Online Casino Licenses for New Zealand Players

Online casinos are a fun place for any Kiwi pokie-lover to be since they are fun, safe, and fair, but how do they get this way? Within this article, I run through the types of licenses that online casinos need to have in order to be the fun, secure, and fair places we know and love, and the most well-known and trusted companies that provide these licenses.

What are Casino Licenses?

Casino licenses ensure that a platform is reputable, safe, and fair, and also harnesses secure banking methods and data protection practices. This ensures that both players and casinos are looked after, and fraudulent activity can be monitored and actioned if necessary. Licenses also legitimise a platform; without a license, a casino cannot operate legally. These licenses fall under the Gambling Act 2005 and are said to prevent connections between gambling and criminal behaviour, ensure games are transparent and fair, and prevent vulnerable people and children from being exploited under gambling of any kind.

Casino Licensors

The question remains; who provides these licenses to online casinos? From my extensive experience and research, I have found five of the best and most trustworthy licensors that Kiwis have encountered along their gaming journey:

Malta Gaming Authority (MGA)

The MGA is a regulatory figure that is based in and upholds gambling within Malta, as well as across the globe for online casinos. They are one of the most trustworthy and secure jurisdiction companies within the industry and assists with both land-based and online casino platforms.

Curacao Gaming Control Board (CGCB)

The CGCB, also known as Curacao eGaming, is another reputable iGaming regulator company that assists in providing guidelines and jurisdictions for online casinos across the globe. Their affordable packages and licenses for both casino operators and individuals boasts another reason why this company is a great choice.

United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC)

The UKGC operates from a Gibraltar-based location to provide a range of services regarding licensing for iGaming providers. This company also provides a range of helpful ‘toolkits’ with a range of resources and information for both casinos and players.

Kahnawake Gaming Commission (KGC)

The KGC includes a range of licensing and authorisation options for both land-based and online casino operators across the globe. Their range of additional security measures make it a top-quality licensing company that any online platform is lucky to have.

New Zealand Gaming Commission (NZGC)

This locally owned and operated company, NZGC, launched in 2003 and has since assisted online casino operators in gaining correct licensing and monitoring activity to maintain security across the country. 

Casino Certifications

Along with licenses, online casinos can also receive certifications and additional services to assist with maintaining a safe and secure platform for gamers like Kiwis. There are many associations out there that help online operators, so I have chosen a few of the most common practices and listed them below:

eCOGRA

eCOGRA, or eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance, is a UK-based regulatory company that provides a range of licensing and jurisdictional services to online casinos across the world. They run specific testing and provide self-regulation services to players and casinos to ensure safety and security across all areas. 

ESSA

The European Sports Security Association, or ESSA, is set in place to monitor all patterns regarding betting for any suspicious activity. This ensures another level of safety and regulates fraudulent behaviour within the iGaming industry.

GBGA

Gibraltar’s Betting and Gaming Association is a local and voluntary regulatory body that assists with implementing and enforcing best practices for both players and casino operators. This ensures that online casinos are a safe space for all who participate.

GASG

Gambling Addiction Support Groups, such as the group GamCare, are in place to support players that have addiction or problems associated with gambling. This ensures help is around if players need it and ensures safety of other players as well.

Top 5 Licensed NZ Online Casinos

Now that we have covered what a license is, we can now get to the fun part; finding an online casino to play at! For Kiwis, there are a range of secure options, so to help with the tedious task of finding the best ones, I have listed the top 5 best licensed NZ casinos here:

Conclusion

Licensing, and additionally certification, for online casinos is a big deal; this means secure, safe, and fair practices are upheld and monitored by big companies and jurisdictional bodies. Any of the listed casinos, plus additional licensed platforms, are a great place for Kiwi gamers to be!

FAQs

New Zealand Gaming Commission Explained for Kiwi Players

Who doesn’t love online casino gaming? Each online casino needs licensing and regulations to operate smoothly and safely, however the question remains; who authorises this? To answer this question, among many others, I have researched one of the biggest names in the eGaming licensing sector: NZGC, or the New Zealand Gaming Commission; an ever-popular company that is well-known amongst the Kiwi gambling community. 

What is the New Zealand Gaming Commission?

