Sports betting has been available for centuries among gamblers worldwide. It involves betting on the outcome of a sports event. The play involves sports betting sites and the odds that have been set. Bets may be made on several outcomes, such as whether a player will win or not, there will be a tie, or the game’s score will fall within a particular range.
At newzealandcasinos.com, we strive to give Kiwis all the data they need through comprehensive guides. We will walk you through the odds, types of wagers, and how to place them. We will also list the best bookmakers, so you know you’ll get the best odds. Read more about online sports betting in NZ in the following article.
Top Online Sports Betting Sites in New Zealand
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How We Rate the Best Sports Betting Casinos for Kiwis
You probably wonder what makes the above-listed online sports betting platforms so unique. In this part of the article, we will take some time to explain the main criteria we use to score them. As a team of professionals with plenty of experience in online gambling, we know what is essential for overall satisfaction. Let us explain everything in detail.
- Security – This is the first and most crucial factor we consider. We seek to find legitimate gambling licenses from international entities like the UKGC or the MGA to ensure you are safe. These online gambling regulators are trustworthy and prove the platform is not a scam.
- Sports Betting Markets – We take some time to investigate the variety of sports available. The more there are – the better. We understand you would probably want to bet on many sports if you are a passionate sports fan.
- Betting Limits & Payouts – Despite being very similar in most operators, betting limits and payouts play an essential role in your strategy. Therefore, we pay special attention to them when the time for evaluation comes.
- Promotions – We ensure that the NZ sports betting sites listed with us provide many tempting deals. We overview the welcome bonus, all follow-up promotions, and their terms and conditions to determine if they are as good as advertised.
- Customer Service – Fast and reliable customer service is what makes players stick with a platform in the long term. Therefore, we check all specifics like the available communication channels, responsive time, presence of an FAQ section, and other elements that could help you when needed.
- User-Friendliness – To win a place among the best sports betting sites in NZ, the operators must have well-done platforms where everything works smoothly without any lags, and you can find whatever you seek with just a few clicks.
- Mobile Compatibility – Playing on the go is what many players prefer because it is easy, and you can use your favorite platform wherever you go. We assess the platform’s mobile compatibility and check for native applications and their functionalities.
- Additional Features – There are many additional gambling features that players love to have access to, like live betting, fantasy sports, casino games, live dealer tables, and many more. Usually, top-rated online sports betting sites in NZ offer all of these.
That is how we sort out and evaluate NZ sports betting sites. As you can see, the process is slightly complex. Still, all the operators you can find on our platform are tested and rank as top-notch gambling sites. In the following paragraph, we will explain how to determine what is best for you.
How to Find Sports Betting Sites in New Zealand
To locate the most suitable online sports betting NZ operator, you need to think of your priorities. For example, if you want to bet on tennis, look for the platforms that provide the most extensive list of tennis events. Go through the bonus deals and see if they would be convenient for your betting style. Compare the odds at different operators and see which are matching the sports you intend to wager on.
Finding sports betting sites that answer your requirements, requires to put some effort into researching the options. Once you know what you seek, the sorting process will be much easier. Instead of investigating everything on your own, you can use our knowledge because our main priority is to bring the essential details of each platform so you can find the perfect match for you.
How to Sign Up – Our Guide
When you finally pick the preferred NZ sports betting online operator, you must complete two more steps until you are ready to bet – registration and deposit. Both are straightforward, and you will not experience any struggles with them. Nevertheless, we have compiled a step-by-step guide on signing up:
- Step 1: Access the operator’s page, then find and click on the register/sign-up button.
- Step 2: Fill out the required personal details like full name, email, address, phone number, etc.
- Step 3: Read and then agree with the general terms and conditions. You can subscribe for additional marketing materials and deals if you want.
- Step 4: Once you log in, you must complete the account verification process, which requires a photo of your ID as proof of identity.
- Step 5: Pick a convenient payment method and make your first deposit, which will take no more than a minute.
- Step 6: Start betting on your favorite sports.
It is good to mention that online casinos and NZ sports betting operators often require an email or phone confirmation upon registration. After you conclude step 2, you will receive an email with a confirmation link or an SMS code that you need to enter on the platform immediately.
