POLi Casino NZ in 2026: What Happened to POLi at Online Casinos (And What To Use Instead)
Sophia Novakivska | 
Alex SmithLooking for the best POLi casino in New Zealand? Here’s the straight answer, because many sites still won’t give it to you: POLi no longer works at online casinos in New Zealand. The payment provider itself is alive and well, but it’s been withdrawn from the gambling market, so any website showing you a list of “top POLi Pay casinos in NZ” is selling you something that no longer exists.
On this page, I’m going to cover exactly what happened to the payment method, whether POLi is likely to come back, and, more importantly, which payment methods you can use at the best real money online casinos today.
Top POLi Casino Alternatives in New Zealand (Updated July 2026)
Every gambling site below accepts players from New Zealand and supports the online payment methods that have replaced POLi: bank transfer, debit cards, EWallets, prepaid vouchers, and crypto. We cover exactly which alternative banking options to consider later on this page.
85DashScore details
Aggregated rating: 75.8
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- Simple registration procedure
- 8,000+ game titles
- 152 recognised software providers
- Fiat and crypto payments
- Fair bonus wagering requirements
- Great interface and navigation
- Dedicated mobile app
- Inaccurate RTP in some slots
Licence: Kahnawake
Established: 2023
Pokies games: 8000
Live games: 152
Deposit options: Visa, Mastercard, Paysafecard, ApplePay, Skrill, Neteller...
Payout options: Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, EcoPayz...
Providers: Pragmatic Play, Evolution, Pragmatic Play Live, IGTech, Booongo, Play’n GO...
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85DashScore details
Aggregated rating: 39.8
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- Home to more than 12,000 games
- Low deposit options start at 20 NZD
- Slow withdrawals times
- No evening or weekend withdrawals
Licence: Costa Rica
Established: 2025
Pokies games: 12000
Live games: 100
Deposit options: Pay By Card, VISA, Mastercard, PSCD, SKRL, NTLR...
Payout options: Withdraw to Card, Bank Transfer, Skrill, Mifinity, USDT ERC20, BitCoinCash...
Providers: 1x2Games, 3 Oaks Gaming, Amatic Industries, Amusnet (Former EGT Interactive), Apollo Games, Apparat Gaming...
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85DashScore details
Aggregated rating: 80.3
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- Simple registration
- 9,500+ game titles
- 145 software providers
- Bonuses for new and regular players
- Regular tournaments with impressive cash prizes
- VIP program
- 10 cryptocurrencies and fiat payments
- Wagering requirements are pretty high
- No live chat for unregistered users
Licence: Curacao
Established: 2023
Pokies games: 9500
Live games: 100
Deposit options: Visa, Mastercard, Paysafecard, MiFinity, Skrill, Neosurf...
Payout options: MiFinity, Inpay, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Litecoin, Ethereum...
Providers: 100HP Gaming, 1spin4win, 1×2 Gaming, 3 Oaks, 4theplayer, 5men...
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80DashScore details
Aggregated rating: 67.5
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- Easy sign up and login
- Fiat and crypto payments
- Jackpots and live dealer games
- Weekly cashback
- Nice and responsive design
- Negative reviews
- Poor customer support
Licence: PAGCOR
Established: 2023
Pokies games: 4000
Live games: 100
Deposit options: Visa, Mastercard, Neosurf, Paysafecard, Skrill, Skrill 1-Tap...
Payout options: Visa, Bank Transfer, Skrill, Skrill 1-Tap, Neteller, Jeton...
Providers: Evolution Gaming, Playtech, Spinomenal, Nolimit City, Wazdan, BF Games...
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72DashScore details
Aggregated rating: 37.5
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- 7,000 games
- Over 100 software providers
- Low minimum deposit requirements
- Fast and professional customer support
- Missions and free spins bonuses
- Crypto accepted
- High wagering requirements
Licence: Curacao
Established: 2024
Pokies games: 7000
Live games: 100
Deposit options: Visa, MasterCard, Paysafecard, Skrill, Neteller, Neosurf voucher...
Payout options: Visa, MasterCard, Skrill, Neteller, Multibanco, SOFORT...
Providers: 1spin4win, 1x2gaming, 2by2, 4theplayer, Ainsworth, Alchemygaming...
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80DashScore details
Aggregated rating: 42.3
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- MGA licence, stricter than Curacao
- 3,000+ games from 20+ established providers
- Only three withdrawal methods
Licence: Malta MGA
Established: 2022
Pokies games: 3000
Live games: 100
Deposit options: Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer, Neteller, Skrill, MiFinity...
