Guide SummaryHow to claim
- Access the SkyCity Online Casino website.
- Create an account and verify it.
- Make the required deposit.
- The bonus will be added to your account.
How to Choose the Best Live Casinos
- Check the online casino’s reputation. What do past and existing players have to say about the casino? If there are many negative reviews on the internet, it means something is probably wrong with the casino. And if the same issue keeps getting repeated in feedback, chances are it is true. Online reviews will help you understand a casinos reliability in customer support, site design and stability, payouts, etc.
- Consider the game selection. The best live dealer casinos NZ has to offer do not just provide live casino games. They are most likely also to have slots and tables as well as specialty games like Keno, bingo, and scratch cards. Besides the catalogue diversity, also look at the game quality and the sheer number of games on offer.
- Browse the bonuses and promotions page. Common bonuses at NZ casinos with live dealers include the welcome bonus, reloading bonuses, cashback bonuses, and VIP bonuses. The best live casinos don’t just offer many bonuses. They also provide easy-to-claim offers with favourable wagering requirements, validity periods, and bonus values.
- Test the customer support. You’re more likely to face issues playing casinos live than playing games with predetermined progressions like slots and table games. For this reason, you are likely to need reliable customer support more as a live dealer player. Reliable customer support in our books can be accessed 24/7, can be reached through multiple functional channels, has good response times, and is actually helpful.
- Look in our list of the best live casinos for NZ players. Our experts try to ensure you don’t have to worry about the basics when looking for a casino to play at. We assess all casinos for licensing, security, transparency, and fair gaming and only include in our lists those that meet our strict standards. And don’t forget, we rate and rank these casinos for various attributes so it’s even easier to pick out sites that appeal to your needs.
Best Live Casinos in New Zealand
| Rank | Casino Name | Welcome Bonus | Min. Deposit | Max. Cash Out | Payout Time | Our Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  SkyCity Online Casino | 100% UP TO $100 + 70 Free Spins | $10 | $100000 | 1-2 days | |
| 2 |  Hello Casino | 100% UP TO $100 + 25 Free Spins | $10 | $80000 | 2-3 days | |
| 3 |  Polestar Casino | 100% UP TO $1000 First Deposit Bonus | $40 | $13000 | 3 days | |
| 4 |  Leon Bet Casino | 100% UP TO $500 Match Bonus | $15 | $100000 | 1-2 days | |
| 5 |  Wheelz Casino | 100% UP TO $300 + 100 Free Spins | $10 | $100000 | 2-3 days | |
| 6 |  DachBet Casino | 100% UP TO $200 + 25 Free Spins | $10 | $20000 | 24H | |
| 7 |  ZetBet Casino | 100% UP TO 300£ + 50 Free Spins | 10£ | 14000£ | 2 days | |
| 8 |  CrownPlay Casino | 100% UP TO $1000 + 200 Free Spins | $20 | $35000 | 3 days | |
| 9 |  CasinoVibes | 150% UP TO $300 + 50 Free Spins | $10 | $62800 | 2-3 days | |
| 10 |  BurningBet Casino | 200% UP TO $90 First Deposit Bonus | $30 | $15000 | 1-2 days |
Newly Launched Live Dealer Casinos in 2024
Check out our top recommended new casino sites for live dealer games in New Zealand. We settled on these picks for their live casino bonus offers, game libraries, security, usability, and other aspects that we know you care about. Our experts employed a hands-on approach to test them, so you can be sure our recommendations are based on personal experience playing live dealer games at these NZ online casinos.
- RollXO Casino: RollXO is recommended for partnering with over 50 top-rated casino software providers, including Nolimit City and Pragmatic Play. The casino also accepts crypto payments and has a robust VIP program to reward its high-rollers and most loyal customers.
- Legiano Casino: Legiano Casino boasts 280 live dealer games, including exciting variants of live Blackjack, live Baccarat, and live Roulette. The casino also offers a rich assortment of casino offers and promotions, including weekly and weekend reload offers and live cashback 25% up to $200.
- Kiwi’s Treasure: We recommend Kiwi’s Treasure casino for its $1 low minimum deposit requirement and a multi-tiered loyalty program that accommodates every casino player.
