Best sports betting sites in New Zealand in December 2024

Written by: Katerina Valcheva

Fact checked by: Manuela Reyes

Do you want to find the best betting sites in New Zealand that are licensed, all in one place? You are at the right place, as here we will show you where and what to look for, how to bet safely, and enjoy the experience while getting the thrill of winning real money. Learn useful NZ sports betting tips and tricks to stay safe and ensure yourself exciting and amusing betting experience with our help!

The top betting sites NZ

While betting on local sportsbooks is not legal except for using the services of TAB, New Zealanders are not restricted in any way from online betting through international bookies and apps. We have hand-picked the best betting sites in New Zealand you can rely on for a secure and safe gambling environment. These have built a strong reputation and can offer you convenience, abundance of markets, betting options, payment methods, live betting, mobile apps, and more. You can check out the best gambling sites in New Zealand and the leading sportsbooks below!

Verified by: Katerina Valcheva Author at GameZinger.com
Last updated: 18.12.2024
Online casinoExpert ratingWelcome BonusDistinctive featuresPayment MethodsRead full casino reviewSignificant Terms
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The Gambling Act of 2003 banned local companies in NZ from providing online gambling services to players, allowing local punters to sign up at online betting sites licensed in other regions. Sports betting, greyhound race wagering, and horse betting and are all legal and regulated.

Here are the key organizations in New Zealand and the ones that implement official licensing of online betting sites, online casinos, and retail operators in the country. The NZ Gambling Commission was set up under the Gambling Act 2003 as an independent statutory decision-making institution. The Commission checks casino licensing applications and makes appeals on licensing and enforcement decisions made by the Secretary for Internal Affairs relating to gaming machines and other non-casino gambling activities. It has the powers of a Commission of Inquiry.

The New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing (NZTR) handles the governing of Thoroughbred horse racing in Oceania. TAB NZ is the country’s exclusive and sole national betting agency that provides sports betting including horse racing betting. The Totalisator Agency Board (TAB) is a large-scale company that operates over 550 betting shops in New Zealand as well as an online website for NZ punters. The Racing Integrity Board ensures and promotes high level of integrity, fair play, animal welfare, and professional conduct in the racing industry. New Zealand betting sites should be compliant with the local laws and rules.

Customers can choose international and foreign online bookmakers, since they are perfectly safe and legal. A lot of big global betting sites allow Kiwis to open accounts and place bets, many of them even offering deposits in NZ dollars. To follow New Zealand’s gambling laws, most online gambling sites in New Zealand are licenced with gaming authorities in Europe. This the legal way to run a betting site in the country. For example, when online sportsbooks are licensed with the Government of Gibraltar and thus overseen by the Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner, they will adhere to the rules that the New Zealand Gambling Commission.

Certain forms of gambling are prohibited in Maoriland. The latter include bookmaking outside of TAB, remote interactive gambling (except using the services of the New Zealand Lottery Commission and TAB), and advertising overseas gambling. The legal gambling age varies by activity. Players must be at least 18 years old to be able to buy lottery tickets and engage in horse racing betting. The minimal age for gambling at online casino sites in New Zealand is 20 years.

State NameLand-based Sports Betting Legal?Online Sports Betting Legal?When was it legalized?
AucklandYesYes2003
Bay of PlentyYesYes2003
CanterburyYesYes2003
GisborneYesYes2003
Hawke’s BayYesYes2003
Manawatū-WhanganuiYesYes2003
MarlboroughYesYes2003
NelsonYesYes2003
NorthlandYesYes2003
OtagoYesYes2003
SouthlandYesYes2003
TaranakiYesYes2003
TasmanYesYes2003
WaikatoYesYes2003
WellingtonYesYes2003
West CoastYesYes2003

History of NZ sports betting legalization

When it comes to legal gambling, today New Zealand is completely different than its previously prohibitive state. The country we currently know was slowly shaped by lotteries, horse racing, and by the introduction of gambling re-legalisation efforts in the 80’s until the early 2000’s. There are documents that New Zealand gambling has started existence in the 1830’s when Kiwis bet primarily on horse races.

