Best New Zealand Betting Sites

As previously mentioned, there are a number of options available for Kiwis when it comes to online betting sites.

It can be hard to narrow it down to a manageable number, but that is what we have done for you. Listed on this page are reputable, international betting websites that provide a good product for New Zealanders.

The factors we have taken into account while making this list are:

• Does the bookie accept NZ players? - This factor is a given.
• Reputation - Aside from accepting NZ players, the most important factor, and fundamental in order to be listed.
• Does the bookie allow NZ dollars? - Important and preferable, but not a deciding factor.
• Does the bookie offer a welcome bonus? - Absolutely not the most important factor for us, since we think that a relationship with a betting site is much more long term than a welcome bonus. However, we know a lot of you care about the welcome offers.
• Does the bookie offer straightforward payment options? - For most New Zealanders, this is not a big issue, as most commonly used payment methods are allowed. However, it is important for us not to list a betting site with sub-par options.

Of course there are other, smaller details that can affect what makes a betting site superior, like the Bet365 live betting, or the LeoVegas mobile usability. But if the site is reputable and allows NZ players, the basics are covered. Most reputable bookies offer a great number of betting options and great features.

After you have made a choice of a betting site, you will have to create an account. For Kiwis, this is a fairly straightforward process. All aforementioned betting websites are in English, and accept NZ players.

Setting up an account

When signing up with an online betting site, you are required to add some details. They may differ depending on the betting site in question, but here are some examples.

• Name
• Country
• Address
• Date of birth
• Email
• Username
• Password

After setting the account up, you will need to deposit money in order to place your bets.

Deposits at NZ betting sites

For New Zealanders, making a deposit is very easy. Most payment methods that are available work well from New Zealand. Among the popular options are:

• Credit/debit cards (MasterCard, VISA)
• E-wallets (Paypal, Neteller, Skrill)
• Bank transfer (POLi, Trustly)

Once you have made your deposit, you can go ahead and do what you signed up for; bet.

Withdrawals at NZ betting sites

Normally all betting sites require you to make a withdrawal with the same payment method with which you made your deposit.

What is sometimes necessary is to upload documents verifying your identity. This is because of laws that state that betting sites must know who their customers are before making any payments, in order to avoid money laundering or other fraudulent behaviour.

These documents are normally:

• ID
• Electricity (or similar) bill

If you are happy with the knowledge you have gained, check these bookmakers out. 

In New Zealand, the sports betting monopoly is held by TAB, an organisation that offers both horse racing and sports betting. Any other sports betting site that operates within New Zealand is illegal.

However, for NZ punters, there is no law prohibiting them from betting with foreign operators.

This means that a lot of big international betting sites allow Kiwis to open an account and place bets. Many even offer deposits in NZ dollars.

The future of online betting in New Zealand

At present, the landscape regarding online betting in New Zealand is one of serenity with New Zealanders able to choose between the safety and security of the TAB, as well as sportsbooks based outside of the country, without the fear of being punished. While the government will not allow for the introduction of new operators within the country, it doesn’t move to prevent the use of offshore sites either.

However, there appears a conflict of interest about how to best shape the industry going forwards, as is the case in many countries now with the popularity of online betting.

Clearly, allowing the presence of international bookmakers results in a large amount of potential revenue flow out of the country, rather than stay within it, a matter which needs addressing.

The issue looks to be gathering pace with the government recommending outsourcing the TAB’s commercial operations and remodeling the existing betting framework, due to it being unable to compete financially with global, big name betting sites.

In essence those in power have come to realise the beast that is online betting, and rather than try to combat a thriving industry showing no signs of letting up, it’s thought opening up the market is the only way forwards.

The popular sports in New Zealand largely reflect the country’s time spent as a British colony with rugby union, rugby league, cricket, football (soccer), netball, and horse racing all high on the list of sports played and watched by New Zealanders, while it’s close relationship with Australia sees Kiwis share common interest in Aussie Rules Football (AFL) for instance

Interest in rugby, cricket and football are particularly high among the 4.7 milion populants with the All Blacks, Black Caps and All Whites all having symbolised the competitive spirit Kiwis are famed for at some point in recent history.

Rugby betting

Rugby Union is the number one sport in the country with many New Zealanders identifying the All Blacks as a major part of their national identity. Some would even consider rugby union to be ‘more than a sport’ such is the passion.

Betting on the All Blacks is extremely popular, even if the predicted dominance of the Kiwis is unlikely to offer the best odds for punters looking to yield a sizeable return.

As well as the international stage, club rugby union is also a favourite among lovers of the sport but is not so commonly bet on. Bookmakers will still offer markets for all Super Rugby matches though, a tournament that involves fifteen of the best club sides from the Southern hemisphere.

It’s also popular to bet on other forms of rugby such as Rugby League, Rugby Sevens and Touch Rugby. The betting sites with rugby markets offer a number of different bets beyond the straightforward win/lose bet on an outright winner. These include bets on: total points, first try scored, winning margin, first to 10 points and much more.

With Australia and New Zealand sharing many sporting tastes, Australian Rules Football (AFL) it’s very common for Kiwi punters to have a flutter on a sport home to some of the biggest annual sporting events in Australasia.

Football betting

Football, or soccer, as it’s sometimes referred to as, seems to have cornered every corner of the globe and New Zealand is no different with the game one of the most well-liked sports to watch.

The success of the national side in getting to the FIFA World Cup in 2010 and getting within one game of qualifying for the 2018 edition in Russia, has certainly helped raise the profile of the sport in a predominantly rugby and cricket loving country.

European leagues and competitions such as Spain’s La Liga, Italy’s Serie A and of course, England’s Premier League, fetch much interest, as does the Australian A-League which has a Kiwi presence in the shape of Wellington Phoenix.

All of the major international online betting companies who welcome New Zealanders offer a vast range of sportsbook options when it comes to football betting, including a bewildering assortment of live 'in-play' bets coupled with live streaming of major games.

Cricket betting

Like many other Commonwealth countries, cricket is the most popular summer sport in New Zealand.

Today, Twenty20 cricket and One Day internationals rival traditional Test match cricket for popularity. New Zealand is one of 12 countries who currently play Test match cricket. The other forms of the game have enjoyed a steady growth in popularity in the country - mainly due to it being more accessible, fast-paced and, ultimately, exciting.

The Indian Premier League (IPL) is the world's most prestigious professional Twenty20 cricket league, with a host of New Zealand cricket stars plying their trade in the IPL including Colin Munro, Colin de Grandhomme and Brendon McCullum.

As a game that is full of small details, cricket lends itself to modern-forms of betting extremely well. Whether it be the batsman with the most runs, the bowler with the most wickets, or betting on innings totals - cricket games have a plethora of betting markets on the major betting sites.

NZ horse racing

In addition to rugby union, cricket and football, horse racing yields a lot of attention in terms of online betting. Bettors have a magnitude of events to wager money on including prestigious events such as the New Zealand Cup and the Auckland Cup Week.

Punters are also to bet on smaller races on a daily or a weekly basis with many different horse bets available over a vast amount of races.