With the convenience of online casinos, it has never been easier to play from the comfort of your own home. But playing at home can get boring after a while as you sit by yourself without interacting with others. On top of that, seeing digital cards or a computerised roulette wheel doesn't have the same thrill as the real thing.
With the introduction of casinos with live dealers, we see a bridge between online and brick-and-mortar casinos. You still get the easy access from your computer or mobile, but with the feel of a real physical casino. Live dealer casinos offer an unparalleled sense of immediacy and engagement, as you must place your bets before the dealer spins the wheel or deals the cards.
Live casino games are streamed in HD in real time, with a live croupier managing the entire experience. Chat with other players or the dealer, and experience the rush as you see the cards flip over right in front of your eyes!
Now you're excited to play at a live dealer casino, but which site is a reliable and safe one to use? With my years of experience in the gaming industry, I have used my expertise and research skills to find you the best live dealer casinos based on game variety, user experience, bonuses, security, and customer service.
Whether you're a seasoned gambler or a complete newbie, I can help you find the right casino where you can have the best live dealer experience that New Zealand has to offer.
Best Live Dealer Casinos in NZ: Updated 2024
Bonuses: $1,200
Wagering requirements: 30x
Minimum deposit: $10
Payment methods: Visa, MasterCard, Paysafecard, Skrill, Apple Pay, EcoPayz
Bonuses: $800
Wagering requirements: 35x
Minimum deposit: $10
Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz, Paysafecard, Direct Bank Transfer
Bonuses: $1,600
Wagering requirements: 35x
Minimum deposit: $5
Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Neosurf, Neteller, Skrill, ecoPayz, MuchBetter, Paysafecard
Bonuses: $1,000
Wagering requirements: 35x
Minimum deposit: $10
Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Paysafecard, iDebit, Trustly, Skrill, Neteller
Bonuses: $300
Wagering requirements: 35x
Minimum deposit: $10
Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, MiFinity, Neteller, Skrill, Payz, Paysafecard
Bonuses: $200
Wagering requirements: 35x
Minimum deposit: $10
Payment methods: Direct bank transfer, Visa, Mastercard, MuchBetter, Skrill, Neteller, Payz, Paysafecard
Bonuses: $1,000
Wagering requirements: 35x
Minimum deposit: $5
Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Neosurf, Neteller, Skrill, MuchBetter, Paysafecard
Bonuses: $750
Wagering requirements: 35x
Minimum deposit: $5
Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, Paysafecard, MuchBetter, Skrill, Neteller, Skrill 1-Tap, Flexepin, Neosurf
Bonuses: $480
Wagering requirements: 30x
Minimum deposit: $10
Payment methods: Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Paysafecard, Skrill, Neteller, Payz, Neosurf, MuchBetter, Google Pay
Criteria for Selecting the Best Live Dealer Casinos in New Zealand
To come up with my list of the best live dealer casinos, I played at dozens of sites, and compared various factors that are outlined below. If you want to conduct your own research on live dealer casinos, you can also use this information to help with your decision.
Variety of Live Dealer Games
The first thing to look for is what types of games are supported. For example, at Casumo Casino, you will find a wide range of live casino games. Of course you will have the most popular games, such as Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat and Craps, but you also find other fun options such as Deal or no deal, Caribbean stud, and Football roulette.
If you not concerned with playing a lot of different live casino games, then variety is not as important, but you will want to ensure that the game you like is available. For example, if you only plan to play roulette, you should check whether the particular variation you prefer is supported.
If you want to play European Roulette with a single zero (instead of American Roulette with 0 and 00), check that the live dealer casino has that game.
User Experience
The next factor to consider is what the overall experience of the casino is like. Is it an outdated online casino that desperately needs a remake, or is it a visually pleasing casino, with a user-friendly interface?
Are there live chat options to contact customer support in case you have any questions? Also, check for mobile compatibility, and whether the HD streaming is smooth.
All of the live dealer casinos on this list are exceptional when it comes to everything I listed above. They are all easy to navigate, with fresh website design that is easy to use. They all have live chat customer support, and also email support if you prefer.