The very first lottery, called Art Union, was conducted in 1877 in North Island with the purpose to raise money. During the 1900’s gambling got the aura of being corruptible and immoral. As a result, almost all forms of gambling were illegalized under the NZ Gambling Act of 1908. Learn more about the development of NZ gambling and sports betting below.

How we rate the online betting NZ sites

Finding the best betting sites NZ involves an in-depth reviewing process, taking a range of factors into account to rank the most worthwhile ones. We know there’s a plethora of betting sites New Zealand residents can choose from, and we want to help you find the most reliable. That’s why we have key categories for assessment, a high score in all of which makes for a top operator. Our specialists personally assess the best sports betting sites NZ and rate them according to the following criteria:

Range of sports, betting market variety & bet types

Choosing New Zealand betting sites that offer a wide choice of betting markets is paramount. We only recommend such operators. The best betting site will have a range of sports and markets for punters to place wagers on. In the same way, the good betting websites should offer more than just outright results on matches and events. We’re giving the highest scores for online betting NZ sites that have an impressive selection of sports, a great variety of markets, and an array of bet types. They should include football betting, rugby, cricket betting, horse racing, and lots of other options.

Competitive sports betting odds & extra features

If you research, you’ll find lots of online bookmakers to choose from. We’ll be looking out for those with the best odds. We expect the leading NZ sports betting sites to provide exceptional betting odds. When testing different bookmakers, we compare their odds so that we can separate the NZ betting sites with the best value from the rest. We highly value and search for extras that makes for a great user experience. Live streaming, early cash out options, statistics on sports events, and the like are a great start.

Bonuses & promotions

The hallmark of the best betting sites NZ is catering for new and existing customers in all kinds of ways. The welcome bonus usually given to newly registered users is just as important as rewarding the loyalty of regular bettors. The availability of offers for all types of players is the way to earn a high rating from us.

The best NZ betting sites offer a generous welcome bonus with fair and transparent terms and conditions for new users. We look for the best new customer deals from NZ betting sites. The top sports betting sites provide ongoing promotions for existing customers as a way to reward them for their loyalty. These deals include loyalty bonuses, random free bets, money-back specials, enhanced odds, and special bonuses for major sports events.

Security and safety

You can rest assured that only fully licensed betting sites New Zealand regulated by official bodies like the Malta Gaming Authority appear on our website. Each one is legal to bet within the country. Without having regulatory approval, they’ll be on our list of sites you should avoid. Security is among our key issues for customers, and we only approve of New Zealand sports betting sites with the most secure and protected services.

Banking & payment methods

One thing that can really disappoint users even from the best betting site is the payment methods it has available. These days it’s not enough just to accept deposits from traditional methods such as credit and debit cards. We prioritize NZ sports betting sites that accommodate a range of payment options. We want to see Visa and Mastercard supported, as well as popular e-wallets such as PayPal, Trustly, Neteller, Skrill, Apple Pay, and ecoPayz. We also look for the best betting sites NZ that allow deposits and withdrawals with cryptocurrencies since many players prefer and use them.

Mobile experience and apps

More and more bettors prefer using mobile devices for sports wagering, so it’s important that online bookmakers cater to them. We look for platforms that are fully optimised on mobile devices. We’ll be giving extra points to those that already have user-friendly apps for Android and iOS that players can download. The best online betting sites deliver a flawless mobile betting experience. We evaluate every bookie’s in-browser performance on smartphones and tablet devices as we know this is something we cannot neglect.

Customer service

The more available customer support channels a NZ betting site has, the better. Live chat, email, and toll-free phone numbers should all be available. The best betting sites NZ also help customers through their social media channels.

User interface

A well-designed online sportsbook with an intuitive user interface is a must. We want to see easy to navigate, aesthetically pleasing and responsive websites to ensure a good all-round user experience. An online bookmaker that is easy on the eyes, user-friendly and pleasant to navigate scores more points with us.

