Online Casino FAQ
Playing at an online casino for the first time can seem pretty daunting but, you should take comfort in the fact that you are not the only one to feel this way. If you have a few first timer questions take a look through our new player online casino FAQ section. Chances are you will probably find others had the exact same questions as you.
How do I find a safe online casino?
There is an array of reasons why our Kiwi players choose one online casino over another. For many, it’s about the quality and value of the online gambling site’s Welcome Bonus or the enticing signup offers. For others, it’s the gaming selection and payout percentages. For many New Zealanders, it’s the quality of gaming offered on the mobile casino version of a site and its degree of user friendliness. At the Gamblers.co.nz, we rate and review all the best casinos, online pokies, and other games on offer to help you find the best casino for you. All the sites we recommend are safe and secure.
Is online gambling legal?
It is completely legal for our Kiwis to play at online casinos operated from outside of the country. There are no restrictions for our players playing at offshore sites.
What is the safest way to make a deposit?
All the casinos we review enable players to use a range of methods to make withdrawals and deposits in NZD$. The leading choices for deposits include:
- E-wallets, such as Skrill and Neteller
- Pre-paid cards such as PaySafe Card
- Electronic transfer options like PayPal
- MasterCard and Visa credit and debit cards
Making a deposit at an online casino is easy, and pretty much the same as an internet banking transaction or other online purchase. All the online gambling sites have Banking pages that explain their options and processes.
How long do I have to wait to play after making a deposit?
With just about all the deposit methods on offer to our New Zealand players, your funds are available in your casino account instantly, with the exception of direct bank transfer which takes a few days.
How do I know online casino games are not fixed?
Online games are not produced, designed, or even operated by the online gambling sites. While the casinos provide the platform for all your favourite casino games, the running of the games is in the hands of the developers, like software giant Microgaming. Therefore, a single casino is not able to manipulate the random number generator of any game, or in any way influence the outcome of a spin or a hand.
New Zealand online casinos are inspected on a monthly basis by third-party independent testing agencies, too, such as eCogra. These agencies certify that games and random number generators are fairly operated, and each game’s report is published so you can check it out for yourself.
Where can I check the payout percentage of games?
Each month, online casinos publish a report a from its testing agency on the payout percentages of each game. The report covers:
- The casino overall
- The different game categories, such as table games, online pokies, and casual games
To access the report, you can click on the logo for the relevant agency on the casino’s site. You should find this on the footer of the casino’s homepage.
What are my chances of winning at an online casino?
The odds of winning some games are better in an online casino compared to a land-based casino, while for others, it’s pretty much the same. For example, the average return to player or payout percentage of online pokies is usually around 95%+ which is much higher than what you would find at a land-based casino. What’s more, progressive jackpot pokies have prize pools that tend to grow at a much quicker pace and are a lot bigger than in brick and mortar casinos, since the networks are run globally. In other popular casino games such as roulette and blackjack, the odds – and your chances of winning – are the same as when you play online and at land-based casinos.
What are the best casino games to play for big wins?
The choice and variety of games for our Kiwi players continue to expand all the time, which means there is always tons of top notch games to choose from. There are always new developers, too, which means new jackpots. Today, players can choose to play on a number of platforms, from desktop to mobile, and through their browsers, increasing the menu of games on offer and your chances to win big. Some sites are devoted to online pokies, and others offer an incredible range of card games and table games, whereas others offer our New Zealand players a little bit of everything in online gambling. This means that no two online casinos are really the same, so the best games to play for big wins are the ones you enjoy and the ones you spend time honing your skills on.
How long does it take to cash out my withdrawal?
At most New Zealand online casinos that we rate and review, there is a pending period before your withdrawal request is finalized. Usually, this period is anywhere from 12 to 72 hours, depending on the site’s policy. Once your withdrawal request is processed, the speed at which you receive your method will depend on the method you chose for withdrawals. With virtual credit cards and wallets, the cash will usually be available right away, but it can take as long as 3 working days for debit and credit card withdrawal. It can take as long as 10 working days for some direct bank transfer.
What is a welcome bonus?
A welcome bonus is really an incentive to persuade you to pick one online gambling site over another. Usually, the welcome bonus will match your initial deposit, often by 100%, but sometimes it can go up to as much as 200%, which may double or triple your bankroll, giving you a fantastic boost to start playing. Other sites offer matches on a number of deposits, and often, welcome bonuses come with free spins to try out your favourite online pokies. If you do pick free spins as part of the signup bonus, the winnings are typically credited to your player bonus account and you can continue playing with them.
Do I have to claim a casino bonus?
Online casinos usually offer a variety of great bonuses for regulars and new players alike. When you first sign up at a site, you can choose free spins and a no deposit bonus without even having to deposit your hard-earned NZD$. And you may even get the welcome bonus on top of that! But, you do not have to claim the casino bonus if you don’t want to. Once you start playing, you will often receive incentives and rewards like free spins and extra deposit matches, which are a great way to boost your bankroll and hone your online gambling skills.
What is a wagering requirement?
The wagering requirement is sometimes referred to as the playthrough and it is the amount you are required to wager before you are allowed to cash out a bonus amount that you may have received or any winnings you made from the bonus. Typically, the playthrough amount is about 40x the amount you deposit. So, if you make a deposit of $200 and get a 100% match deposit, your bankroll will be $400. But, if that wagering requirement is attached to the welcome bonus and the playthrough is 40x, you will need to wager an amount of $8,000 before you will be allowed to cash out your bonus or the bonus winnings.
Are free pokies better than real money games?
Almost all the New Zealand online casino sites we recommend allow our Kiwis to try out games for free in their practice mode. Some casinos will even allow you to do this without having a player account. It is a great way to practice and figure out which pokies you really enjoy playing. But, if you want to win, and especially want the chance to get your hands on one of the massive progressive jackpots, you will want to play for real money!
Why should I download casino software?
The casino’s downloadable software is suitable for PC systems and offers the full range of games and online casino functions. While not all software is suitable for Apple iOS devices, more online casinos are moving towards a multi-platform approach. Downloading the software takes just a matter of minutes and once the software is on your desktop, you just click on the casino’s icon, log into your account, and start playing.
Can I use my mobile phone to play casino games?
All of the sites we rate and review offer mobile casino options. Some offer a good range of games where others only offer a limited amount of games on the mobile casino. However, all of the mobile casinos have your favourite online pokies and other card and table games and offer exceptional quality. Typically, most sites will automatically sync your casino account so you can play on whichever platform you want to using the same login information.
How do I report an online casino?
Gambling in our country is regulated by The Gambling Commission. However, if you need to report an online casino, you can contact one of the online gambling authorities, such as the Malta Gaming Authority.