- Bluffbet Casino: With four weekly free spins bonuses on top of a daily set of free spins and the massive welcome bonus of 150% up to $2,000 + 200 free spins, Bluffbet is one of New Zealand’s best live casino sites for bonuses that we have come across.
- Spinareel Casino: Spinareel sets the bar high when it comes to player safety. The live online casino has even been recently won an award for being the best live casino at the Gaming Awards and received a Secure Play Certification for being the most secure gaming site.
CasinoAlpha’s Rating Process for Live Casinos in New Zealand
Legit & Fairness
We assess a New Zealand online casino’s legitimacy by examining its transparency in terms and conditions, bonus rules, and responsible gaming tools. The casino site’s T&Cs account for 40% of our rating, focusing on fair and clear rules. Bonus terms also weigh 40%, ensuring the promotional offers are reasonable. The remaining 20% evaluates responsible gaming measures, promoting safe gambling environments.
| Caracteristics | Rating pecentage |
|---|---|
| Casino T&C | |
| Bonus T&C | |
| Responsible Gaming |
Payment Methods
Our payment methods rating is based on four factors. The minimum deposit threshold carries 40%, rewarding NZ casino sites with low deposit limits. Payout speed accounts for 30%, prioritizing fast withdrawals. Maximum cashout limits contribute 20%, ensuring fair withdrawal caps. Minimum withdrawal requirements make up the final 10%, evaluating the ease of cashing out.
| Caracteristics | Rating pecentage |
|---|---|
| Min. Deposit | |
| Min. Withdrawal | |
| Max. Cashout | |
| Payout Time |
Customer Support
We assess the customer support feature by testing its availability and responsiveness. Live chat and 24/7 access account for 20% each, while another 20% evaluates the support agents' response times. The helpfulness and professionalism of the NZ online casino's staff also contribute 20%. The FAQ section and email responsiveness contribute 10% each to the final support rating.
| Caracteristics | Rating pecentage |
|---|---|
| Live Chat | |
| Live Chat 24/7 | |
| Response Time | |
| Helpful Chat | |
| FAQ | |
Product Rating
Our product rating is based on three factors: game providers, pokies, and live dealer games. Game variety from at least 10 top game providers in New Zealand contributes 30%. Slot games, making up 40%, require a selection of over 500 titles. Live dealer games account for 30%, focusing on the quality and variety of at least 15 live dealer games.
| Caracteristics | Rating pecentage |
|---|---|
| Game Providers | |
| Slot Games | |
| Live Games |
Casino Reputation
The reputation of the NZ online casino is evaluated through its licenses (40%), such as UKGC or MGA, which ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Third-party reviews from reputable sources contribute 30%, reflecting user trust. The New Zealand casino sites' operational history adds 20%, highlighting their reliability. Gambling product variety, including poker and sports betting, accounts for the final 10%.
| Caracteristics | Rating pecentage |
|---|---|
| Licences | |
| Online Since | |
| Third-Party Reviews | |
| Gambling Products |
Beginner Guide to Online Live Casinos
First time trying out live games? Here’s a step-by-step walk-through of what you can expect at the best live casinos and how to hit the ground running:
How to Sign Up at a Live Casino NZ
- Visit the official website of the live casino you have chosen and click on the Register or Sign Up button. You shouldn’t struggle to locate as it is the most prominent button in the homepages of most of the New Zealand casinos we have reviewed.
- Enter your personal details. These include your name, email address, date of birth, and contact information.
- Choose a strong password. Find a password that you can easily remember, but no one else can guess.
- Verify your identity. While not all casinos will ask you to verify your identity during account registration, the best live casinos in NZ will always do it at some point. So make sure you know what the casino’s KYC process requires, whether it is an official ID or proof of address.
- Choose your currency. This may happen at this stage or later, depending on the casino.
How to Deposit at Live Casino Sites
- While logged in, go to the banking section of your casino. Look for a standalone deposit button or the tag “Wallet”, “Banking”, or “Cashier” and click on it.
- Choose your preferred payment method. The best live casinos also partner with some of the best casino payment methods like Visa , Mastercard, and Neteller.
- Enter your payment details. This may include your card number if you are using a debit, credit, or prepaid card, or perhaps your email or phone number if you are using an e-wallet or mobile payment method like Google Pay.