Payout options: Neteller, MiFinity, Bank Transfer
Providers: Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Evolution, Play’n GO, Hacksaw Gaming, Nolimit City...
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80DashScore details
Aggregated rating: 58
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- Wager-free welcome package
- Fast payouts, often within 12 hours, plus a dedicated poker room
- Sticky bonuses with a 5x deposit cashout cap for non-VIP players
Licence: Curacao
Established: 2010
Pokies games: 11000
Live games: 1000
Deposit options: Visa, Mastercard, Apple Pay, Google Pay, Instant Bank Transfer, Skrill...
Payout options: Visa, Mastercard, Bank Transfer, Skrill, Neteller, Jeton...
Providers: Pragmatic Play, NetEnt, Play’n GO, Evolution, Betsoft, Microgaming...
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If you see a casino you like the look of, simply hit “Play Now” to be taken directly to their sign-up page where you can register an account and, if applicable, claim a welcome bonus.
Why POLi Pay Casino NZ Sites Were So Popular
POLi Pay casino sites had, at one point, become one of the most widely used online casino deposit methods in New Zealand, and it’s not hard to see why so many online casinos once accepted it.
POLi connects directly to your NZ bank account, which means that instead of entering your card details or needing to set up an external wallet, you simply selected your bank, logged in (through the POLi interface), and confirmed the payment.
POLi casino deposits were instant, no separate bank account was required, and the payment method was supported by all major NZ banks, so what happened? In short, it all comes down to how banks felt about POLi Pay casino sites, and we’ll go into more depth below.
What Happened to POLi Pay Casino Deposits?
Two separate things happened in regard to online casinos that accept POLi, and both impacted the ability for casinos to continue accepting the payment method.
First, Australia Post shut down POLi’s Australian operations on 30 September 2023, after Australia’s real-time payment infrastructure made the service redundant there. The New Zealand side of the business was sold to a local firm called Merco, and carried on, and that’s why you can still use POLi today for other things like flights and retail purchases.
The part that actually matters for NZ online casinos, however, is that POLi stopped serving the iGaming sector entirely. New Zealand banks progressively tightened their policies around third-party services that log into your online banking on your behalf, and that’s exactly how POLi works.
As a result, casino operators moved to payment methods with more reliable transaction success rates, which is why you will no longer find any POLi casino sites, even if other websites haven’t quite updated yet.
Editor’s Note: If you notice a casino still shows the POLi logo in its footer or on its banking page, consider it outdated. In our recent testing, it’s simply no longer possible to use POLi to deposit at casinos in New Zealand.
The Best POLi Pay Casino Alternatives for Kiwi Players
If you miss having the POLi deposit option available to you, that’s understandable, because it did three things: deposits were made directly from your bank account, you didn’t need a credit or debit card, and there were no fees involved.
Thankfully, all three of these factors can be found in other, better banking options – and, unlike POLi, which was always deposit-only, most of these can handle withdrawals, too.
You’ll find most of the methods below supported at the casinos listed at the top of this page.
Bank Transfer – The Best Like-For-Like POLi Payment Replacement
If “pay directly from my bank account” was what appealed most about POLi payment casino sites, then a bank transfer is your closest match. The only difference is you do it through your own banking app rather than a third-party portal, so your bank’s guarantee remains intact.
When playing at the best online casinos in New Zealand, deposits typically clear on the same day, and unlike POLi, you can withdraw via bank transfer, too.
Debit Cards – Available At All Casinos in New Zealand
Visa and Mastercard debit cards remain the most widely supported payment option available to NZ players. Deposits are instant, withdrawals take 1-5 working days, and you’re spending your own money rather than credit.
One caveat: some banks in New Zealand have started declining gambling transactions on cards, which is why many players chose to deposit with POLi in the first place. If you can’t choose your bank again, the next two options solve this issue.
EWallets – One Of The Best POLi Casino Alternatives
Skrill, Neteller and MiFinity are widely available at the best POLi Pay casinos NZ used to offer, and they sit between your bank and the casino, so no card or banking details ever touch the casino’s systems.
Deposits are instant, and withdrawals, once processed by the casino, are instant, too. So, if you’re looking for instant deposits and fast withdrawals, EWallets are are a solid option for making payments at NZ casinos.
