Find Your Favourite New Zealand Casinos and Resorts 2026

New Zealand's six licensed casino venues are split between three operators. SkyCity Entertainment Group holds four licences and is the dominant player in the market. Christchurch Casino is operated by Skyline Enterprises, a New Zealand-owned leisure and tourism company. Dunedin Casino operates independently and is the only property in the country unaffiliated with either of the two larger operators.

New Zealand's five active casinos range considerably in scale and character, from the vast SkyCity Auckland complex at the foot of the Sky Tower to the intimate alpine setting of SkyCity Queenstown. Four are operated by SkyCity, with Christchurch Casino and Dunedin Casino operating independently. The Gambling Act 2003 permanently caps the number of licensed properties, meaning no new casinos can open in New Zealand.

SkyCity Auckland is New Zealand's largest casino and the country's flagship gaming destination, located at the base of the 328-metre Sky Tower in the heart of Auckland's CBD. The complex opened in 1996 and has grown into one of the most visited entertainment precincts in the country, encompassing three hotels, more than 20 restaurants and bars, a 700-seat theatre and the New Zealand International Convention Centre alongside the gaming floor.

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. All patrons must register for a SHOW by SkyCity card to play, as part of the property's responsible gambling framework. The casino operates 24 hours a day.

Christchurch Casino holds the distinction of being the first legal casino to open in New Zealand, welcoming its first guests in 1994. Located on Victoria Street in central Christchurch, the property is operated by Skyline Enterprises and remains the only major casino in the South Island outside of Queenstown and Dunedin.

The casino spans 44,000 square feet and offers over 450 gaming machines and 36 table games including blackjack, roulette, baccarat and poker variants. Three restaurants and two bars sit within the complex, including the Monza sports bar and the Chi Kitchen Cantonese restaurant. Christchurch Casino also hosts the New Zealand Poker Championships annually and operates 24 hours a day.

SkyCity Hamilton opened in 2002 in the heart of Hamilton's CBD, housed within the city's former Chief Post Office building on the banks of the Waikato River. It is the only casino on the North Island outside of Auckland and serves as a regional entertainment hub offering gaming, dining, live music and a bowling alley alongside the casino floor.

The casino spans 16,000 square feet and offers 339 gaming machines and 23 table games including blackjack, roulette, midi baccarat and Caribbean stud poker. A dedicated poker room hosts cash games and weekly tournaments. The property operates Sunday to Wednesday until 3am and Thursday to Saturday until 5am.

SkyCity Queenstown opened in December 2000 in Stratton House on Beach Street in the heart of Queenstown, and secured a new 15-year licence from the New Zealand Gambling Commission in December 2025, locking in its future until 2040. The casino is intentionally boutique in scale, its interior designed around the character of the alpine surroundings with timber wall panelling and a schist rock fireplace that sets it apart from the larger urban properties.

The casino spans 15,000 square feet and offers 86 gaming machines and 12 table games including blackjack, roulette, midi baccarat and Caribbean stud poker. The Wild Thyme Bar and Kitchen serves food and drinks on site. The casino opens daily at noon and closes at 4am.

Dunedin Casino opened in 1999 within the historic Southern Cross Hotel on High Street in central Dunedin, a heritage building dating from 1883 that gives the property one of the most distinctive settings of any casino in New Zealand. It is the only casino in the country not affiliated with either SkyCity or Skyline Enterprises, operating independently under its own licence.

The casino offers 180 gaming machines and 12 table games including roulette, baccarat and blackjack alongside a bar and restaurant. A dedicated poker room hosts regular cash games and tournaments on Friday and Saturday evenings. The casino is open daily from 11am to 3am.

Gambling should always be approached as a form of entertainment. If gambling is becoming a source of stress or financial difficulty, free and confidential support is available.

The Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand provides free counselling, support and information for anyone affected by gambling, including family members. Call 0800 664 262, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. 

The Gambling Helpline is also available around the clock on 0800 654 655 and offers free advice, referrals and support services.

All licensed New Zealand casinos offer self-exclusion programmes. SkyCity properties also operate mandatory player registration, which allows patrons to set spending limits, time limits and cooling-off periods directly through their membership account. Before you play, set a budget and stick to it. Only gamble with money you can afford to lose.

The information on this page is provided for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Casino details, licensing conditions and regulatory decisions in New Zealand are subject to change, and the online gambling landscape in particular is evolving rapidly as new legislation progresses through parliament.

We recommend verifying current information directly with individual properties or the Department of Internal Affairs before visiting. The minimum age to enter a casino gaming area in New Zealand is 20. Players are responsible for ensuring they comply with all applicable laws and regulations.