Looking for more information about how and where to bet in NZ? Look no further. In this comprehensive guide, we talk about some of the best betting operators in NZ, the various sports you can bet on, and a whole lot more, so read on if you want to know all that you need to know about betting in NZ.
Best Sports Betting Sites in NZ
Best Betting Sites in NZ
Why Should You Trust BettingTop10?
At BettingTop10, we have plenty of experience evaluating the legitimacy of various betting sites around the world. Our team of experts uses their own first-hand experience to provide you with information about different bookmakers, to make it easier to decide whether to bet and who to bet with.
As specialists in the field, we go direct to the source, actually using the betting sites we talk about and bringing information about them to you. We only look at legitimate betting websites, so you can be sure that any sites we promote are secure to use.
How Do We Review Betting Sites?
We look at a number of different betting sites, and when judging them analyse a number of different metrics. Below is a list of some of the things that we take into consideration when reviewing betting sites.
- Range of markets:
This is one of the most important factors for many punters. Range of markets refers not only to how many different sports a bookmaker provides odds for, but also how many markets they have for individual matchups and events
- Odds:
This is a pretty obvious one, but one which clearly needs to be taken into consideration when looking at different bookies. Every betting site will have slightly different odds for the same events, and if you’re serious about finding the best value possible then this is an important thing to look at
- Customer support platform:
This one might not be as important to many people, but it can be frustrating when you have a query which needs a resolution and the betting agency you’re using is difficult to contact, or unable to help. Many bookies offer comprehensive customer support platforms which include live chat and a phone number, with at least one of them sometimes available 24/7
- Quality of website and mobile app:
Another important thing to look at when considering different bookmakers is the quality of both their website, and their mobile app. Being able to quickly and easily scroll through the available markets and do what you need to do, be it on a computer or your mobile, can be a big tick for a bookie
- Number of banking options:
This one probably falls a little further down the list of priorities for most punters, but if you’re someone who likes to use something a little less common than a credit/debit card to deposit and withdraw into your betting account, finding a bookie that offers these options can be pivotal
Top 5 Betting Sites For Sports At BettingTop10 NZ
We’ve taken a look at a multitude of different bookmakers throughout the course of our research, and while most of them have various pros and cons, the below sites stood out as among the best. In this section, we’ll put some of the best NZ betting sites under the microscope.
22Bet NZ
22Bet has been around since 2018, and since that time has established itself as one of the pre-eminent online betting sites in NZ. There are a number of reasons why this bookmaker has been able to do this. For starters, they offer a great range of different sports markets and casino games, and decent odds to boot, while their website is also particularly easy to use. On top of that they offer a good selection of different payment option, meaning they tick most of the boxes mentioned in the previous section.
Rating: 4.7/5
Top features: Wide range of sports markets, highly functional website, good range of deposit and withdrawal methods, live chat available
Likes: Selection of sports markets, quality of the user experience, range of payment methods.
Dislikes: No live streams
Bonuses: 100% deposit bonus available upon sign-up
Markets: Head-to-head, line bets, margin bets, futures, player props
Read now the 22Bet review
20Bet NZ
Not to be confused with the similarly named 22Bet, 20Bet is another quality NZ betting site. This is a bookmaker with a fairly strong focus on casino games and a wide variety of them as a result, though they do also offer a number of sports markets as well. They also have very good customer support which is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, while a good number of bonuses help to round out this bookmaker.
Rating: 4.7/5
Top features: Wide variety of different casino games, high-quality customer support platform, excellent bonus offerings
Likes: 24/7 availability of customer support, promotional offers, presence of plenty of casino games and sports betting markets
Dislikes: Website can be a little bit clunky and difficult to use, no live streaming
Bonuses: Welcome bonuses available for new users
Markets: Range of casino games, moneyline markets, line bets, margin markets, player props, futures
Read now the 20Bet review
Betway NZ
Betway is one of the more experienced bookmakers on the NZ betting scene, having been a significant global player since it was founded in 2006. Though they have had a few complaints over the years, the New Zealand arm of their business is one of the better options in the country. They have a massive range of different casino games and sports betting options, while fast payouts and a good range of deposit and withdrawal options are other notable features.
