Popularity of Online Gambling in New Zealand
New Zealand residents are becoming more and more interested in the world of online gambling. Although the local government does not have very positive views of the online casino market, residents are thrilled about the prospect of being able to gamble online from the comfort of their own homes. The industry is estimated at being worth millions throughout New Zealand, as an increasing number of individuals are beginning to spend money in the online gambling market.
Currently, there are only two operators that are permitted to offer online gambling services to residents of New Zealand. They are TabCorp and the New Zealand Lottery Commission. These two entities are regulated by the local government, so it has been deemed legal for them to have online gambling websites. TabCorp is the local sportsbetting authority while the NZ Lotto is able to sell lottery tickets online and offer casual games like bingo and keno.
Even though there are only two forms of legalized online gambling in the country, they have both fared quite well. In 2011, TabCorp brought in over $700 million in wagers. Recent reports also show that online sportsbetting is one of the fastest-growing gaming markets in New Zealand growing over 14% over the course of the past five years. So, it seems that TabCorp’s online gambling offering will only gain popularity in coming years.
Casino gambling is also incredibly popular in the online gambling market in New Zealand. Slots, table games and card games are among the most popular gambling activities at casinos in the online world, thanks to their impressive graphics and impressive winning potential. Casino reviews praise the dedication that online gambling developers have to creating new and exciting titles that engage players from across the country.
Another form of remote gambling that is becoming popular in New Zealand is mobile gaming. Mobile casinos offer players the chance to take part in their favourite online gambling games from virtually anywhere. Some of New Zealand’s most popular gambling developers have started launching mobile casino games, including IGT and Aristocrat, two of the country’s leaders in poker machine manufacturing.
As it stands, Aristocrat and IGT have launched about a dozen mobile casino applications. Most of them are compact versions of their land-based and online pokies, allowing players to take their favourite titles with them on the go. Currently, the games are not available for real-money play, but they present a great opportunity for growth in New Zealand’s mobile gambling market.