Finally, all of the casinos I recommend in this article are accessible on your mobile, with no deterioration in quality when streaming. While most live dealer casinos do not have a mobile app, you can simply access the casinos from your browser on your phone (eg: Chrome or Safari).
Bonuses and Promotions
Many Kiwi casino players like to look for bonuses and promotions when deciding on a live dealer casino. Welcome bonuses are usually quite generous, and you will usually get a percentage of your deposit given to you as a bonus.
For example, at Casumo Casino, you can claim 100% bonus up to $1,200 on your first deposit. This means if you deposit $100 you will receive $100 bonus to play with! However, keep in mind that bonuses come with wagering requirements, and live casino games usually contribute less to wagering than slot games.
If you prefer not to play with a bonus, you can contact the casino after your deposit (before you place any bets) and tell them to remove the bonus. Without the bonus you have less funds to play with, but the good news is you can withdraw your winnings at any time, with no wagering requirements.
All of the casinos I recommend have great welcome bonuses. Some of them are on your first deposit only, while others are spread across a few deposits. It's up to you which you prefer based on your playing style and deposit frequency.
The best live dealer casinos also offer regular ongoing promotions, so you can claim bonuses even if you have been playing at the same casino for years!
Security
One of the most important features of an online casino is the security. It won't matter if a casino has the best games, excellent interface, and generous bonuses, if the site is not legitimate or safe.
To check whether a casino is safe to use in NZ, check for a current license from a regulatory body, such as the Malta Gaming Authority or UK Gambling Commission. Also determine whether they use data encryption so that your personal details are not stolen or lost.
You can also read online reviews (I have written reviews for each of the casinos in this list) to see if they are legitimate casinos.
I can guarantee that all the live dealer casinos that I recommend in this article are secure. If you want to play with peace of mind, I suggest choosing one from above. But don't just take my word for it. Look up the licensing for yourself on any of the casinos above, by checking the footer on their website.
Tips for Playing in a Live Dealer Casino
Understand game rules
The first tip for playing at a live dealer casino is to understand the rules of the game. Even if you have been playing a game for years at a physical casino, or even online casino, double-check the rules before you play. This is because each casino and each game variation can have slightly different rules.
If you play blackjack, some variations of the game have different odds when paying blackjack, instead of the traditional 3 to 2. There may also be different rules about when a player can double or split.
Strategies for winning
After you understand the rules of the game, the next tip is to learn strategies for winning. You will need to research what strategies there are for your specific game. For example, if you like to play roulette, you can read my article about how to win online roulette.
By playing optimally, you can reduce the house edge, and increase your chance of winning money!
Budgeting and responsible gaming
Remember that playing at a live dealer casino should be about having an enjoyable time. You should not play at the casino purely to try and win money, and if you find yourself losing and trying to win it back, it is time to stop and have a break.
Set yourself a budget when you play each session, so that you aren't tempted to deposit more and win back any money that you lost. If you are playing emotionally, you will lose more money, and you won't have a good time at the casino. Besides budgeting for each session, you should also set yourself an overall budget for a month, year, or even in total.
Once you have reached your budget, stop playing and do something else. Always remember to play responsibly, and if you need help, you can visit begambleaware.org.
Conclusion
I hope that you have found my article helpful, and have chosen a live dealer casino to play at. If you want to do more research on any of the casinos in this list, read my reviews which are found in the menu at the top. Enjoy playing live casino games from the comfort of your living room, and remember to play responsibly!
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can play live dealer games on your phone. At any of the top live dealer casinos listed above, you can access the games on your mobile, through a web browser.
Yes, it is safe to play live dealer games online, as long as you choose a legitimate live dealer casino. All of the casinos in the list above have been tested by me, and are safe to use.
The most popular live dealer casino games in NZ are Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat. You will find these games at all of the live dealer casinos listed above.
The best live casino game to win money is Blackjack. If you play optimally, you can minimise the house edge, and have a RTP of 99%. Baccarat is another great live casino game to win money, with RTP of 98% - 99%. Read my article on the best paying online casino games to learn more.