Live casinos NZ – Top live dealer games
If you’ve ever wanted the thrill of an immersive casino experience without having to leave your sofa, then you should look no further than live casinos.
This is the closest you're ever going to get to playing at a real casino with live dealers and other players.
Online casinos in New Zealand offer a good variety of live games, with variations of popular table games such as blackjack, roulette, and baccarat available.
Discover some of the best live casino games in New Zealand, and find out all you need to know about playing at a live online casino for real money, by reading this guide.
Best live dealer casinos in September 2024
Top live casino games
The most important aspect of choosing a live casino NZ site is the games. You want to find one that offers a range of live dealer games to try, or, if you are an experienced player, your favourite variation.
The most popular live casino games are blackjack, roulette, baccarat and live dealer hold’em.
Live dealer blackjack
Blackjack is a great game for new card players as it’s easy to pick up the basics, with the ultimate goal being to get closer to 21 than the dealer without going bust. However, live blackjack can be a little slower than online blackjack games powered by a random number generator (RNG) as you have to wait for other players and the dealer to take their turns.
Some of the biggest software providers, such as Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play, and NetEnt Live, host a wide range of popular types of live blackjack, including classic, European, and Vegas Strip. The win rate of this game can vary, but the house edge is usually around 0.5% to 1%.
More about live dealer blackjack
Live dealer roulette
Live dealer roulette provides players with a more interactive experience than RNG-powered online roulette, and can come with a more extensive range of betting options. However, there may be higher minimum bets you need to meet, which isn’t ideal for players who prefer to bet in small amounts.
Several popular software providers like Evolution Gaming, Playtech, and NetEnt Live offer different live roulette variations for online casinos, including European, American, and French roulette. The house edge is usually around 2.7% for European live roulette and 5.26% for American roulette.
More about live dealer roulette
Live dealer baccarat
The principle of live dealer baccarat is relatively simple – you bet on your hand, the banker’s hand, or a tie. You can also interact with the dealer in real time and place side bets for extra opportunities to win. However, you must wait for the dealer to manage the game, which can be slightly time-consuming.
Some software providers offering live dealer baccarat include Playtech, Microgaming, and Ezugi. You can choose from multiple variations, including classic baccarat, speed baccarat, and baccarat squeeze. The house edge for live dealer baccarat is relatively low, around 1.06% for banker bets and 1.24% for player bets.
More about live dealer baccarat
Live dealer hold’em
Live dealer hold’em is a live poker game variation where you compete against the dealer instead of the other players in the room. It’s much more realistic than if you were playing against a random number generator and there is usually a live chat feature where you can interact with other players like you would in a brick-and-mortar casino. However, you do need to have a good understanding of the game’s strategy to increase your chances of winning.
Evolution Gaming, Playtech, and Microgaming are some of the top software providers for live dealer hold’em, and they offer multiple different types, such as casino hold’em, ultimate Texas hold’em, and three-card poker. The house edge is relatively high and ranges between 2% to 2.5%.
Game shows and other live dealer games
Alongside the most popular live casino games mentioned above, there are various other unique live dealer games you can play at online casinos. These include card and dice games as well as game shows. Here are some popular titles in New Zealand below.
| Live casino game | Software provider | Where to play |
|---|---|---|
Andar Bahar | Ezugi | |
Boom City | Pragmatic play | |
Cash or Crash | Evolution Gaming | |
Crazy Time | Evolution Gaming | |
Deal or No Deal | Evolution Gaming | |
Dream Catcher | Evolution Gaming | |
Mega Wheel | Pragmatic play | |
Monopoly Live | Evolution Gaming |
A closer look at the best live casinos in NZ
With so many options to choose from, it can be hard to decide where to play live dealer games. That’s why we’ve done the research for you and put together a list of the top sites for playing live casino games.
These casinos offer a wide range of live casino games from top providers, offer specific live casino bonuses or bonuses that can be used on live casino games, and meet our criteria for good support, mobile gaming and safety.
