Casino online games are widespread, especially with the rise of gambling sites’ popularity. That has allowed millions worldwide to enjoy their favourite titles from home. Platforms also tend to offer a much larger selection of online casino games than a land-based venue ever could. On top of this, payouts are often higher due to the lower operating costs.

With so many titles to choose from, it can take time to know what you will enjoy and what has the highest payouts. That’s where we at New Zealand Casinos come in. We have countless years of experience with all sorts of gambling games.

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Top New Zealand Casino Games Compared

  CASINO NAME Games
Pokies
WELCOME BONUS PLAY CASINO T&C
1 560+ Games
400+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$1000
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.
2 1800+ Games
140+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$1,000& 150 free spins
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.
4 3000+ Games
1000+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$2810 & 200 free spins
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.
5 1500+ Games
1350+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$1200& 260 free spins
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.
6 1915+ Games
1300+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$2000& 200 Free Spins on Wolf Gold
20+ LeoSafePlay.com, Promotional T&Cs apply. Please play responsibly.
7 6500+ Games
1000+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$4000 & 300 Free Spins
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.
8 460+ Games
300+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$1250
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.
9 3000+ Games
2500+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$1500 & 150 Free Spins
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.
10 1500+ Games
530+ Pokies
100% Up ToNZ$1100 & 125 Free Spins
20+ Full T&Cs apply. New players only. Gamble responsibly.

Most Popular Online Casino Games for Kiwis

There are thousands of NZ online casino sites available today. A huge range of casino games online is sure to intrigue many players, but such variety can also be intimidating. Players can become overwhelmed by the choices, which is when you can use New Zealand Casinos for help. Some titles are more widespread than others.

Not only do you have a good number of popular options, but each will have several different versions. In the case of online pokies, thousands of different games are out there. No matter what type you’re looking for, we can help you find it. We compare and test hundreds of variations, so you’re guaranteed to find many great games here. Below are the best online casino games explained.

Online Pokies

Online pokies have 3 or more reels filled with symbols. When they stop moving, the game will analyze the results. It checks what symbols have landed or what are next to each other and determines if the player has won or lost. These games are easy to play and are fun. Here are some of the best online pokies that we think you should try:

  • Immortal Romance
  • Mega Moolah
  • Starburst
  • Jurassic Park
  • Hitman
  • Avalon
  • Thunderstruck II

There are countless different slot titles available online. You can go for a simple, classic pokie with three reels and a small number of paylines. You may be looking for a more complex modern slot machine featuring five or more reels. Rest assured, there’s something out there for you.

Online Roulette – Spin It to Win It

Roulette sees players guessing where a ball will stop once placed into a spinning wheel by the croupier. The wheel has numbered and coloured compartments. That is one of the most well-known casino games online in NZ. It is straightforward, with numerous different wagers. You can play it safe and bet on Red or Black, Odd or Even, or you can take bigger risks and bet on a specific number for larger payouts.

Variations of Online Roulette

As with many online casino games, several different versions are available to players. European and French Roulette are largely the same. These wheels only have a single Zero and offer players better odds than the American version. The North American version of Roulette has the same layout except for its additional Zero. That may seem like a small change, but it significantly increases the house edge, a preferred element by experienced players.

Online Blackjack – 21 or Bust

Blackjack is a card game where players compete against the dealer, also known as 21. The winner is chosen by whoever has a hand value of 21 or as close to it as possible. Should your hand’s value exceed 21, you go bust and lose the round. There are several versions out there, and this title has gained popularity because it is easy to learn and fun to play. Some of the most popular variations include:

  • European Blackjack
  • Classic Blackjack Gold
  • Gold Bonus Blackjack
  • Atlantic City Blackjack

Live Dealer Casino Games

One of the more recent developments in online gamlbing is the advent of live dealer games. They use an actual person and casino equipment, streamed online. You play casino games online, but it feels like a land-based venue. The fact that the dealer will use actual gambling equipment has the added benefit of reassuring players who might not 100% trust a random number generator. The most popular table games with a live versions include:

  • Roulette
  • Blackjack
  • Baccarat
  • Keno

Types of Online Casino Games NZ

Tips and Tricks for Online Casino Games

While we all want to take home a big jackpot and enjoy the features of the best payout casinos, most of us understand that there is nothing set in stone. The main reason we play online casino games is to have fun. With that in mind, a few things might help you in your quest for that big prize.

Make Use of the Free Play Option

If a casino allows you to play a game for free, we highly recommend you take them up on this offer. It will give you time to learn the gameplay, get used to the rules and features, and understand how everything works. Many free play casinos enable demo mode to allow players to develop and test different strategies and techniques. You don’t have to worry about your budget and can focus on improving your gameplay.

Set a Budget and Stick to It

Always set yourself a budget before you start playing. Decide how much money you will spend, and walk away when that money is all spent. It is also advisable to pick a game that fits with your expectations. If you only have $50 to spend, you can’t play a variation that has a minimum bet of $10, now can you?

Budget Your Time as Well

Just as you’ll set yourself a monetary limit, you also need to decide how long you’re going to play. It’s very easy to lose track of time and play for hours on end, enjoying online casino games in NZ. That can cause addiction and its related problems.

