Despite the dominance of iGaming in New Zealand, there’s no doubt that remote sports betting is also a significant contributor to the wider online gambling market. In this comprehensive guide, I’m going to take a look at the very best online casino in NZ for real money, while asking what they offer in the way of sports betting verticals.
Casino | Bonus | User Rating | Play | |
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Rainbow Spins | – | Play Now | ||
Caxino Casino | $200+ 100 Free Spins | Play Now | ||
Grand Ivy | $1500+ 100 Free Spins | Play Now | ||
Luckbox | $100 | Play Now | ||
All Slots | €1500 | Play Now | ||
Zodiac Casino | €480+ 80 Free Spins | Play Now | ||
Cosmo Casino | $250150 Free Spins | Play Now | ||
Captain Spins | – | Play Now | ||
Jet Casino | – | Play Now | ||
Sol Casino | – | Play Now |
Top 7 Sports Betting Casino Sites for Kiwis
I’m going to start by looking at the best betting sites in New Zealand, based on various criteria including their current bonus offer and the range of sporting categories covered.
Rizk Casino
I’ll kick off with Rizk Casino, which is home to more than 35 sports betting categories, including Rugby Union, cricket, tennis, basketball and soccer. Its current welcome offer also comprises a 100% deposit match up to the value of €100, while those of you who are existing players can also benefit from sports betting odds boosts on selected events and up to $50 in free bets. Rizk Casino is also highly trusted and reputable, having received official licenses from both the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority meaning it's fully regulated to operate in NZ. I’d urge you to check out the Rizk Casino in more detail here, while players at NZD online casinos have given the site a rating of 3/5.
Casino | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Rizk Casino |
| None |
Boom Casino
Boom Casino is a relatively recent addition to the global iGaming and remote betting space, having opened its virtual doors in 2019 and started accepting sports bets in NZ as recently as 2021. Like Rizk, Boom Casino is also offering new customers a 100% first deposit match up to the value of $100, while the site provides coverage of more than 30 sports categories (including soccer, basketball and handball). The site is home to well over 200 betting markets and some exceptional in-play wagering opportunities too, as you can bet on more than 4,000 live events each month on average. A quick glance at the Boom Casino will tell you that the operator is fully licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority, so you can bet freely and with peace of mind at all times.
Casino | Pros | Cons |
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Boom Casino |
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Xtremewin Casino
New Zealand’s Xtremewin Casino, which boasts an up-to-date Curacao eGaming license, is currently offering a 25% first deposit match across your first three deposits as a new player. This bonus has a maximum value of $500, while there’s also a sportsbook promotion that rewards you with $30 in free bets when you place a qualifying wager of $10. What’s more, this site is home to more than 55 sports betting markets, including basketball, soccer, MMA and cricket, while Xtremewin Casino enables you to simultaneously wager on virtual and eSports. This makes for one of the biggest selections of categories and sports betting markets in NZ, and you should note that the Xtremewin Casino has received an average rating of 4.2/5 over at Online Casino NZ.
Casino | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Xtremewin Casino |
| None |
Luckbox Casino
The Luckbox Casino opened as an iGaming hub in 2018, before adding a sports betting vertical the following year. The site’s primary welcome bonus will reward you with a 100% deposit match up to the value of $100, with this available to be deployed across a broad range of online casino games. As for the sportsbook vertical, you can find around 35 sports categories at Luckbox Casino, while there are also more than 250 soccer betting markets alone. The average payout here is a competitive 94.48%, while this increases to more than 95% on major tournaments such as the NBA. Backed by an Isle of Man Gaming license, you can even wager on eSports at the Luckbox Casino, so the site comes highly recommended and is well worth your time.
