Crypto Casinos in New Zealand: Top Picks + Complete Guide
If you care about personal privacy while gambling, an online crypto casino site is definitely what you’re looking for. It gives you all the same gameplay mechanics as a standard casino, but with all the benefits of crypto transactions.
Unlike Australia (where online gambling of all kinds is strictly forbidden), you can play to your heart’s desire in the Land of the Long White Cloud.
In today’s article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about crypto casinos in New Zealand, including the top picks and a complete guide on how to get started.
Top New Zealand crypto casinos in 2024
First deposit bonus:
100% up to 1.5 BTC + 100 free spins
This bonus will be granted automatically. Free spins can be activated and played in the Elvis Frog in Vegas game by BGaming.
New players only. Welcome Package - 325% up to 5.25 BTC + 250 FS. All bonuses (unless otherwise specified) need to be wagered 35 times before the funds can be withdrawn. The minimum deposit requirement to qualify for any part of welcome bonus is 0.34 mBTC.
Welcome bonus:
100 FreeSpins - WAGER FREE
This bonus will be granted automatically. Free spins can be activated and played in the Book of Dead game by Play'n GO.
New players only. Welcome Bonus - 100 FreeSpins - WAGER FREE. The minimum deposit requirement to qualify for any part of welcome bonus is $50.
Welcome bonus:
200% up to €25,000 + 50 FS
This bonus will be granted automatically. Free spins can be activated and played in the Wanted Dead or a Wild by Hacksaw Gaming.
New players only. Welcome Bonus - 200% up to €25,000 + 50 FS. All bonuses (unless otherwise specified) need to be wagered 35x times before the funds can be withdrawn. The minimum deposit requirement to qualify for any part of welcome bonus is 20 EUR.
First deposit bonus:
200% up to 500 USDT
This bonus will be granted automatically.
New players only. Welcome Package - 400% up to 2,500 USDT. All bonuses (unless otherwise specified) need to be wagered 5x times before the funds can be withdrawn. The minimum deposit requirement to qualify for any part of welcome bonus is 50 USDT.
First deposit bonus:
180% match up to 20,000 BCD
with a minimum deposit of $10
New players only. Welcome Package - 360% up to 200,000 BCD. All bonuses (unless otherwise specified) need to be wagered 40x times before the funds can be withdrawn. The minimum deposit requirement to qualify for any part of welcome bonus is $10, $50, $100, or $200
How do crypto casinos work in New Zealand?
For the most part, crypto casinos operate the same way no matter where in the world you’re playing from. And they work similar to standard online casinos. The main difference is you’re depositing, placing bets, and withdrawing using a cryptocurrency like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), or Litecoin (LTC) instead of the New Zealand dollar (NZD).
Since online gambling regulations are straightforward and no laws prohibit you from accessing offshore casinos, you’re able to access dozens of reputable casinos as a Kiwi.
The process is quite simple:
- Buy crypto on the exchange of your choice.
- Transfer it to a wallet (e.g., Ledger Nano S).
- Choose the right crypto casino for you.
- Create your account by filling in basic info.
- Fund it by connecting your crypto wallet.
- Place your first bet.
- Withdraw your winnings!
Crypto casino games are fundamentally the same as traditional casino games, with popular options like slots, table games, and dice games as well as unique ones like plinko and even platform-specific games.
You do, however, have all the benefits of crypto transactions. Near-instant payouts and provably fair gaming are things you can only get on a New Zealand crypto casino (more on these in a moment).
The legal landscape of crypto gambling in New Zealand
Like most countries around the world, crypto gambling (and, really, the crypto market as a whole) currently operates in a grey area. At the moment, there are no specific laws directly regulating gambling with cryptocurrency.
The primary legislation governing gambling is the Gambling Act 2003, which predates cryptocurrencies and doesn’t explicitly address their use. This creates a situation where:
- It is illegal for domestic companies to operate online casinos unless they are for charitable purposes.
- It is NOT illegal for New Zealand residents to access and gamble on licensed offshore crypto casinos.
So, offshore platforms can legally offer services to Kiwis without repercussions, as long as they are based overseas and comply with international regulations. Normally, they will hold a license from Curaçao or Malta.
Even overseas platforms operating wthin NZ are prohibited from advertising directly in New Zealand, though, which adds one element to the complexity of the market.
Note: The regulatory framework around cryptocurrencies in general is evolving. The Financial Markets Conduct Act 2013 (FMCA) oversees financial activities, including cryptocurrency usage, and the Reserve Bank of New Zealand monitors the sector, particularly focusing on risks like fraud and market volatility.
KYC and AML requirements for New Zealand crypto casinos
KYC (Know Your Customer) requirements for crypto casinos operating in New Zealand are rooted in the country’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) regulations. They require all financial service providers, including virtual asset service providers (VASPs) like crypto casinos, to verify their users’ identities.
To meet KYC, crypto casinos might require you to submit:
- Personal identification documents like passports or driver’s licenses
- Proof of address (such as a utility bill)
- In some cases, evidence of the source of funds
Some casinos may only trigger KYC during significant withdrawals or when suspicious activity is detected (so you can find no-KYC crypto casinos in New Zealand). To play it safe, though, a lot of licensed casinos will require some info upon registration or before you can withdraw your winnings.