- Enter the amount you want to deposit. Ensure it is within the casino and payment method’s deposit limits.
- Confirm and authenticate the transaction. Authentication might involve unlocking your phone, completing a 2FA process, etc.
How to Withdraw at Live Online Casinos
- Go to the cashier section and select “Withdraw”.
- Choose your preferred withdrawal method, e.g. PayPal or Maestro.
- Enter the details of your online wallet or bank account, e.g your bank account number, email address, phone number, or credit/debit card number.
- Enter the amount you wish to withdraw. Ensure there is enough money in your casino account to perform the transaction while adhering to the casino’s minimum withdrawal limits.
- Confirm your transaction
Our Picks for Live Casino Bonus Types
As pointed out earlier, the best live online casinos in New Zealand offer other games besides live dealer casino games. So bonuses may not always be tailored for people playing live casino games. Still, almost all the bonuses we tested had some contribution percentage for live dealer games, even though a marginal one. Here are a few bonuses to look out for as a live casino game player and what to expect from them:
| Live Casino Bonus Type | Description | Typical Offer Amount | Wagering Requirements | Key Terms to Watch | For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cashback bonus | This is a percentage of your stake that you receive back after making net losses at an online casino over a period of time. | Live Cashback of 25% up to $100 | 1x | Request cashback after 14:00 ET on Monday and before 12:00 ET on Tuesday | |
| Loyalty bonus | This is a bonus you receive for making subsequent casino deposits. Loyalty is sometimes also referred to as reload bonuses | 200% on 2nd Deposit up to $500 + 200 Free Spins | 50x | Min Deposit $20 | |
| No Deposit Bonus | These are bonuses that don’t require a deposit, often offered to new players to incentivize them to commit to an online casino. | $20 No Deposit Bonus on Live Blackjack | 30x | Max Cashout $20 | |
| Free Chips | These are promotional credits that casinos offer players to use on specific live dealer games. | $30 Free Chips on Live Baccarat | 20x Wagering Requirements | 7 Days Validity | |
| Welcome Bonus | This is a bonus you get as a new player when you register an account and make your first deposit. | 100% up to $100 on Live Blackjack | 50x | Live Games – 10% Contribution |
Which Live Casino Bonus to Start With?
Although every live casino online bonus is built to be desirable, some are obviously more appealing than others. No deposit live casino bonuses are our favourite of the lot. They give you a way around the potential of losing money and give you the confidence to tap into your gaming genius. Oftentimes, no deposit bonuses come foiled in harsher T&Cs, e.g. higher wagering requirements or lower maximum cashout, but they won’t set you back a dime, and all you have to trade to claim them is time commitment.
Live Dealer Online Casino Game Types
| Live Casino Game Types | Description | Main Provider | Min. Bet | Max. Bet | Special Feature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackjack | Also known as 21, live Blackjack is a game that involves a dealer dealing cards in real time, with the player’s objective being scoring a hand value as close to 21 as possible without exceeding it. | Evolution Gaming | $0.50 | $10,000 | Adjustable game pace |
| Roulette | In live Roulette, a live dealer spins a partitioned wheel, and the player is supposed to predict where a tossed die will land. | NetEnt | $0.10 | $10,000 | Multiple game variants, including American Roulette, European Roulette, and French Roulette |
| Baccarat | Live Baccarat is a card game in which the player bets on whether the live dealer or the player will have a hand value closest to 9. | BGaming | $1 | $5,000 | Bet Behind feature |
| Poker | Live poker is an imitation of classic poker in which players compete over who makes the best hand possible in betting rounds handled by a live dealer. | EvenBet Gaming | $1 | $20,000 | Exclusive VIP and high-stakes tables |
| Specialty Games | Speciality games are most of the casino games that do not fall under the categories of live dealer table games, classic table games, or slots. Examples: Live Sic Bo, bingo, Keno, Monopoly, and Craps | Playtech | $0.5-$5 | $10,000-$50,000 | Variety of Game Formats |
If you’re contemplating playing live table games for the first time, we recommend you start with live Baccarat as it is the easiest to learn and play. Live poker and live Blackjack might be more exciting, but they are significantly more complex. You should also consider choosing a live casino NZ site with a wide range of live dealer games from top game providers.
