Does Gambling Tourism Have A Future In New Zealand?

By Gavin Harper Updated: June 2023

Tourism to New Zealand involves seeing some beautiful natural wonders like the Milford Sound or the Tongariro National Park. People will visit New Zealand’s vibrant cities like Wellington and Christchurch looking for entertainment.

Countries like Australia have more than 80% of adults participating in some form of gambling, with about 24.94% of every dollar spent on gaming going to the government. Australia may be home to several gambling resorts and real money casinos, and betting is a big part of the culture but tourists look for something different. You can gamble at an online casino New Zealand from the beach. But some prefer to visit the land-based ones.

With six casinos in the land, New Zealand offers a uniquely intimate experience. While there’s so much there to offer tourists, the glitz and glamour of the casino is a great way to while away an evening. Visits to casinos have risen steadily since 2007, with many adults enjoying a flutter at the tables.

Gambling Tourism Locations in New Zealand

The Department of Internal Affairs is responsible for regulating gambling activity in NZ. All operators in the country are expected to return a portion of their profits to the community. Also, the largest share of the gambling industry is reserved for state-owned institutions. Currently, there are six land-based casinos in New Zealand.

Dunedin Casino

In the shadow of the volcano, there are some beautiful beaches. The surfing on South Island is wonderful. Try Brighton Beach for family fun as well as the surf. Hardcore sufferers head for Blackhead Surfing beach. When you are done why not spend the evening in the casino.

As one of the oldest gambling locations in the land, Dunedin’s Casino has undergone refurbishment and has a Monte Carlo feel. It is located in Dunedin and offers baccarat games, poker, roulette, blackjack, electronic games, and more real money casinos. The casino runs from 11 am to 3 am.

Christchurch Casino

New Zealand Tourist

After a trip on the Christchurch Gondola head to the Christchurch Casino. Once you have seen Lyttleton Harbour you will be ready to play on the 500 slot machines, 40 table games, baccarat and poker lounges, and a sports arena. You will also find some top-class restaurants serving delicious foods. It is located on Victoria Street, Christchurch.

SkyCity Casinos

There are four SkyCity Casinos located in different cities in New Zealand.

SkyCity Auckland is situated in the world’s tallest Sky Tower in Auckland and hosts a little more than 150 table games and 2,100+ slot machines. Players can explore blackjacks, baccarat, roulettes, money wheels, Pai Gow, poker.

SkyCity Hamilton is located on a scenic location overlooking the Waikato River in Hamilton and hosts casino roulettes, slots and gaming machines. It also runs 24/7 and offers a chance to walk away with up to $4,000.

SkyCity Queenstown is located in Queenstown and features 86 slot machines, 12 table games, poker, baccarat, roulettes and blackjack.

SkyCity Wharf Casino is a small gambling destination with 74 gaming machines and six table games. It was known as Otago Casinos Ltd. up until SkyCity acquired and rebranded it in 2013.

Does New Zealand Have Gambling Tourism?

New Zealand offers an alternative destination. It has something that casinos in Europe, Asia, and Australia don’t have. This is intimacy and a personal touch. Furthermore, New Zealand has strict regulations, and all casinos including mobile casinos provide a safe gambling environment for all players.

Most travellers who visit NZ casinos are drawn to the high-quality establishments and range of betting experiences. The country also has many fun things to do, so casinos always have the potential to get a group of new/first-time gamblers. Nonetheless, New Zealand still has a long way to go and is yet to exploit its potential as a hub for gambling tourism.

The Future of Gambling Tourism in NZ

New Zealand is a beautiful country that receives a large number of visitors throughout the year. In addition to its scenic beauty, gambling is legal in the country, so tourists who fancy betting can explore games without breaking any regulations.

The number of New Zealand players betting on classic and contemporary real money games, such as pokies, table games, poker, live dealer rooms, and sportsbooks, is increasing. As New Zealand has a prosperous tourism industry, this seems like the perfect combination to spur interest in gambling tourism.

Despite the growing gambling industry, what’s likely to happen is a transition to online websites. Existing land-based casinos are poised to expand into online gambling, which can increase interest from offshore punters. If these casinos successfully generate interest for their products, they might also increase gambling travellers visiting the country.

Key Takeaways

Gambling is legal in New Zealand and carefully regulated by the state. Punters have access to a handful of local casinos and can play on any online gambling site they choose. These local gambling resorts accept tourists and offer some of the highest standards, which is great for the prospects of a flourishing gambling tourism industry. Nevertheless, New Zealand is part of an ecosystem of tourism opportunities. It will take some progress before the country has a fully-fledged gambling tourism scene, but the potential is massive.

A large number of visitors are received in New Zealand annually, and they participate in betting games without breaking any regulations. Gambling is legal and online casino industry is increasing in NZ.

Yes, although New Zealand has strict gambling regulations, it boosts of five gambling resorts which serve traveling punters who visit New Zealand to gamble.

Gambling in New Zealand is strictly regulated by the state. Thus, the local gambling resorts accept tourists and offer some of the highest standards, which is great for the prospects of a flourishing gambling tourism industry.