4 best poker sites in New Zealand 2022

the best sites for poker in new zealand

If you’re looking for online poker sites in New Zealand, there are several options for you to choose from. Playing poker games is one of the favourite ways that New Zealanders choose to pass the time. And you can bet that there are other players like you looking for the best online poker room.

From live poker to video poker and poker-themed slot games, you have a lot of variations to choose from. Almost all online casinos have something to offer for poker game enthusiasts.

But what does it mean to find the best New Zealand poker sites? In this article, you will learn more about the online casino situation in New Zealand. Not only that, but you’ll also be given tips on what to look for in the best poker sites. It comes with a list of the 4 best online poker sites that we believe will give you great gaming experience.

So what can we expect from the world of poker games in New Zealand?

About New Zealand online poker sites

Before playing in any form of online gambling, one of the first concerns is whether it is legal or not. To understand the legalities of playing in online casino websites, familiarize yourself with the Gambling Act of 2003.

Basically, the act prohibits any form of online gambling from local service providers in New Zealand. However, they are not allowed to provide real money online casino services to locals IF they are located in New Zealand.

The only exemptions are the New Zealand Lotteries Commission and the country’s sports and racing betting agency, TAB.

So what does this mean for New Zealand online poker players?

That means you can only play through off-shore poker websites. If you want to join poker tournaments, it should be hosted by online casinos that are not based in New Zealand.

You still have complete freedom to play online poker if you choose the right online casinos. Like casinos that are from Europe like Malta or the United Kingdom.

If you want to be a responsible gamer, you need to familiarize yourself with the authorities that regulate this industry in the country. First of all, The Gambling Commission takes care of the license of gambling operators. The Ministry of Health is responsible for preventing gambling problems among players. They also protect those who are already struggling with it. Finally, the Department of Internal Affairs regulates gambling legislation in the country.

While all of these are in place, you still need to be diligent before joining online poker tournaments. You will not completely be protected by the legal system in case you fall victim to fraud or unscrupulous practices by offshore online poker sites.

This is why you need to be careful when choosing the best online poker sites.

4 best online poker sites in New Zealand

The ideal way to determine the best sites for playing poker games is by reading casino reviews. It will give you the details about the website so you can see if it has the features that will give you the best gaming experience. These reviews will also allow you to identify the poker variants that you can choose from.

Here are the 4 online poker sites that you can look into.

888 Casino

Another online poker website that you can consider is 888 Casino. This online casino offers a complete gaming experience. New players will enjoy the simplicity of the registration process. And this online casino is quite generous when it comes to their welcome bonus.

Through their continuous promos, you can enjoy one deposit bonus after another. These will help fund your cash games – like your favourite poker games.

The poker games on 888 Casino – and the other casino games, are powered by 888 Gaming, NetEnt, Amaya, NextGen Gaming, and other well-known game developers. These developers provide software that allows poker players to enjoy video poker.

But that’s not all. Through the poker division of 888 Casino, you can play with other poker players online in real-time. It makes for an authentic gaming experience. You can even get free bets if you are a New Zealander. It will help you get started on wagering.

The more you play, the more you can build your skills so you can get better at playing poker. And you don’t have to worry about the security of your finances. This online casino is serious about protecting your finances so you can have worry-free gaming experience.

LeoVegas Casino

The other casino that you can play cash games like poker is LeoVegas Casino. You will appreciate the impressive interface of the site that represents Las Vegas quite well. It will make you feel like you just went to Sin City to play your favourite poker games.

From the hundreds of casino game options to the generous bonus, there’s much to like about this online casino. The games are powered by known game developers like NetEnt, Playtech, Microgaming, BetSoft, Evolution Gaming, Play’n GO, and other known software providers. That means you can expect high-quality games with adventurous themes, entertaining gameplay, impressive graphics and animations, and thrilling prizes.

But what about poker players? Not to worry because you will certainly be satisfied with what they have to offer. You can play a live version of poker – online! The Live Casino of LeoVegas has Live Texas Hold’em Bonus Poker and Live Casino Hold’em Jumbo 7. You can play with a live dealer that will make you feel like you are really in Las Vegas, standing in front of a poker table. It’s an impressive experience that you will surely get lost in.

What’s even better is the fact that you can play without worries. This online casino is very serious about online security. You don’t have to worry about making bets or getting your payout after winning. The process is easy and also very secure.

Mr Green Casino

It seems fitting to find Mr Green Casino about the best online poker sites in New Zealand. After all, this casino is one of the oldest that you can find online. You can be assured that they have enough games to satisfy avid poker players in New Zealand.

This online casino is licensed by both the Malta Gaming Authority and UK Gambling Commission. That should make you feel at ease because it shows the site is trustworthy and secure. They off tutorials that will help you with different games and how to navigate the site. That way, you can enjoy your gaming experience to the highest level.