The New Zealand Gaming Commission, also known as NZGC, opened their doors in 2003. Since this debut, they have grown into one of the most trustworthy and reputable eGaming establishments within the online casino industry. This locally owned and operated business creates and implements procedures for online casinos, ensuring security and impartiality for all Kiwi gamblers. 

Benefits of NZGC For Kiwis Playing Online Pokies

Being one of the best companies in the iGaming industry gives NZGC a great advantage. To further confirm this, I have created a list of some of their best benefits that put them above the rest:

Stability

New Zealand has specific laws regarding gambling set by the government, which have not changed over time. This means that anyone under the NZGC knows exactly what to expect law-wise, allowing for additional growth and predictability within the iGaming industry.

Straightforward

The rules and policies that the NZGC have are easy to understand; no hidden fees or fine print that goes unnoticed. This accessibility makes it even easier for all operators following suit under the NZGC to adhere to the specified guidelines and rules relating to gambling in New Zealand.

Affordable

The licensing fees implemented by the NZGC for online casino sites are very reasonable, according to reviews and comments about this sector. Operators can apply for their licensing and pay a pre-determined fee; one which has not changed since 2015, making it an affordable option for all.

Local

NZGC is owned and operated by Kiwis, meaning that there is no international or third-party operators calling the shots. The guidelines and rules inflicted by this company all coincide with the New Zealand Gambling Act and relevant authorities, making it safe and secure for all Kiwi players.

NZGC Services for Online Casinos

NZGC not only provides Kiwis with a sense of safety through regulations, but also offers a range of services for iGaming companies. I have provided a concise list below of their main services offered:

Activity Regulation

All online casinos registered and licensed under NZGC must mandatorily follow the guidelines outlined on their website and conditions highlighted throughout the application process. Having the casino’s activity regulated ensures responsible gambling practices are adhered and ensure accountability is upheld.

Revoking Licenses

The NZGC allows online casinos within the country to gain their specific licensing, however this company can also revoke these licenses, as well as approve or deny said licenses. These decisions, allegedly, come from he Secretary of Internal Affairs within the NZGC, and an appeal can be filed using the form on their website if a casino feels this action was unnecessary. 

Complaint Solving

The NZGC assists in dealing with official complaints from casinos or players, giving every party a chance to share their voices and concerns. The NZGC uses this option to ensure fairness from all aspects regarding gambling and reduce any fraudulent activity. 

Conclusion

NZGC is a trustworthy jurisdiction company that provides top-quality rulings and guidelines for online casinos across the country. The additional services allows players, like me, and operators to share their concerns and voice opinions which the NZGC can intervene with and solve complaints.

FAQs

Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) Explained for NZ Players

Who doesn’t love online casino gaming? Each online platform needs licensing and regulations to operate smoothly and safely, however the question remains; who authorises this? To answer this question, among many others, I have researched one of the biggest names in the eGaming licensing sector:

MGA, or the Malta Gaming Authority; an ever-popular company that is well-known amongst the New Zealand gambling community. 

What is the Malta Gaming Authority?

The Malta Gaming Authority, or better known as MGA, is one of the safest and most trustworthy eGaming companies across the world. This European-based business operates in both land-based and online casinos, ensuring integrity and fairness is upheld by all sites under this jurisdiction. MGA is the main regulatory body for all gambling and gaming-related activities within Malta, and provides a range of jurisdiction and regulations for companies across New Zealand and the globe. 

Benefits of MGA for Kiwis Playing Online Pokies in New Zealand

MGA has a range of benefits that put them above any other jurisdiction company, and I have conveniently listed some of these benefits below:

Globally Renowned

As mentioned, MGA is renowned by casino goers all over the world. Their most prominent fan-based is within New Zealand, with many popular casinos under their regulations, providing an immense amount of games for players like me.

Reputable and Trustworthy

Based on comments and reviews, MGA is one of the most trustworthy eGaming licensors on the market. Their jurisdiction and rules do not bend for anyone, resulting in immense confidence from casino platforms and players everywhere.

Decades of Experience

MGA opened their doors in early 2001, providing services for online casino sites for over 20 years. This amount of experience, along with their trusted licensing practices, makes them one of the most qualified companies in the iGaming industry.

