6 Popular Places to Play Poker in New Zealand
For Kiwi players, playing your favourite poker at a land-based casino is always fun if you are a poker fan. This adds gambling an extra thrilling edge. Where can I find casinos near me? Where to play poker in New Zealand? These questions could ideally be asked by every Kiwi gambler. Here are 6 popular places to play poker in New Zealand.
Land-based casinos are considered traditional (brick and motor) casinos where players can gamble for real money. These casinos surely bring out the finer things in life with the spinning of the roulette wheel, the animated jumble of slot sounds, the cries from the craps table and the alert poker faces peering from their cards.
Here is a list of the best online casinos to play your favourite poker trusted by many players in New Zealand. You will find the best local casino near you to play poker!
A local casino near me to play poker
1. Christchurch Casino – 6 Popular Places to Play Poker in New Zealand
Located in the South Island of New Zealand, Christchurch Casino is in the center of the city. You can find here your favourite poker like Caribbean Stud Poker along with 36 table games and 500 pokies machines. You can select between Omaha and Texas Hold ‘Em as a poker player. This land-based casino also offers top-quality gambling entertainment.
It also provides land-based casino goers with an exclusive baccarat room with enthusiasts being able to choose from classic or Mini Baccarat. If you are a blackjack player can also enjoy a range of blackjack varieties. These include classic blackjack or blackjack.
You will also find a completely fun night out with restaurants, bars, beer, and wine tasting sessions, high teas, and pizza parties. It is an amazing land-based casino choice for players looking for a little more than just a casino.
Coming to poker. It has a poker room and a VIP area also. You will also find a sports bar: Monza Sports Bar. Although it is not a real sports bar. You can only watch sports on the flat-screen tellies, but you can’t bet on it right there, unlike in a real sports bar.
Dress code
There is an official dress code, just smart casual.
The following will not be permitted into Christchurch Casino:
- Beanies
- Clothing with obvious signs of being stained or dirty
- Steel capped boots
- Clothing with offensive designs/words
- Gang patches or other gang insignias
- Clothing deemed not acceptable for Christchurch Casino”
Entrance fee: no entrance fee
Address:
Telephone: 03 365 9999
30 Victoria Street, Christchurch, New Zealand
Website: http://christchurchcasino.nz/en/home
2. SKYCITY Auckland CASINO
This casino in Auckland is a must for every land-based casino visitor. It features two floors of gambling fun with over 1600 casino pokies, many video pokers (Poker, Three Card Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker), and 100 table games to choose from including poker – your favorite. You can be sure to find something for every gambling level.
It offers a range of games including Poker, Blackjack, Baccarat, and Roulette as well as variations of these games.
Land-based gamblers who do not want to hit the casino floor can try their luck at the private Blackjack and Sic Bo areas. For online gamblers missing their bonuses, Skycity offers players a chance to gamble using the Free Play option.
The casino also offers a variety of holiday promotions and special prizes for instant winners. However, after all the gambling fun, you can enjoy the comfort at the on-site hotels. The hotels are equipped with a fitness centre and spa, and fuel up at a variety of restaurants and bars.
It also hosts several concerts and sporting events in its massive conference hall. SkyCity is definitely the entertainment hub for land-based gamblers of all backgrounds and levels.
You will also find a poker room, a standalone baccarat room with 20 tables, and a VIP section.
Dress code: there is an official dress code, it’s smart casual, from the official website.
The following items are not welcome:
- Torn or damaged clothing (except fashionably distressed items)
- Dirty clothing or footwear
- Safety or trade clothing (e.g. safety vests)
- Sleeveless tops on men
- Gang patches or insignia
- Hats or caps (except for religious or medical reasons or within the Poker Zone)
- Sunglasses (except within the Poker Zone)”
Entrance fee: no entrance fee
Address
Contacts: 08007592489
Victoria and Federal Streets, Auckland, New Zealand
Website: https://www.skycityauckland.co.nz/casino/
3. Dunedin Casino
This casino offers a unique land-based casino experience as it combines the Maori and Scottish culture of the Dunedin region. More so, the area has the architectural styles of the Edwardian and Victorian times.
Also, the land-based casino offers many Kiwi players a variety of table games like Classic and Caribbean Stud Poker+ various forms of Poker, Blackjack, American Roulette, and Baccarat. In addition, the casino also boasts a choice of over 180 pokies which cater to every player’s interests.
Dunedin Casino offers players the chance to visit nature trails when they need to take a break from the casino floor. However, Dunedin is a top land-based casino choice for the player who loves the feel of a classic casino in a city rich with cultural diversity.
Dress code: smart casual
Entrance fee: no entrance fee
Address:
Telephone: 0800 477 4545
Address: 118 High Street Dunedin New Zealand
Skycity Queenstown Casino, address: Level 2, Stratton House, 16-24 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300
Website: https://www.dunedincasino.co.nz/
4. Skycity Queenstown Casino
It is a small casino. In fact, the second smallest Skycity casino, and also the second smallest casino in all of New Zealand.
Here you can play your favourite poker (Caribbean Stud Poker) while you savour some yummy food from the in-house restaurants and bars.
It has eighty-sixed gaming machines, table games such as Blackjack, Roulette, Midi-Baccarat, Caribbean Stud Poker, and twelve gaming tables. This Casino also offers ‘Learn to Play packages so if you want to learn or are just looking to sharpen your gaming skills, go in for one of those. It also features an in-house restaurant called Wild Thyme Bar and Kitchen that serves snacks, lunch, dinner, and canapés to patrons.
They also offer lunch loyalty cards so if you’re going to be visiting the Casino often when you are in Queenstown, New Zealand, ask them about the card. The Wharf Casino is a boutique casino that can offer a more cozy and intimate casino experience, it was originally known as Lasseters Wharf Casino which was then taken over by SkyCity in 2013 and named Wharf Casino.
