New Zealand is home to five land-based casinos. Offering a top selection of games, luxurious casinos such as Dunedin and SkyCity Auckland attract many New Zealanders who want to experience the thrill of gambling.
If you’re looking for the excitement of gaming machine reels, the thrill of blackjack or the rush of roulette, New Zealand casinos have it all.
Whether you live in New Zealand, or are just visiting the City of Sails, the country’s casinos offer plenty of entertainment options. Check out our NZ casino guide!
1. SkyCity Auckland
SkyCity Auckland is located in New Zealand’s tallest building, the Sky Tower. In the heart of Auckland’s central business district (CBD), it’s much more than a gambling establishment. It’s a full-on entertainment complex open day and night.
Open 24/7, the venue features a 700-person auditorium, bars, restaurants and a gaming floor with 2,100 gaming machines and 150 table games.
2. Christchurch Casino
Christchurch Casino is the oldest casino in New Zealand, located in the largest city of the South Island, Christchurch. It first opened its doors in 1994, making it New Zealand’s first land-based casino.
Although Christchurch offers less gaming machines than SkyCity Auckland, it nevertheless operates over 500 pokie machines and 32 table games.
3. Grand Casino Dunedin
Grand Casino Dunedin has a long history that dates back to 1883. At that time, the building was originally built to be a hotel, named the Grand Hotel.
In 1999, the hotel opened the casino and officially rebranded as the Grand Casino Dunedin. The premier entertainment venue includes nearly 200 gaming machines and an array of table games such as blackjack, poker and roulette.
Besides casino games, Grand Casino is also known for its prestigious hotel services. Patrons can relax in a stylish lounge and enjoy a fine dining experience in the gourmet restaurant.
4. SkyCity Hamilton
Operated by SkyCity Entertainment, the Hamilton Casino is a leading entertainment destination featuring more than 330 pokie machines.
In a superb location overlooking the Waikato River, customers can enjoy the excitement of a large variety of gaming machines, table games, and a tenpin bowling alley.
5. SkyCity Queenstown
You guessed it, SkyCity Queenstown is owned and operated by the SkyCity Entertainment Group. The casino opened in 2000, and offers 86 pokies and 12 gaming tables.
Although SkyCity Queenstown is a relatively small casino, it’s located in a stunning area known as the ‘Alps of the Southern Hemisphere.’ With breathtaking views, it’s the perfect stopover for visitors to Queenstown.
Land-Based Casinos vs Online Casinos in New Zealand
Despite some similarities, land-based and online casinos have their own charms, distinctiveness, and substantial advantages. However, both guarantee a fantastic gambling experience.
Online casinos offer the convenience of playing from your own home, or on your mobile wherever you are. But some players say that nothing beats the exciting atmosphere of a brick-and-mortar casino, where you can meet and socialise with real people. This human interaction, both with fellow players and dealers, is tricky to replicate online.
Nevertheless, most online casinos now offer live dealer games that are broadcast from studios and streamed to your device in real-time. Online casinos also offer bonuses and promotions, and more incentives.
Our New Zealand Team Editorial
Whether you are playing online or at a land-based casino, each experience offers its unique advantages. The good news is that you don’t have to choose one over the other! To make sure you get the best of both worlds, our team has scoured the Internet to reveal the best online casinos for New Zealand players. So whether you are looking to play at an online or land-based Kiwi casino, we’ve got you covered.