Player Protection

Any casino site that displays the MGA licensing logo on its platform provides an immediate sense of trust and safety to any online casino player, me included! Player data, such as personal information and financial details, is kept safe from third parties and hackers, allowing one of the most protected experiences to date. 

MGA Services

MGA offers a range of services for both gamers and companies within the iGaming sector, assisting both parties in keeping up with iGaming news and events from this company. I have provided a concise list below of their main services offered:

Annual Reporting

MGA provides comprehensive reports and financial statements from audits annually for each financial year. According to a report summary, these reports outline activities and summarise the actions MGA took part in throughout the year. Within the report, key events and endeavours are highlighted to show their importance, along with any updates regarding iGaming within Malta.

Gambling Licenses

Gambling licenses are not handed to just anyone, which is why MGA takes it upon themselves to provide the correct licensing to specific authorised casinos. The jurisdiction and licensing given depends on the intention of the site; for example, betting and online casino games require separate licensing, so if a company wants to provide both then they need to receive two different licenses from MGA.

iGaming Company Support

iGaming companies can receive support and cooperation from MGA for verification tools, player identification strategies, and standardised audits of online casino sites, games, and fairness. MGA also offers technical assistance to help with activity monitoring and implementation of restrictions for players to avoid cheating and bias. 

Activity Monitoring

Just like companies do with players, MGA monitors the companies’ activity to ensure compliance with the MGA regulations to reduce cheating and fraudulent behaviour. Any platform who does anything against these guidelines has immediate revocation of their license to ensure legality, security, and effectiveness for players.

Player Protection

Similar to the security measures in place to ensure legality of companies, MGA provides a range of additional restriction measures for gamers. An example of this is the ‘self-exclusion’ option that many sites have; this reduces the time and money a player can spend at a gambling site to ensure responsible gambling is employed.

Top 5 MGA-Licensed Online Casinos in New Zealand

MGA has a plethora of online casinos under their jurisdiction, but how can you choose the best ones? To help fellow Kiwi players with this, I have provided an easy list below of the top 5 best MGA-licensed casinos below:  

Conclusion

MGA has a great amount of trust put into them by online sites and players, and it is easy to see why this is. Their range of respectable services, thousands of trusted reviews from players and companies alike, and their list of popular and secure casinos under their belt makes it hard not to love them!

FAQs

United Kingdom Gambling Commission (UKGC) Explained for Kiwis

Online casinos are the best place for any avid pokie-lover like myself, and Kiwis have the best range of casinos to choose from. With these online casinos comes special jurisdiction and licensing so that players can be safe and have fair gameplay when engaging in games. So the question is; who provides these licenses? In this article below, I run through one of the most notable bodies that provide licensing to platforms; the United Kingdom Gambling Commission.

What is the United Kingdom Gambling Commission?

The United Kingdom Gambling Commission, better remembered as UKGC, is a recognisable company based in Gibraltar that assists with safety at online casinos. Any casino operator licensed under this jurisdiction ensures that Kiwi, and global, players are looked after, and any fraudulent behaviours are limited and penalised according to their guidelines.

Benefits of UKGC for Player From New Zealand

The UKGC provides a range of services for online platforms under their licensing, which showcases a variety of benefits that put this jurisdictional company above most others. To help understand these benefits, I have conveniently provided a list of them below:

Operating Licenses

The UKGC offers more than just a simple license for online casinos. This company offers casinos licenses for each distinct gambling activity; for example, Betting, Casino Games, and Bingo each need their own licenses, and the UKGC offers these and more for ease of use.

Diligent

According to their website and other forums regarding their jurisdiction, the UKGC is one of the most diligent authorities across the globe. Kiwis can rest easy when playing at casinos licensed by the UKGC since this company offers fund protection, player protection, quality customer service, fair gambling practices, and secure player identification practices to ensure safety and privacy in all areas.

UKGC Services

UKGC offers a range of services for both gamers and companies within the iGaming sector, assisting both parties in keeping up with iGaming news and events from this company. I have provided a concise list below of their main services offered:

Toolkits

The UKGC’s website provides a range of ‘toolkits’ for a variety of categories that players and casinos can access. Some of these toolkits include Poker, Lotteries, Age Verification, among many others. These toolkits provide a range of information and guidance that casinos can follow to ensure they are remaining safe, fair, and secure.

