What are the legal betting sites in New Zealand?
Technically speaking, if we look at things from an internal perspective, TAB has a monopoly on the online sports betting industry in New Zealand. However, the Gambling Act 2003 shows us that it’s legal for NZ punters to access licensed overseas operators. And that’s why our experts are here to help you to find the safest and best betting sites in New Zealand right now.
A lack of competition in any customer-facing industry is never a good thing. In sports betting terms, it means lower odds, higher house margins and poorer bonuses. That’s why we want to help punters like you move away from the internal monopoly to look at these licensed overseas online betting sites in NZ.
Basically, if you have any interest at all in discovering the newest and most exciting online betting sites in New Zealand, then we can help you out. Whether you are a complete beginner who is looking for somewhere to make your first bet, or you are a punting pro who is looking for something new.
We review, rate and then rank all available bookmarkers online in NZ based on a number of factors. As a result, we are able to help punters of all tastes and experience levels to find their ideal operators.
If you’re not based in NZ right now, we have similar guides for other countries. For example, you can check out our comparison of online betting sites in India today as well. At the end of the day, our aim is to produce user-focused reviews that help you to find the operators that you want.
Rating the top betting sites in New Zealand - What our experts look for
As well as helping you to find your ideal bookie, we also want to share our expert tips and tricks of the trade. Below, you can take a look at the most important things that we consider when rating an online bookie:
- Betting markets: First and foremost, you want to know that the sports and betting markets that you want to take a punt on are there. As well as the important ones like rugby, cricket and Premier League footie, we also seek out more niche markets. After all, who doesn’t want to place a handicap bet on Swedish ice hockey?
- Odds: The most important thing about betting is finding value for every wager that you place. That’s why we will only give a high rating to online betting sites in New Zealand that have consistently high odds across the board. For intermediate punters, we even recommend opening an account with more than one bookie so that you can compare the odds for each wager.
- Live betting and streaming: Though it might not be for the novice punter or the faint-hearted, in-play betting adds a whole new element of excitement. In order to facilitate this, a good betting site needs to have a fast-functioning betting slip and regularly updated odds. On top of that, streaming rights are vital as you want to follow the action of the games that you have bet on in real time.
- Limits: This covers a number of bases and all different types of punter. If you are a casual bettor who just wants to have a flutter with some loose change, then low betting limits (around the NZ$ 0.50 mark or lower) are vital. At the other end of the scale, the high rollers among you will need a bookie that is going to accept your mammoth wager. As well as betting limits, having flexible deposit and withdrawal minimums and maximums is also a must for a site to be ranked among the best betting sites in New Zealand.
How we ranked our list of betting sites in NZ
Above, we have covered the elements that are specific to sportsbooks. However, there is more that goes into the process of reviewing and rating the best betting sites in the country. The criteria below, which we also use for our comparison of online casinos in New Zealand, provide a vital part of what makes our reviews here at Strafe so unique.
All betting sites have a welcome bonus available that is designed to incentivise you to choose their site ahead of the competition. Our job here is to test out each bonus and to help sort out the good from the bad. At the end of the day, we want to highlight the bonuses that offer you some proper value.
2. Usability, look and feel
In order to be well rated a good online betting site in New Zealand has to be fit for purposes. In other words, it should be simple to navigate for punters of all experience levels and have a well-working betting slip. On top of that, we give out extra brownie points if the site has eye-catching branding and an attractive design.
3. Mobile app
Everybody does at least some of their betting on the move these days, which is why a dedicated mobile betting app is a must-have addition to any betting site. At the very least, there should be a mobile-optimized betting site to facilitate mobile wagers.
4. Payment methods
Having a good selection of payment options available to you is vital on any sports betting site. If you are happy with the old school debit or credit card payments, that’s fine. But we know that many are looking for faster and more private alternatives, such as PayPal, Neteller, Skrill and more.
5. Customer service
These days, the first box ticked is if we are responded to by a human and not a robot. But in addition to that, we believe that the best betting sites in New Zealand should have 24/7 support available through live chat, email, phone, social media and other communication apps.
6. License and security
The importance of this section is almost so important that it should go without saying. The most important thing above all else is that you bet using a legal and licensed online bookmaker. As well as being in a safe and regulated environment, we also want to make sure that your funds and personal data are secure.
7. Rewards and loyalty
New customer promotions are cool and all, but what about the current punters? All good betting sites require a good selection of existing customer promotions as well as a loyalty program that rewards its big spenders justly.
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What do the best sportsbooks in New Zealand offer?
The range of markets and sports varies between the different sportsbooks. However, usually, you can find three different types of betting at an NZ sportsbook - pre-match, in-play and futures betting. Below, you can take a look at each of these three concepts in a little bit more detail.
Pre-match betting is a blanket term that covers all bets that you can place before a sporting contest actually starts. The most basic pre-match betting market is the straight win bet, whereby you simply pick out the team that you think will win the contest.
Additionally, you will also find an array of other pregame markets, including handicaps, points spreads, team props and much, much more. Naturally, this is the most popular and easiest way to take a punt when using a sportsbook.
For beginners, we always advise sticking to basic markets at first, before progressing on to more difficult markets as you get to grips with betting on your favorite sports. When using the best betting sites in New Zealand, you will even find more niche markets or be able to request your own bet.
