New Zealand is home to one of the best rugby teams in the world. Known as the All Blacks, the team has won three World Cups, 20 Rugby Champion Competitions, and a 76% win record on test-match games.
If you’re a rugby-betting fan, NZ should be on your watch list. Rugby started in the country in the 1870s. After half a century, the All Blacks were the best team in the world. They maintained their rank as a top rugby nation for the past 130 years.
Where can you bet on rugby in New Zealand? Great question. Here is a detailed guide on betting online in Kiwi land:
Online Betting is a Legal Grey Area
Online betting in New Zealand isn’t a black-and-white policy. The government has no law banning or accepting Internet sportsbooks. Its most recent gambling laws permit land-based sports betting and casino games. But it doesn’t mention mobile betting.
To be fair, New Zealand last created a gambling law in 2003. Known as the Gambling Act of 2003, the law was designed to streamline land-based casinos in the country.
Fast forward to 2024 and the government has yet to introduce Internet gambling laws. According to legal experts in the country, the existing laws mean Kiwis can bet on sports online through foreign websites.
Offshore sportsbooks dominate the New Zealand betting space. The government supports these businesses on the condition that they pay taxes locally. It doesn’t interfere with how they operate. But it plans to change its legislation in the next two years.
A recent government announcement says NZ plans to introduce online gambling legislation by 2026. The law will legalize online casinos. The government will auction its licenses albeit to a few applicants only.
Choosing the Best Betting Sites
With many betting sites in NZ located overseas, choosing the best sportsbook can be confusing. You need a safe and reliable bookmaker. It also must offer competitive odds, fast payouts, and fair free bets.
The best way to find a trustworthy sports betting website is to read online reviews. Compare the major websites for sports betting in New Zealand by checking their payment methods, welcome bonuses, sports odds, and mobile apps.
Pay attention to the best-rated sportsbooks in NZ. Find out what makes a bookmaker stand out from its competitors. Does it provide consistently competitive odds? Does it feature top-level bonuses?
The best betting websites in NZ have a unique proposition. Yes, they cover hundreds of sports, provide mobile support, and welcome bonuses. But they also do things differently from every other company.
For example, some sites have zero wager requirements on all welcome bonuses. Here you can easily turn a free bet into cash without the need to roll over your bonus severally.
Best Sports for Betting
In New Zealand, rugby is king. Every sports fan owns an All Blacks jersey and attends matches occasionally. Still, rugby isn’t the only popular sport in the country.
Cricket, the national sport of India, is highly popular in Kiwi land. Nicknamed the Blackcaps, it is the fifth-best-ranked team in the world. Soccer, netball, basketball, and golfing are also highly popular in the country.
While you can bet on local sports teams, online betting sites feature a comprehensive list of global sports. From European football to American basketball, you can bet on any sport.
The wide array of betting markets can be overwhelming. Choose your favorite sport and become an expert bettor. Learn the top competitions, teams, and players.
Importantly, specialize in one or two sports only. Sports betting is challenging. The best way to become good at it is to specialize. If you like rugby, become a rugby guru. You’re more likely to win bets if you’re highly knowledgeable about a sport.
Learn How to Find Quality Odds
The most successful gamblers have a skill most people don’t possess: the ability to find valuable odds. In most sports games, you can bet on the favorite or underdog team.
Backing your favorite team gives you a better chance of winning. But the profits are small. If you want to win big, learn how to choose undervalued odds. Find teams betting sites rank as underdogs yet have a decent chance of winning.
Look beyond match-winner bets to find quality odds. Learn how to bet on totals, handicaps, accumulators, and live games. A betting site might have long odds for a soccer match to end goalless. But if the two sides have quality attackers, there’s a chance one or both teams could score.
Your goal is to find these opportunities where some outcomes are more likely to happen than bookies believe. Not only are you likely to win more money, but you can also stay profitable long-term.
Banking and Withdrawals
Online sportsbooks in NZ support all major local payment options, from cards and mobile apps to crypto and bank payments. You can use your favorite banking method.
If you’re a new player, select a payment app like Skrill, PayPal, or GPay. Mobile wallets are fast, have low fees, and flexible limits. Cards like Visa and MasterCard are a great option. But they have slightly higher fees. Also, debit cards can be risky. Bank transfers are great for depositing or withdrawing large sums of money. The only catch is that they can take days.
After you choose a payment method, learn more about a casino’s policies. What’s the minimum you can deposit? How long does it take to withdraw money? Ensure you like the policies before you deposit your money.
Selecting Bonuses and Free Bets
Every betting website these days has a welcome bonus. In New Zealand, many sportsbooks match your first deposit 100% for a maximum of $100 to $500. The minimum deposit is $10.
Sports betting bonuses have terms that determine whether it’s worth it. First, there’s the rollover requirement. It varies from 1x to 10x your deposit amount. Then there’s the odds. After you accept a bonus, a bookie might set minimum odds for using the free bet.
Bonus terms help bookies minimize their losses. As a sports bettor, though, your goal is to find the best bonuses. Choose bonuses with the least wager terms, highest withdrawal limits, and longest time limits.