Activity Licenses

As mentioned above, the UKGC provides different licenses for different gambling activities, such as Poker and Bingo. These different licenses allow casinos to provide the correct licensing and jurisdiction, so players are safe and secure. This also provides a level of responsibility for the casino operators to ensure they are following the UKGC’s guidelines.

Child Protection

To ensure children and vulnerable people remain safe from gambling mishaps and abuse, the UKGC implements regulators across all of their licensed casino operators to ensure players and their families are safe from harm. Age restrictions and identification metrics have been implemented throughout all of the guidelines and rules from the UKGC to assist with this mission.

Personal Licenses

The UKGC not only offers licensing for online casino operators, but also for personal use! These applications can be accessed via their website, and showcase options such as Personal Functional License, Personal Management License, and Annex A. Applicants can also check their application progress, update and manage details, download a license, or withdraw their form via this section. 

Top 5 UKGC-Licensed NZ Online Casinos

Choosing an online casino can be tricky, especially when trying to find one that is specifically licensed under the UKGC! To ease this situation for fellow Kiwi gamers, I have provided a concise list below of the top 5 best UGKC-licensed online platforms within New Zealand:

Conclusion

The UKGC provides a great range of licensing options for both individuals and online platforms, ensuring safety and security for all parties involved. Their additional services, such as vulnerable people protection, enable all to be safe when gambling is involved, whether it is the gambler themselves or their surrounding family members.

FAQs

eCOGRA Certification Explained

Kiwis love a good online casino, but it is hard to tell what jurisdiction each site is under. Since there are so many licensing companies and regulatory bodies for online casinos across the globe, it can be even harder to find regulations that allow Kiwis to play. One of the top regulatory figures, however, enables New Zealand players to gamble and protect their information simultaneously; this company is known as eCOGRA.

What is eCOGRA?

The eCommerce Online Gaming Regulation and Assurance, more recognizably known as eCOGRA, is a UK-based regulatory company that launched in 2003 and provides jurisdictional services within the online gambling sector. Any casino with this company’s logo immediately brings trust and security to the minds of gamers; I know this was my first thought when visiting one of their affiliated casinos! 

Benefits of eCOGRA for NZ Players

Like anything, eCOGRA provides a range of benefits for those seeking out this company’s services. To make it convenient, I have listed some of these benefits below for both player and operator use:

Data Monitoring

eCOGRA not only enforces jurisdictional rulings for operators and affiliates, but also monitors information for RNG and RTP. RNG is the Random Number Generators that online casinos use to ensure fairness within their games, and RTP is the Return To Player percentage a game has, which essentially is how high of a return players get when they win. 

Analysis and Certification Services

Based on research from business forums and eCOGRA’s official website, this company provides over 13 certification and analysis services for over 20 online casinos and gambling sites. This level of security across many popular Kiwi hotspots allows ease of mind when players engage in their favourite games. 

eCOGRA Services

eCOGRA not only provides regulations and guidelines for online platforms, but they also cater to additional divisions to ensure access is granted to the right sources. To assist with this, I have listed what these divisions are below for easy access:

eGAP

eGAP, or eCOGRA Generally Accepted Practices, are the practical requirements that this regulatory figure assigns to operators, affiliates, and software providers. These requirements provide concise steps the operators and providers need to complete prior to being approved for an eCOGRA certification. 

The three levels of certification are: Safe and Fair Seal for operators, Certified Software Seal for software providers, and Affiliate Trust Seal for affiliates. 

ATA

eCOGRA’s ATA, or Approved Testing Agency, gives assistance for certification of gaming software through testing. This service has been successfully used amongst 80 trusted software providers and operators within the iGaming industry, with names like Ladbrokes, Microgaming, and NetEnt to name a few.  

SRS

The SRS, or Self-Regulation Service, consists of several objectives regarding policies and safety of players. These objectives include prevention of underage gambling, fair gaming practices such as Return To Player (RTP) and Random Number Generation (RNG), secure and reliable operating environments, and combating fraudulent behaviour.