Prepaid Vouchers – Easy To Use At Online Casinos, But No Withdrawal Function
Paysafecard and Neosurf are the true “no banking details” option, and the whole payment service is designed around cash and anonymity. You simply buy a voucher with cash or card at dairies, supermarkets and petrol stations, and then redeem the 16-digit code at any casino that supports the payment method.
Like POLi, they’re deposit-only; however, when a casino supports deposits via Paysafecard and Neosurf, you’ll need to register a separate withdrawal method.
Editor’s Note: Prepaid options are excellent for players who want to control their spending, as it’s much harder to have an “out of control session” when you have to physically drive to a store to purchase a new voucher.
Cryptocurrency – Hardest Payment Method to Find At NZ Casino Sites
No licensed online casinos in NZ offer crypto due to regulatory requirements, so even the best POLi payment casinos you used to play at won’t offer it.
The only way you can use crypto is to play at an offshore casino, although under New Zealand’s Online Casino Act 2026, it’s no longer legal for unlicensed operators to accept Kiwis (although there’s nothing stopping you yourself from playing at offshore sites)
Crypto is the fastest way to make deposits and withdrawals at online casino sites, and both are typically instant. The main disadvantage is that you need a crypto wallet, and it requires a bit of technological know-how.
Editor’s Picks: Our Top 3 Casinos for Former POLi Users
While you won’t find any casinos that support POLi today, many casinos in New Zealand offer just as good a range of banking options, and out of every site we’ve tested, these three cover the best spread of everything.
All three have been through our real-money testing process, and here’s how their welcome bonus offers compare:
| Casino | Welcome Offer | Wagering | Min Deposit | Payout Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fortune Play | 100% up to NZ$1,000 + 100 free spins (first of four match bonuses) | 40x | NZ$30 | Instant |
| Rocket Riches | 100% up to NZ$2,000 + 200 free spins | 10x | NZ$20 | 0-3 days |
| Flamez | NZ$1,000 bonus + 20% daily cashback | 10x | NZ$10 | 0-2 days |
Fortune Play Casino
80DashScore details
Aggregated rating: 77.5
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- Fast sign up via any device
- Fiat and crypto payments
- Instant payouts
- Low fees
- 8,000+ games
- Cashback bonus for loyal players
- Excellent interface
- Mobile-friendly
- Withdraw limits
- Slow loading time
Licence: Curacao
Established: 2024
Pokies games: 8000
Live games: 100
Deposit options: Visa, Mastercard, Paysafecard, Skrill, Neteller, Google Pay...
Payout options: Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, Google Pay, Apple Pay...
Providers: Pragmatic Play, BGaming, Thunderkick, TrueLab Games, Gamzix, 1spin4win...
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Fortune Play is our top pick for casino players who came here to find the best POLi Pay casinos, because not only does it support a solid range of payment methods, it also leads our overall NZ rankings.
It does the basics consistently well, and for former POLi users, its banking page is the largest you’ll find in NZ: cards, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard and Google Pay are all supported, so whichever alternative you land on above, Fortune Play takes it.
Payouts were processed instantly during our testing (with a verified account), and the casino runs natively in NZD, so you don’t lose anything to currency conversion, either.
The welcome package is a four-part deposit match starting at 100% up to NZ$1,000 with 100 free spins, with clear, well-explained terms, and that’s not to mention over 8,000 casino games to choose from.
Rocket Riches Casino
80DashScore details
Aggregated rating: 40.3
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- Simple registration process
- Over 5,000 games
- 30+ software providers
- Welcome bonus with FS
- Cashback for loyal players
- Fiat and crypto payments
- No phone number support
- Occasional website issues
- Crypto payment may take longer than at other casinos
Licence: Curacao
Established: 2025
Pokies games: 5000
Live games: 100
Deposit options: VISA, MasterCard, Bank Transfer, PaySafeCard, Skrill, MuchBetter...
Payout options: VISA, MasterCard, Bank Transfer, Skrill, MuchBetter, Neteller...
Providers: Hacksaw, Play’n Go, Relax, Inspired, Kalamba, Fantasma...
Secure Link
Rocket Riches earns its spot for one specific reason: it’s the only casino in this trio supporting direct bank transfer – the closest like-for-like replacement for POLi payments at NZ casinos on this entire page.
If you want to make payments at NZ online casinos directly from your bank, that’s likely why you used POLi in the first place, and this is an excellent reason to consider bank transfers.