| Rank | Casino | Welcome bonus | Number of casino games | Win rate | Play for real money |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
#1
| Jackpot City Casino | 100% up to NZ$1,800 + 300 Free Spins | 800+ | 98.46% | |
#2
| Kiwi's Treasure | 100% up to NZ$1,000 | - | 98.71% | |
#3
| Lukki | $4,000 + 300 Free Spins | 1500 | 98.84% | |
#4
| JustCasino | NZ$5,000 + 400 Free Spins | 9,500+ | 98.35% | |
#5
| Lucky Spins | Exclusive NZ$1,500 + 500 Free Spins | 5,000+ | 97.56% | |
#6
| Lemon Casino | 100% Non-Sticky Welcome Bonus up to 600 NZ$ + 200 Free Spins! | 5,500 | 97.65% | |
#7
| Wheelz | NZ$5,000 Bonus + 100 Free Spins | 3000+ | 96.58% | |
#8
| Christchurch Casino | NZ$1,000 + Loyalty Points | 2,000+ | 96.70% | |
#9
| Campeonbet | 150% UP TO NZ$1,500 | 11800+ | 96.13% | |
#10
| CasiYou | NZ$1,000 + 150 Spins | 500+ | 96.50% |
Features of top live dealer casinos
When you play at the best live dealer casinos, you can expect:
?? No. of live dealer games | 75+ |
?? Popular game types | Live blackjack, live roulette, live baccarat, live poker games |
?? Live dealer casino bonus | 100% up to NZ$100; live dealer games WR contributions of 20% or greater |
?? Live casino app | iPhone, Android, iPad |
? Top NZ live casinos | 45+ |
How we rate the top live casinos
We want you to guide you towards the best live dealer casinos in New Zealand, which is why we have considered a wide range of factors to rate the websites we recommend to you. Below are the main criteria we consider when rating a live casino:
Live casino games lobby size & stakes
We look for casinos that offer a large games library. A larger variety of games to choose from gives you a better chance of finding one you will enjoy playing. However, we also want to ensure that quantity doesn’t overtake quality, so we also check that the titles available are from trusted software providers and include the best live casino games.
We also check the stakes of the live dealer games available. Every player has a different budget, so it’s important that there is a good range of minimum and maximum stakes to suit everyone. For example, takes can be as low as NZ$0.10 for low stakes Pragmatic Play roulette tables and as high as NZ$5,000 on Evolution Gaming VIP roulette tables.
Live dealer software providers
As we mentioned, you want to choose a live dealer casino that has respected software providers because then you know you’ll be playing quality games. Some of the most well-known providers we look out for when conducting our reviews include Evolution Gaming, Pragmatic Play and Playtech.
Different live casino software providers offer different types of games, so you want to look for a casino that has providers known for the casino games you wish to play. For example, Evolution Gaming is seen as the pioneer of live casino games shows and has a huge variety of these. So if you enjoy titles like Dream Catcher, look for live casinos with games from Evolution Gaming.
If you aren’t sure which games you like, it’s best to pick a casino like Mirax, which has live game titles from over 10 different live casino software providers.
Live casino bonuses & tournaments
You get the most out of your time at a live casino NZ when it has a good selection of casino bonuses and tournaments. Look out for casinos with a good variety of bonuses, especially those like Guts casino which offers a welcome bonus and other promotions specifically for live casino players. Shotz casino currently offers an option of a $500 live casino match for NZ players.
We also look out for ongoing tournaments, like Pragmatic Play’s “Drop and Wins” network promotion, that will offer additional rewards when you play live casino games.
When a casino doesn’t offer specific live casino bonus offers, we check that the general bonus terms are fair. For example, whether playing live casino games will contribute to meeting wagering requirements.
?Live casino apps
If you are someone who wants to play live casino games on the go, then you’re going to want to look for a gambling site with a good mobile gaming experience. We give extra points to a casino if they have a dedicated casino app. However, even the New Zealand live casinos that do not offer an app usually offer a mobile-optimised experience on iOS or Android device browsers.
We check the in-app or in-browser experience for ease of navigation, loading speed and the availability of games and other features compared to the desktop version of the site. For a high rating, live casinos should offer the same experience regardless of which device you choose to play from.
Dealers & hours of operation
Not all live casinos have the same number of dealers, so you want to choose one that has a good selection of professional dealers as each has their own personality and style, and you won’t be a fan of them all. We also consider the dealer’s experience, the languages they speak, and whether they offer live chat support. Providers like Evolution usually have multiple game studios in different locations and have dealers covering 10 or more languages.
Live dealer studios usually operate 24/7, with dealers working in shifts. Tables streamed from casinos like the Dragonara in Malta may also operate 24/7 with the exception of certain dates.
Safety & game fairness
One of the most important things to consider when selecting a live casino NZ is that it is safe to use and has implemented a variety of fair play policies. The first thing we do is check for licensing from a respected authority such as the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. The casino and provider should ideally have fair gaming certifications linked to their site that prove they are audited by third-party companies such as eCOGRA, iTech Labs, or TST, or at a minimum have information about how they ensure fair gaming on their site.
We also review how casinos keep your personal information and payment data safe. This includes using encryption technology like SSL. It is also a good sign if a casino has responsive customer support to help answer any queries you have about safety.
Overall casino rating
When rating a live casino, we don’t just look at the live dealer games, but the entirety of the online casino. We want to ensure that the casino offers a wide range of payment methods to cover the needs of different players. Popular methods we look out for include credit/debit cards, e-wallets, and cryptocurrency.
The usability of an online casino also affects its overall rating. You should be able to find the games you want seamlessly, and links to other pages if you ever need help. Other things we consider include bonuses, other games, and the software implemented on the platform.