Top 5 eCOGRA-Certified Online Casinos in New Zealand

Because of their security and trustworthy practices, eCOGRA has licensed and certified their fair share of online casinos. To save fellow Kiwi players some time, I have scoured the internet to bring the top 5 eCOGRA-certified casinos:

Conclusion

Overall, eCOGRA certifications and seals are a big deal! Any of the casinos from the list I provided above have top-notch regulations in place for player safety, along with regular testing to ensure fairness from eCOGRA themselves to make online gambling a better environment.

FAQs

Curacao eGaming Casino Licensing Explained

Every Kiwi, like me, enjoys a fair share of online casino gaming. With this comes the need for regulations, rules, and licensing, but who grants this access to online platforms? One of the biggest names in the eGaming licensing sector is Curacao; a name that is well-known amongst much of the gambling community. 

What is Curacao eGaming?

Curacao eGaming is one of the most recognized and reputable iGaming regulator companies across the globe. Many online casinos that are available to, and loved by, Kiwis authorised by this company. 

Benefits of Curacao eGaming

As with anything, there are some major benefits to playing at any casino and its tailored pokies with a Curacao eGaming license. To provide a short summary of these benefits, I have curated a list below of pros based on my research and experience:

Globally Renowned

Since their establishment, Curacao has gained immense popularity; any online platform licensed by them can provide gambling services to over 30 countries! This is one of the many eGaming companies that allows us Kiwis to play all our favourite online pokies at many esteemed casino sites.

Prevention Systems

According to their online website and player reviews, Curacao eGaming provides security measures and prevention measures for both criminal behaviour and gambling addiction! This means that players have the support necessary right at their fingertips if they need help with or are concerned about these issues.

Decades of Experience

Curacao eGaming has created a well-known name for itself. Since its debut, this company has assisted hundreds of online sites to receive licensing for almost three decades; talk about experience!

Players Protection

Kiwi players can game with peace of mind! Curacao eGaming ensures that its players are protected with a variety of security features. This includes, but is not limited to, age restriction limits, verification steps, and trusted banking providers for a safe environment for all gamers.

Curacao eGaming Licenses

From my extensive research, the Curacao eGaming company offers a singular license that covers all gambling categories; however, it is split into 2 separate sections:

Master License

This provides businesses, such as online casino platforms, the right to run their online company. The Master License also enables companies to offer Sub-Licenses to other authorised parties.

Sub-License

Sub-Licenses allegedly allow businesses to run their online site, with inclusions like sports betting, online table games, live casino titles, and online pokies. 

Curacao eGaming Services

Curacao eGaming also provides a range of additional services for businesses. I have scoured their website, and also some business-focused forums, to find out exactly what else Curacao offers:

Gaming Operator Assistance

Curacao eGaming provides a range of tools that are available for gaming operators. These tools allow Curacao to act as a partner of sorts, allowing operators to contact them through several avenues like email, Telegram, or WhatsApp programs for easy communication for general enquiries. Curacao can also assist in verifying licenses of online platforms to third parties to allow for an easy and fast conclusion for gaming operators looking to be authorised.

Licensing Requirements

Curacao eGaming provides a list of standards and guidelines that online operators must follow in order to be licensed by this company. All of these rules are outlined in the questionnaire provided upon paying the operator’s application fee, allowing full disclosure to all parties involved before an online site is licensed.

B2B Licensing

This eGaming company also provides a range of B2B licensing for any of their current sites under the Curacao brand. B2B is simply ‘business to business’, a transaction strictly between businesses. This form of licensing provides a certain accreditation, which increases the reputation and trust levels according to the Curacao website.  

B2C Licensing

Like their B2B licensing feature, Curacao also offers B2C licensing. B2C licenses allow businesses to provide sales for a product, or in this case a service, to customers. This is predominantly what online casinos use; Kiwis like me deposit and bet at their platform, which is considered a service provided by the casino’s business.