Online Betting vs Offline Betting
If you are a traditionalist, you probably prefer offline sports betting venues, but they are not your best option nowadays. We understand that, for some people, the digital world is slightly more complex, but once you know how they work, you will realize that online betting platforms are superior.
Of course, from some perspectives, they are very similar, such as the available betting markets. They both use modern technologies to get information on the different events. The lists of sports are not much different in land-based and online operators.
That is pretty much where the similarities end. The most significant differences are a few. The bonuses available at the best sports betting sites in New Zealand are way more generous than those in any land-based establishment. Additional features like cash out, in-game statistics and live betting are usually missing from traditional brick-and-mortar venues.
We can’t miss mentioning the convenience of betting from your cozy living room instead of wasting money and time on transportation to reach the sports betting point. As you can see, the advantages of online operators surpass those of land-based ones.
NZ Sports Betting Laws
The gambling laws in New Zealand are pretty strict, but they do not label online betting platforms as illegal. Generally, such activities are allowed only in the TAB offices, which provide horse betting and sports betting services and pokies. They are usually situated in larger cities. Meanwhile, the country does not regulate online betting platforms.
You can find many top-rated and regulated international online sports betting platforms in NZ. The only issue with that is that you need to be careful where you put your trust. To ensure safety, you must pick a suitable online sports betting operator that is proven globally. You must always look for up-to-date gambling licenses, and if such are missing, just avoid that platform.
Sports Betting Systems – Odds
Odds refer to the probability that you, as the gambler, will win the wager you placed. While the chances are represented in percentages and all count up to a hundred, odds are expressed according to a determined system. There are four leading odds systems in sports betting. Those are decimal, fractional, and American odds betting systems.
Fractional Odds
Fractional odds, or bookmaker’s odds, are expressed in a/b or a-b format. A is the return/win, and b is the stake. For instance, betting with odds of 4-1 means you will get a win or a return of 4 units for every single one you bet. The winnings are calculated with the stake included like: Winnings = odds x stake + stake
Thus, if you bet NZ$150 on the above-mentioned odds of 4 -1, then your winnings would be:
4/1 x 150 + 150 = NZ$750
There are also odds referred to as Odds on Favourite, which are pretty much odds for an outcome with a high probability of occurring. In these odds, the return is set lower than the stake by the bookmaker. An example is:
2-8 (may also be expressed as 8-2 ON)
This means for every 8 units you stake, you win 2 units. The winnings are calculated the same way as before, however. So you would win:
2/8 x 150 + 150 = NZ$187.50
Decimal Odds
Decimal odds have a more straightforward expression format. Here, the odds are expressed as ‘payout per unit staked’.
For example, odds of 4.50 mean you get a payout of 4.50 per NZ$150 that you staked.
Winnings would then be NZ$650 (4.50 x NZ$150).
American Odds
American betting odds are expressed as a money line. They are shown with a positive (+) or negative (-) sign in front. They are usually used when one contender is the favourite and the other is the underdog. It is accurate for that game in particular.
Positive (+) figures represent favorites – show how much you would win per wager, say NZ$150.
These are also called Odds Against.
Negative (-) figures represent underdogs – show how much you would need to wager to win NZ$150.
These are also called Odds Against.
Percentage Odds
As the name suggests, these probabilities are expressed in percentages, such as 30%, 55% or 68%. This type of odds system is typically used in casinos, but some bookmakers will also use it in sports betting. The closer the payout percentage is to 100%, the higher your chance of winning.
New Zealand Sports to Bet On
There are many sports that Kiwis like to bet on. Sports fans will bet on just about anything. Popular games on sportsbooks include rugby, cricket, soccer, cycling, horse racing, tennis, and NBA. These have captured the hearts of many gamblers. With the advent of online gaming, betting on these games is now more manageable and accessible. Below, we listed a few types of sports betting for NZ players:
Sports Betting Tips and Strategies for Kiwis
ThThere are strategies to utilise and tips to consider when looking to ensure that your sports betting online experience is as satisfactory as you would like it to be. These do not guarantee a win but improve your chances and make the whole experience worthwhile. Here are some of our suggestions regarding online sports betting in New Zealand:
Make Sure You Know the Sport You are Betting On
That is a point that involves many details. Still, there are some aspects that you cannot go without throughout the process. Here are the main pinpoints you should explore about the sport you are wagering on:
- The Rules at Play: Knowing the rules that govern the game and how these rules affect the game is not only responsible but helps you know what your bets are going against.
