Welcome to the home of online poker in New Zealand! Our experts have reviewed the best poker sites currently active in New Zealand, and we are more than happy to share them with you. In this comprehensive article, you will find all the essential information and the best online poker casinos to kick-start your poker gaming adventure.
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Online poker has been one of the most thrilling casino games in the entire gambling history, and its popularity sky-rocketed even more with the introduction of online casinos.
So, as you can imagine, Kiwis have tons of options when it comes to choosing a poker site to play. More so, the number and range of different poker variants will surely keep you occupied for as long as you wish!
However, that sheer number of poker sites and variants may make it difficult for newbies to choose the perfect operator. That is where we come in, as we will provide you with useful tips on finding world-class poker sites, alongside some recommendations of our own!
Poker sites work pretty much the same as any other online casino in New Zealand, with one exception, of course – the richer catalogue of poker titles to choose from.
The first important aspect you need to know is that all gambling activities in NZ are regulated by the Gambling Act of 2003. It deals exclusively with local operators, and it allows for only two entities to offer gambling services in the country:
As you can imagine already, there is no place for private poker sites in New Zealand, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have tons of options!
The Gambling Act of 2003 does not prohibit any individual from wagering at offshore poker operators, these sites are just not allowed to host their services locally.
With that in mind, you will be relieved to know that you have tons of options to choose from – a wide range of Curacao and MGA licensed casino sites that you can play online poker are at your disposal if you are based in New Zealand!
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Providing a safe and secure gambling experience for New Zealand players is our top priority. To achieve this, we start by checking that each poker site holds a valid licence from a reputable regulator. A reliable licence not only guarantees safety, but also contributes to a positive reputation among existing users, a factor we never underestimate.
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Variety is key when it comes to poker and we know that players in New Zealand are looking for variety in their gaming options. That’s why we carefully review the poker games available on each site. Our aim is to recommend platforms that offer a wide range of poker variants that cater to all preferences.
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Bonuses play an important role in the dynamic world of poker casinos. We examine factors such as wagering requirements, bonus duration and eligible games to ensure that players in New Zealand get the best value for their money. In addition to scrutinising promotions, we also make sure that their terms and conditions are fair.
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Finally, for you to complete the perfect cycle of poker gambling, you need to make seamless deposits and withdrawals. This is why the list of payment methods is very important. E-wallets, credit cards, prepaid vouchers and even cryptocurrencies are what we look for before grading a certain poker site in New Zealand.
It is now time to put our words into practice. Which poker sites in New Zealand have actually passed the strict tests above? Fortunately, there are several of those in the New Zealand gambling scene, but the ones that stand out the most are:
Check out our comprehensive reviews and choose one of the best NZ online casinos to help you make an informed choice and enhance your poker experience in New Zealand.
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Step 1
As you saw above, we have a strict methodology for choosing the best poker sites in New Zealand. For that reason, you can always rest assured that we are the ultimate place for you to pick reliable operators. Take a look at our list above and choose the one site that matches your taste.
Step 2
Now, it is time for you to complete the short registration process. You will need to provide personal information such as email, address of living, new username, password, etc. Then, it will just be a matter of choosing a payment method and making your first deposit! Your account is now complete!
Step 3
You will have the opportunity to choose from a wide variety of options. If you already have a specific variant in mind, just search for it and start the game. For newcomers or those who want to get acquainted with a new variant, we recommend trying the free demo version first to familiarise yourself with the rules and gameplay.
Step 4
Poker variants are different, but most commonly you will need to place your bet before you are dealt the cards. You can place ante bets and blinds here. Once you do so, you will receive the cards and depending on your hand, you can proceed with the next steps!