Top 5 Curacao-Licensed Online Casinos

Curacao eGaming wouldn’t be classified as an iGaming operator if it didn’t license some of our favourite online casinos! To assist other pokie-loving Kiwis, I have provided a list of some of these online casinos authorised by Curacao below:  

Conclusion

Overall, Curacao eGaming is a solid choice for any online site looking for licensing and provides a range of great online casino choices for Kiwis. Their fast and easy processes, along with years of experience, make it one of the best eGaming companies in the world. My favourite casino licensed under Curacao is 7Bit Casino; what’s yours?

FAQs

Why Book of Dead is a Top Pokies Choice Among Kiwis

There is no doubt that the Book of Dead pokie is one of the best on the market, and not only in New Zealand, but why exactly is it so popular? In this article, I run through the ins and outs of why Kiwi players adore this online pokie so much.

Book of Dead Description

Book of Dead is an immersive and popular online pokie developed by the top software provider Play’n GO. This game launched in 2016, and ever since it has consumed every player that engages with it; especially gamers residing in New Zealand. The Ancient Egyptian theme is a fan-favourite across the globe, with Kiwis absolutely loving this pokie theme, making Book of Dead an all-round top choice. This title is also a mobile-optimised pokie, so gamers who love playing on-the-go can access this title anywhere, anytime!

Book of Dead has 5 reels and 10 paylines to immerse in, along with an RTP of 96.21%, providing a great pokie game for beginners or an additional game for experienced players to engage with. This specific game is of high variance, meaning that it has higher payouts but less frequently. The betting amounts for this game start at $0.01 and have a highest amount of $50; not too shabby if you ask me! The max win within the game is 250,000 coins, which makes it addictive to try and win that jackpot amount.

Book of Dead Features

Just like with any online pokie, Book of Dead has a variety of bonus features that makes the game top-tier. These features are as follows:

Scatter Symbols

Scatter Symbols provide payouts even if the symbols are not on a specific payline; as long as the player can land 3 Scatters!

Wild Symbols

Wild Symbols act as both a Wild and Scatter, and can replace any other symbol on the reels.

Free Spins

Free Spins are pretty self-explanatory; players get Free Spins but only when 3 or more Scatters are active which then trigger the 10 Free Spins within the game.

Expanding Symbols

Expanding Symbols provide an extra feature which can be triggered during the Free Spins activity. These Symbols provide a chance to win up to 250,000 coins, or 5000x an initial stake.

Gamble

The Gamble Feature is triggered once the player lands any win, and is up to the player to choose whether to use the Gamble option or not.

What Makes Book of Dead a Top Choice?

Play’n GO’s Book of Dead houses a plethora of additional bonus features which are outlined above. This title has a simplistic mechanic with its 5-reel, 10-payline setup which makes it easy and fun to play without needing to think about too many symbols or rules. This title is perfect for beginners as it is a slower-paced game and is straight-forward in terms of gameplay.

Having this game published by a top provider, Play’n GO, also makes this game more appealing since Kiwis are very fond of this developer due to their top-tier graphics, design choices, and soundscapes. Since this title also has similarities to a previous title named Book of Ra, along with homages to Indiana Jones – a popular movie franchise – makes Book of Dead even more appealing. It also helps that the maximum payout is fairly high at $500,000!

Where to Play Book of Dead NZ

Online pokies need an online casino to house them, but finding a New Zealand casino can be tricky since there are so many out there! To help with this, I have provided a list of the best 5 casinos accessible to Kiwis that have Book of Dead in their library:

YOJU Casino

Scatter Symbols provide payouts even if the symbols are not on a specific payline; as long as the player can land 3 Scatters!

PlayOJO Casino

Wild Symbols act as both a Wild and Scatter, and can replace any other symbol on the reels.

King Billy Casino

Free Spins are pretty self-explanatory; players get Free Spins but only when 3 or more Scatters are active which then trigger the 10 Free Spins within the game.

HellSpin Casino

Expanding Symbols provide an extra feature which can be triggered during the Free Spins activity. These Symbols provide a chance to win up to 250,000 coins.

Joo Casino

The Gamble Feature is triggered once the player lands any win, and is up to the player to choose whether to use the Gamble option or not.

Conclusion

In summary, Book of Dead is a quality title released by a great software provider. The amount of bonus features is incredible, making this title even more fun than ever before. Being able to access this game at some of the most popular and trustworthy casinos across New Zealand makes this an even better package deal. The simplicity of the 5-reel, 10-payline gameplay makes it a perfect choice for beginners or for gamers looking to wind down after Megaways or Progressive Jackpots.

