Starting your gambling adventure as a newcomer can be a difficult task, especially with the wide range of casinos, games, terms and bonuses. However, at CasinoAlpha NZ, we decided that a guide for beginners is the best tool to have if you’re new to NZ gambling.

So, we’ve got you covered whether you’re looking for safe casinos, a better understanding of bonuses, or finding the best games. With our team’s 9+ years of experience, you’ll learn the essentials to make informed decisions, based on facts.

Ready to become a pro-gambling player?

• Step 1: Choose the right online casino
• Step 2: Claim a casino bonus
• Step 3: Start with the easier games
• Step 4: Understand how gambling works
• Step 5: Practice responsible gambling

Step 1: Choose the right online casino

If you are new to the online gambling world, it may be difficult for you to choose the right gaming platform. With so many options on the table and so many aspects to compare, making a choice is a real challenge.

Before you join a new casino, it’s normal to wonder if the games are rigged. Learn how to identify fair and trustworthy platforms by reading our detailed guide on Are Online Casinos Rigged? Make sure you’re familiar with the Gambling Laws in NZ before signing up for any online casino to ensure you’re playing safely and within the legal framework.

We are here to help you find the online casino that truly suits you! Here’s what you need to do:

Always check the license

We only present you with safe and reputable best online NZ casinos, and our team of gambling experts takes its time to verify each of them.

However, if you consider joining other online casinos, we strongly advise you to avoid gambling on unlicensed sites.

Tips:

Licensing authorities are also different from each other, and each has its own requirements.

This means that even though licensed sites are generally safe to play at, some are safer than others because their licensing authority is more stringent.

An online casino can have one license or more issued by multiple authorities

Opting for a gaming platform that is licensed by more than one authority will provide you with an even safer gaming environment.

This is because it had to meet the requirements of all the authorities that issued a license so that you can rest assured your money and personal information are safe with them.

The most trustworthy licensing authorities are:

• United Kingdom Gambling Commission;
• Malta Gaming Authority.

Of course, you will find many other regulating authorities, but these are some of the best ones.

Look for casinos with licenses from at least one of the authorities mentioned above, and you can enjoy safe gaming sessions!

Look for the best payment options

Payment options variety is essential for any player, experienced or inexperienced.

You should always choose an online casino that offers you enough options. These should include:

• Credit/debit card;
• E-wallets;
• Wire transfer;
• Other banking methods.

Some online casinos may even allow you to pay by phone, which could be very helpful.

Make sure you have enough options to choose from for both deposits and withdrawals!

Be aware:

For safety reasons, casinos may require you to withdraw using the same method you have deposited with. Therefore, pay extra attention to your options before making your first payment!

Payments timeframes and limits – what to pay attention to

Casinos in New Zealand, like all the others around the world, come with limitations and timeframes for transactions.

This includes both deposits and withdrawals, and you should always check them before signing up.

There are many minimum deposit casinos, but no maximum amounts are usually imposed and transactions are processed within minutes.

Tips:

1. Unlike deposits, withdrawals also take longer to process.
2. For withdrawals, however, there is a minimum and maximum amount per day, week, or month.

Some online casinos in New Zealand require you to wait for 48 to 72 hours or even more for your withdrawals to be processed. Some work faster and will process your payment request in 24 hours and even less.

We advise you to choose fast withdrawal casinos, and you will not have to wait long for your money to get to you.

Read the Terms and Conditions

The Terms and Conditions of an online casino contain essential information, and all players should take their time and carefully read them. Casino T&Cs can be tricky, but they contain crucial details about your rights and obligations. Dive deeper into understanding Casino Terms and Conditions with our expert guide.

These shape your gameplay and experience at a casino, as well as affect your transactions.

In the Terms and Conditions, among a variety of other pieces of information, you may find all the details about:

• The requirements the casino has;
• What you are and are not allowed to do on the site;
• How to use their bonuses;
• How deposits and withdrawals will be processed;
• Deposit and withdrawal limits.

Check for game variety

Game variety is very important when choosing a new online casino to join.

Having multiple game types and products to enjoy can keep you interested and entertained for longer. If you want to stick with a website and become a regular player, having a wide range of options in this area is always great.

While looking for a high number of games is good, you should also check if the casino offers the following game categories:

1. Slot machines;
2. Card games (Blackjack, Poker, Baccarat);
3. Other table games (Roulette, Sic Bo, Craps);
4. Live casino games;
5. Progressive slot machines.

If the casino you have your eye on comes with these, it’s time we look at the software providers it collaborates with.

A gambling website that works with many software providers will have plenty of different games, and their collection will receive new titles often.

Here are some of the best online casino software providers to look for on a gaming platform:

• Microgaming;
• NetEnt;
• Play’N Go;
• Playtech;
• IGT;
• Novomatic;
• Yggdrasil.

