Christchurch Casino and Grand Casino Dunedin. No new casino licences can be issued under the Gambling Act 2003, so the finder above covers the complete list; large parts of the North Island are hours from the nearest venue.
We take into consideration things like wagering requirements, the number of free spins, bonus value amounts, and the maximum cashout allowed. In the end, the thing that impacts the rating the most is the availability of different bonus types. An online casino with a 5 out of 5 rating has no deposit offers, several welcome bonuses for players to choose from, and plenty of promotions for existing players. While the Act is in force, the full licensed online casino gambling regime is not expected to be fully operational until 2027. The full list is SkyCity Auckland, SkyCity Hamilton, SkyCity Queenstown, Christchurch Casino, and Grand Casino Dunedin. No new casino licence has been issued in New Zealand since 1996; six venue licences were granted in total, and Queenstown’s Wharf Casino surrendered its licence in March 2024, leaving five.
A visitor already staying in Auckland may need one current venue record and a reliable return to the hotel. The presence of another North Island casino in Hamilton does not by itself justify a second destination. The national index answers where the active venues are; it does not decide whether a visitor has enough time, a suitable vehicle or a sensible late return. Keep the optional visit inside the holiday rather than rebuilding the holiday around the count.