Rating: 4.5/5
Top features: Huge range of different casino games, experienced betting site from around the world, lots of payment options
Likes: Variety of betting options, easy to deposit and withdraw, decent odds
Dislikes: Site can be a little clunky at times
Bonuses: 100% deposit match on first deposit up to $60
Markets: Casino games as well as sports betting options on a wide range of sports, with markets including moneyline, player props, margin bets and more.
Power Play NZ
PowerPlay is another online betting site in NZ which has a focus on casino games, with a wide range of these available for users. However, they do also have a sports component to their site, offering markets on a number of different things for a few different popular sports. The website is relatively easy to use, while they also offer a really good customer support platform to ensure that you’ll be look after if any issues should arise.
Rating: 4.4/5
Top features: Really good customer support platform, quality website, focus on casino games
Likes: Decent odds for sports markets, easy to peruse the website, range of customer support options available
Dislikes: Not as many sports markets as some competitors
Bonuses: First, second, and third deposit bonuses are available
Markets: Wide range of casino games, but also things like moneyline, line, and margin markets available on select sports.
Bet365 NZ
Bet365 is one of the biggest sports betting companies in the world, and it’s little surprise that upon advancing into the NZ betting arena they have been relatively successful. They’ve got plenty going for them; a huge range of markets, great odds, and an easy-to-use website, and it’s these things and a few more which help to ensure this is one of the more popular bookmakers in New Zealand.
Rating: 3.8/5
Top features: Very good odds, huge range of different sports markets, good mobile app
Likes: The number of different sports markets, the high odds relatively to competitors, the functionality of the website and app
Dislikes: Customer support can be a little tough to find on the site
Bonuses: 100% first deposit match up to $100
Markets: Range of different racing and sports markets.
Safety, Security & privacy on Betting Sites
Every bookmaker that we review at BettingTop10 is licensed and regulated, so you can be sure that they are who they say they are. Sports betting sites in NZ are governed by the Racing Act 2003, which ensures that they act in accordance with a predetermined set of rules and regulations designed to protect the user. With this in mind, you can feel safe using the sites that we have reviewed in the knowledge that they are operating legally and fairly.
Sports Coverage on NZ Betting Bites
New Zealand is a sports loving nation, and there is no shortage of sports which are popular throughout the nation. Unsurprisingly, this translates to the world of betting, with these bigger sports often among the most common on which to bet. These are some of the most popular sports to bet on in NZ.
Rugby Union 🏉
NZ has for a long time been the dominant rugby union team in the world, and the success of the All Blacks is obviously a result of, and equally a contributing factor to, the continued growth of the sport in the country. Betting on this sport is very common, with Betway one NZ betting site which offers a wide range of rugby union markets, including moneyline, line and big win/little win.
Rugby League 🏉
Though rugby league doesn’t have the same popularity as its union counterpart in many parts of the world, including NZ, there is still plenty of interest in this form, predominantly related to the NZ Warriors. New Zealand’s sole representative in the Australia-based NRL, the Warriors garner plenty of attention among sports fans and punters alike, as does the league more generally. Again, Betway is a good option for betting on the NRL, with a wide range of different markets to keep rugby league enthusiasts satisfied.
Cricket 🏏
During the summer time, the attention of much of the NZ sporting world turns to cricket. Regardless of the form of the national side, cricket is a popular sport throughout the country, but their success in recent years has certainly helped to heighten the interest even more. Every bookmaker we’ve mentioned provides plenty of markets for NZ games, other internationals and many domestic leagues, including the typical ones as well as player props, total score and much more. Bet365 is a particularly good place to bet on cricket.
Football ⚽
Football is popular all around the world, and even though it’s not exactly New Zealand’s national sport there is still plenty of interest in it. That will be amplified further by the upcoming FIFA 2022 World Cup, which will take place in Qatar late in 2022. With so many leagues around the world there are often a huge number of different football markets on most bookmakers, and the five that we have mentioned are certainly no different, offering head-to-head, correct score, line and much more. Here you can find the best betting sites for football with all the relevant information you need and easily start to bet.