Take a look at the bonus and tournaments sections

For the best online gambling experience, you need great casino bonuses.

Check this section of any casino you would like to join and see if the bonuses available are good enough for you!

As a new player, you should first look for a no deposit bonus and make sure you also have a welcome package to claim right after. Then, see if the platform offers other promotions for its existing players and even seasonal or temporary deals for both newcomers and regular players.

Recommendation:

If you are more competitive by nature, joining a tournament may be precisely what you need.

Many casinos offer tournaments, and the prizes they come with are not to be overlooked. Join a casino that provides challenges in the form of wager races, tournaments, raffles for extra chances to win rewards.

These may consist of casino perks and even real money, gadgets, trips, cars, or jewellery.

Go for online casinos that are available on mobile

• Mobile gambling evolved tremendously in the past years, and now almost all online casinos are also available on mobile devices.
• Software providers also started creating more mobile-compatible games, and the number of mobile players increased significantly.
• Even if you usually play on your desktop computer, having the option to use your smartphone or tablet is best.
• This way, you may enjoy your favourite games on the go or on vacation.
• If you’re accessing casinos from different locations, using a VPN can offer extra security and privacy. Learn how to choose the Best VPN for Casinos to enhance your online gaming experience.

Choose a gaming site that also comes with apps you can install on your mobile device

These can be on the App Store or Google Play Store, or you may download them directly from the casino’s website.

Frequently, mobile online casinos offer exclusive promotions to players who register via a mobile device, so keep an eye out for those and claim them!

Enjoy more fun with a great VIP program

If you plan to become a regular customer of a New Zealand gambling site, look for one with an excellent VIP program!

This kind of program rewards loyal players with a variety of perks and prizes such as:

• Faster withdrawals;
• Personal VIP Manager;
• Exclusive promotions;
• Higher cashout limits;
• Invitations to exclusive events.

Some VIP programs are better than others. Some consist of a simple Comp Points scheme, rewarding you with Comp Points, which you can later exchange for small amounts of money.

While these can also be helpful, you will get a lot more from a VIP program that offers the benefits in the list above.

Even better than these are the game-like loyalty programs that come with multiple levels, they have an overall theme, and each level comes with its own challenges. These offer you the most fun and the best perks.

Another important aspect of a VIP program is the way you can join it

Some casinos will automatically enroll you in the program from the moment you sign up, and you level up by making deposits and wagering your money.

Others, however, will have you wait an indefinite time before sending you an invitation to join when they decide it is the right time.

Check the customer support

Customer support is essential, especially for new players who may have more questions about how the casino works than regular customers.

As a new player, you may need information about transactions, or you may encounter an issue.

For these and any other situations, you will have to get in touch with the customer support team. That is why the casino must offer more than one communication way.

Look for:

• Live Chat;
• Phone number;
• E-mail address.

Some gaming platforms even offer support via social media or Skype.

The best online casinos in New Zealand have their customer care team available 24/7 and in multiple languages. Check for their work hours and means of communication before joining a new casino!

Tips:

Our casino reviews contain all this information and more! Read them and see our experts’ experience with each platform before signing up!

Step 2: Claim a casino bonus

Claiming a casino bonus is the next thing you need to do after choosing the platform you would like to play on.

A good promotion can immensely help you have a good time and enjoy your gaming session to the fullest.

Being a new player, here are the aspects you need to keep in mind while browsing for the perfect bonus:

• Start with a no deposit bonus

This gives you the chance to experience the platform without investing your own money. You get to see whether you like it or not, and you even have an opportunity to build an account balance from nothing.

Tips:

While some casinos will only promote 10 free spins with no deposit bonuses, some casinos will offer 30 free spins, or even 50 free spins no deposit promotions to motivate the players to keep playing on the platform. Hence, you should always check multiple offers before settling for one.

• Sign up using accurate information

To claim a no deposit bonus, all you have to do is create an account. Provide the casino with up-to-date information and verify your account. Complete the KYC (Know Your Customer) process to cash out money from your casino balance.

• Take advantage of welcome bonuses NZ

Go for welcome packages as they cover more than one payment, so you get to enjoy bonuses for the first 2 to 5 deposits. If your chosen platform does not offer a package, simply select the first deposit bonus. It may come with extra money and spins you can use on a variety of games.

When you are looking for a good casino promotion, consider the following aspects:

1. Choose the one with a higher amount of money or a number of spins.
2. Check the minimum deposit required and make sure it is a low amount.
3. Read the Bonus Terms for each offer.
4. Pick promotions with low wagering requirements or even go for no wagering bonuses.
5. Make sure the maximum cashout allowed from the promotion is a decent amount.
6. Check the offer’s availability and ensure you have enough time to complete the wagering requirements if any are imposed.

Important:

Verifying your account may take a few minutes, but it is best to go through the KYC process before. This is inevitable, and all players have to complete it in order to cash out. This is meant to provide protection from fraud and money laundering attempts.

