Casino Games

The online gambling world of New Zealand is now full of the latest and greatest casino games. So, the experts here at opara.io have decided to put together a full-feature online casino games guide for you. We’re going to take you through the casino basics from the different types of real money casino games available to NZ players, here we will look at the famous pokies, various table games and the modern style of live dealer casino games. Next, we’ll be looking at how you can make the most of all the free casino games and how you should best take advantage of the real casino games and bonuses available.

Most importantly, it’s our main aim to give you quick access to all the best online casino games in New Zealand. So, first up we have the different types of casino games and here you can also find out which game is most suited to your character, so let’s jump in.

This is where we come in at opara.io.

Our experts review all the best online casinos NZ and pick out the best ones for you, removing the need for you to research and second guess. There is a lot to learn about online casinos but we have managed to break all this down into easily understandable bitesize chunks. For example, we explain the pros and cons of free games and real money games and also touch upon the convenience of mobile gaming and the diversity of live dealers casino games. We break down the myths and give you plain and simple advice.

Casino games NZ to play online

Online pokies

Online pokies are perhaps the most famous of all casino games in New Zealand. This type of casino game has the most variety with thousands of different themes and designs to suit all types of players. You can find movie branded pokies, sports-related pokies, progressive jackpot pokies with life-changing prizes, you name it and you will be able to find it.

Online poker

Played by casino players all over the world, online poker comes in all different formats from the famous Texas Hold’em to the multiple variants of Video Poker. This classic card game provides plenty of entertainment whether you play solo or with live dealers.

Online Blackjack

Online Blackjack is an easy game to play with plenty of online strategy guides to follow as well. The age-old casino game crossed over from the real world into the digital world with ease and now you can find varying stake limits to suit all types of budgets.

Online Roulette

The easy betting options and multiple European, French, and American online roulette tables provide a constant source of entertainment for NZ players. Roulette is one of the oldest games of chance out there and one that all players can step up to and play.

Online Baccarat

A sophisticated casino game that looks more complicated than it actually is. In fact, Online Baccarat is super easy to learn. There are only three main bets to consider and you have multiple variants to choose from such as mini-baccarat and speed baccarat.

Online Craps

Craps game is perhaps the loudest game in the real casinos but playing online is a completely different experience. It’s another one of those casino games that can come across as confusing, but in fact, it’s simple to play and is considered one of the most popular online casino games in New Zealand.

Live Casino

One of the greatest additions to the online casino gaming world has been the live dealer casinos.

Play along with professional dealers and immerse yourself within a real casino atmosphere through live HD streams.

It’s as close as you will ever get to the real casino experience from the comfort of your own home.

Real Money vs free games

Learning the ropes of a casino game on the free versions will give you more confidence when you do eventually play with your own money.

It’s true that many casino games come down to pure luck, but some do require strategies and by playing the free versions, you will get the chance to practice without burning through your own hard-earned NZD’s.

Obviously, the benefits of playing with real money are that you can actually win real money and boost your bankroll with huge prizes. As we said, a balance between the two is what you are looking for and finding the right online casino will allow you to play both free games and real money games alongside each other.

Play casino games for real money

Once you step-up to real money games then your experience becomes a lot more challenging, but we mean this in an exciting and thrilling kind of way.

The rules and gameplay will be just like the free play games but the prizes you win will end up as real money in your account.

Pros

• Potential to win large amounts of real money
• A huge selection of bonuses available
• Extra excitement added to your experience
• A chance to try out your gaming strategies for real

Cons

• You might lose your hard-earned money
• Games might not be suitable for your stake budget

An experienced casino player knows that it’s all about how the little wins add up, and this all comes down to playing the right online casino gaming strategies.

Sticking to game strategies and learning how to manage your money both combine to ensure you have the best chances of winning. The joy of playing online casino games for real money is also connected to the lucrative loyalty programs where the more you play, the more bonuses and deals you can claim.