FAQ

Kiwi’s Pokies Tournament Handbook

It is no surprise that online pokies are any Kiwi player’s favourite pastime, however sometimes gamers just need that bit more excitement and danger than an average game. This is where online pokie tournaments come in! In this article, I will be running through what tournaments are, how they work, and some of the best ones that are available currently for all Kiwis to enter.

What is an Online Pokie Tournament?

Online pokie tournaments are held by different operators and online casinos to entice more players to join their dedicated platform. These tournaments are set games where many gamers can join together and play to rack up points; the player with the highest points wins whatever the jackpot is set to by the operator or online casino.

How Online Tournaments Work

Players compete in a highly rewarding and thrilling pre-determined pokie, racing to the top of the leaderboard to win the highest prize. The pokies in the tournament are set into a specific mode that enables players to freely play without needing to deposit money or withdraw winnings. Instead, players are granted an equal amount of ‘credits’ to use within the game. 

Often, tournaments are for VIP members only, depending on the casino itself. Tournaments can be either free-to-play or paid; this information is crucial, as being surprised with a surcharge is not ideal! The amount of time set for the tournament is entirely dependent on the operator; some have 24-hour resets, and some may have week- or even month-long tournaments to bring in new players. 

The player with the highest number of points takes home a bigger percentage of the prize pool, along with however many other players the operator chooses to provide winnings to. Generally, it is the top 5 winners who receive a percentage, however some tournaments give cash to the top 10, 20, 50, or even 100 players, depending on the cash prize size and the casino’s decision.

Types of Online Pokie Tournaments

Much like with normal online pokies, there are different types or categories of virtual pokies tournaments. Below, I run through each of the different types and provide a brief description of what they are:

Freeroll

This type of online tournament is the best for pokie players as there is no commitment for players to deposit any of their own cash! Players must enter prior to the tournament beginning to receive their credits and enter successfully. The chips allocated are specifically for the tournament and are not able to be withdrawn for real cash. Each win from a pokie contributes points to the player’s overall score, and – like with most competitions – the player with the highest score wins! Prizes from Freeroll tournaments can be anywhere from cash to merchandise or other additional bonus perks. Freeroll tournaments are the best place for beginners to start as there are not too many rules, they can be found quite easily, and are on more frequently throughout the year.

‘Sit and Go’

‘Sit and Go’ tournaments are tournaments that have limited available space where players are told in advance. Players are urged to sign up to the tournament as seats usually go quite quickly; they are a very popular pastime! These types of tournaments are not limited to only pokies, but can include table games like Baccarat, Roulette, and Blackjack. ‘Sit and Go’ tournaments begin as soon as the final spot is filled, so players need to be aware of the timeframe of when this could happen. There is a leaderboard that shows up, and some also work in a process of elimination style where each round’s winners play against each other until a final winner is decided. These types of tournaments also only last a singular round; no continual playing this time! Some of the most popular games within this category include Thunderstruck and Avalon.

Buy-In

Buy-In tournaments are mostly a land-based casino thing, however some online casinos also choose this type for virtual tournaments. As the name suggests, players need to pay a fee in order to access entry to the tournament – similar to joining a normal Blackjack tournament. Generally speaking, each fee from the players are added into the overall prize pool, however this is not always the case. There is no additional bonus for participating in a Buy-In tournament; paying a fee simply grants a player entry to participate.

Scheduled

Scheduled tournaments are by far the most popular category of online pokie tournaments. These types are promoted early on with the start and end dates, along with the time limit for the actual game. Scheduled tournaments can last from several hours, a single day, week, or month; the time frame is set by the casino and changes depending on their personal choice. These tournaments allow players to leave and come back into the game without any penalties in order for players to maintain or increase their ranking on the leaderboard. However, coming back into the game will cost you and the amount of additional credits a player can purchase can be limited depending on the tournament rules.

Why Compete in Tournaments?

