How we compare live casinos
We follow a strict criteria when reviewing live casinos so that we can bring you best sites. Factors we consider include:
- What the different bonus offers are, including no deposit bonuses
- The variety of casino games available
- What payment methods are accepted
- Which software companies provide the games
- How user-friendly the websites and apps are
- That they are properly regulated and licensed
One of the biggest draws of any live casino is roulette. After all, this is probably the most glamorous casino game of them all, and playing a simulated version with a random number generator (RNG) really hasn’t got quite the same magic as watching a real ball spin and tumble around a gleaming roulette wheel. With a live dealer casino, you’ll have all the action streamed from a studio or casino floor via webcam, meaning you can place your bets and also interact with the croupier through a chatroom window. With variations like European and French roulette available at many online casinos, you’ll have plenty of ways to bet big or small.
Blackjack provides the ultimate showdown between the player and the house, a duel that relies on skill and luck in equal measure. The beauty of live casino blackjack is you’ll play this classic card game the way it was meant to be played – face to face with a dealer, rather than up against a computer algorithm. Thanks to the live dealer casino webcam, you’ll feel like you’re taking your place at the iconic semi-circle of the blackjack table, and with the chat function you can even talk with the dealer as you compete to get close to that fabled 21.
Live Poker
Poker is one of the most sought after games at the best live casinos in New Zealand. This popular card game provides players with a chance to truly test their skills, knowledge and nerves. With live poker, however, rather than competing at a cash table against other hungry poker players, you take on a real croupier. Thanks to popular titles such as Caribbean Stud, Three Card, Texas Hold’em and Casino Hold’em Poker, the entertainment you get will never run dry.
These games can be found at many of the top live casinos in NZ today. To add to this, providers like Evolution Gaming and Playtech have raised the bar in terms of HD streaming, mobile-friendly titles and unique in-game features. We recommend keeping an eye out for these providers for the best experience.
Live Baccarat
The best New Zealand live casino sites are loaded with various casino games, but specifically for card games, baccarat ranks right up there. At first glance, the game may seem confusing, but it’s actually one of the simplest of all card games. The relatively flat learning curve makes live baccarat one of the best live casino games, not to mention that it’s a fan-favourite. Since the odds of winning are better than other live games, it’s a game that suits the majority of players. Of course, being a live title, you still get the advantage of taking on a live dealer in a real setting too.
This makes playing live baccarat pretty much the next best thing to actually visiting a physical casino, all without leaving the couch if desired. As for the games you should look out for, we recommend sampling Baccarat Squeeze and Speed Baccarat for your first port of call.
Banking
When selecting which live dealer casino you want to try your luck with, it’s important to make sure you’re able to deposit and withdraw money using your preferred method. Some of the most widely accepted ways to bank with a live casino are:
- By Visa and Mastercard
- By direct bank transfer
- By PayPal, Neteller, Skrill and other e-wallets
Let’s have a look at each method in more detail.
Debit cards
The two main types of debit cards which the best live casinos all tend to accept include Visa and MasterCard debit cards. Since the vast majority of people own such cards anyway, it’s arguably the quickest and easiest way to fund your account. Deposits are usually added immediately, whereas withdrawals can be a little slower, sometimes taking 2-5 business days to come through.
Direct bank transfers
As long as you have easy access to online banking, you can use this method. While this method is incredibly secure, you do need to enter the bank details at your chosen live casino, and some banks require that you set them up as a ‘payee’. However, after doing this once, the details will be saved for when you want to use the method next time. As for withdrawals, they are fee-free, but direct transfers tend to be the slowest to process of them all, often taking anywhere from 2-10 business days.
E-Wallets
E-Wallets have rapidly become one of the preferred banking options at the top live casinos. After setting up your account with popular payment methods such as PayPal, Skrill, or Neteller, you are good to go. E-Wallets tend to support almost instantaneous withdrawals, have higher deposit/withdrawal limits and are highly secure. This is because no financial details are strictly shared for the transaction.