Casino | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Luckbox Casino |
| It Only Recently Opened its Sportsbook in NZ |
Roobet Casino
Roobet Casino is an interesting addition to this page, having been established in 2019 as one of New Zealand’s first crypto casinos and sportsbooks. What’s more, new players can earn up to 1000 free spins when they register for an account and qualify for the site’s welcome bonus, while it’s possible to credit your account with as little as 0.001 Ethereum (Bitcoin tokens are also accepted by the operator). The site’s sportsbook is stacked with different categories and betting markets too, so you can wager freely on disciplines including boxing, Rugby Union, soccer and Aussie Rules football. Roobet Casino is fully regulated has been granted a Curacao eGaming license, so you’re able to wager here safely while accessing a comprehensive range of iGaming and remote betting verticals.
Casino | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Roobet Casino |
| None |
Betiton Casino
Betiton is perhaps the best-known name on my list and one that offers an array of bonuses to new customers. These include a 100% first deposit match up to $100 for casino goers a $10 free bet, which can be accessed when placing a qualifying wager of $15 or more. Betiton is also known for offering a large range of in-play wagers and micro bets across a huge range of sports categories, including soccer, Rugby Union, boxing and tennis. The site also regularly live streams sporting events, making it far easier to wager as the action unfolds and place informed real-time bets. The Betiton Casino has been fully licensed by both the UK Gambling Commission and the Malta Gaming Authority, so check out the site today if you’re in search of a truly secure and immersive gambling experience.
Casino | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
Betiton Casino |
| None |
LegendPlay Casino
I’ll close with the newly established LegendPlay Casino, which was launched in 2022 after receiving a Curacao eGaming license. It should therefore come as no surprise that the casino is offering such a generous welcome offer, which rewards you with a 100% first deposit match up to the value of $750. Overall, you can earn deposit matches up to the value of $1,500 across your first three deposits, while the site’s sportsbook will also match your first deposit by 100% up $250 while offering weekly reload bonuses and acca boost promotions. I’d urge you to check out the LegendPlay Casino and its 30 different sporting categories, which enable you to access both ante-post and in-play betting markets pertaining to soccer, basketball, tennis, golf, and horse racing among others.
Casino | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|
LegendPlay Casino |
| Slightly Fewer Sports Categories at 30 |
How We Choose Best Casino Sports Betting Sites?
If you’re new to the fast-growing world of NZ sports betting, you may be interested to know how the Online Casino New Zealand site selects and rates online casinos and sports wagering platforms. I’ve highlighted some of the key criteria below:
Different Betting Sport Disciplines
Most of the recommended sportsbooks listed above offer access to between 30 and 40 different sporting disciplines, which underpin a huge range of ante-post and in-play betting markets. Online Casino New Zealand reviews each site’s full range of sports categories, which typically include Rugby Union (which is NZ’s national sport), cricket, soccer, tennis, boxing and horse racing. Basketball is also widely played and watched in NZ, so the best online sports betting sites provide extensive coverage of the NBA and similar championships.
Competitive Odds
The Online Casino New Zealand platform also analyses the odds from each sportsbook and its average return-to-player (RTP) rate, the latter of which outlines how much you can expect to recoup for every $1 wagered with the site. The sportsbooks listed above offer an average payout of between 93% and 94%, while the comparative RTP rate for online casino verticals is usually a little higher. By publishing each site’s RTP rate across different verticals, it’s possible for you to make informed selections and make the most of your starting bankroll.
Live Betting
In-play wagering is increasingly popular in New Zealand, especially since the advent of so-called “micro bets” (which are a subset of live betting and enable you to wager on individual moments and micro events in specific games). The best sportsbooks offer a large number of in-play betting markets across a wide range of sports categories, with Boom Casino covering more than 4,000 live events each month on average. As in-play wagering has become an increasingly integral part of NZ sports betting, a growing number of the market-leading sportsbooks have evolved to live-stream high-profile events in real-time.
