New Zealand has always been open to gambling under certain restrictions in order to maintain a positive attitude towards gambling. At some points, New Zealand has some strict regulations about gambling, but today people are legally allowed to participate in gambling games under the regulations of the Department of Internal Affairs. Some of the games that allow gambling are the lotteries, slot machines, horse racing, and other sports.

History of Legal Gambling in New Zealand

Skycity Auckland Poker Opening hours are from Monday – Friday- 5pm until late and Saturday – Sunday- 12pm until late. How to play at Sky City Auckland. You need to be a member to play and enjoy at Sky city Auckland plus 20 or over of age to play the games. The presence of under age patrons (patrons must be 20 years of age to enter a casino). At a casino you may advise any casino employee that you wish to speak to a casino Gambling Inspector. Alternatively you can phone, email or write to a casino Gambling Inspector and pass on any information or lay a formal complaint.

Gambling has been a part of New Zealand’s history from a long time which goes back to the 1830s according to the documented reports. There have been several inventions to monitor gambling throughout the years, including the automatic totalizator which was made by George Julius. The machine was able to tell the fans about the position of the horses during the race.

The first gambling law was to prohibit bookmaking in New Zealand, and it was enacted in the 1920s. The betting on horses was only permitted for viewers present on the event until 1961. Later in the 1980s, the lottery games and casinos were approved by the government. Even today, gambling is a part of New Zealand and makes around $3 billion per year. Today there are 6 grand land-based casinos operating on islands.

The Age Limit

Although there is a very wide perspective in the right age limit for gambling in New Zealand, as many establishments offer gaming environment to everyone irrespective of their game. But the big casinos like the SkyCity Queenstown are committed to keeping minors off the games. They prohibit anyone under the age of 20 from entering the casinos and make sure that the betting floors do not have any minors loitering around.

Anyone suspicious for being below the age of 20 will be asked for identity proof by the staff members or the security and will be asked to leave the gambling floors immediately. The security is trained to be vigilant about keeping the minors out, and anyone who refused to provide any age proof can be asked to leave the casino immediately.

Skycity Casino Auckland Age Limit 2020

Acceptable ID proofs

There are several identity proofs that one can provide for providing the information. An NZ or any overseas passport, driver’s license, or any ID proof with authentication from the government will be accepted.

There are also penalties for showing false IDs. One can get fined for up to NZ$500 for showing a fake ID. For any visitors who are travelling New Zealand, they can face problems with their permit and may have to renew their permit if they get prosecuted with extreme violations.

If you are under the age of 20 and get caught in the SkyCity Casino, there will be a trespass order against you, and you will not be able to return to the SkyCity casino for the next two years even if you turn 20 the next day.

After the Italians introduced the concept of gambling in the 1700s, casinos have become a massive element of entertainment. Time has changed casinos a lot but the fun and the thrill still remain the same.

In this modern era of online casinos, you might think that land-based casinos are losing their glamour. Well, get ready to be surprised.

Getting Started

Land-based casinos are exactly what they sound like. They are casinos on land. But there is more to it. The best casinos in the world have taken the gambling experience to such a level that going to these places is like a dream to many people. Land-based casinos often come with other necessary amenities like restaurants, bars, car parking, etc. The more you can spend, the more lavish of an experience you’ll have. That’s just the way land-based casinos work.

Game Offerings

Any reputed casino will offer the players a minimum number of games. Some games are very popular that everyone wants to be a part of them. Blackjack, roulette, poker, etc. are the most commonly found table games in any land-based casino. Other than that, there might house exclusive table games that are controlled by the casinos. They are often a spinoff of any popular game with some special house rules. You can visit the casino websites or read our reviews to know more about the game offerings. Then comes the slot games. Slot machines are one of the best ways to get accustomed to a land-based casino. There’s no pressure. Just spin and try your luck. The best casinos will offer a wide range of slot games from the best game providers in the world.

Loyalty Programs

It’s a common practice among the land-based casinos to have a loyalty program for the regulars. These programs are mainly there to reward regular customers. It can be points, free food, free parking, exclusive promotions or anything else. It totally depends on the casino itself. Of course, you have to pay extra to get the VIP treatment. In most cases, there are different tiers to the loyalty programs that you can choose. Each tier will become progressively expensive as they offer more benefits over the previous one. Read on below to know the details about the best casinos in NZ.

Best Land-based Casinos in New Zealand

Among the land-based casinos found in NZ, we’ve listed down some of the best. Let’s get going.