Basketball 🏀
The NBA has long been where the attention of most of the world’s basketball fans is directed, and with Steven Adams having become a big part of the league in recent years that has only become more the case in NZ. The growth of the NBL just across the Pacific in Australia has also helped to further interest in the sport, and as a result it’s become more prominent on many betting sites. Check out 20Bet’s selection for a great range of basketball betting options, including player props, head-to-head, line bets and totals.
Horse Racing 🏇
Away from the ball sports now, and to horse racing, which has long been a major part of New Zealand’s sporting heritage. Harking back well over 100 years to the days when they were producing horses like Phar Lap, horse racing both domestically and internationally is very popular among punters in NZ. Betway is another great place to bet on horse racing; you’ll be able to find races around the world and all major markets including win/place, quinella, exacta, trifecta and various other exotics.
TAB NZ 📑
TAB NZ is a statutory monopoly for betting in NZ. Formerly known as the NZ Racing Board and Racing Industry Transition Agency, this is a legal entity with whom you can bet online on a variety of different things.
World Cup 2022 Betting Sites
It’s been four years in the making, but the 2022 FIFA World Cup is almost here. In November, 32 countries will aim to be crowned World Cup champions in Qatar. It’s a historic tournament as it’s the first time the tournament has taken place in a Middle Eastern country and it’s also the first to be played in a Summer climate. With the group stages set, it’s time to start thinking about betting strategies as betting sites have markets available right now. At BettingTop10 NZ, you’ll find the top betting sites in New Zealand to place a bet or multi on every game of the tournament as well as futures betting markets, such as outright winner.
Betting Sites Features
There are a number of features which can help to separate betting sites from their multitude of competitors, and below are some of the most important of them, and which kind of punters they might appeal to.
- Live streaming:
This is a great feature which you can find with some bookmakers, and which enables you to tune into certain sporting events directly on a betting site or app, making it easy to follow an event you’ve bet on. Not all or even many bookmakers actually offer it though, and among those who do there is a fair bit of variation in terms of what they offer. Of those we’ve mentioned, Bet365 is one bookmaker who offers live streaming, allowing you to watch live racing as well as a multitude of different sports direct on their platform.
- Live betting:
Live betting is another feature of some NZ betting sites which can help to add another dimension to betting. As the name suggests, this enables you to bet on events live rather than prior to them beginning, meaning you can see how it is unfolding before you bet. Evidently the odds change very quickly with this form of betting. Among the bookmakers who offer this option are Bet365, 22Bet and Betway.
- Mobile apps:
Bookmaker mobile apps are something which have very rapidly become commonplace after previously not existing, and allow punters to bet quickly and easily on the go. It’s almost at the stage where it’s unusual for a bookmaker to not have a mobile app, but the quality of them varies significantly among different sites. All of the five bookies that we mentioned earlier – 20Bet, 22Bet, Bet365, Betway and PowerPlay offer a mobile experience of some kind.
Popular Betting Markets in NZ
The most popular betting markets in NZ, for the most part, pertain to the most popular sports which we mentioned above. Typically these are the same as in most countries, and are among the most common betting markets that you’ll come across as well as the most straightforward to understand and follow.
The below list includes some of the most popular betting markets in NZ:
- Head-to-head betting
- Line betting
- Big win/little win
- Margin betting
- Player props
- Win/place
- Quinella
- Exacta
- Trifecta
Bonuses & Promotions at Betting Sites
Many NZ bookmakers offer an array of different bonuses and promotions, each of which help to make them more attractive to potential customers. Let’s take a look at some of the more common bonuses you’ll come across on NZ betting sites.
Welcome Bonus
This is probably the most common type of bonus and one which sees users rewarded for signing up with a bonus often matching their first deposit. For example, with 22Bet, 20Bet and PowerPlay, you’ll receive a 100% first deposit match up to $250, $150, and $500 respectively.
Early Payout Offers
This type of bonus is offered for a handful of sports on various sites and results in you being paid out for a head-to-head bet early if the team you picked develops a lead of a certain number. For example, with Betway you’ll be paid out if your selection in the NBA gets 16 points ahead or more even if they lose.
Casino Bonuses
These bonuses obviously relate to the casino components of these sites rather than the sports betting. Casino bonuses can come in a variety of different forms, but will often be something like a certain number of free slot spins when you play a certain number of games, as an example.
Accumulator Bonuses
These bonuses attempt to encourage punters to bet on multis. The way they work varies from bookmaker to bookmaker, but as an example, it may be that if you place three legs in a multi you’ll get a 10% boost on your odds, while if you place four legs you’ll get a 15% boost.
Deposits And Withdrawals On Betting Sites
Depositing and withdrawing isn’t exactly the most exciting part of betting – though withdrawing can certainly be fun if you manage to make some money – but it is necessary, and whether a bookmaker makes it easy or difficult for you to do can have an impact on whether you decide to use them.
Deposit At Betting Sites
For the most part, debit/credit card will be the simplest way for you to deposit once you verify your card. There are, however, a few other options, and these are some of the most popular of them.
- Debit/Credit Card
As mentioned, this is the simplest option. Once you verify your card you can do it quickly and easily, plus it’s available with virtually all bookmakers
- PayPal
PayPal is another easy option if you have an account. If you have funds in your PayPal account you can deposit with some bookmakers, including Betway
- Neteller
Neteller is a growing e-wallet which is easy to use once you’ve set it up. It’s available with a handful of bookies, including 20Bet and 22Bet
- Paysafecard
This is a fairly new deposit method which isn’t available on a huge number of betting sites, but a couple of ours, namely Bet365, Betway and 22Bet, do offer it as an option
- POLi
POLi is a payment method which lets you pay easily for numerous things online, and you can transfer money from your bank account to your betting account using it with Bet365
Withdraw At Betting Sites
Like depositing, debit/credit card is a pretty easy and safe way to withdraw. These are the most popular withdrawal options at betting sites in NZ
- Debit/Credit Card
Again, this is a quick and easy option which you’ll be able to do with virtually every bookmaker, including PowerPlay and more
- Bank Wire
Bank wire involves transferring directly between your betting account and your bank account. Bet365 and 22Bet, for example, offer this, and using it you should expect the money in your bank account in between one and five business days
- Skrill
Skrill is similar to Neteller in that it’s a developing e-wallet available with a growing number of bookies. Again, 20Bet and 22Bet are best for this option, while it’s also available with Bet365
- Paysafecard
Paysafecard gets another run as a good withdrawal option, and once again is available with many of our favourite bookmakers, including Bet365, Betway and 22Bet
- PayPal
Like Paysafecard, PayPal gets a run as a popular deposit and withdrawal method due to its availability with a number of popular bookies
How To Open An Account At Betting Sites
Opening an account with most bookmakers is a simple process which can generally be completed either on the online website or via mobile apps.
These are the steps you typically need to follow:
- Head to the NZ betting site you wish to join
- Locate the ‘Join’ button, typically in the top right-hand corner
- Enter your personal details
- Enter your account details
- Confirm all of the details and you’ll have your account setup. Often you’ll also need to verify your identity after this
How To Place A Bet At Betting Sites
Once you’ve signed up to a site, placing a bet is easy. You’ll first need to deposit funds using one of the above methods, then you simply scroll through the markets and find one on which you wish to bet. Click on the odds and the bet will appear in your betslip, after which you simply enter your stake and click confirm.
Betting Sites App And Mobile Website
It’s now almost part and parcel of every bookmaker to offer a mobile app, but just how good they are can vary significantly. There are certain things which are relatively consistent among different apps and mobile sites; for example, generally you can perform basically every function that you can perform online on your mobile. Be that signing up, depositing or withdrawing, or placing a bet, the vast majority of mobile apps and sites will enable you to do just that.
These apps, typically downloadable from the Apple Store, Google Play or wherever it is that you get your apps, can vary significantly in quality though. While some are extremely fast and responsive, others can be a little more cumbersome and difficult to use, making it difficult to justify bother with them. Bet365 is one example of a bookmaker with a high-quality app, with their mobile offering very fast, easy to scroll through, and offering punters with the ability to do all that they need to do with ease from their mobile phone.