Bonuses
New Zealand's online gambling landscape is highly competitive, with brands vying for attention through enticing and well-structured best casino bonuses. At Online Casino New Zealand, our team meticulously examines each casino's promotional offerings, covering welcome bonuses and those targeting existing players. The top recommended platforms above skilfully blend generous bonuses and diverse sports promotions, delivering a fully immersive gambling experience. This approach ensures that you maximize the value of your hard-earned bankroll by taking advantage of the best casino bonuses available.
eSports Betting
The global eSports market will grow at a CAGR of 8.31% over the next four years, resulting in a cumulative volume of $2.235 billion by 2027. However, this niche is only just gaining ground in New Zealand, and the best NZ sportsbooks are looking to capitalise on this by offering eSports betting markets across a wide range of competitive video games and tournaments. So, Online Casino New Zealand has taken the time to review the eSports betting markets offered by brands, especially those that relate to popular franchises like CS:GO, Fortnite, Dota 2 and FIFA.
Customer Support
The most reputable online casinos tend to offer 24/7 customer support across several different channels, in order to resolve customer queries as quickly and efficiently as possible. So, Online Casino New Zealand reviews the availability of each platform’s channels (including live chat, email and freephone) and their average response times, while checking to see if they offer a comprehensive FAQ resource for generic and recurring queries. They’ll also check to see if any additional support is offered to problem gamblers, either through responsible gambling measures or third-party charities.
Payment Options
Casinos and sportsbooks in New Zealand are able to offer a broad range of payment methods to their customers, from debit and credit cards to e-wallets and even cryptocurrency (namely Bitcoin and Ether). While each operator will offer their own unique selection of methods to their customers, the team at Online Casino New Zealand has reviewed the full range of online casino payment options in terms of security, withdrawal times and any imposed limits. Hopefully, this will help you to identify the best and safest payment options when gambling online!
Among the popular options, POLi payment casino stands out as a secure and user-friendly choice for Kiwis. POLi, a widely used online banking service in the region, allows players to make instant deposits and withdrawals directly from their bank accounts. This payment method eliminates the need for credit cards or e-wallets and provides a seamless, efficient experience. With POLi payment casino options, New Zealanders can enjoy the convenience of swift transactions and focus on their gaming experience at the best payout online casinos.
Mobile Gaming
Mobile gambling is becoming increasingly popular in NZ and similar markets around the world, across both online casino and sports betting verticals. So, the Online Casino NZ platform reviews each of its operators to determine their level of mobile service, including whether they’ve developed native sport betting apps for iOS, Android or Windows. The team will also review how accessible the mobile casinos' platform is through a mobile browser such as Safari or Chrome, especially in terms of the number of games available to players who are on the move.
Security and Trust
All of the recommended sites listed above are fully licensed and regulated by a trusted gaming authority, such as the UKGC or Malta Gambling Authority. In addition to ensuring that these platforms are licensed to operate in NZ, the team at Online Casino NZ has also reviewed each site’s level of security and encryption, both through browsers and native apps. NZ betting sites should all offer 128-bit SSL encryption as a minimum standard, while they’re required to offer extensive and compliant data protection policies to help safeguard players.
Safety is paramount when gambling online, and finding safe online casinos should be a top priority for players.
Casino Rating
When you read the new online casinos and sportsbook reviews at Online Casino NZ, you’ll also note that each one has its own unique rating out of five. These are based on first-hand user reviews, which have been provided by players who have accessed the site in question and its casino or sportsbook verticals. Most of the recommended casinos listed earlier in the guide have an average score in excess of four across a variable number of reviews, which means that players like you have enjoyed a positive experience when wagering with them.
Popular Sports to Bet on in New Zealand
I’ve already summarised some of the most popular sports in NZ, but below you’ll find a more comprehensive breakdown of these disciplines.
Football (or Soccer) Betting
Soccer is deceptively popular in NZ, with an average viewership of 15.1% of the total population. Domestically, the New Zealand Football Championship is the single most popular tournament among natives, while globally renowned events such as the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League are also widely bet on throughout the year.
Rugby Betting
Unsurprisingly, both codes of rugby are the most popular in NZ, both among viewers and punters alike. Rugby Union has an impressive average viewership of 43.6%, for example, whereas Rugby League is regularly watched by 21.5% of the population. The National Provincial Championship and Heartland Championship Provinces are widely bet on domestically, while the All Blacks national team will also drive a slew of wagers ahead of the next Rugby World Cup.