Live dealer software providers
There are hundreds of software providers that provide games to online casinos, but they aren’t always the best ones to use. We want to ensure you are playing games from the best live casino software providers, which is why we spotlight on some of the best in New Zealand below:
| Provider | Hits | Misses |
|---|---|---|
High-quality video streams and user-friendly interface | Higher minimum bets | |
Diverse range of classic live casino games | Lower video quality | |
Innovative game designs and high-quality streaming technology | Limited game variations | |
Multi-language support and customisable game interfaces | Limited mobile compatibility | |
Ezugi | Social and interactive live dealer games | Limited customisation |
Live casinos vs regular online casinos
Live casinos have a unique set of features that help them stand out compared to playing other online casino games. However, there are pros and cons of both of them which might help you decide which one is best for you as a player. For instance, you can't play free online casino games with a live dealer.
Check out our comparison of live dealer casinos and regular online casino games below:
| Live dealer casinos | Realistic gaming experience comparable to a land-based casino | A higher level of trust when you can see everything that is happening | More social experience with the chance to interact with other players | You have to play at the speed of the dealer and other players | Higher minimum bets |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular casino games | Wider range of classic table games | Play at your own speed | Flexible betting options | Limited social interaction | Less immersive experience |
| Live dealer casinos | Regular casino games |
|---|---|
| Realistic gaming experience comparable to a land-based casino | Wider range of classic table games |
| A higher level of trust when you can see everything that is happening | Play at your own speed |
| More social experience with the chance to interact with other players | Flexible betting options |
| You have to play at the speed of the dealer and other players | Limited social interaction |
| Higher minimum bets | Less immersive experience |
How do live casino sites work?
Live dealer tables operate the same way as they do in land-based casinos, except you can usually find a few more players around the table! The actual games are similar to online casinos games.
The dealer is either based in a real brick-and-mortar casino or a purpose-built live casino studio, with the action streamed in real time using one or more high-quality webcams. You will usually be able to interact with the dealer and other players using a live chat feature.
Online casinos in New Zealand usually offer live dealer casino games as an alternative to RNG-powered table games. Some players prefer the immersive experience of playing with a live dealer, while others trust live tables more as you can see exactly what is happening on the table. While the house edge may be lower on table games compared to most pokies, by including live tables on their sites, casinos can appeal to a broader range of players.
How to sign up to a live casino – step-by-step guide
If you want to get started at live online casinos in New Zealand, you can go through the following steps:
- 1
Find an online casino with live dealer casino games
Research the live dealer casino you wish to play at, find the ‘Sign Up’ or ‘Register’ button and click on it. You can check out our list of the best live online casinos from earlier.
- 2
Create an account
Enter your personal information and all required information. You may also need to create a username and password.
- 3
Verify your live casino account
You will have to prove your identity by clicking an email link, offering a photo ID, or providing proof or address.
- 4
Log in, deposit and start playing
After your first deposit, you can browse through the selection of live casino online games and start having fun. Don't forget to claim any casino bonuses available on live games.
Are live casinos worth joining
Like all things, there are advantages and downsides to joining a live casino. You may want to consider the following before you sign up for an account and get started:
Pros
- Realistic gaming experience: You get to experience the reality of playing against a live dealer in a land-based casino.
- Social interaction: There is a live chat option that allows you to communicate with the dealer and other players.
- Fair gaming: Live casinos follow strict procedures and regulations to ensure that all gaming is fair.
- Range of games: There is often a wide range of titles to choose from including roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and poker.
Cons
- Higher minimum bets: Live casinos often require players to make higher minimum bets compared to standard online casino games.
- Lack of free demos: There isn’t much opportunity to try out the live games before you place real money bets.
Play these online casino games instead
NZ live casino FAQs
What are the best live casino sites to join in New Zealand?
We have reviewed 40+ live online casino sites and used a strict set of criteria to rate them. You can find the best live dealer casino sites as at September2024 above. We do suggest you check back to our list regularly as we update it based on new casino reviews as well as changes in our current ones.
What games can I play at a live casino?
You can play all sorts of live dealer games online. Basically any of classic table games are usually available at an online live casino. The best will also offer other live dealer game variations like Game shows. We provide more information about the most popular online live casino games earlier.
What is the best live casino game to win money?
All live casino games give you the opportunity to win money. We look at win rates to help predict your chances of winning, even though this definitely doesn't guarantee anything. the good news is that any of the live dealer table games we listed earlier have a high return to player when compared to other casino games. Ranging in the 99.5% region, perhaps Live blackjack is the casino game with the highest RTP.
How do live casinos work?
Live casinos work very similarly to the table games at land based casinos. The biggest difference is that you can play live dealer games from your home. Since they're sometimes broadcasted direct from real casinos, live casino games bring an extremely realistic experience. If you play online you also get added perks like live casino bonus offers and unique game titles.
What is a live casino dealer?
Also known as a croupier, a live dealer is the person that hosts live games at an online casino. They are the ones who explain the rules at the beginning of the game and ensure that all players follow them. Depending on the game type, they're also professionally trained to shuffle cards, throw dice and spin roulette wheels. Live dealers also keep the games fun by engaging with players and ensuring regularly communication flow.