Tournaments are a fun, exciting, and risky pastime; nothing sounds better than that! Tournaments can also benefit players, both new and experienced, in allowing them to hone in their pokie playing skills to become better at games and understand the mechanics better. These opportunities also allow players to try out new pokies in a different environment to see if they like the title; this can be for free or a small fee depending on the tournament type! Online pokie tournaments provide a higher chance of a sum of cash since most tournaments have a small amount given to all participating players, no matter the leaderboard positioning. Tournaments, as I have mentioned earlier, are beginner-friendly, so Kiwis looking to get into online pokies can start right here and work their way up.

Conclusion

Online pokie tournaments are a great way for Kiwis to gain more adventure, danger, and competitive spirit without spending much of their own cash. For beginners, the best place to start is at a Freeroll tournament, which can be found at many online casinos within New Zealand.

FAQ

Volatility in Pokies New Zealand 2024

Volatility is a common signifier that is mentioned in most pokie title descriptions, but what exactly is volatility? 

To answer this, among other questions, we have put together a generous amount of information about the different types of volatilities, why it matters, and how to determine the volatility of a pokie for all Kiwis to use as an advantage when searching for the best pokies, and online casinos, within New Zealand.

What is Volatility?

Volatility, also known as variance, is best defined as how often a game triggers a win and the average sizing of the winnings. In short, lower volatility pokies offer more chances to win but overall lower winning payouts, and higher volatility means a lower chance of winning but higher payouts in the end. In my experience, you can think of pokies’ volatility like different roller coasters:

• Low Volatility: It’s like a gentle roller coaster, offering small but frequent ups and downs.
• Medium Volatility: Similar to a thrilling coaster with a mix of moderate drops and exciting loops.
• High Volatility: It’s like the tallest, most intense drops, but they happen less often, creating moments of high excitement.

Types of Volatility

As with pokies themselves, there are different types of volatility. Overall, there are 5 different types, but most software providers sort them into Low, Medium, and High volatility categories. To assist players in understanding the differences between each volatility, I have compiled a short description of each below:

Low Volatility

Low volatility simply means that the games will trigger a win more frequently, but provide a lower payout amount on each win. Low volatility pokies can be a bit harder to find than other volatile titles, but many of them are top-tier pokies that Kiwis play daily!

Top 3 Low Volatility Pokies

Some of the most common, and popular, low volatility pokies include:

Medium Volatility

Medium volatility is simply the middle ground in between low and high volatility pokies. This level of volatility ensures a generalised 50/50 to balance out the big wins and small wins.

Top 3 Medium Volatility Pokies

I have made a short list below of the best, and my favourite, 3 medium volatility pokies that can be found by Kiwis everywhere:

High Volatility

High volatility pokies are simply games which payout less frequently, but the overall payout prize is much bigger. An example of this are the popular Megaways titles, with other mentions such as Progressive Jackpots and Hold & Spin pokies.

Top 3 High Volatility Pokies

Some of the most commonly played high volatility pokies in New Zealand include:

Which Volatility is Best for You?

Volatility is a player-defined preference, with each Kiwi wanting a different goal out of their pokie game. 

Those looking for bigger payouts might opt for a higher volatility pokie, or even a low volatility since they win more often even if it is smaller amounts. To put it simply, volatility is an ‘each to their own’ type of style when it comes to online casino gaming. 

*My personal preference is to use low volatility pokes; winning more often, albeit in smaller amounts, provides a much more pleasant and enjoyable gaming experience for me!

Difference Between Volatility and RTP

As most casino-goers know, RTP (return to player) percentages showcase the average percent a player gets back upon each bet placed. 

Volatility, however, is how often a pokie will pay a player. Both high and low volatility slots can have an RTP of 90%, which means that for every $100 I wager within those games, I receive $90 back on average. 

However, volatility or RTP percentages, no matter how high, do not guarantee a 100% win rate; there is still a chance you could lose your bankroll! It is all about playing the game how you want, and if you are looking for a big payout, then make sure that you are playing a high volatility pokie!

Conclusion

All in all, pokie volatility is important to consider when choosing a title to play. Wanting a big payout but don’t want to spend hours upon hours waiting? High variance games are for you! Needing a long amount of time for a game and only want short bursts of payouts? Low variance games are your best bet.

Pokies Volatility FAQs