Note: Using a VPN to bypass KYC requirements will only come back to bite you. Since the casino might require this info on the withdrawal instead of at signup, you might end up depositing your crypto, playing, and winning big, only to find you can’t access your funds at all.
Why gamble with crypto in New Zealand?
Although gameplay is practically the same on crypto casinos as it is on regular ones, you have the added benefit of using crypto instead of New Zealand dollars. Decentralization and blockchain technology improve the gambling experience in several ways.
Unrivaled privacy
If you’re playing on a no-KYC crypto casino, you’re 100% anonymous (and so are your transactions). If you’re playing on a regular one, you’re still giving them far less personal info than you would if you were playing with fiat currency.
The reason for this is that banks and credit card companies require a lot of personal info to authorize transactions. By using crypto, you don’t need to give up any of this sensitive data because there’s no need to go through middlemen to make payments.
Not to mention, your other crypto transactions will be anonymous. If you win on a regular casino and withdraw your earnings, then your bank or credit card statement will show the transaction. And when you spend it, every transaction thereafter is also traceable.
With crypto, all your future transactions from your crypto wallet remain private.
Near-instant transactions
With traditional online casinos, your deposits have to pass through intermediaries like banks and payment processors the casino (or, in the case of a withdrawal, your account). This adds days to your deposit time.
With crypto casinos, you’re only waiting a tiny fraction of that time. BTC, for example, takes around 30-60 minutes to be confirmed, while altcoins like ETH are much quicker.
That means you can withdraw your money just as quickly as you’d cash out at a real-life casino!
Global accessibility
New Zealand is a tiny country, but its crypto betting laws make it so that its residents can access a plethora of casinos from around the world. You can connect with people from all over the world and play with different currencies.
And crypto knows no borders — it’s worth the same no matter what country you’re in. That means neither you nor the players you’re facing have to deal with exchange rates and other financial complexities. Everything is based on the current crypto market value.
Low transaction fees
Because there are no intermediaries, there’s no need to pay high amounts to cover their costs. Generally, crypto casinos offer lower fees than traditional online casinos. All they require is a small mining fee to process your transaction (and sometimes a tiny platform fee).
This is a major draw for high rollers, as they can save significantly on large deposits and withdrawals.
Provably fair games
Especially if you’re playing on new crypto casinos, the casinos themselves are built using blockchain technology. They use cryptographic algorithms to guarantee the odds are always fair and transparent.
This differs from traditional casinos, whose algorithms are often hidden and easily manipulated (either by the hosting site or a third party). Cryptographic hash functions ensure neither the house nor players can cheat at games like blackjack or roulette — a feature regular online casinos don’t have.
Better bonuses
Compared to casinos working with fiat currency, the bonuses and promotions on crypto casinos are generally much higher. It’s not uncommon to see offers for free spins, no-deposit bonuses, cashback offers, and other perks with greater potential payouts.
That said, this varies wildly from casino to casino — you’ll see some offers with wagering requirements as low as 5x or as high as 60x.
Factors to consider when choosing a New Zealand crypto casino
Now you know the benefits of playing on a crypto casino in New Zealand, here are our most important considerations when choosing one:
Security
Look for casinos with advanced security features like SSL encryption and two-factor authentication. You also want to make sure they hold proper licensing (e.g., Curaçao or Malta) and can legally operate in NZ.
Game selection
Different casinos have different game libraries. All the best ones will have dozens of versions of roulette, blackjack, poker, and dice games. Generally, you’ll also find specialty games like plinko and live dealer options. But some casinos, like BC.Game, take it a step further by developing their own games, made especially for the platform.
Deposit and withdrawal options
The deposit and withdrawal process varies in complexity depending on the casino you’re using. Some platforms have their own exchange, meaning you can buy and sell crypto right within the platform. Plenty support fiat transactions as well, which would make it easier for you to put your winnings into a bank account.
Supported cryptocurrencies
A wide variety of cryptocurrencies is a must for any crypto casino. Practically every casino will take BTC, and most will support ETH, LTC, BCH, and USDT. Some platforms, like Lucky Block, have their own native token as well. If you want to use something different, make sure your platform supports it.
Customer support options
Crypto casinos tend to be tech-savvy. But they also operate remotely most of the time, which complicates things. Since crypto doesn’t have chargebacks and other kinds of player protection, you want to make sure the casino is responsive and has a track record of resolution.
Final thoughts
When it comes to any kind of online gambling, you have to remember a few rules of thumb:
- Don’t play with money you can’t afford to lose.
- Avoid strategies like martingale, which can cause you to lose bigger, faster.
- Do your own research — make sure the casino you’re using is legitimate and secure before depositing your crypto.
- Keep in mind crypto is volatile, so your money could be worth significantly more or less overnight (even without gambling it).
If you can follow these rules, and you know the casino is legitimate, playing on a crypto casino will be an exciting (and potentially profitable) experience.
Alex is a versatile content writer with a talent for crafting clear, engaging content across various industries. With expertise in SEO and digital marketing, Alex produces articles, blog posts, and copy that resonate with readers and perform well online. While he writes on a range of topics, he has a particular interest in the gambling industry, where he enjoys exploring gaming trends and business strategies. His approachable style and attention to detail ensure his content is both informative and compelling.