- Everyone Involved: That includes the teams, players, or animals. Being familiar with this keeps you ahead of the pack because you have the history of each contestant, knowing their weaknesses and strengths, and thus their likely performance in that game.
- All Other Aspects: Those typically tend to affect the gameplay and outcome of the game, like weather, race tracks, etc., for example, some soccer teams are used to playing on pitches of specific sizes. Their speed or stamina may be affected when placed on a differently-sized pitch.
Keeping Up with the Games
Besides knowing the sport, it is a great idea to stay up-to-date with its current trends and possibly future dynamics. That way, you can avoid being caught off-guard and unprepared for the shifts that will inevitably happen. That could negatively affect your judgment when choosing the side you want to bet on.
Get Familiar with the Odds
You must understand the idea behind it and know the ones on the games you want to bet on. If you plan on wagering on an upcoming NBA event, on top of learning the teams playing and their previous performance patterns, also find out what the bookmakers say about the odds. Being informed helps you decide how worthwhile making a bet will be. You can check the most popular sports bets in New Zealand in advance.
Have a Bankroll Strategy
As with every form of gambling, we advise that you plan your betting and gambling carefully. Be responsible for it to bypass unnecessary dissatisfactions and financial distress. Before starting sports betting, decide on and set aside the money for wagering. Split it across a few games to spread out your possibilities. You may have a chance with the other when you run out of luck with one game.
Online Sports Betting – Glossary
Accumulator: a batch of two or more bets placed on various sports results. The punter/bettor wins if all bets are successful.
Action: a bet of any kind.
Against the Spread: a bet placed on which team, player, horse, or fighter will cover the spread.
Bookie/Bookmaker: a company licensed to take bets and offer sports betting odds.
Dog player: a bettor or punter who likes betting on the underdog of the game.
Edge: a bettor’s advantage.
Exposure: the money that a sportsbook risks losing during sports betting.
Handicap: a system in sports betting where spreads are applied to even out the plain between sides. This is done especially when the difference between the underdog and favorite is vast. The weaker side is given the higher advantage.
Handle: the amount of money that has been spent on sports bets.
Juice: the percentage of bettors’ wagers that the bookmaker keeps as their profit.
Over/Under: a type of wager where the punter bets on the game’s overall score is more or less than the predicted amount.
Point Spread: a type of bet made on the difference between the sports opponent.
The Money line: a wager placed on which side will actually win the game.
The Spread: refers to the advantage placed on the game’s underdog to make odds more even and more attractive for bettors.
Sports Betting History in New Zealand
Gambling as a whole has been a part of New Zealand’s history for years. Since the 19th century, Kiwis have been betting on sports events, especially horse racing. The first big horse racing event was held in the Bay of Islands in 1835. To a degree, sports betting had been a free practice until the Protestant Church rallied against it. That resulted in severe restrictions in 1920. Sportsbooks were banned altogether from taking wagers on horse racing events.
Anyone wishing to bet on a horse would have to be physically present at the venue. In the 1950s, however, horse race betting was legalised again thanks to the then-newly established Totalisator Agency Board or TAB. The National Lottery was launched in 1961. Later, in the 1980s, other gambling activities grew in popularity. During this time, pokies and lotto entered the gambling scene.
The New Zealand Racing Board (NZRB) had been in action since the early 1950s. It wasn’t officially established until the 21st century thanks to the Racing Act 2003. The NZRB is responsible for governing, promoting, and seeing the long-term profitability of betting in the country. Kiwis enjoy wagering on games like cricket, rugby, and several others.
Online Sports Betting in New Zealand Currently
Kiwis today enjoy their sports betting needs on online gambling platforms. Due to severe restrictions on the activity, the NZ Lotteries and the NZRB run the legal online sportsbooks locally. In contrast, the other online gambling options are based outside the country. Since they do not fall under local jurisdictions, betting on sports online is more accessible.
Online sports betting sites in NZ offer easy, convenient, and safe ways to play sports betting and other casino games. They also provide Kiwis with plenty of safe and reliable banking methods to simplify depositing and withdrawing from the casino. Those include debit and credit cards like Visa and Maestro, e-wallets like Neteller and Skrill, and other options.