Find the Best Live Casinos for Each Game Type
- Live Blackjack – NeonVegas Casino, which we recommend for offering over 15 variants of live Blackjack. The easy-to-use online casino holds an MGA license and is considered a highly safe and secure live dealer casino site.
- Live Roulette – Slotozen Casino: Recommended for its mobile-friendly interface and supporting high-quality graphics for RNG games and during live game streaming. Slotozen also offers 24/7 live chat support, which makes it friendly to beginner live dealer game players.
- Live Baccarat – CrazePlay Casino: Recommended for its huge library of mobile games (2,000+) and over 200 live casino games. Players also love the casino’s generous welcome bonus of up to $2,500 + 250 free spins and the weekly cashback offers.
- Live Poker – Nitro Casino. Nitro Casino not only offers a vast range of live dealer games, but it also runs 3-4 promotions every week, including the widely popular Drops and Wins promotion.
- Specialty Games – Win Windsor: Win Windsor casino has a great selection of live casino games from Evolution gaming, including live poker and live craps. It also has a mammoth welcome bonus of 1000% up to $2,000 and a low minimum deposit of just $5.
Best Live Dealer Game Titles in 2024
Our team of casino experts managed to lay their hands on several popular titles from top live dealer game developers in 2024. We think you have a great pool of options to choose from if you are looking for the best live casino games in New Zealand. Here is a list of our top favourite new online live casino games and why we think highly of them:
- Live Infinite Blackjack: This is an Evolution Gaming creation that allows an unlimited number of players to join the same game and play simultaneously. Each player still has their own hand and can decide to stand, hit, split, or double down with impacting or being impacted by actions of other players. It’s a pretty popular live casino game with a theoretical RTP of 95.90% and low minimum bets of just $1.
- Live Perfect Blackjack: Live Perfect Blackjack follows standard Blackjack rules, where the player aims to get a hand value as close to 21 as possible. You can also bet in side bets like “Perfect Pair”, “Colored Pair”, or “Mixed Pair”. It is an ideal live Blackjack variant for beginners as it sports a unique educational approach that teaches gamblers optimal strategy through guided play. Live Perfect Blackjack was launched for the first time in 2019 by NetEnt.
- Live Speed Baccarat. Live Speed Baccarat, a game by Evolution Gaming, is simply regular Blackjack played faster. Essentially, players bet on the hand they think will win, between their hand and the dealer’s hand or if the outcome will be a tie. The winning hand is the one that gets closest to 9. Most live online gambling sites on our list accept minimum deposits of $1 on live Speed Baccarat.
- Live Texas Hold ’em. By far the most popular live poker game, Texas Hold ’em is a card game which you win by creating the best 5-card hand using 5 community cards and 2 hole cards. The game progresses through the pre-flop, post-flop, turn, and river stages, and players can check, bet, raise, or fold in any of them. You can also wager in side bets, like the popular “Trips”. A low minimum deposit of $1 applies for this game at some of the best live dealer casino sites in our list.
- Live French Roulette. Live French Roulette is played on a single-zero wheel marked 1-36. Players are supposed to predict where the ball will fall when the live dealer tosses it. It’s a simple low-stakes game with very straightforward rules that has versions from both NetEnt and Evolution. The minimum bet on most of the online Roulette casinos we have played at is $1.
Popular Game Providers at Live Casinos NZ
| Live Game Provider | Year Established | No. of Live Games | Best Live Game |
|---|---|---|---|
| Evolution Gaming | 2006 | 700+ | Live Lightning Roulette |
| Playtech | 1999 | 450+ | Live Quantum Blackjack |
| Authentic Gaming | 2015 | 800+ | Live Authentic Roulette |
| Pragmatic Play | 2015 | 500+ | Live Speed Blackjack |
| Microgaming | 1994 | 950+ | European Roulette |
Games from the above game developers feature in virtually every decent online casino site in NZ, with at least 100 live casino games. The popularity is explicable: these are some of the oldest providers and have built trust with NZ casino operators thanks to their innovative creations, high-level streaming technologies, creative tweaks on variants, and frequent title releases.
Their games display and launch well in both desktop and mobile casinos, and their mimicry of classic table versions is simply impeccable. If we were to choose a favourite live casino game developer, we would probably go with Evolution Gaming because of the extensive range of live dealer tables it offers.
