Best Casino Apps in New Zealand: My Top 5 Hand-Picked Favorites as a Kiwi
While most of what you might have come to associate with “mobile casinos” are simply responsive website wrappers, this page isn’t about those. What I am talking about are casino apps, i.e., software you download from either the App Store or Google Play Store directly onto your phone.
If you are interested in learning about the best apps for online casinos in New Zealand, apps that utilize your phone’s hardware to offer you features like biometric login, push notifications to notify you of your winning payments, and even smoother gameplay than what you might experience through your phone’s browser, you are in the right place. I have tested these apps to separate them from lazy website wrappers and offer you only the real deal.
Top Online Casino Apps 2026: My Top 5 Apps
While it is a pain to try and find a legitimate best online casino app in New Zealand, as most of them are reserved for either the UK or European App Stores, I have managed to track down a small number of top-tier online casinos that have produced fully optimized and native apps for the NZ market. These apps offer you a stable platform to play from, without the lag and session timeout issues I have come to experience from playing within the online casino space.
This is not just about reading the description in the App Store. I tested each of these best gambling apps to the limit on two devices: my iPhone 14 Pro and an older Samsung S20. I tested them in poor 4G signal strength, in low battery mode, and switching tabs as many times as possible. The five apps that have made the list here are the ones that did not crash when I needed them the most.
LeoVegas: The Benchmark for Speed
Gambling apps are the sort you would normally access via a website in a small, cramped window. Not the case here. What really sets them apart from the other gambling apps is their “Multi-play” feature. It’s a name that sounds almost too good to be true. It really is too good to be true. I was able to play a volatility slot in portrait mode at the same time as playing a Blackjack game at the bottom of the screen. Go ahead and try to achieve the same with Chrome. It would lock up for sure.
LeoVegas is currently the fastest gambling app I’ve tested. It uses aggressive caching for their games. This means the second load of a heavy game such as Book of Dead is almost instantaneous. There’s no waiting for a loading bar. The navigation bar is at the bottom of the screen. That’s where my thumb likes to reside.
90DashScore details
Aggregated rating: 80.3
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Independently tested and verified by our Kiwi experts. This operator has passed our comprehensive audit, achieving a DashScore™ of 80 or higher. We deposited real NZD, played the games, and successfully cashed out.
Discover our full testing process →
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- Reputable, well-licensed casino
- Over 2,500 games
- Exceptional customer support facilities
- Decent selection of bonuses
- There aren’t that many payment methods
- No crypto options available
Licence: MGA, UKGC + others
Established: 2012
Pokies games: 2500
Live games: 180
Deposit options: Visa, MasterCard, Checkout, Paysafe, Skrill, NeoSurf...
Payout options: Visa, MasterCard, Skrill
Providers: Microgaming, NextGen Gaming, Thunderkick, Play’n Go, NoLimit City, NetEnt...
Secure Link
BetVictor: Best for Integration
I have an aversion to app clutter. The idea of having one app for sports betting and another for casino games is unappealing. BetVictor has saved me from that problem. The sports and casino games are neatly packed into one high-performance package. Just swipe left for casino games, and swipe right for sports. Brilliant, yet incredibly hard to do without making the app a bloated mess.
From the perspective of a New Zealand consumer, the best feature of the app has been the banking integration, allowing for support of POLi casino payments via the app’s interface. This has saved me from a world of frustration due to failed transactions, no longer having to leave the app and opening up a browser window. And the live table stream dynamically adapted nicely to my bitrate. The sports betting interface stayed live even when my signal strength dropped down to 2 bars, so that I would not miss a round.
80DashScore details
Aggregated rating: 81.5
Play with Confidence
Independently tested and verified by our Kiwi experts. This operator has passed our comprehensive audit, achieving a DashScore™ of 80 or higher. We deposited real NZD, played the games, and successfully cashed out.
Discover our full testing process →
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- Really huge collection of games
- Powered by multiple big providers
- Full instant play platform
- Downloadable mobile apps and direct play
- Casino welcome bonus mostly for slots
- Long withdrawal times for credit/debit cards
Licence: Gibraltar Regulatory Authority
Established: 2000
Pokies games: 2500
Live games: 100
Deposit options: Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, Apple Pay
Payout options: Visa, Mastercard, Google Pay, Apple Pay
Providers: Games Global, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, IGT (WagerWorks), OpenBet, Ho Gaming...
