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Introduction
With recent technological advancements and adoption of internet-based industries, casinos have gone online. Current statistics show over 5 million people participate in online gambling worldwide. Data from these online casinos show an estimated expenditure of over 11 billion dollars. Casinos can now be easily accessed from every connected phone or laptop with very little technical know-how. Players in New Zealand can now play their preferred casino games on online platforms such as casino Dreamz.
Brief History of Casinos in New Zealand
Gambling in New Zealand can be traced as far back as the 1830’s when Kiwi’s used to place their bets on horse racing. New Zealand is also home to one George Julius, who is highly recognized for his impact on the gambling world. George Julius invented the automatic totalisator that is today popularly known as the tote board, which is usually at the in-field or horse racing tracks to help fans know which horse is in what position during the race. There was a brief period of prohibition on gambling in New Zealand which were however lifted. Gambling is now legal, however advertising gambling is still restricted within the country. Currently, gambling expenditures measure up to $NZ 2 billion annually. New Zealand is considered privileged for having a wide range of online casinos to choose from. This however comes with a lot of sketchy sites, scammers and fake reviews. Players, therefore, need to know what to look out for before playing with their hard-earned cash at an online casino. This is spread across Pokies, Casinos, Lotto and Sports betting.
Legal Gambling in New Zealand
Bookmakers’ activities were banned in the 1920s while betting on horse racing was only allowed up to the early 1960’s. Parliament only approved lotteries and casinos in the 1980’s after a stringent prohibition of all forms of gambling. Pokies and casinos were also legalized shortly after. The Gambling Act 2003 states that all gambling without government authorization is prohibited. There are 4 classes of gambling and each class requires a specific license to operate and has a unique maximum prize amount and turnover. The legal age limit to enter a casino is 20 while players must be 18 or above to take part in lotteries, scratch cards and sports betting. Bookmaking and remote interactive (online) gaming are however still prohibited.
The law in New Zealand dictates that its citizens can play at online casinos as long as they are not based in the country itself. These gaming entities are also expected to contribute a portion of their revenue to the betterment of the community. Advertising from these foreign gambling entities is also forbidden in New Zealand. The Gaming Commission regulates gambling in New Zealand under the Department of Internal Affairs. They are mandated with licensing casinos, specifying conditions for licensing and approving agreements between casino operators and license holders. For more about betting rules, it would be best to check out sports betting in different countries.
How to determine the legitimacy of an Online Casino in New Zealand
User experience and reviews
User experience and reviews are a good way for players to determine the legitimacy of an online casino. In New Zealand, many casino reviews have been done due to the popularity of online gambling. They give first-hand information on what the players liked and disliked about playing at a certain casino. They also contain complaints and grievances from disgruntled players which can be quite insightful. It is through this information that interested players can know the quality of services, safety, security, privacy and quality of gameplay offered by a casino. They will also learn the dos and don’ts to help them get ahead.
Security and Privacy
In order to be operational in most places all over the world, an online casino has to obtain a license. Examples of such licensing authorities include the Malta Gaming Authority and The UK Gambling Commission. A casino that has licensing from these authorities is proven to be safe, secure and regulated. A legit online casino should also use the latest in SSL Encryption to ensure the safety of clients personal data and protect them from fraudulent activity.
Software providers Game selection and diversity
A legitimate online casino will offer its players authentic software that hasn’t been rigged or pirated from the best and most competitive providers in the industry. Some of the popular software providers in this industry include Net Entertainment, Evolution Gaming, iSoftBet, Iron Dog Studio, Booming Games, Belatra, Play n Go, ELK Studios, Amatic Industries, Yggdrasil Gaming and Quickfire. If the software in an online casino has been rigged or pirated, that casino shouldn’t be trusted as it has technically stolen from the software providers and is quite likely to do the same to the players.
Payment options
Legitimate online casinos strive to give their clients the best in payment options and pay-out times. This means that they will invest in a wide range of compatible and secure payment methods. Currently, this means casinos try as much as possible to employ payment methods that require very little delicate user payment details. This is done mainly to protect the clients’ payment options as it is not uncommon to hear of scams being run through online casinos where clients are asked for their private banking details and end up being stolen from. Players are advised to avoid casinos that require too much of your private details to avoid fraud and theft.
Compatibility
Another way to determine the legitimacy of an online casino is to determine whether they have invested in compatibility across a wide platform of devices. This shows that they are interested in making it easier for players to access and enjoy their services and as such can be trusted.
Longevity and loyalty programs
For lifespan players, it may be reasonable to consider the longevity of a casino. To do this, players will observe the tendencies of the casino operator and owner. These casino operators tend to own many online casinos and as a result, many professional and experienced players have reviewed them. Doing research based on these reviews will help you predict the longevity of a casino and consequently determine its legitimacy. Casinos that intend to stay on the market and keep rewarding players will also offer lucrative loyalty programs making them the
Before wagering your hard-earned money at any of the numerous online casinos in New Zealand, it is important to understand the legal background for online gambling within the country. Also, it would be important to note the impact COVID-19 has had on online betting. Players should also be able to determine the legitimacy of their preferred online casino and if It is allowed to operate in New Zealand before playing for real money. The legal framework put in by the government is meant to protect players from the hazards of gambling while letting them enjoy their preferred games. The above information is guaranteed to better equip players on their journey in this rewarding game of chance.