The best NZ betting site of the month

Here’s our winner among the top betting sites NZ overall. This sportsbook has proven itself as a reliable provider of sports betting services. It offers a generous welcome bonus and tempting ongoing online sports betting bonuses. Betway has a wide range of betting markets, excellent odds, sports leagues, and sports to wager on. It provides fast withdrawals, decent banking options, live betting and streaming, and other perks for sports enthusiasts. Give it a try!

Casino Rating5.0/5
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Payment Methods
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Significant TermsTerms & Conditions apply

How to sign up at a sports betting site

Once you have finally chosen the best online betting sites for your preferences, the next step is to make accounts with each of them. Here’s the process of registering at NZ betting sites and start betting for real money explained step by step:

  1. Choose an online sportsbook.
  2. Create an account by visiting the operator’s website or app.
  3. Click the “Join Now” or “Sign Up” button.
  4. Provide the required information such as your name, address, date of birth, and contact details.
  5. Create a strong password.
  6. Agree to the online bookmaker’s terms and conditions.
  7. You may need to verify your identity by providing documents, which is a standard procedure that prevents underage gambling and frauds.
  8. Deposit funds by choosing your preferred methods for payment and enter the amount, following the on-screen instructions.
  9. Now you can place your bets by navigating to the sports section you’re interested in.
  10. Select the event and bet type you want to place, enter the amount of your stake, and confirm your bet.

The best betting sites in New Zealand for live streaming experience

CasinoCasino RatingLive StreamingMobile CompatibilityWelcome BonusSecure LinkSignificant Terms
5.0/5YesYes 100% up to NZD 200Claim Bonus!Terms & Conditions apply
5.0/5YesYes Up to $60 in Free Bets + 20 Free Spins Claim Bonus!Terms & Conditions apply
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Sports betting in NZ has undergone a substantial development. From old-fashioned bookies that accept manual bets to New Zealanders now having access to the most advanced mobile betting apps. These have options like future, multi, pre-match, and live sports bets. The best sports betting sites feature live HD streams and match trackers displaying real-time statistics, a great functionality that lets you compare team stats and watch as the odds jump and fluctuate on live betting opportunities as they appear. If you’re looking for an exceptional live experience, check out the best online betting sites above, which certainly ensure such.

The best betting site for mobile play

Long gone are the days when betting required you to visit a bookmaker and wait in line for a long time. With the introduction of sports betting apps placing a wager is simple, fast, and convenient with any modern smartphone. The perks of online sports betting mean you have 24/7 access to your favourite sportsbook. What’s more you have a wide variety of sporting events and games to choose from. When reviewing a sports betting site, we look out for websites that are well-optimised to run on smartphones and tablets and the availability of the best betting apps.

Most bookies make their platforms accessible by web browser on smartphones, but we favour operators with dedicated betting apps on both Android and iOS. These apps have all the site’s features into a compact and user-friendly application. The best betting apps are created with users in mind, easing the process of depositing, betting, and withdrawal of funds anywhere on the go. These let you watch live events, claim bonuses, and do whatever you like.

CasinoCasino RatingWelcome BonusDownloadable AppSecure LinkSignificant Terms
5.0/5 Up to NZ$1,000 + 200 free spins YesClaim Bonus!Terms & Conditions apply
5.0/5 Up to NZ$1,000
4 deposits
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4.9/5 Up to NZ$100 + 70 Free Spins YesClaim Bonus!Terms & Conditions apply

The best new betting sites New Zealand

Are you looking for the latest released NZ betting sites that offer a great range of betting options, mobile compatibility, decent banking options, and more? Below is a selection of the top new betting sites New Zealand residents can use legally. After researching and checking the betting promotions, loyalty programs, breath of markets, design and layout, customer service, and responsible gambling measures, we can offer you the best of the best of the newest online sportsbooks. Check them out.

Casino NameCasino RatingWelcome BonusCasino GamesSecure LinkSignificant Terms
5.0/5
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  • 90+ Roulette
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4.8/5
100% up to NZD 200
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Besides some helpful NZ sports betting tips, here you will learn what types of gambling are allowed in the country. Nearly all forms of gambling in NZ are legal and permitted through the Gambling Act of 2003. They are regulated by the local regulatory agencies, depending on the class and game type they fall into.

New Zealand gambling laws allow the following forms of gambling:

  • Housie
  • Raffles
  • Art Unions (known as lotteries such as The Golden Kiwi)
  • Games of chance
  • Sports betting
  • Betting pools
  • Horse betting
  • Greyhound race betting
  • Instant games
  • Daily keno
  • Scratch cards
  • Poker
  • Tournament gambling
  • Casino Gambling in Dunedin, Christchurch, Queenstown, Auckland, and Hamilton
  • Pokies
  • Other gaming machines
  • Prize competitions

The games in the NZ market are divided into 4 Classes: Class 1, Class 2, Class 3, and Class 4. They are perfectly legal so long as they respect each class’s requirements and comply with game rules.

Currently no NZ online casinos are licensed by a local entity. The New Zealand Lottery Commission is allowed to offer online Lottery sales and has been doing so since 2008. TAB is also permitted to provide online horse betting services on their web portal. These two agencies provide Kiwis with domestic online gambling services since NZ gambling regulations forbid the use of domestic online portals for gambling purposes. In practice, this means that residents cannot engage in in-play sports betting, casino games, mobile pokie, housie, and poker using any online casino platforms that are operated domestically.

Lotteries and instant games

Lotteries and instant games are legal in Aotearoa. The New Zealand Lottery Commission oversees lotteries and online lottery sales. Popular lottery games include Daily Keno, The Golden Kiwi, and scratch cards. The Commission, a Crown entity established in 1987, is responsible for promoting and conducting lotteries to profit the NZ population.

Community funding is distributed by another organisation, the New Zealand Lottery Grants Board. The Lotteries Commission’s products include Lotto, Keno, Powerball, and Instant Kiwi. These are sold through over 600 retail outlets across the country. The Department of Internal Affairs administers the regulations that govern these games.

Horse racing and Tote betting

Horce race betting and wagering on greyhound races are legal and regulated in New Zealand. The Totalizator Agency Board (TAB) is the primary operator allowed to provide these activities that generate profits for the whole country.

Brick-and-mortar casinos

There are a limited number of casinos in NZ, located mainly in larger cities. Casino gambling is legal in six locations in NZ, namely: Dunedin, Christchurch, Auckland, Queenstown, and Hamilton. The venues in these towns offer a variety of games such as poker, blackjack, and slot machines. Only six casinos operate in New Zealand under the Gambling Act, while new ones are prohibited. SkyCity runs four of these gambling venues: one in Auckland, one in Hamilton, and two in Queenstown.

The Auckland casino is by far the largest one and has the approval to run up to 150 table games, 1877 gaming machines and 240 fully automated table games. SkyCity Casino in Auckland increased its gambling services as mentioned above according to the New Zealand International Convention Centre Act 2013. The latter enacts the New Zealand International Convention Centre Project and Licensing Agreement between SkyCity and the Crown.

  • SkyCity Casino in Auckland: 150 table games, 1877 machines and 240 fully automated table games
  • The Christchurch casino has 36 tables and 500 game machines
  • The Hamilton casino: 23 table games and 339 gaming machines
  • The Dunedin casino: 12 tables and 180 gaming machines
  • The Queenstown (Beach Street) casino: 12 tables and 86 gaming machines
  • Queenstown (Steamers Wharf): 6 tables and 74

Of the six casinos, only the Auckland venue offers fully automated gaming machines.

Electronically gaming machines (EGMs)/Pokies

Electronically gaming machines or EGMs, commonly popular under the name pokies, are one of the most harmful gambling forms. They often lead people to seeking gambling-related help in the country. Pokies are not widely available but rather restricted and are primarily found in casinos and licensed clubs.

Raffles and bingo

Raffles and bingo are both legal in Maoriland. Raffles are widely permitted, subject to specific regulations around conduct and prize value. Bingo is a popular form of gambling, often held for charitable purposes.

Class 1 Gambling

Class 1 gambling includes small-scale gambling activities with total prize value and turnover not exceeding $500 NZD. Such are housie, poker tournaments, betting pools, and some other forms (except for gaming machines). No license is required for them if the house does not take a rake.

Class 2 Gambling

Class 2 gambling involves activities with a total prize value between $500 and $5,000, with the turnover in one session not exceeding $25,000. No license is needed, but the proceeds must go to an authorized purpose. This class includes lotteries, games of chance, prize competitions, and instant games.

Class 3 Gambling

Prizes must go over $5,000 to be considered a Class 4 gambling category. The games from this class can include larger-scale lotteries, housies, instant games and those found at casino evenings. They cannot involve a gaming machine in any way, directly or indirectly. Review is required by Department of Internal Affairs for financial viability, maximum communal benefits, and cost minimisation before the possession of licence.

Class 4 Gambling

Any form of gambling involving the use of a gaming machine outside brick-and-mortar casinos is considered a Class 4 gambling category. Operators of this form must be a corporate society that intends to raise money for authorised purposes.

Best NZ betting sites – The conclusion

This comprehensive guide can help Kiwi punters find the most reliable and value-packed New Zealand sports betting sites available on the Internet. Our experts test each online bookmaker to find the leading ones. The international betting sites you can trust in provide an abundant selection of sporting events. With them, sports enthusiasts can engage in football betting, horse racing, rugby, cricket betting and many of their favourite activities.

Each online sportsbook we vouch for offers a range of sports betting markets, and bonuses, including welcome offers, free bets, and better odds. Just pick a site and sign up for an account with one of the recommended bookies on this page. You can find the best betting sites NZ with the most competitive odds and betting markets all here. Rest assured that with them you get the ultimate online betting experience from New Zealand without having to worry about anything.

Katerina ValchevaAuthor at Gamezinger.com

The best sports betting sites NZ FAQ

Is sports betting legal in New Zealand?

Yes, you can use online betting sites New Zealand as the country has very relaxed laws for sports betting and gambling. The sports betting market is monopolized by the TAB in Maoriland and no other locally licensed options are available. However, under the Gambling Act 2003, it’s perfectly legal for New Zealand residents to access licensed international NZ betting sites.

What forms of gambling are legal in New Zealand and in which NZ regions I can use online betting sites?

Check out our mini guide on the sports betting legal situation in New Zealand, the legal situation by NZ region and the section called what other types of gambling are legal in Maoriland where we give more comprehensive information.

Which are the best sports I can bet online in New Zealand?

There’s no universal answer here as every player has different preferences. The easiest sports to bet online are the ones you know well and have a great knowledge of. Popular sports in NZ include rugby, cricket, basketball, and football to name just a few. On this page, you can find plenty of football betting sites and overall, the best betting sites in New Zealand that offer many other sports with matches you can place wagers on.

Can I get bonuses from NZ betting sites?

Yes, you can claim a bonus or a free bet when placing bets at an online sports betting site. Most of the available online sports betting sites provide lots of sports betting promotions to new and existing players.

Do all betting sites offer mobile betting?

Yes, all NZ betting sites that make our recommended list offer mobile betting either through a mobile version of their website, or a dedicated mobile sports betting app. The best New Zealand bookmakers will have betting apps for both Android and iPhone that offer live betting.

Do online betting NZ sites accept NZ$?

Yes. Some online betting NZ sites accept NZ dollars for depositing online. However, many international betting sites require deposits in other currencies. Keep in mind that the best NZ betting sites take payments in US dollars, UK pounds, and Euros.