However, Pragmatic Play and Playtech titles are just as good in visual quality and in-game features.
Try Mobile Live Casinos for a New Experience
If you prefer playing casino games on the go, you will want to choose a casino that offers mobile-compatible features. It would even be better if you found a site that has a mobile casino app as well. Here are some of the NZ online casinos for real money that gave us the best live casino experience on mobile phones:
- Luckland Casino – Luckland Casino supports HTML5 and has both iOS and Android mobile apps, where you can play numerous variations of Blackjack, Roulette, poker, game shows, and Baccarat.
- Playzee Casino – Playzee Casino has an Android mobile app only, but its performance on mobile browsers like Safari and Chrome has been nothing but perfect each time we have tried it.
- Luna Casino – This mobile live casino partners with 30+ casino game providers, but its live dealer games are almost entirely from Pragmatic Play and Evolution Gaming. As you probably already know, all of the games from these two developers are optimized for mobile. Thankfully, Luna is fully mobile-compatible and has apps for both iOS and Android devices.
- LeoVegas Casino – LeoVegas Casino has a fantastic selection of over 700 live dealer games to choose from. As these games are from multiple different casino game developers, some may not display on smaller screens. The vast majority, however, work just fine on the casino’s Android and iOS apps.
- ChristChurch Casino – Despite a relatively small selection of live dealer games, ChristChurch Casino has managed to put together some of the best variants we have come across playing at a live NZ mobile casino. What we like even more is the fact that you can play all of the games on popular mobile browsers and the casino’s mobile apps.
Fast Payment Methods Available at NZ Live Casinos
Ready to play for real money at one of our top recommended NZ live casinos? Here are methods to make instant deposits and quick withdrawals of your winnings:
| Payment Method | Description | Deposit Time | Withdrawal Time | Fees | Limits (Min/Max) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PayPal | Popular e-wallet accepted at most of NZ live casinos. | Instant | Within 24 hours | None | $10-$50,000 |
| Neteller | Available in 100+ countries and a popular casino payment method thanks to its crypto-integration. | Instant | 1 Day | None | $10-$10,000 |
| Visa | Available as a debit card, prepaid card, and credit card, all of which support fee-free transactions at most live casinos in NZ | Instant | 1-5 Days | None | $10-$20,000 |
| Mastercard | Debit/credit/prepaid card casino payment method revered for its top-notch security, ease of use, and convenience. | Instant | 1-5 Days | None | $10-$20,000 |
Major Drawbacks at the Best Live Casinos
- Partial mobile compatibility – While most live casinos in New Zealand have the right technical foundations to support mobile games, it’s not uncommon for them to offer some games that are not optimized for mobile.
- Streaming glitches – Glitches on your side or the casino’s side might disrupt gaming sessions and potentially cost you money. To avoid this, use online casino reviews to find and pick a casino that has no history of downtimes. Also, consider investing in strong internet and a powerful computer or smartphone.
- Slow sessions – Playing with a live dealer will always result in slow rounds and longer sessions as dealers handle more than one gambler at a time.
- High stakes. Games with a live dealer might require larger bets than RNG games, as a measure by casino operators to compensate for the lost time between rounds. This might make them less appealing to low-stakes players, who would rather wager a few cents per round.
Alpha’s Verdict for Live Casino Sites New Zealand
Nothing beats the feeling of playing in a land-based casino, and live dealer casinos bring you the atmosphere right in your living room. Of course, you won’t be getting the same experience from all casinos. The best live casinos will offer more games and partner with better game providers like Evolution Gaming, while lower-tier casinos will likely source their games from lesser-known providers.
We always recommend you go for tested-tried-games and play them at well-recognized NZ live casinos like the one we have listed on this page. If you are more into new casinos with more modern feels, we have also provided a list of recommended options you can try out.
Best Live Casino Sites Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Immersive brick-and-mortar casino atmosphere | Live dealer sessions might be slower |
| Interaction with real people while playing online | Higher bets per round |
| Hundreds of variants of the same live dealer games | More complicated rules not suitable for beginners |
| Varied game rules for different games, unlike slots | Require use of powerful machines and good internet |
| Most live dealer casino games are partly games of skill | Some casinos experience regular live dealer downtime |