The experience is also thanks to the software providers that Mr Green has partnered with like Play’n GO, NetEnt, Microgaming, Quickspin, etc. Evolution Gaming and NetEnt Live are also responsible for their impressive Live Casino.

It is in this live casino version that you will really enjoy playing poker games. The online casino offers the Ultimate Texas Hold’em – a favourite among poker players. And the live dealers are all amazing and will give you an authentic poker game experience.

Vera&John Casino

The last of the online casinos that New Zealand poker players can enjoy is Vera&John Casino. What is great about this online casino is that it has qualities that will entice both male and female players. From the game selections to the beautiful layout and impressive yet fun interface.

The software platforms used by this online casino is also something to look at. They have tied up with Microgaming, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Betsoft, and other leading game developers. These platforms provide several online casino games that even poker players will enjoy.

But even if you are looking for specific poker games, you won’t be disappointed. They have popular variants that include Texas Hold’em and Three Card Poker. You will like the table game setup because it will give you a real feel of what it’s like to play poker in a brick and mortar casino – even if you’re doing it online.

The thrill is there but you will also feel very secure about your account. Vera&John cares for security and uses a 256-bit SSL encryption certification. You can play without fear and enjoy the poker game completely.

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What to consider when looking for online poker

Now that you have a list of the best online poker sites in New Zealand, the challenge is choosing the right one. Although there are a lot of great online sites out there, not all of them will give you the same gaming experience. They all have unique features that you need to look into. Make sure that they can satisfy your personal gaming preferences.

The best way to find the information you need will be to look at the website of the online casinos. Focus on the terms and conditions and the FAQs. These pages should give you the basic information that will help you decide if the online casino has what you are looking for.

So what exactly should you consider if you want to have the best poker gaming experience?

Poker software

Online casinos use different poker software programs to power the games that they offer. It pays to do a bit of research to know which game developers are known for their poker games. Remember, there are different ways for you to play poker. You have video poker, table game poker, and the live casino poker tournaments or regular matches.

If you know which game developers offer the best version of your preferred poker variants, you can easily spot what you are looking for. There are game developers like Evolution Gaming and Microgaming that offer great poker games on top of the other casino games they create. There are also online casinos that create their own software like 888 Poker.

The poker software program used by the online casino will determine how you can play. Can you play through live streaming? Can you download the game so you can play anytime? Explore what the online casino can offer through the poker software they use.

Poker game features

Being good at playing poker is a skill that you do not learn overnight. It takes time and practice – and a lot of experience. This is why you need to play poker games with the right game features to develop your skill.

Look at the different poker variations and understand how each game can help you become a better poker player. Will live casino poker games help you be better? Or will the usual table games in online casinos suffice? If you want to just familiarise yourself with the game, start with video poker. Then you can move up to more difficult poker games. Soon, you will find yourself good enough to join poker tournaments.

When looking at the poker games, consider the features of the poker room. What webcam features do they require? Do you have that? These will contribute to the gaming experience.

You should also be conscious of the poker variants. This what is the pot limit? How will you develop the best poker strategies while playing these games? What games will allow you to play with high-rollers? These are some of the questions that you may want to ask.

Poker bonuses

New Zealand poker players would be interested in this. After all, any welcome bonus or deposit bonus will help fund some of the bets that you will make. And a lot of online casinos offer these promos to encourage new players to try out their games. Of course, there are also bonus offers for those who play poker on a daily basis.

You can get to know the existing offers of an online casino through their bonus or promo page. You can also subscribe to their email notifications so you can get updates in case there is a new bonus that you can avail of. These bonuses are usually 50% or 100% match bonus of a deposit. And that can be a lot for poker players. There are also loyalty schemes that are offered by specific online casinos.

Just make sure that you check the terms and conditions of the bonus offers. If there are wagering requirements, make sure you can meet these. And take note of expiration dates for the offer.

Online security

New Zealand poker players, if they are like the other online casino players, use e-wallets. So if you want to play poker, you are free to use Neteller, Skrill, or Paypal. However, you need to check the online security of the online casino you want to play in. make sure that they can provide a safe gaming experience and offer secure banking options.

You will know if you are playing in a secure poker room if it is licensed. That is one of the first signs that you should look for. This will also assure you that the online casino is regularly being audited to ensure fairness in every gameplay.

You should also look at the security measures the online casino has installed. What SSL encryption technology are they using? This will make your transactions safe and secure. That way, your deposits and withdrawals will always go where they are authorized to. If the online casino is not transparent with this information, you might want to seek out other online poker sites for New Zealand players.

Senior Content Writer & Casino Analyst | + posts

Emily Thornton boasts a degree in Digital Media from the University of Bristol, accompanied by an obsession for the online casino world. Over the past six years, she's combined her tech-savvy skills with a flair for writing, producing in-depth reviews and slots analyses for various casino platforms. A frequent contributor to free-spins.org, Emily's articles are grounded in research, ensuring readers gain trusted insights into the dynamic world of online gaming.

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