New Zealand 18+ Casinos

New Zealand Country FlagNZ offers multiple wagering options available to young adults, however, New Zealand 18+ casinos are not exactly available domestically. We will discuss below what gambling options are legal for 18-year-olds to access in NZ, as well as, the minimum casino age limit.

The New Zealand minimum gaming age varies based on offered service which we will explain how this is determined and more throughout this page.

Top New Zealand 18+ And Up Online Casinos For 2024

The following online casinos accept players from New Zealand who are 18 and over.  They are each licensed, regulated by a respected governing jurisdiction, and hold legitimate compliance certifications from reputable third-party auditing agencies. They also are considered to be among the highest quality destinations in the industry.

Site NameBonusAgeNZVisit Site
1Betonline Sportsbook100% Max $3,00018+Play Now
2SportsBetting.ag50% Max $3,00018+Play Now

When Did New Zealand Legalize Gambling?

Gaming in NZ has been around since the early 1800s typically in the form of horse race betting. In 1877, lotteries called Art Union were conducted to build-out the country’s infrastructure. In the 1900s gaming shied away due to a public change in attitude and wagering became illegal under the NZ Gambling Act of 1908.

In 1933, NZ established the First National Lotteries which later in 1961, became the Golden Kiwi lottery. In the 1980s and early 2000s, the country introduced legislation to legalize gaming such as casinos and lotteries. Pokies were legalized in 1991 and the first casino opened in Christchurch, NZ. Later on, the Gambling Act of 2003 established a framework for legal gaming and created a central document.

How Is The Minimum Gambling Age Determined In New Zealand?

Minimum Legal Gambling Age Icon With 18+ LicenseIn New Zealand, the minimum age limit is determined by which game is chosen by the player and of course by gaming regulators. Typically, eighteen-year-olds have access to play the Instant Play and Instant Kiwi lotteries, scratch cards, raffles, housie, sports betting, and pari-mutuel wagering.

There is no minimum age limit for playing Bullseye, Keno, or Play 3 tickets but patrons must be 17 to buy Daily Keno tickets. However, to enter a casino Kiwis must be at least 20.

Despite the drinking age being 18, casinos will not allow patrons to purchase alcohol from the gaming floor unless they are 20 as well. It is likely this higher age restriction for casinos is to mitigate wagering addiction in the NZ youth. Nonetheless, New Zealand 18+ online casinos licensed offshore are legal and viable options for Kiwis to enjoy casino gaming.

What Forms of Gambling Are Legal and Available In New Zealand?

Numerous forms of gaming are available to the NZ public such as various lotteries, scratch cards, instant games, daily keno, poker, casinos, pokies, gaming machines, sports betting, betting pools, horse and greyhound race wagering, prize competitions, raffles, tournament gaming, and housie.

Online gaming is permitted from offshore licensed sources such as online casinos, as well as, domestically but only for online lottery sales and online horse race betting provided for by Totalisator Agency Board (TAB).

No age limit: Keno, Bullseye, Play 3 Tickets

Age 17: Daily Keno

Age 18: Sports betting, raffles, Scratch Cards, Instant Play, Instant Kiwi Lottery, Pari-mutuel wagering, Housie, Pokies

Age 20: Casino Gambling

Popular New Zealand Casinos

Below is a list of notable visit worthy land-based casinos in New Zealand.

  • SkyCity Auckland
  • Christchurch Casino
  • SkyCity Queenstown Casino
  • Dunedin Casino
  • Sky City Hamilton

FAQs

What Is The Minimum Casino Gambling Age In New Zealand?

The minimum casino age limit is 20 across all of Zealand, however, younger players can access other forms of gaming.

What Is The Minimum Online Casino Gambling Age In New Zealand?

Kiwis can play casino games online if they access NZ 18 plus online casinos from licensed offshore sources as no laws prohibit this kind of access. NZ only prohibits domestic access to domestically licensed online wagering sites that are not the lottery or Tab-provided betting services.

Who Regulates Gambling In New Zealand?

New Zealand’s gaming industry is regulated by several agencies such as Parliament, Department of Internal Affairs, New Zealand Gambling Commission, New Zealand Lottery Commission, New Zealand Racing Board, Ministry of Health, TAB, Ministry of Social Development, National Government, the Second Labour Government, and more. However, a number of these agencies act as oversight and record-keeping to monitor the effects of gaming in the country.

What’s The Penalty For Underage Gambling In New Zealand?

Those caught in casinos while underage could be fined up to $500 NZD and depending on the casino found in, a trespass order could be issued against the underage gambler. Some of these casinos could be an individual from the venue for 2 years even if they turn 20 within that time. Visitors to NZ who violate the law and illegally gamble as an underaged player in a casino could face a serious effect on the eligibility of renewing their visiting permit.

Where Can I Find 18 and Up Casinos In New Zealand?

Unfortunately, casinos in New Zealand require players to be at least 20 to gamble and even purchase alcohol from the game floor. Fortunately, licensed offshore online New Zealand 18+ casinos allow residents to safely and securely access legitimate casino gaming forms over the internet.

What Gambling Offers Are Illegal In NZ?

All forms of gaming not authorized by the Gambling Act 2003 are illegal including bookmaking outside of TAB and domestic access to remote interactive gaming outside of the Lottery and TAB. Other illegal forms of gaming in NZ include in-play sports betting.

Resources