SkyCity Auckland Casino

SkyCity is one of the most renowned names when it comes to casinos in NZ. With over 2100 pokies, it offers a surreal experience for the casino enthusiasts. Situated right in the middle of Auckland, the SkyCity Auckland casino is one of the must-see destinations. With amazing regulations and gambling policy, SkyCity Auckland Casino offers one of the safest gambling experiences. With the age limit of 20, it ensures that no one is allowed to abuse the opportunity. Other than age verification, it also regulates clothing. Other than the casino, the Sky Tower is home to a few amazing hotels, restaurants and bars. You’ll find reputed names like The Grand Hotel and Sammy’s lounge in the tower. Car parking is also very convenient for those who don’t like to travel publicly. Opened: 1996 Address: 72 Victoria Street West, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010 Phone: 0800 759 2489 Email: [email protected]Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week (except Good Friday and Christmas) See the full review of SkyLand Auckland Casino

Christchurch Casino

When it comes to customer satisfaction, Christchurch Casino beats them all. You’ll always find something promotional going on at the casino. With a very convenient location and carefully crafted operating times, Christchurch Casinos is the ideal place to have fun in the city of Christchurch. With very affordable parking options, Christchurch casino doesn’t disappoint. They have multiple parking spots surrounding the casino. You can pay by cash or use your membership card to pay for the parking. Read our detailed review to know about them. In terms of games, the casino offers 500 slots machines and 45 tables games to quench your thirst. The slots and games are spread over the area of 4000 square feet so you have plenty of room to walk around. There are restaurants and bars inside the casino for you to get a quick meal whenever you feel like it. Opened: 1994 Address: 30 Victoria Street, Christchurch, New Zealand Phone: 03 365 9999 Email: [email protected]Hours:

Skycity Casino Auckland Age Limit Weight

• Monday to Thursday: 11 am – 3 am
• Friday: 11 am, open all night
• Saturday: 24 hours
• Sunday: 24 hours, closes 3 am on Monday

Dunedin Casino

With a historical background, Dunedin is a piece of art. Situated at Scenic Circle Southern Cross Hotel, every inch of Dunedin Casino has a story to tell. Not the biggest casino around, but very tastefully decorated. The happy hours on Friday and Saturday are the perfect time to enjoy the full casino experience. A lot of people visit during this time and it feels like a festival. Very attractive food and drink menus are served during the happy hours. The number of pokies and tables are very limited in this casino. That’s because the casino itself is targeted towards a very niche audience. With only 180 slots and 12 table games, Dunedin Casino can rock your world like never before. You can become a Club Casino member for the ultimate treatment. Earning points and using them around the casino is one of the best ways to spend time here. Opened: 1999 Address: 118 High Street, Dunedin, New Zealand Phone: 08004774545, 034774545, 034746981 Email: [email protected]Hours: 11 am to 3 am every day (except Good Friday and Christmas) See the full review of Dunedin Casino

SkyCity Queenstown Casino

When you see SkyCity, you know there’s something good going on. The casino experience is consistently good across all SkyCity casinos. SkyCity Queensland is a great place to have a good time in the city of Queenstown. The regulatory measures are similar in this casino like the other SkyCity casino. You have to be over 20 and wear decent clothes to get entry. The casino also defined different tiers according to your financial status. The customer service representative will guide you through the process. Along with the most common table games, SkyCity Queensland has 86 of the best slot games currently available. You’ll find the best games from the best providers. Slot games are usually the best way to start your casino journey. The Premier Rewards program is the signature loyalty program that all the SkyCity Casinos offer. It’s great for people who like something extra other than the regular activities. Opened: 2000 Address: 16-24 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand Phone: 03 441 0400 Email: [email protected]Hours: 12 pm to 4 am every day (except Good Friday and Christmas) See the full review ofSkycity Queenstown Casino

Skycity Casino Auckland Age Limit 2020

SkyCity Hamilton Casino

If you’re a man of casino culture, SkyCity Hamilton Casino might be for you. It’s one of the few casinos found across New Zealand that stays open all the time, literally. Located at Hamilton Street, it’s a very convenient location for all kinds of people. The size of the SkyCity Hamilton Casino is very decent. It houses 330 pokies machines and 23 table games. The pokies are spread across the area for you to enjoy while the table games offer outstanding live experience. The dealers are very well trained and the casino has a pool of international dealers to deal with the high-value customers. The VIP gaming area is always open to these customers. Their promotions and loyalty programs are similar to the other SkyCity casinos. Other than gaming, SkyCity Hamilton Casino is home to a few exotic restaurants and bars. The Number 8 bar is iconic in Hamilton. If you love the blend of class and fun, SkyCity Hamilton Casino should be your go-to place. Opened: 2000 Address: 346 Victoria Street, Hamilton, New Zealand, PO Box 954 Phone: 64 783 44900 Email: [email protected]Hours: 24 hours, 7 days a week (except Good Friday and Christmas) See the full review of SkyCity Hamilton Casino

Land-Based VS. Online Casinos

Skycity Grand Auckland

Land-based casinos are as great as they come. There is no denying that. But it’s not practical for the majority of the people to visit a land-based casino often. As modern problems require modern solutions, the concept of online casino was introduced. Online casinos are often operated by actual casinos as a substitute. The best part of online casino is that you can start enjoying your favorite game without ever leaving your house. All online casinos in NZ accept a wide range of payment methods so you can choose whatever you like. Top of the line slot games from providers like NetEnt, Microgaming, etc. are available in the online casinos. The money is dealt with safely and under the regulations of the corresponding regulatory authorities. What more could you want? There is no replacing the land-based casinos, but online casinos sure add a little more charm to the whole idea of recreational gambling. Enjoy the best of the casino world, from right where you are.