Dress Code: A neat and tidy standard of dress at all times.
The following items are not appropriate:
- Torn or damaged clothing (except fashionably distressed items)
- Dirty clothing or footwear
- Safety or trade clothing (eg safety vests)
- Sleeveless tops on men
- Gang patches or insignia
- Hats or caps (except for religious or medical reasons or within the Poker Zone)
- Sunglasses (except within the Poker Zone)”
Entrance fee: no entrance fee
Address:
Location: 16/24 Beach St, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand.
Website: https://www.skycityqueenstown.co.nz/
5. SkyCity Hamilton
This is situated within the former Chief Post Office building. Apart from the casino, restaurant, and bar, they also have a bowling alley. The casino also runs a dealer school where training new dealers and croupiers are conducted.
It is one of the branches of the SkyCity Casino franchise and has everything that the SkyCity Casino in Auckland has. It offers right from gaming machines, table games, learn to play packages to suave bars and restaurants serving delicious food.
Along with the regular services and experiences, the Hamilton SkyCity Casino also hosts an event called Money Carlo which offers guests an opportunity to win $4000 in cash with two gaming chances.
Here you can play nearly 300 pokies with around 23 tables (roulette, blackjack, poker, and baccarat)
Dress code: there is a dress code, smart casual.
The following is not permitted at SkyCity Hamilton:
- Torn or damaged clothing (except fashionably distressed items)
- Dirty clothes or footwear
- Safety or trade clothing (eg safety vests)
- Sleeveless tops on men
- Crocs, scuffs and jandals (between 7 pm and 5 am)
- Gang patches or other insignia
- Hats or caps (except for religious or medical reasons)
- Sunglasses
Entrance fee: no entrance fee
Address:
SkyCity Hamilton, address: 346 Victoria Street, Hamilton Central, Hamilton 3204
Website: https://skycityhamilton.co.nz/
6. Skycity Wharf
This is the Wharf branch of the SKYCITY casino on Beach Street as part of the Queenstown complex. SKYCITY is a well-known company all over Australasia as well as having a good reputation, and being a household name. SKYCITY Wharf is fully licensed.
At this casino, you will find a range of table games and gaming machines to cater to every taste, but in a more stylish environment.
As part of the Queenstown complex, you, at SKYCITY Wharf, will gain access to the kitchen and bar Wild Thyme to enjoy a great selection of food and beverages. It does not have a hotel attached but there are some good accommodation options nearby.
Entrance Fee: No entrance fee
Address:
Telephone: 03 441 1495
88 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
email info@skycityqueenstown.co.nz
Website: https://skycityqueenstown.co.nz/wharf-casino/
FAQs
1. What is the minimum age to visit land-based casinos in New Zealand?
To enter a land-based casino in New Zealand you should at least have 20 years.
2. What type of ID is accepted at local casinos?
Most land-based casinos in New Zealand accept identification in the form of a passport, a driver’s license, a government ID document, or a Hospitality Association (HANZ) card, provided that these documents are recent and valid.
3. How do I join a players club at a land-based casino?
It depends on the land-based casino itself, however, most casinos have a simple method that needs players to provide a valid form of identification and then fill out an application form.
4. Is it legal to gamble in New Zealand?
Yes, it is! New Zealand has to be one of the friendliest countries for online players, and you can play real money games against players from all over the world on international poker sites. While other countries have new and restrictive measures for online poker players, New Zealand is a breath of fresh air.
5. Can I play for free at land-based casinos?
This depends on the casino itself, however, many land-based casinos do offer a chance for gamblers to play in free mode before playing for real money. Check out your nearest land-based casino for more information.
6. How to join a players club at a land-based casino?
This would depend on the land-based casino. Although most casinos have a simple method that requires players to show a valid form of identification and then fill out an application form.
7. What specific gambling laws do I need to know about?
The law to keep on top of it is the 2003 Gambling Act. This streamlines that it’s fine for NZ online poker players (and Internet casino gamblers, sports bettors, etc.) to play real money games on sites located outside of New Zealand’s borders.
8. Do I have to pay taxes on my winnings?
No! New Zealand is one of those countries where online poker earnings, even for professional players, are untaxed. This is because the winnings are considered a lucky windfall, and this also means there is one less thing to worry about when you play at one of these NZ-friendly sites.
9. Is it safe to deposit money with a credit card?
Yes, you can use credit cards (or debit cards) at the vast majority of NZ poker sites. The best casinos will list all available deposit methods, so it is simple to check out whether they allow credit card deposits before deciding to sign up for an account there.
10. What about other deposit methods?
In addition to card deposits, you can fund your account through e-wallets like Skrill or POLi, and also claim welcome bonuses at a selection of New Zealand online poker sites.
11. What kinds of games are available?
New Zealand casinos offer a wide range of real money tournaments and cash games at all hours of the day, including NZ-friendly times. These include all the popular variants of the game, especially Texas Hold’em and Pot-Limit Omaha but also games like Omaha Hi-Lo and Seven Card Stud.
12. How long does it take to claim my winnings?
No time at all. Unlike players in some other countries, as a kiwi you can use a variety of electronic withdrawal methods to claim your winnings rather than waiting on a paper cheque, meaning you will often be able to get the money from that big tournament win within 24 hours of making your cashout request, if not sooner.
13. Do I need to dress smart to visit a casino in New Zealand?
All casinos in New Zealand ask that their customers arrive in a neat and tidy dresses. This does not necessarily mean ‘smart’, with a suit or ball gown. What it does mean is that you must arrive in clothes and shoes that are neat and clean, not torn or dirty.
