Best Online Casino Sites in New Zealand for January

There are plenty of casinos online, and as a player in New Zealand, you’ll have no shortage of choice. Gambling sites all have lots of exciting games like pokies and casino classics, and if you get lucky, you could stand a chance to win some real cash.

But what makes the best online casino in NZ? In this guide, I’ll tell you exactly what I look for when rating a gambling site and give you some of my top casinos to try this month.

Top 20 NZ Casinos

If I had to pick just one casino for you to try this month, it would have to be Betovo Casino. Betovo offers some excellent promotions, like exclusive giveaways. Look out for prize draws (you could win an iPhone!), cashback offers and reloads. Plus, you can take part in missions and tournaments to get even more freebies.

There are thousands of excellent games here, from the likes of Pragmatic Play, Evolution Gaming, and Play’n Go. The site boasts a total jackpot prize pool of up to eight figures. I’d definitely recommend trying some of the jackpot games like Aloha King Elvis and Coin Volcano.

Special features: 

• Complete weekly challenges to get extra bonuses
• Five-level VIP programme
• Great range of bonus buy games 

I’d rate Spinaro as one of the best NZ casinos online for its game variety. You can expect thousands of games from dozens of different providers, like Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Betsoft, and lots more.

Many games here come with unique features like Megaways - try Immortal Ways Buffalo or The Dog House Megaways. Some pokies even allow you to purchase your way into the special round using the bonus buy feature. Spinaro doesn’t only have slots, though - there are also arcade games, lotteries, and a whole lobby full of live casino tables.

Special features: 

• Great selection of Megaways games
• Several thousand pokies available
• Chance to win extra prizes on Drops & Wins games

I consider Neptune Play Casino to be the best online casino in NZ for bonuses. There’s a welcome bonus to help you kick off, but the site offers so much more than that. You can come back every single day to bag yourself free spins, sometimes as many as 50.

Plus, players in the VIP club get access to cashback every month. On top of that, Neptune Play works with casino providers to run thrilling promotions like Drops & Wins. And if you’re lucky enough to win, Neptune Play doesn’t charge any withdrawal (or deposit) fees.

Special features: 

• Free spins up for grabs every day
• Monthly cashback offers for VIPs
• Chance to win your share of six-figure prize pots in the Drops & Wins promo

Most online casinos in NZ have a live dealer section, but they’re not all as good as Zip Casino. Zip Casino offers games from lots of top-quality live casino game providers.

You'll want to try tables from Playtech, Evolution Gaming, and Pragmatic Play Live. All of your favourite casino classics are here, like roulette, blackjack, and baccarat. Plus, there are even high-roller tables for those with big budgets.

If you want to try something a little different, I’d recommend having a go at one of the immersive game shows like Mega Wheel or Crazy Time. All live dealer games come with HD, real-time streaming, and professional dealers.

Special features: 

• Excellent range of gameshows
• Native (non-English) roulette available
• Games come from multiple different providers

A key feature of the most reputable online casinos in NZ is that you always have a chance to win real money. Some of the top casino sites play host to games with really high Return to Player percentages, and Spin Casino is definitely one of them.

Some casino table games like blackjack have an RTP of up to 98% or 99%. Most slots - including Gold Blitz, Immortal Romance, and Assassin Moon, have a high RTP of over 96%. 

I also love the selection of huge progressive jackpot games like titles in the Mega Moolah series, where you could win up to seven figures.

Special features: 

• Progressive jackpots with up to seven-figure payouts
• Regular 'must-win' jackpots
• Wide range of high RTP live casino games

Jackpot Village isn’t exactly one of the new online casinos in NZ - it’s been around since 2018. And in that time, the site has built up a great reputation for excellent promotions, games, and fast payments. 

Players in NZ can usually expect to wait about 24 to 48 hours for withdrawals to be approved. After that, if you use a method like Skrill or Netller, you'll get your winnings immediately.

Other methods like bank cards and bank transfers might take a little longer to reach you, but it’s never more than a few extra days. Jackpot Village also doesn’t charge any fees when you withdraw.

Special features: 

• Bank cards, e-wallets, and prepaid options accepted for payments
• No fees charged on deposits or withdrawals
• Win rewards every day by spinning the prize wheel

At this point, I'm sure you're wondering how I decide which sites top my list of online casinos. Well, wonder no more! I use a list of specific criteria every time I evaluate online casino sites.

It's easy to sign up at New Zealand online casinos. Just follow these five steps:

1. Choose an online casino: Start by picking a casino that suits what you're looking for. Check out our handy casino reviews to find out each operator's good and bad sides.
2. Visit the casino: Once you’ve picked your casino site, visit their website and look around to get a sense of what it’s like.
3. Begin the registration process: Find the sign-up button. It’ll take you to a page where you can fill in your details and snag your sign-up bonus.
4. Enter your details: Fill in all the info the casino asks for. Be accurate because they'll use it to confirm your identity.
5. Verify your account: This step might mean uploading an ID or verifying your phone. Check out the instructions on the casino's website.