Strategies and Betting Tips
We’ve talked about how to create an account, how to place a bet and much more throughout this piece; now it’s time to talk a little bit about some strategies to implement.
These are some things to take into consideration before you place a bet:
- Try to focus on sports that you know about
While it can be fun to explore new sports, if you want to do that it’s best to have someone who knows a little more than you providing advice, or alternatively stick to the sports that you follow closely
- Do your research
It’s always important to ensure that you do a little bit of research before placing a bet, particularly if you are betting on something you don’t follow all that closely. This can be as simple as looking up teams and players who are potentially missing, or as complicated as reading in-depth analysis about a game
- Take note of how the odds change in the lead up to a game
It’s easy to fall into the trap of thinking that if the odds for one team continually get shorter, for example, that there’s no longer any value and you should bet on the other team. Often, however, these shortening odds are a sign that a lot of big punters are placing bets on that team, and it can be a good idea at times to follow them
- Remember that the bookie knows their craft
It’s great to try to find value in the odds – that’s the aim of the game. But if you come across odds which seem completely out of whack with what you think is reasonable, make sure you consider reasons why there may be a difference in your perspective and that of the bookies, and make sure you aren’t missing any important information.
Betting Sites Customer Support
Customer support, as we mentioned earlier, is an important part of every bookmaker. It’s something that you probably don’t care about until you need it, at which point you’ll be hoping to be using a bookmaker that offers a solid platform. This is the type of customer support offered by each of the bookies we’ve mentioned in this article.
Betway Customer Support
Betway offer a reasonable customer support platform led by their live chat function, which is in our view the easiest way to get a query resolved. There are, however, sometimes technical issues with the live chat function, though they do also have a reasonably detailed Frequently Asked Questions section.
PowerPlay Customer Support
The customer support platform at PowerPlay is very comprehensive. They have a live chat feature, a phone number, an email address, or you can contact them on Facebook, and these can be reached between 8am and 6pm EST.
20Bet Customer Support
20Bet has one component of their customer support platform which helps to put them among virtually all of their peers; 24/7 live chat. Live chat is an easy way to reach out, and being available 24/7 is a great bonus. They also have an email address you can reach, though this will take a little longer.
Bet365 Customer Support
As an experienced global betting giant, it’s no surprise that Bet365 knows what they’re doing in terms of customer support. Like 20Bet, their offerings are available 24/7, and include live chat as well as a phone line and postal address.
22Bet Customer Support
22Bet also offers a handful of different options, though they don’t commit to a 24/7 offering. Live chat is once again the easiest way to get in touch, while you can also reach out via email, in which case they say that you will have a response within 24 hours.
FAQs
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Are Online Betting Sites Safe in NZ?
As long as you make sure that you’re betting with a licensed and regulated betting site, then you can be confident that online betting sites in New Zealand are safe. Betting sites in NZ are governed by the Racing Act 2003, so if your site abides by this then you can feel secure betting with them
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What Is The Best Betting Site in NZ?
There is no one individual site which is unequivocally the best, but there are a handful which do most things better than most of their counterparts. The five that we’ve mentioned throughout this article – Bet365, 20Bet, 22Bet, PowerPlay and Betway – are among the most popular for a number of reasons, namely that they offer a good selection of markets, good customer support and more. There are also betting sites with free bets which are very recommended for beginners
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What Is The Most Important Thing To Consider When Choosing a Betting Site?
There are a range of things to consider when choosing a betting site, and which is most important will depend on the individual. For most, good odds and a wide range of markets are particularly important, while others might want a solid selection of payment methods and helpful customer support
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How Do I Get Bonuses?
Many NZ betting sites offer bonuses of some form, and a lot of them will simply be credited to you without you needing to do anything. For example, a welcome bonus deposit match will simply appear when you deposit, while if you’re betting on a market with something like an early payout, you’ll simply receive your payout if the criteria is fulfilled
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What Are The Most Popular Sports For Betting in NZ?
New Zealand is a sports loving nation, and many of the popular sports from the country are also popular for betting on. Among the biggest betting sports in NZ are rugby league and rugby union, as well as cricket, football, basketball, and horse racing