Be aware:

Some casino bonuses are exclusively created for a particular game, software provider, or payment method. Check this in the bonus details we provide or in the Bonus Terms on the casino’s website!

Step 3: Start with the easier games

Now that you know how to choose your perfect New Zealand casino and bonuses let’s talk about the games you should start with.

If this is your first time gambling, you may not have a favourite game yet, and you are probably eager to try them all. While that can be fun, we advise you to start with the easier ones such as:

• Slot machines;
• Keno;
• European Roulette.

Slot machines have no complicated rules

Most games’ user interface is very intuitive, making them easy to figure out even by beginners and all you have to do is place a wager then spin the reels.

Keno is actually designed for players to enjoy it in a relaxed atmosphere

You simply have to select some numbers on a grid and place a bet on them. Then, wait and see if your numbers are winners.

Roulette has many variants

You might already be familiar with how Roulette works, and even if there are some complicated bets you can make, you can also play it simply by betting on a number or colour.

Also, we advise you to go for European Roulette as it has better odds than American Roulette.

If you want to maximize your chances of winning, it’s essential to choose games with better odds. Check out our guide on the Best Casino Game Odds – What to Play Online to make informed decisions.

Games like Video Poker, Blackjack, and Baccarat are also highly entertaining

To have a real chance at winning, you need to know the rules and have a certain degree of skill.

If you have played Poker for fun before, it may be a good choice.

Picking the right live casino is crucial if you want to manage your spending wisely. For a guide on making smart decisions, check out our article on How to Pick a Live Casino for Your Budget. If you’re interested in live casino games, it’s worth exploring the Best Live Casino Games in New Zealand, offering engaging and secure options for new players.

Tips:

Choose one with a high RTP (Return To Player) value when playing slot machines! The higher this is, the more often you can win over a long period.

Step 4: Understand how gambling works

Gambling is entertaining, and some players have even turned it into a job.

There are three things you should know about it that will help you have the best gaming experience:

• The house always wins

The house edge is present in any casino game you play. This is a mathematical advantage the casino has in a game, and it is represented by the percentage of the player’s bet that the casino keeps. Games have different house edges, but it is something no player can escape in the long run.

• Winning streaks never last

Quitting while you are ahead is always a good idea, especially when gambling. Winning streaks do end, and you may end up losing all that you’ve made faster than you can imagine.

• Gambling is all luck

While there are some skill games such as Poker and even Blackjack, most casino games rely on luck. Even if sometimes you may feel like you can figure out a way to score a win, it is really a matter of luck if you do win or not. You can lower the house edge in some games, but luck is and will always be the determining factor when it comes to your gambling success.

As long as you keep these aspects in mind, your gaming sessions will remain entertaining, and you may enjoy this activity for a long time.

Step 5: Practice responsible gambling

Playing responsibly is very important if you want to keep this activity as a fun, leisure one for as long as you like.

Gambling can be addictive, so you have to pay attention to your gambling habits.

Start with these simple tips that will help you keep your gambling in check:

• View gambling as a fun activity

Playing casino games is fun, and it should remain that way.

As long as you do not start viewing this activity as a way to make money or expect it to do more than entertain you, you will be safe. Sure, you can even win some extra money, but think of it as a bonus you get from it, not as a purpose.

• Set a budget and stick to it

You can quickly lose track of your money while gambling and end up losing more than you can afford. That is why it is imperative to set a budget and stick to it.

• Set a time limit

You may wonder why you need a time limit if you already have a budget.

Well, if you set a time limit and respect it, you may actually stop playing before you spend all your budget, which is great. Also, another aspect is that the time spent gambling is directly proportional to the gambling addiction risk you are exposed to.

This means that the more you play, the more chances it has to get out of control.

• Do not chase losses

Losing is a normal part of gambling, and you should expect it.

Do not wager more money or go over your budget in an attempt to recover the money you have lost. Only gamble the amount of money you can afford to lose and see it as the cost of your entertainment.

Chasing losses usually results in even more losses, so simply stop playing and redirect your attention to a different activity instead.

• Do not use gambling as a coping mechanism

In order to be safe from gambling addiction, you should always be aware of why you are gambling and how you feel when you do.

If you notice you start playing casino games as a way to cope with personal, professional, or financial issues in your life, then it’s time to stop. This type of behaviour leads to gambling addiction.

Tips:

By using these five responsible gambling tips and creating a balance in your life that combines gambling with other activities and responsibilities, you can steer away from addiction.

Here is everything you need to get started with your gambling adventure!

You now have all the knowledge you need to pick the best gaming platform and bonuses, and we have great options for you right here on our website. Start with the easy games and work your way up to the more complicated while keeping in mind what gambling is all about.

Practice responsible gambling, and you may enjoy this fun and rewarding activity for as long as you want to!