New Zealand’s live gambling scene continues to evolve and as part of this dynamic environment, new online casinos are emerging with new poker offerings.
| Poker Site | Number of Poker Games | Year |
| Richard Casino | 60+ | 2023 |
| FoxyPlay Casino | 20+ | 2023 |
| Weiss.bet | 40+ | 2023 |
| Luck of Spins Casino | 40+ | 2022 |
| BetPlays Casino | 50+ | 2022 |
Now, let’s dive into more details about the games of poker themselves. The sheer number of different poker variants should be a testament to how popular this game is in the gambling world. There are several variations you can choose from at all suggested casinos above, but for the sake of this article, we will cover the four most searched ones.
Texas Hold’em Poker: First off, we have arguably the most popular poker variant among Kiwis – Texas Hold’em. Here, each player gets two cards face-down, after which the betting round follows. Three shared cards are then dealt and the second round of betting begins. You will also get a fourth shared card with another round of betting following and the final community card is turned over. You need to make the best possible five-card hand from all these cards on the table.
Omaha Hold’em Poker: Up next, we have Omaha Hold’em – a game that sees you get four cards face down at the start. Then, the game works similarly to Texas Hold’em. All participants need to use two of their four-hole cards to create the best possible five-card poker hand. Due to the fact that here, you get four-hole cards, you typically can get better and stronger hands than in Texas Hold’em.
7-Card Stud Poker: Until Texas Hold’em took over the entire poker world, 7-Card Stud was the most prominent poker game in New Zealand. At the start, you get two face-down cards, followed by four single up-cards, and a seventh face-down card. Your objective here is simple – make the best possible five-card poker hand from those cards.
Live Dealer Poker: We cannot forget about live dealer poker when speaking of different poker variants. Several variations of poker can be played in live mode – with a real human dealer hosting the game, and the action unfolding in real-time. Live dealer poker games are designed to replicate an actual land-based casino experience and add a social element to the game.
As you can see from the poker variants above, the reality is that each game has its own rules and gameplay quirks. Despite this, once you get to understand some general and generic rules, you will find it much easier to play any variant you wish.
The bottom line of poker games is practically the same with any variation – have a stronger hand than your opponents.
With all that in mind, here, for the sake of this article, we will cover the rules of Texas Hold’em – arguably the most attractive poker game among Kiwis these days.
Part of its popularity comes from the fact that Texas Hold’em has relatively straightforward rules. The gameplay occurs in five stages here:
Plenty of Kiwis will say that casino bonuses are the most important pillars that can determine the success of any poker site. It is hard to argue against that claim, as promotions are tools that both players and operators benefit from.
You can use bonuses to increase your bankroll and potentially secure yourself some bigger wins along the way. All reliable operators in our lists have tons of bonus offers that will accompany you in each stage of your gambling journey.
We start with a bonus that all newly registered players at poker sites get – a welcome bonus. Of course, the nature of the bonus can vary from one site to another, but one thing is sure – you can expect a hefty reward that can boost your bankroll.
Usually, you can expect to get a deposit match bonus once you make your first deposit up to a certain sum and percentage. As an example, a welcome bonus may see you get 100% up to NZ$100 for your first deposit when playing poker games.
Please note here that welcome bonuses at poker sites in New Zealand tend to have long terms and conditions, but you will be wise to read them in detail. They contain important information, such as bonus duration, wagering requirements, eligible poker games, and so on.
Reload bonuses, similar to welcome packages, are designed for experienced players who want constant rewards. These bonuses may offer a personalised touch as part of your VIP status, or they may be standard offers available to all registered users.
Whichever form they take, reload bonuses are designed to increase your potential earnings and provide a valuable opportunity to enhance your overall gaming experience.
As the name itself suggests, no-deposit bonuses won’t require you to make any deposit when claiming the offer. There are a couple of no-deposit bonuses you can get at our suggested poker sites:
The number of mobile device users in New Zealand rises all the time, so the need for mobile poker casino apps grows all the time. For that reason, some mobile casino sites will offer some interesting bonuses to all users who download and use the app to play poker games.
The nature of the bonus can vary, so this is something you need to check with the operator.
Finally, we cannot neglect the importance of Loyalty Programs at prominent poker sites in New Zealand. These operators take great care in making sure all their loyal players are well taken care of, so the VIP Program is there to reward them.