Basketball Betting
Sport in NZ largely reflects New Zealand’s national colonial heritage, which is why basketball is so popular in the country (this is widely played across all Commonwealth countries). Global tournaments like the NBA are especially popular in NZ, as is the country’s own National Basketball League (NBL).
Horse Race Betting
It’s also legal to wager on horse racing in NZ, so long as you bet with brands that are licensed to operate in the country. This also unlocks access to prominent and iconic horse races from across the globe, including the Grand National, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Dubai World Cup (which is the richest horse race in the world).
Tennis Betting
While New Zealand isn’t currently home to any top-ranked tennis players, the sport and its Grand Slams (especially the Australian Open) remain incredibly popular among punters. NZ’s legendary Anthony Wilding is also renowned as the country’s first-ever tennis superstar, having won 11 Grand Slam tournament titles in total during his career at the turn of the 20th century.
Cricket Betting
Cricket is another hugely popular sport in New Zealand and the Commonwealth, with the NZ national side having won the inaugural Test Championship against India in 2021. There’s also a 50-over cricket World Cup scheduled for 2027 (which will see a significant spike in betting), while NZ’s ‘Super Smash’ T20 league is also becoming incredibly popular among fans.
Pros and Cons of Sports Betting
When accessing a platform with both online casino and sportsbook verticals, it can be hard to prioritise bets and manage your bankroll successfully. So, you’ll need to understand the pros and cons of sports betting before you make an informed choice!
Sports Betting Pros | Sports Betting Cons |
---|---|
✅Enrich your sports betting experience. | ❌You’ll need knowledge and insight to succeed. |
✅Leverage skill and knowledge to your advantage. | ❌Selections are limited depending the available events. |
✅Access even money wagers in certain sports. | |
✅Access a huge range of ante-post and in-play betting markets. | |
✅Bet on different sports all year round. |
Bet Types at the Best Casino Sports Betting Sites
Not only are there different betting markets to explore through New Zealand sportsbooks, but you can also use various types of wager to unlock greater value and potentially optimise your returns. Here are some of the most common bet types.
Single Bet
I’ll start with the most popular type of sports bet, and one that’s incredibly easy to understand. A single bet allows you to wager on one outcome related to a particular match or event, whether this is the final result of a soccer game or winner of the 2022/23 UEFA Champions League.
System Bet
System bets may also be referred to as ‘Round Robin’ wagers, while they describe pre-set bets that contain a series of different selections. This allows you to place multiple combinations of bets simultaneously, while also increasing the risk of loss and potential payout. Each of these combination wagers stands on their own merit, so the system bet won’t collapse if one selection is unsuccessful.
Accumulator Bet
Similar to system bets, accumulator (or ‘acca’) wagers enable you to combine between four and 20 selections in a single wager. However, each of these must come in if you’re bet is to be successful, so it’s important to be conservative when selecting the number of outcomes and prioritise short-price favourites where possible.
In-Play Bet
In-play betting is fast becoming one of the most popular wager types in New Zealand, with this enabling you to bet on events as they occur during a particular match. It also includes micro-betting as a subset, which lets you drill down on smaller events that may occur in real-time, such as the winner of the next corner in a soccer match.
Outright Bet
With an outright bet, you’ll place a wager on a player or team who you think will win a particular tournament. For example, you may back the All Blacks to win the next RWC, with outright prices typically offering the most value well ahead of the tournament before drifting as the start date approaches.
Total Bet
I’ll close with totals betting, which is usually focused on over/under betting markets and will consider cumulative outcomes in a game. Typically, sportsbooks set thresholds to create totals’ markets, and you’ll have to bet whether the actual total will be over or under this figure. In soccer betting, for example, a sportsbook may set a threshold of 2.5 goals to be scored in a particular game. They’ll then offer odds on over and under outcomes, before you place your bet accordingly.