Secure Link
JackpotCity: The Slot Specialist
To me, this app doesn’t really seem like a website wrapper at all; it seems more like a launcher app for the Microgaming universe. If you’re a grinder of high-volume slots, this is the way to go by far. I can scroll through hundreds of game thumbnails without the “pop-in” effect that I always seem to run into on the mobile web version of the site when I scroll too aggressively. The local search indexing is instant too – games appear the second I type the first letter of the game name.
It handles the bonus system complexities well too. I could keep track of my wagering requirements on the welcome bonus directly within the app, rather than trying to dig through obscure sections of the website’s terms and conditions page. The daily “Bonus Wheel” is directly integrated with the phone’s built-in notification system too, reminding me of free spins when they were actually available, rather than bombarding me at 3 AM with ads like the website does.
70DashScore details
Aggregated rating: 81
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- One of the top casino brands in the world
- Thousands of pokies by top providers
- Regular tournaments
- Knowledgeable customer support available 24/7
- Wagering requirements too high
- Slow payments
Licence: Malta Gaming Authority
Established: 1998
Pokies games: 380
Live games: 10
Deposit options: Cards (Visa, Mastercard), paysafecard, Gpay, Skrill, Skrill 1-Tap...
Payout options: Cards (Visa, Mastercard), Skrill, NETELLER
Providers: Microgaming
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Royal Vegas: Stability over Style
I must admit: Royal Vegas is not winning any awards for the prettiest design in 2026. Their UI is a little old. However, their code is good. I tested their code by switching from WiFi to mobile data in the middle of a spin. Most apps would crash from such an operation. Royal Vegas suspended and resumed my session without any problems and continued my spin.
It’s as if they’re providing a safe “sandbox” for my session to take place in. I was able to upload my KYC documents using my phone’s camera through the phone’s settings menu. I wasn’t redirected to the desktop site for withdrawals. It’s a good, unglamorous app. If you want an app that doesn’t crash rather than an app with smooth animations, you should choose Royal Vegas.
80DashScore details
Aggregated rating: 69
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- Up to NZ$300 Welcome Bonus
- Over 400 casino games
- 210+ Pokies
- Parts of website not user friendly
- Minimal information on bonuses available
Licence: Malta
Established: 2004
Pokies games: 210
Live games: 85
Deposit options: Cards (Visa, Mastercard), PaySafeCard, GPay, Skrill, Skrill 1-Tap...
Payout options: Cards (Visa, Mastercard), Skrill, NETELLER
Providers: Microgaming, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming
Secure Link
Spin Casino: Live Dealer Focused
Latency is the biggest problem for live dealer games. I think the Spin Casino app prioritizes the video stream connection above all other considerations. In a bad internet connection situation, I noticed they reduced the quality of the video stream to pixelated blocks before freezing the betting UI. It’s as if they saved me from a few hands that would’ve timed out otherwise.
Their UI includes a high contrast mode that’s basically a dark mode. It’s good for battery life for OLED phones. It’s also good for live dealer since they remove a lot of the promotional banner clutter from the desktop site. This helped prevent accidental presses on my phone screen.
70DashScore details
Aggregated rating: 82
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- Straightforward registration
- Decent choice of games
- Generous welcome bonus
- Recognized payments methods
- Live chat does not offer “human” help
- Some bonuses do not allow players a chance to win
- Bonus terms are not very friendly
Licence: The Alderney Gambling Control Commission
Established: 2001
Pokies games: 500
Live games: 120
Deposit options: Cards (Visa, Mastercard), paysafecard, Gpay, Skrill, Skrill 1-Tap...
Payout options: Cards (Visa, Mastercard), Skrill, NETELLER
Providers: Microgaming, NetEnt, Evolution Gaming, Just For The Win, Stormcraft Studios, Triple Edge Studios...
Secure Link
How We Review Native Apps
We do not just review the new player bonus. We review the casino app as a software application. We look for the following:
- Native Functionality: Does the casino app use native device login methods such as FaceID/TouchID, or do you have to type your password each time you open the app?
- Stability & Speed: We review how many times the app crashes during game loading or how smoothly the app switches between the lobby and live casino games.
- Payment Integration: We review whether the casino app allows for native payments without opening the web browser, thus meeting the criteria of the fastest payout online casino.
- Battery Efficiency: We review how much battery power the app uses during a 30-minute session of graphic-intense video slots.
- Navigation: Is the app’s UI designed for mobile devices and touch screen navigation, or is it just a mobile version of the casino’s website?