Once you make your first deposit on the site, you can expect to enter the first VIP level. The more real-money poker bets you place, the more levels you will climb, and the better the rewards will be:
Even though online poker is a straightforward game to play, it doesn’t mean that you are guaranteed a win when you get around its basics. There is no winning formula that will guarantee you profits, but there are some quick tips we can recommend you can use to boost your chances of winning:
The New Zealand smartphone market grows each year, so as you can imagine, the online gambling industry is also impacted by that.
Nowadays, it is rare to see a player from New Zealand preferring desktop computers to mobile phones for their poker gaming adventure. It is easy to understand why, as nothing can match the convenience and arguably the better graphics that come with mobile poker gambling.
Therefore, the best operators from our lists above always think mobile-first. Either they have fully mobile-friendly websites or they have mobile apps you can download for free.
We can think of several advantages that come with playing poker, but we wouldn’t be as objective as we are if we didn’t warn you that there are not some downsides you need to be aware of.
Besides online poker, pokies dominate the New Zealand gambling world, so it is natural to see the comparisons fly in. These are very different games, so let’s take a look at how they cope head-to-head.
Tons of different variants
Better RTP
Live dealer poker games are available
No bonus rounds
You can use strategies
More than enough variations to choose from
Some pokies have low RTP percentages
No live dealer pokies
Tons of special bonus features
No strategies are applicable
We briefly covered the main advantages you can expect when playing online poker, but it is not time to go a bit more in-depth. There are some crucial benefits that come with playing poker which you cannot find in all other casino games.
This goes especially if you play live dealer poker. Social interaction has always been one of the unique selling points of online poker, and it is no different from the development of poker sites.Sure, there are some social and psychological dangers and fears when it comes to playing online poker, but if you gamble responsibly, you can always benefit from the social aspect of the game. You can analyze and communicate with plenty of different players, thus improving your social skills.
RNG-based online casino games are fine, sure, but experienced players will tell you that nothing beats the thrill of real-time action in poker. Therefore, live casino versions of poker are very important as they allow you to experience the game first-hand. Real dealers will lead the game and you will be able to communicate with them. For this reason, poker is understandably one of the most played games by all operators across the world.
By implementing different strategies in your gameplay, you can benefit from several perks. First off, your decision-making skills will improve drastically over a longer period. Poker is a great game to explore decision-making skills, as in that game, you make decisions and bets with limited information. The feedback you receive for that is through the money you lose or win, so you have to be on your toes and concentrated all the time!
Finally, we can sum all the benefits above into one main advantage – enhanced entertainment. If you play online poker responsibly and follow all our guidelines, we guarantee that you will enjoy a great gaming experience. There are more than enough poker variations to keep you completely occupied, so the fun can never stop! Moreover, all bonuses and promotions are there to boost your possible winnings, so there is plenty to aim for!
You should never fall into the trap of believing that a strategy can help you win tons of money when playing online poker. That doesn’t mean there is nothing you can do and that you should always rely on your luck. By paying close attention to some of the following aspects, you might shift the luck a bit on your side:
It’s clear that the world of poker continues to hold great promise and excitement for new and experienced players alike. With a growing number of reputable poker sites entering the New Zealand gambling scene, there is no better source than here to keep you up to date with the latest developments!
All that’s left now is to choose a poker site from our carefully curated list above and dive into the world of poker by exploring the variant that most interests you. Your poker adventure awaits – seize the opportunity and start playing today!
As long as you play at our recommended trustworthy poker sites in New Zealand, you have nothing to worry about. Our strict process of reviewing poker sites leaves no stone unturned.
Well, the answer is not that simple. The New Zealand legislation does not allow private entities to obtain a license to operate locally in New Zealand. However, there is no legislation stopping Kiwis from accessing offshore poker sites at any time!
There are tons to choose from, so there is no universal answer here! A couple of variants that arguably stand out in New Zealand are Texas Hold’em and Omaha Hold’em.
Melike 