NZ Sports Betting Advice
Once you’ve decided on your preferred sports categories and bet types, the next step is to consider how best you can optimise your bankroll and minimise your losses over time. Here are a few tips to help you achieve this objective:
Take a Welcome Bonus
When registering at a new NZ sportsbook, it makes sense to leverage the welcome bonus to its full potential. This may take the form of a deposit match or free bet, but the key is to appraise the relevant T&Cs and ultimately make an informed decision.
After all, there’s no such thing as free sports betting, with deposit matches usually subject to wagering requirements that are applied as a multiplier to the total bonus value. This will create an amount of money that you’ll have to play through before withdrawing any winnings, so you’ll need to ensure that the terms don’t require you to wager outside of your means.
As for free bets, you’ll have to place a qualifying wager (usually with minimum odds restrictions). So, try to compare the market and identify offers that provide the most value in line with your bankroll and expectations.
Do Not Chase Losses
Often, NZ punters will wager on their favourite teams and players, especially during major international tournaments such as the Cricket or Rugby World Cups.
However, this type of emotive betting can impair your judgement and decision-making, while increasing the chances of you eventually chasing losses over an extended period of time.
This is to be avoided at all costs, as it may cause you exceed your predetermined bankroll and wager far more than you can afford to lose. So, try to maintain your discipline at all times, and focus on placing informed and viable wagers even when backing your favourite teams!
Keep Track of Bet Spend
Another key element of bankroll management is tracking your overall spending, which should include making a note of every bet that you place (including the odds, your stake amount and any winnings).
This way, you can ensure that you’re wagering within your means at all times so that the amount you spend doesn’t exceed your predetermined bankroll.
By also logging any winnings, you can also create profit and loss calculations and determine precisely how successful your wagers have been within a particular timeframe.
Research Before Betting
Unlike most online casino verticals, sports betting enables you to place informed bets that are based on particular knowledge and expertise.
While this affords you a competitive advantage against sportsbooks, you’ll also have to research relevant datasets to pick the right selections and try to identify value in published odds.
Sports Betting Casinos FAQs
That’s nearly it for my review of the best sportsbooks in New Zealand. However, I thought I’d also take the time to answer some of your most frequently asked questions about the betting market in NZ!
Is betting legal in New Zealand?
While it remains illegal for online gambling verticals to be provided domestically, the Gambling Act 2003 doesn’t prohibit you from wagering with global operators who are licensed elsewhere. So, you’re free to bet on a huge range of sports and related markets at reputable and licensed sites from across the globe.
What is Asian handicap betting?
Another popular type of wager in NZ, Asian Handicap betting looks to even up mismatches and create better value odds by applying a handicap to a short price favourite. It may also give an underdog at handicap start, adjusting the odds according to the extent of the handicap while removing the draw as a possible option.
What are the best betting sites for NZ players?
It all depends on what you’re looking for. After all, operators like Betiton are known and trusted across the globe, while they offer outstanding customer service to casino players and sports bettors. However, Boom Casino offers access to a huge range of live events and in-play betting markets, while Roobet Casino accepts crypto tokens and has low deposit limits.
Do NZ betting sites offer free bets?
Many NZ casinos and betting sites offer free bets to customers, often part of a much wider package of bonuses and promotions. Betiton is currently offering sports bettors a $15 free bet when they place a qualifying wager of $10, for example, while the Xtremewin Casino rewards you with $30 in free bets when you place an initial wager of $10.
Can I do live betting in NZ betting sites?
You certainly can! All of the sportsbooks listed in this guide offer live betting and in-play markets to some degree or another, while Boom Casino and Betiton excel in this regard. Some even offer live streaming, enabling you to watch and wager on the action as it unfolds through a single platform!
Daniel Chapman is our Editor-in-Chief. A man of many talents, he has been with OCNZ for the past three years. He graduated from the University of Waikato with a Master of Arts degree, so he knows what he is doing when it comes to ensuring that all of the content we publish is epic.