Study the Game

Spend time knowing the games you’re going to play. Find out as much about their elements as you can. That includes how the bonus rounds work and what your odds are. It is essential to try the betting options and learn the limits.

Resist Temptation

Avoid alcohol, especially at a land-based casino where you’ll often be offered free drinks. It is just as important when playing from home. Alcohol will impede your judgment and contribute to you making poor decisions. You must keep a clear head to make the best bets and decisions possible.

Take Breaks

Tying in with the point above, take regular breaks to keep your mind fresh. Stand up, walk around, and get away from your computer for a few minutes. That will make you feel calm and keep you focused.

Take Advantage of the Promotions

We’d also recommend that you make good use of all the bonuses and promotions you can, especially the welcome bonus. These will give you extra play time, and you might get lucky. As long as you’re aware of the T&Cs, you’ll be able to enjoy the bonuses without any worries.

Take Note of the Betting Range

The best casino games online attracting players are the progressive slots. We’d also recommend you place the maximum bet to avoid winning a jackpot percentage. You wouldn’t want to win it but be denied the full amount because your bet was too small as well. Keep in mind that these tips and tricks don’t guarantee you’ll do any better. They try to ensure you’ll have the best possible chance to win.

Free Online Casino Games

Learning a new casino game can be a daunting exercise. Thankfully, most platforms will allow you to try out a wide selection of their titles for free. It wasn’t always like this, as a few years ago, there were almost no gambling sites offering demo casino games in NZ.

Playing for free means that new players can take some time to learn how to play before putting their money on the line. It will also enable more experienced players to develop and test new techniques or strategies. Once you feel comfortable enough, you can try real money casinos.

Casino Games – A Brief History

We’ll give you a relatively quick rundown of the past few thousand years. Almost every culture that has records that survive to this day has some mention of gambling and casino games, including Ancient Egypt, China, and Rome. The exact origins will likely never be known as records from long ago have been lost to time.

Casino Games – The Very Beginning

The exact origins aren’t known, but the first recorded mention of gambling comes from Ancient China, in roughly 2300 BC. There are also many Chinese sayings and proverbs that games of chance have heavily influenced. The Roman Empire was also very fond of gambling. It even became a bonding experience that families could share.

The Beginnings of Casinos

As for the origins of casinos, we have a pretty good idea of how they started in the Western world. The word casino is derived from an Italian word meaning ‘little house.’ That was normally used to describe a small building used by the hosts to entertain guests. Eventually, it became popular for games of chance.

The Birth of Playing Cards

Many of the best casino games today use playing cards, but who developed those? The first official record of playing cards in historical records comes from France in the 1300s. Those were entirely different from the ones we use today. They were wooden and used the faces of famous kings and emperors.

Certain card games originate from a similar period. Blackjack is based on a French game called ‘Trent et Un,’ which means 21. Poker is thought to have surfaced even earlier. It is believed to have developed from a Persian game called ‘As Nas’.

Casino Games - NZ History

The Beginning of Slots

Regarding gambling today, slots or pokies are among the most popular casino games. Whether people are playing slots online or at a land-based casino, these games are everywhere and have millions of fans worldwide. But this was not always the case, so how did the pokie revolution start?

The Liberty Bell

It all began in the 1890s when an American gentleman named Charles Fey invented the first slot machine, Liberty Bell. That was a simple casino game, having just three reels and a single payline. It was unique and became a massive success. Technology would slowly improve, and games would become more complicated. It wasn’t until the 1980s that things changed.

The RNG

When the random number generator was invented, slots started to move into the digital age. The internal mechanical workings were replaced with computers and screens. These first video slots made games far more complicated, offering more symbols, paylines, and reels. In the 1990s, the new video slots quickly jumped into the online world through the latest gambling platforms.

Casino Game FAQs

How much can I win?

There is no simple answer to this question as it depends on many different factors. On some games it depends on how much you bet, other games have fixed jackpots. Then there are progressive jackpot games, which could have a jackpot worth millions of dollars.

Do I play with other players or by myself?

Typically gambling online is a solitary experience, which is one of the advantages over playing at a land-based casino. Players are in their space, which means that there are less distractions, allowing players complete focus. However, there are some multiplayer online casino games that you can play if you don’t want to play by yourself. On top of this, you can also go for a Live Dealer game, where the dealer live streams their image over the internet to the players. Players will be able to communicate with the dealer, which helps to create the feeling of a land-based casino.

Do I need to download software?

This depends on which online casino you’re playing at. Some will require you to download software, while others will not have this option at all and require you to play through your web browser. Finally, many online casinos will give you a choice between both, allowing the player to decide which option they prefer.

Are online casino games fair?

This is something that concerns a lot of people, how do you know the casino or the game is fair? The only real way to tell is to do your research before you start playing at an online casino. Make sure it is licensed and regulated by a third-party organization, such as the Malta Gaming Commission or eCOGRA. These groups make sure online casinos adhere to the rules and will also regularly check the games for fairness.  We make sure all online casinos we recommend are fair and reputable, for your peace of mind.

More Casino Games for Kiwis: