Online Casino Guide

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Online casinos give you the closest possible experience to playing on a casino floor – without having to physically be there. Today’s online casino software is such that you can play your favourite slots and table games on any device, regardless of screen size. All that’s needed is a reliable and secure Wi-Fi or 4G connection and away you go! If you’re wondering what it’s like to play at an online casino, we’ve got you Kiwis covered. This beginners’ guide covers everything from game types and bonuses through to deposits and responsible gambling measures.

Different types of online casino games

If you’re new to playing casino games, we’ll walk you through the various categories of games you’ll find available with most online casinos:

Online slots

Online slots, or pokies as they’re commonly known in New Zealand, are the bread and butter of most online casinos. You’ll find a library of slot games inspired by a host of themes, including popular culture, folklore and much more.

Live dealer games

The leading online casinos will also offer live streamed dealer games. These table games and gameshows are streamed to your device in real-time, with HD-quality visuals and audio. It’s as sociable a casino experience you’ll get without driving to your nearest land-based casino.

Blackjack

The card game of blackjack, also known as 21, is another highly popular game with online casinos. Available at low and high-roller betting limits, this simple game has a low barrier to entry for Kiwis.

Roulette

The wheel-based table game of roulette is also a staple in the game library of most NZ-friendly online casinos. You’ll choose from European, French and American Roulette games, each of which carry different rules.

Baccarat

Baccarat is one of Asia’s most popular table games. Bet on either the Banker, the Player or the Tie. Whichever hand is valued higher wins, it’s that simple.

Jackpot games

If you want to play for the biggest possible jackpots, check out an online casino’s jackpot games section. This will list all the available slot games with progressive jackpots that rise until they are won.

Real money casino games vs free games

There are pros and cons to playing casino games for real money and for play money. Real-money casino games give you a chance to win more than the amount you stake. On the flip side, you are likely to incur losses when playing casino games. Losses are part and parcel of playing slot and table games. It’s about managing those losses and ensuring you only play with what you can afford to lose. When it comes to free play casino games, these can lose their appeal when you realise that real-money payouts aren’t up for grabs here. However, as a rookie to online casinos, free play games can give you a good grounding in the mechanics of each game before you consider betting with your own hard-earned NZ dollars.

Understanding the odds and return-to-player (RTP) percentages

If you’re unfamiliar with how betting odds work in popular table games like blackjack and roulette, we’ve got you covered. Most blackjack games online will pay out at odds of 6:5 for a blackjack. This means that for every $5 you wager, you’ll win $6 back, as well as having your initial stake returned to you. It’s a similar case in roulette, where betting on Red or Black pays out at potential odds of 1:1. For every $1 you wager, you’ll win a further $1, on top of your returned stake. If you bet on a single number to win at an online roulette table, the odds of winning are set at 35:1. For every $1 you bet, you will win $35 back, on top of your returned stake. It’s also important to familiarise yourself with the concept of online casino return-to-player (RTP) percentages, particularly when playing slot games. If a slot game carries a 96% RTP percentage, this game is statistically proven to return $96 for every $100 wagered over the long term. When we say long term, we really mean it. This calculation is derived over tens of millions of spins.

Online casino bonuses in a nutshell

As a new customer, there are two types of online casino bonuses to understand – no-deposit bonuses and deposit bonuses. A no-deposit bonus means you do not have to make a real-money deposit to qualify for the sign-up bonus. This could be in the form of free spins or bonus funds to spend on the reels and tables. A deposit bonus means you need to make a qualifying real-money deposit to activate a matched bonus. For instance, a 100% deposit match bonus will match your deposit dollar for dollar. Be mindful that all bonuses have wagering requirements attached. This states how many times your bonus and any winnings derived from the bonus must be rolled over before it can be considered real, withdrawable cash.

How to register and make a deposit

It’s easy to sign up to a reputable offshore casino. We’ll use our own registration process to demonstrate the 4-step process:

1. Enter your email address, password and contact details
2. Claim your welcome bonus
3. Supply proof of identity and address for your account to be verified
4. Get started with your favourite casino games

Is online gambling safe?

Playing at an offshore online casino is safe, so long as you choose a site that’s licensed and regulated. Unregulated operators are a danger as they have no legal framework to abide by. There’s also no way of proving that their games offer fair and transparent results. You can check if an online casino is licensed by heading to the footer of their homepage. Active licenses are usually displayed here. Within the footer of the Wildz Casino homepage you’ll see our license number with the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), its date of issue and our registered company number.

Is online gambling legal?

In New Zealand it is legal to play your favourite casino games online with offshore operators. Domestic online gambling is prohibited in New Zealand, unless it is provided by Lotto NZ or the TAB. This should be no barrier to your casino gameplay though. There are plenty of reputable and licensed offshore casinos to try on your desktop or mobile. At Wildz Casino, we are regulated and licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). This is one of the most respected iGaming jurisdictions on the planet, let alone Europe. Its strict compliance conditions ensure sites like ours provide fair, transparent gameplay and look after the best interests of our valued customers.

Are online casino winnings taxable?

As online casino gaming is prohibited with domestic operators in New Zealand, players can only play with licensed and regulated offshore casinos. This means their winnings are derived from overseas and cannot, therefore, be taxed by the Inland Revenue. In fact, at Wildz Casino, you can be sure of 100% tax-free winnings, with not a cent to pay to the authorities. This applies to all standard wins as well as any progressive jackpot payouts too. So long as you aren’t gambling online as your primary source of income, the Inland Revenue does not need to be notified about wins derived from your hobby.

What does responsible gambling mean?

Responsible gambling is an initiative adopted by many of the safest and most trustworthy online casino brands, designed to look after the best interests of all its customers. In a bid to curb problem gambling and identify vulnerable players, sites will have a responsible gambling framework in place to help players manage their spending limits and provide details of organisations that can offer professional support with their gambling. At Wildz Casino, responsible gambling is at the heart of our code of ethics. We encourage players to use deposit, loss and wagering limits that can be set on a daily, weekly, or monthly level. We’ve even got a time-out function that allows you to ‘cool off’ and take a break from gambling when you need it.

How user experiences differ from online casinos to land-based casinos

Perhaps the biggest benefit of online casinos over visiting a land-based casino is the freedom to play as and when you please. In a brick-and-mortar casino, you are reliant on a dealer to facilitate your game. At an online casino, the RNG-powered games are ready and waiting to be loaded whenever you want to play – on any device. At an online casino, you are in total control over the speed of your gameplay too. You’re not having to wait on other players before you can play your next hand. For time-poor, casual casino gamers across New Zealand this is a big deal as you can get in a session whenever you like – on the early morning commute, during your lunch break or in bed after a busy day at work.

FAQs

What Casino games do you offer?

We offer a wide range of different casino games, such as table games (Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat and more), Bingo, Pokies, Jackpot games and Live Casino.

Do I need to pay tax on my winnings?

Each country treats casino winnings differently, though in Canada, much of the European Union, and several other countries, you receive tax-free winnings.

Is it legal to gamble online?

Online gambling is legal in many parts of the world, so yes. However, the rules vary from country to country, so check the regulations for where you are.

How can I play more responsibly?

We offer many tools to help you play more responsibly. You can limit how much time and money you can play while gambling online and take breaks when necessary.