Software
Online casinos don’t produce the live dealer games themselves. That’s the responsibility of casino software providers. Some of the biggest names in the field are NetEnt and Evolution Gaming, who develop and operate the live casino games, ensuring everything runs smoothly for the casinos and the players. The software companies are always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible, creating truly immersive casino experiences with crystal-clear streaming, multiple camera angles and a whole host of game variations tailored for small-betting newbies and seasoned high rollers alike. Let’s see what separates each software house.
Evolution Gaming
Evolution Gaming is a mammoth live gaming provider. In fact, it has won the award for ‘live casino operator of the year’ more than any provider in the industry. This tells you all you need to know about the range, quality and popularity of Evolution Gaming’s titles. Being responsible for titles such as Monopoly Live, Lightning Roulette and countless others, Evolution Gaming has cemented its position as an industry leader in this category.
NetEnt
NetEnt is an interesting one. It has a sensational range of RNG casino games in its portfolio, which is arguably what it is most well known for. However, in recent times, it has been relentlessly improving and adding to its live gaming portfolio. These diversification efforts have paid off with the latest blackjack, roulette and baccarat variations proving to be a hit with live casino enthusiasts. Since all games are streamed from state-of-the-art studios, headed by professional dealers, the quality is phenomenal.
Bonuses
Many live casinos offer special bonuses to tempt new players to sign up. This is very often in the form of a match bonus, which means the casino will match your initial deposit up to a certain percentage. For example, if they offer a 100% match bonus, and you deposit $100, you’ll have $200 to play with. Another popular kind of incentive is the no deposit bonus, which doesn’t require you to pay anything at all. Both kinds of bonus will usually come with a wagering requirement, though, meaning you’ll have to bet a certain amount of times before you’re able to withdraw any winnings stemming from the bonuses.
For more information on the specifics of these various online casino bonuses, check out the details below:
First deposit match
To welcome new customers, it is fairly common for a first deposit bonus to be offered. Just to reiterate, this initial match could be anywhere from a 50% match all the way to a 200% match at the best New Zealand live casino sites. However, the more common matches we see tend to be floating around the 100% mark, which gives you a chance to double your funds right off the bat.
VIP & loyalty rewards
As you continue with your journey at your chosen live casino, you may notice you start to accumulate loyalty points (where applicable). As you amass more points, done by making wagers across various games, you’ll typically be able to exchange these points for rewards. Some common examples include additional deposit matches and bonus cash. These reward schemes tend to follow a tiered structure, so you may start to unlock VIP bonuses or ‘perks’ once you progress to the higher levels.
Such perks can lead to quicker withdrawal speeds, access to exclusive games, tailored bonuses based on your activity and more.
No deposit bonus
Often seen as the most desirable of all casino offers, a no deposit bonus allows you to take a shot at leading live casino games without investing a cent. More often than not, such a bonus will allow you to then play with bonus cash, and it could be anything from $5 to $20 on average. While yes, this is great and is a risk-free way of getting started, keep an eye out for the terms and conditions, as these can be quite restrictive.
Mobile-only
Obtaining an online casino bonus is by no means limited to desktop sites. In fact, to encourage players to install the available gambling apps, several of the top live casinos will offer a mobile-only incentive. As the name suggests, to qualify for the bonus, you must download either the iOS or Android app and then follow the steps required. The bonus itself can consist of a ‘bet $10 get $20’ type deal, a deposit match, or a no deposit bonus. It just depends on the site you choose.
New sites
These are exciting times in the world of online gambling, with bold new live casino sites bringing new experiences and innovations to the table all the time. You might discover new, playful versions of games like roulette and blackjack, with a variety of intriguing themes. Some sites might even tempt you with welcome bonuses that don’t come with any wagering requirements – meaning you can immediately withdraw your winnings if you strike it lucky. And, if you use a site like CasinoSelect.co.nz, you’ll know the new casinos are regulated and licensed, so you can bet away with complete peace of mind.
