When you are looking for a site to play the pokies, you should be keeping a few factors in mind. From the customer service, which should be available 24 hours a day especially due to the different Time Zone of the country, to the promotions offered, there are many aspects of an operator that we take into consideration when reviewing online casinos. Of course, the game selection is also something that can impact your decision to play, as can the ability to play on your mobile device.
At this site, we have a team of experts that review casinos every day, so if you read our comprehensive site reviews, you will be very well informed on which sites are best for players from New Zealand. To help you get started, we have compiled a list of some of the highest-rated sites that offer great products to New Zealanders.
Gambling Regulations in New Zealand
The peaceful island nation of New Zealand is not just known for beautiful landscapes and a flightless bird, but it also one of the most progressive countries when it comes to gambling. Gambling is a part of the culture of the country, and between the Lottery, Pokies and other casino games, New Zealanders gamble billions of dollars annually.
The main source of gambling revenue in New Zealand is the National Lottery. Run by the government, this generates significant revenue for many social causes. The pokies are also regulated by the government, and these machines which can be found in pubs and bars contribute a percentage of winnings to local charitable initiatives as well. This type of giving back makes the idea of gambling palatable even to the most conservative of Kiwis.
There are a limited number of land-based casinos in the country, which is why online gambling has become so popular. Players are able to log into any number of sites and play their favorite slots or Table Games right from the comfort of their own homes. This does not seem to have had an impact on the revenues from the live casinos so each can co-exist without any major friction.
Despite the number of available online casinos in New Zealand, operating one of these sites is illegal from within the country. Anyone operating an online gambling site from within the borders of New Zealand could be charged, but the players are completely free to play at sites that are hosted offshore. This is actually part of the Gambling Act of 2003, which states that playing at one of these sites does not come with any penalty. The Department of internal Affairs is the body that is responsible for overseeing this legislation is adhered to, so you know that the government takes it very seriously.
The open stance on online gambling is a sign that the country may want to get involved sometime in the future – making it illegal would mean having to reverse legislation at some point. This is all excellent news for fans of the pokies, as it gives those players access to hundreds of well-run sites featuring thousands of games. Whether someone wants to play the pokies or one of the Table Games or Video poker that is available, they can come to sites like this to find recommended sites.
Best Pokies Software Available in New Zealand
As it is only site operation that is against the law in New Zealand, there is really no resistance coming from software vendors as might be the case in other countries. With that in mind, you are going to be able to find casino games built by some of the top companies such as:
The list is endless, but if you come across any games from the above software companies, you know you are playing games with excellent math and top-notch graphics. While the majority of software companies are above board, there are still some rogue vendors, so we always suggest you look for ones that have logos from third-party auditing firms.
One drawback of players being able to play at offshore sites without any repercussion is that there is no regulatory body to watch over their play or the business practices of the sites themselves. When looking for a place to play, you want to find sites that are regulated by other jurisdictions like the United Kingdom or Malta. At the very least, you know that the banking and operations are being watched and regularly audited, so your deposits should be safe.
