New Zealand Gambling Activity Is On The Rise
New Zealand land based casinos are seeing an increase in the rise of visitor spending courtesy of the expanding tourism market. Local Kiwis are also spending more in pokies and casinos, however there is another source of legal NZ online gambling entertainment that makes up the lion’s share of activity—licensed offshore casinos.
It is reported that New Zealand residents spend around USD $600 a year on gambling. This number would likely rise if the statistics from offshore gambling enterprises were included. However, since they are regulated offshore, their revenue streams do not directly impact the local economy. What is it about these offshore brands that draws so much activity away from local pokies and brick-and-mortar establishments? For starters, it is selection. New Zealand online casinos feature a wide host of game types, including slots, table games, specialties and more. Games are powered via software from top-rated online gambling technology providers and boast high quality animations and simple gameplay. Specialty games involve Lottery style games like Keno, which should appeal to Kiwis because a sizeable portion of their yearly gambling expenditure goes to lottery options. Free play versions are available for players to acquaint themselves to the games before betting any real money.
Pokies are land based terminals popular in New Zealand and Australia. They feature a video poker format and make up the bulk of gambling revenue within NZ. Online poker in New Zealand can be found through licensed offshore sites, and not just video poker. There are several different online game types including popular games like Texas Hold ‘Em, Omaha, etc. Local punters can access these options from the convenience of their own computer. A downloadable supplementary software creates a poker lobby where players can customize their playing filters regarding game size, pot size and more. Free play is available for players to try out new strategies and get a few practice hands in before wagering any money. The offshore poker interface supports tournament and single-game play.
If sports betting is your game, there are also online sportsbooks accepting NZ bettors. Sports like football and rugby are popular in New Zealand, with punters making online bets, bets through the telephone and television services. However, these options can be limited. Licensed offshore sportsbooks feature betting lines on sports from around the world, including popular American leagues like the NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL.
Offshore gambling has other perks like mobile and live betting/live dealer games. Their mobile suites are designed to work with most Apple, Android, Windows and Blackberry devices. Responsive design technology keeps design and gameplay elements consistent across multiple screen size dimensions. Bonuses are another huge component with offshore gambling sites. They are financial rewards given to players at no additional cost for use within the casinos, poker rooms and sportsbooks. Bonuses are designed to keep people playing and are offered throughout the year.
New Zealand gambling laws permit online activity through offshore vendors as long as they are legally licensed and regulated by a respected government. Locals may prefer to stay away from casinos as tourism increases, and offshore gambling sites provide the same high quality experience, but from the comfort of your own home.