2. In-play (live) betting
Live betting involves placing wagers on games while they are actually happening. As we said before, this makes it a more exciting form of betting, however, it does mean that it is not recommended for beginners. There are also a few tricks of the trade that you can deploy when betting in-play.
We always recommend that you wait for a break in play, such as an injury, or the halftime break. This is usually the time when the odds settle and it gives you the time to push through your bet at the best odds possible.
Sometimes live betting offers a means of finding better odds for your bet. For example, let’s say the All Blacks are losing to the Springboks at half time by seven points, you could probably get decent odds betting on them coming back to win the game. On the other hand, if you’d backed them as favourites before the game, your odds would’ve been much shorter.
Futures or outright betting involves betting on a longer term outcome, such as the All Blacks winning the Rugby World Cup or Real Madrid winning the Champions League. The further you are away from the event, the better the odds will be.
However, being able to call the winner early on can also be tough as there are so many variables that can change. For instance, Real Madrid could be favourites for the CL at the start of the season, but if they sustain injuries to key players ahead of the semi-final, your bet could come unstuck.
The majority of online betting sites in New Zealand will start offering futures markets up to a year ahead of the event. The market will then remain right up until the final day of the event, with the odds moving drastically in the run up.
Get the best betting bonuses in NZ
A good bonus can really enhance your overall experience when betting online, and bookie promotions now come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Here, we’ll take a closer look at the different types of bonuses currently being offered by the best sports betting sites in New Zealand.
- Free bets: This refers to betting tokens worth a certain value that are given to you as a bonus. Usually, you will have to deposit and bet the same amount in order to receive a free bet. For example, most bookies would ask you to deposit and bet $10 in exchange for a $10 free bet bonus. A free bet usually has to be used as a single stake that is not included in your returns.
- Bonus credits: These are similar to free bets, however, they can be used on multiple different bets. For example, while a £10 free bet has to be used as a single £10 stake, bet credits could be used on 2 x $5 bets or 4 x $2.50. Usually, bonus credits come in the form of a deposit match bonus, whereby the bookie will give you a number of bonus credits that is equal to your first real money deposit on the site.
- Odds boosters: This is a quick and easy bonus that is usually made available to existing customers rather than new punters. It is actually so common with some operators that the best betting sites in New Zealand don’t even consider it to be a bonus. It involves boosting the price on the odds for certain events or markets.
The best New Zealand sportsbooks
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Bet $1 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets
Bet $1 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
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Get up to $1,000 back in bonus bets
Other gambling sites in New Zealand
In this article, we have primarily focussed on sports betting sites in NZ. However, there are plenty of other betting site types available for kiwi punters.
Online casinos NZ
If you are a fan of a few spins, then you can check out the top online casinos in New Zealand right here at Strafe. Many of the best sportsbooks that you can find on this page are actually combo sites that also have an online casino as a secondary product. We take a close look at the games available, the fairness of the site and more when reviewing and ranking the best casinos around.
Best esports betting sites in New Zealand
One of the fastest-rising betting niches in the world right now is the concept of betting on professional games. And, you guessed it, you can check out the best esports betting sites right here on our website. Many of the sportsbooks that we have listed do have esports markets included in their offering. However, there are also dedicated esports operators for true gamers.
Online betting sites in New Zealand - Conclusion
Now that we’ve run you through the basics and given you a deeper insight into our review process, you can now make full use of our comparison tool. By doing so, you can choose your ideal betting site and start taking a punt on your favourite sports today. By sticking with us, you can ensure that you can have a safe and enjoyable online sports betting experience.
Our favorite NZ bonuses
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100% up to $1000
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
2.
Bet $1 & Get $200 in Bonus Bets
Min. Deposit: $10
Bet $1 and Get $200 in Bonus Bets at bet365. Deposit required. Bonus Bets winnings are added to Bonus Bets balance. Bonus Bet wager excluded from returns. T&Cs, time limits and exclusions apply. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-Gambler 21+
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100% up to $500
Requirements (WR): 1x Bonus, Min. Deposit: $10
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5 x $50Bet Credits
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $10
5.
Get up to $1,000 back in bonus bets
Requirements (WR): 1x Deposit, Min. Deposit: $10
Best betting sites in New Zealand FAQ
✅ Are betting sites legal in New Zealand?
Complete and current information to answer this question has been provided for you here at Strafe.com. What we have provided you with is a fully comprehensive and complete legal betting guide to online sports betting in New Zealand
🇳🇿 What betting sites can you use in NZ?
There are many overseas betting sites that you can legally access and use in NZ. Our experts have conducted tests and provided reviews of each one. In addition to that, you can also see the live rankings of each site on our page.
🏉 Is it safe to use online sportsbooks in New Zealand?
Here at Strafe.com, we value the safety of our readers above everything else. By using this guide and only our recommended operators, you can ensure that you will be gambling online safely and within the confines of the law.
📍 Where can I find the best betting sites in New Zealand?
There’s only one place to find the best betting sites in NZ, and that’s Strafe.com. Our comparison tool contains unique reviews that have been designed to help you to find your ideal betting site. As well as that, you can also check out our overall ratings.
🏆 What betting bonuses are available in NZ?
There are multiple betting bonuses available in New Zealand, and so the only tough job that you are going to have is finding the best ones. Fortunately, we have done the legwork for you and tested out the best offers. You can find out overall ratings here on this page.