How to Download and Install
In order to download and install a real money app in New Zealand, you have to follow a series of steps that will enable you to get the official app and thus not miss out on the sign-up offer.
A step-by-step guide to downloading native gambling apps on iOS and Android in New Zealand.
Create Account First
It is highly recommended that you first register your account on the mobile site before you begin the process of downloading and installing the app. This is because you do not want to miss out on any offer.
Find the Official App
In order for you to get the app from the app store, you have to:
iOS: Search for the app on the store by typing the name of the online casino of your choice.
Android: Search for the app on the Google Play Store. If you are unable to do so, you have to look for the official app on the website’s footer.
Secure with Biometrics
In order for you to have a smooth experience on your real money app, you have to enable FaceID and TouchID in the app settings.
Different Gambling App Types
Hardware influences the capabilities of the software installed on it. I treat them differently based on the OS.
Android Casino Apps
Android offers me greater freedom. Although the Play Store has started to allow gambling apps in New Zealand, I prefer to download them directly from the casino site via APK. They are usually the first to roll out updates for slot machine features and fixes.
iPhone Casino Apps
I rate them as the most secure. Apple reviews the code of these apps before allowing them on the App Store. I don’t experience any crashes with these apps. Apple Pay casino integration for instant deposits with native apps is a massive time-saver for me.
Tablet Casino Apps
I find that casino apps on iPads are not just enlarged versions of phone apps. I like the fact that they display the lobby and the active game simultaneously on a split-column layout.
Best Games to Play on Apps
I prefer native apps for casino games due to their ability to handle local assets efficiently.
Pokies Apps
I prefer native apps for online pokies. Browser-based versions are forced to redownload the assets for the casino games I play. I like the fact that the native apps store the essential files on my device. Animations are smooth and spins are instant.
Roulette Apps
I prefer native apps for this game. I like the fact that native apps are more accurate with touch input than mobile sites. This makes it easier for me to place my chips on precise betting splits without accidentally clicking on the wrong space due to my fat fingers.
Blackjack Apps
I prefer native apps for Blackjack games. Speed is essential for this game. I like the fact that casino apps are optimized for this and other card games. I don’t experience any delay with the “Hit” card packet.
Casino Apps vs Mobile Casinos
Is the download worth the space on my phone? Well, I will tell you the answer to this question based on my experience with both options.
The browser experience is instant, and I don’t even have to bother with a download, which takes space on my phone. I can access my experience on any device I want. However, the experience with the browser has a major drawback: it is a resource hog. I mean, I have 50 tabs open on my Google Chrome browser, and the rendering engine takes a lot of time to load pages. Also, the session timeout time of the browser is very low, and I have to log in to my account every time I leave the app to answer an incoming text message.
The casino app solves the problem of continuity. I don’t have to log in to my account again if I leave the app to answer an incoming text message. Also, the casino app does a much better job of processing my graphics than the browser does. It utilizes my phone’s GPU to perform this function. It’s an overall much better experience for someone like me, an avid casino player.
Pros & Cons of Native Apps
The experience of turning your phone into a casino terminal is not without its trade-offs.
Pros
- Biometric Entry: It is easy to log in with Face ID or Touch ID.
- Performance: The games run on the device’s GPU, giving you 60fps.
- Notifications: Get instant notifications on wins, withdrawals, or special offers.
- Efficiency: The app saves you mobile data.
Cons
- Storage: The app takes up space on your phone, around 50MB – 200MB.
- Maintenance: The app will require regular updates from the App Store.
- Availability: Some online casinos do not have an app for the New Zealand market.
Summary
Mobile gambling is one of the prominent trends that is promising to develop and become better. Playing from anywhere with your smartphone within your hand’s reach is probably one of the best inventions that has been created. Now you know what casinos in NZ offer a mobile version, so pick one and enjoy your pastime.
Update Log
20 Feb 2026: Updated our top picks of gambling apps for Kiwis in 2026, added our new ‘how we rate’ criterias, pros and cons, types of games to play on mobile, gambling app types, and an extensive guide on how to download and install them.
Gambling should only ever be viewed as a form of fun; entertainment, and never a way to make money, or for financial gain. If you find yourself chasing losses, unable to stop, or expecting to win, you may be exhibiting signs of problem gambling. If, at any point, you feel that you have a gambling problem, stop immediately, check out our Responsible Gambling page, and reach out to organisations and charities like New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation. Help and support is available.
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