Best NZ sites to play online casino games

Play free casino games

If you’re looking for all-out fun then free online casino games will give you exactly what you need.

Playing for free can be just as fun and it’s a great way to find your favourite games. Nowadays, you don’t even have to download any additional software due to instant access to games online.

Pros

• You don’t lose any money
• Learn from your mistakes
• Learn how to use strategies effectively
• No need to share personal banking information

Cons

• No real prizes can be won
• A limited number of bonuses available without depositing

Also, many online casinos now offer free casino signup bonuses to use on real money games. These types of bonuses are often seen as the best of both worlds.

These signup deals are usually in the shape of free spins bonuses and so this basically means that you can register an account, claim your free spins, and then potentially win real money.

Yes, essentially, you can win something for nothing. There will be certain restrictions on the bonus money but it’s still better than nothing and gives you a chance to test out the casino site. It’s a win-win situation for you.

What type of casino games suit you?

If you are new to the online casino world then perhaps you are feeling a little overwhelmed with all the game choice available to you?

We’ve come up with a useful table to show you which games might be suited to you and your personal character.

Looking at casino games options in this way will help you to simplify things and allow you to enjoy the overall experience.

Games	Type of Character	Top Tip
Pokies	You enjoy simple rules with plenty of excitement thrown in	Look out for high RTP pokies that pay out more frequently
Blackjack	You enjoy value for money and you have a mathematical way of thinking	Play Classic Blackjack to keep the house edge as low as possible
Roulette	You like classic gaming with easy betting rules to follow	Stay clear of double-zero American Roulette tables due to their high house edge
Baccarat	You have patience and enjoy longer gaming sessions	Only bet on the player and banker bets, leave the Tie bet alone
Craps	You are prepared to try your luck in order to win big	Bet on Don’t Pass and Don’t Come followed by the Odds Bet for a zero house edge advantage

Online mobile casino games

The ability to play and enjoy your favorite casino games on your mobile has become a must for most online players nowadays.

Touchscreen controls and optimised graphics can be expected on most of the casino games, as well as all the banking, promotions, and loyalty programs.

The rate at which technology has been progressing has lent itself well to the area of mobile gaming and this means that you get all of the casino excitement on your small screen device.

Mobile gaming is everything that you would expect from an online casino, as you get to enjoy the best online casino games in the palm of your hand and this makes it perfect for gamers on the go who are living fast-paced lives.

Mobile gaming has had a significant impact on New Zealand gambling industry as the vast majority of NZ players prefer to play on mobile and the number of players is steadily growing.

Casino games providers

All those casino games must come from somewhere, right? There is currently a growing list of casino software developers in the industry who are committed to creating the best possible casino games. It’s a competitive market and that is a positive sign for players as more and more quality games are made available to play.

Netent and Microgaming are two of the leading design studios with Evolution Gaming taking claim to the number one live casino developer. Look beyond these names and you will still find hugely talented gaming providers that continue to release games throughout the year.

The best thing about this is that it keeps the casino game lobbies fresh and full of new and exciting games. From new multi-payline pokies to the latest in live casino gaming, you can expect to see brand new releases during most months of the year at the top New Zealand online casinos.

Are casino games legal in NZ?

At opara.io, we always try to make it as clear as possible that you should only ever play at a licensed and regulated online casino. Before you sign up for an account or start to look through the game lobby, your first check should be based on if the casino has acquired an official gambling license or not.

You can find these licenses at the bottom of the casino homepage with the most respected of gambling authorities being:

• UK
• Malta
• Gibraltar
• Curaçao

Playing at a licensed casino ensures that your personal information is stored safely and that all deposit and withdrawal transactions are secure.

Furthermore, in terms of games, these licenses also ensure that you can enjoy fair gaming throughout the casino. All of this allows you to put your mind at rest and makes signing up to a casino a lot easier when that level of trust is made clear from the start.

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