The first and most important thing to consider is that not all online casinos will be your perfect fit. After all, everyone is looking for different things when signing up at a new gambling site. I have a few top tips that can help you choose your ideal site.

Look at the Security Features

Trustworthy online casinos make it easy for you to find their licensing details and data protection policies. If you don’t recognise the licensing body, it’s best to give the site a miss. Also, make sure the site accepts reputable payment methods like e-wallets and well-known crypto options.

Assess the Games

I recommend choosing a site with 1,000 or more pokies and at least a few dozen live casino and table games. There are certain providers you’ll want to see in the games lobby, like NetEnt, Games Global, Pragmatic Play, and Evolution Gaming. Look for games with special features like Megaways or progressive jackpots, and make sure you like the themes of the available pokies.

Check the Payment Options

Most of the best online casinos in New Zealand offer deposits and withdrawals via lots of different methods. These usually include cards, e-wallets, crypto, or bank transfers. It’s a good idea to check if the site charges any fees for deposits and withdrawals. Also, see what the withdrawal timelines are like. For example, some sites approve withdrawals within a few hours, while others may take several days.

Think Critically About the Bonuses

Most popular online casinos offer some type of bonus for new players. That said, looking at these offers in-depth is important to see if they’re worth claiming. Look for low minimum deposit amounts, high win limits, and, most importantly, low wagering requirements. It’s also a good idea to check the bonuses for regular players. You might be able to come back and claim reloads, free spins, and a whole lot more. 

Try Out the Mobile Experience

Some online casinos in New Zealand offer downloadable apps for iOS and Android. Others just have an optimised mobile casino website. Either way, you should have no trouble gaming on the go. Before you sign up, head to the mobile version on your phone or tablet. Make sure the site is easy to navigate, and you can play most games on mobile.

There’s so much more to top NZ online casinos than just pokies. There are live dealer games that allow you to bring the whole casino experience home. Or you can opt to enjoy a few simple games of blackjack or roulette.

These are my top games to try at NZ online casino sites now:

Bonuses are a major reason people sign up at online casinos, and there are many different types. Think welcome bonuses, free spins and cashback offers. Below, I've listed some of the best.

Welcome Bonus

The welcome offer is one of the most important online casino bonuses. It’s the first thing you’ll get when you sign up. You can claim a deposit match, free spins, or cashback, depending on the casino site.

Some of the best online casinos even hand out no wagering bonuses, where any money you win is yours to withdraw immediately. The best online casinos have multiple offers to get a deposit match on several of your first deposits.

Free Spins

This type of slots bonus is the ideal way to explore pokies you might not have played otherwise. Some of the best casinos online offer free spins to brand new players, either for making a deposit or signing up. Other sites have regular offers so that loyal players can claim or win free spins as often as every week. Like other casino promos, free spins come with terms and conditions, such as wagering requirements and win limits.

No Deposit Bonus

No deposit bonus offers are only available at the best NZ online casinos. These offers are what they sound like - a bonus that you’ll get without having to deposit anything. Some casinos give out small free casino credits (for example, $5 or $10) when you sign up. 

Other gambling sites offer no deposit free spins on selected slot games. No deposit offers might come with stricter terms and conditions like wagering requirements. Be sure to check these before you claim.

Cashback Bonus

Have you ever wanted to turn losses into wins? Well, you can at some of the best NZ online casinos. Cashback promos award a certain amount of your losses (often 10% or 15%) back to you. This might be credited to your account as withdrawable cash or bonus money with wagering requirements.

While cashback can be given out as a welcome bonus, other casino sites might run regular cashback offers. Loyal players could claim money back as frequently as every week or every month.

Casino sites offer a wide range of methods for you to deposit and withdraw, including bank cards, crypto, e-wallets, and more. These are some of the top online casino payment options I’d recommend for players in NZ. 

Gambling online should always be fun, and there are certain steps you can take to ensure that you play safely and responsibly.

• Use the resources. All of the top casinos online take responsible gambling seriously. You can use tools like deposit limits, reality checks (to help keep track of how long you’ve been playing), and session time limits.
• Take five. If you feel the need, take a time out, which will block access to your account for a short time. A final option is to self-exclude, which is a more permanent measure.
• Look for backing. Online casino sites often have links to helpful organisations like Safer Gambling Aotearoa. These links can provide support while staying in control.
• Stay on budget. Above all else, the most important thing to do is set and stick to a budget. Don’t ever spend more than you can afford to lose. Although trustworthy online casinos give you a real chance to win, it’s never guaranteed.