Rocket Riches is one of the newer casinos we’ve reviewed, and they carry 5,000-plus games from over 30 providers, and the welcome offer – 100% up to NZ$2,000 plus 200 free spins at just 10x wagering – is one of the fairest term-for-term deals in the NZ market right now. You’ll also find a generous 10% weekly cashback promo on all losses, making it a good ‘home’ for regulars, too.
Flamez Casino
88DashScore details
Aggregated rating: 14.5
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- Daily cashback bonus
- A wide range of responsible gambling tools
- Excellent choice of live dealer games
- Limited bonus offering outside of the welcome bonus and cashback
Licence: Kahnawake
Established: 2025
Pokies games: 3000
Live games: 100
Deposit options: Apple Pay, Cashlib, MasterCard, MiFinity, MuchBetter, Neteller...
Payout options: Apple Pay, Cashlib, MasterCard, MiFinity, MuchBetter, Neteller...
Providers: Pragmatic Play, All41 Studios, AvatarUX, Barbara Bang, BetSoft, BGaming...
Secure Link
If you’re looking for casino sites in New Zealand that offer an EWallet alternative to POLi Pay, then Flamez is your best pick. They offer MiFinity, MuchBetter, Skrill, Neteller, and Apple Pay, and in our testing, withdrawals were processed the same day, even for brand-new accounts. The casino accepts a low minimum deposit of just NZ$10, too, making it one of the cheapest options to try out.
Regarding casino bonuses, Flamez offers a NZ$1,000 welcome bonus package + 200 free spins, and you can also claim up to 20% daily cashback. The casino offers a huge range of live dealer games, and they’re fully licensed by the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, so you’re in safe hands at all times, too.
Will POLi Come Back to Online Casinos?
There may be a silver lining to all of this, and there may well be casinos that accept POLi deposits once again in the near future. That could be thanks to New Zealand’s new licensing framework.
The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 came into force this year, with up to 15 locally licensed casinos due to launch, and unlicensed operators required to exit the NZ market by the 1st of December 2026. Now that NZ will finally have a domestic, regulated market, it changes things quite a lot, especially for a payment provider like POLi.
To be clear, as of now, there is no news of POLi online casino sites returning to the New Zealand market, so treat any claims that POLi is “returning soon” with some caution. The DashTickets team will continue to monitor the situation and update this page if and when we find online casinos accepting POLi again.
POLi Casino FAQs
Can I still use POLi anywhere in New Zealand?
Yes, POLi can’t be used for online gambling transactions, but it’s still available for all other forms of commerce. Under Merco’s ownership, it can be used to make travel bookings and retail purchases.
Are There Still POLi Pay Casinos in New Zealand?
No, there are not currently any POLi casinos in NZ. The payment provider withdrew from the iGaming sector due to regulatory concerns regarding third-party banking logins.
What’s the closest replacement for POLi at a casino?
The closest is arguably a bank transfer, with the payment made directly through your own banking app. It’s the same core idea POLi was based on, without the third-party login that caused all of the security warnings and issues.
Why did banks warn against POLi?
When you used POLi to make a deposit, it asked you to enter your online banking credentials through its interface rather than on your bank’s site or app. Kiwibank said outright that doing so invalidates its internet banking guarantee, and Consumer NZ found the practice likely breached most banks’ terms and conditions, which meant heavily reduced protection if you were ever defrauded or scammed.
Update Log
16 March 2026: Optimized the introduction, added a “POLi Casinos to Avoid” blacklist section, added my personal tips for using POLi, and updated key headings across the page.
23 Feb 2026: Full page rewrite; added new sections, i.e. best bonuses, expanded How we Review, etc: full makeover.
2 Oct 2025: Removed some generic sections about what is Poli Pay, as most of the readers already know it.
13 Sep 2025: Updated the content and restructured the sections.
6 May 2025: Added 2 sections: POLi bonuses and POLi mobile casino experience.
15 Jan 2025: A few more brands are listed in the top poli pay casino list.
11 Oct 2024: Minor improvements.
5 Sep 2024: Expanded the copy with additional information.
18 Sep 2024: Added information on alternative payment methods and reviews of three Poli payment casino brands.
31 May 2024: Added new details and bank list supported by POLi.
2 May 2024: Rebuilt the rating with 20 new casino brands and removed unnecessary information.
References
https://www.polipay.co.nz/
https://www.polipayments.com/
https://www.pbtech.co.nz/what_is_poli
https://www.sportspay.co.nz/poli
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