Best Online Poker Sites in New Zealand for 2025

The best online poker sites in New Zealand are easily accessible on desktop and on mobile devices, giving you access to Hold’em, Omaha, Stud, and other games. We have the full guide for New Zealand online poker, covering laws and regulations, the best sites, available banking methods, and much more.

There’s a lot of confusion about the status of online poker in New Zealand, so we’re here to clear things up and tell you how to have the best experience possible.

Best Poker Sites in New Zealand

A Closer Look at Best Online Poker Sites in NZ

All of the featured best poker sites in New Zealand come with something different. Learn more about our top three picks in the following reviews to see which ones best meet your requirements.

With many of the top online poker sites in the world now live in NZ, our selection is very impressive.

1. CoinPoker – Best NZ Poker Site for Cash Games

CoinPoker is the best NZ poker site for cash games if you want soft tables and easy action. The tables stay busy around the clock, opponents aren’t tough, and it’s simple to get started.

You can deposit and cash out using crypto almost instantly, and the Android app runs great on mobile. You can easily access the site no matter where you are located in the world, and yes, that includes New Zealand.

Features

CoinPoker uses crypto, so you’re dealing with fast deposits and withdrawals, and no banking headaches. You stay anonymous on and off the tables, and everything moves faster than most sites.

Games are soft, especially at low to mid stakes, and there is solid cash game action, good MTTs, and big Sunday prize pools.

If you like playing on the move, CoinPoker’s Android mobile app is a great choice for you. You can play up to three tables at the same time, which is perfect for getting in your grind.

Our Verdict

CoinPoker offers some of the best rakeback around, soft games at most stakes, and a modern Android app that lets you play wherever you are. The only slight drawback is that the iOS app is being worked on, but it should be up and running again soon.

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2. GG Poker – Best NZ Poker Site for Tournaments

GG Poker is the best NZ poker site for tournaments, offering huge prize pools and a wide range of events for players at all levels. It’s perfect if you’re looking to dive into serious tournament action.

The site features smooth software, strong promotions, and a good mix of players that keeps things challenging but fair. You can play on mobile or desktop, making it very easy for you to grind from NZ.

Features

GG Poker has a ton of cool features that make it stand out.

You’ve got unique formats like Rush & Cash, All-In or Fold, and Short Deck, which mix things up from the usual grind. Plus, it’s Smart HUD gives you live stats while you play, which helps you exploit your opponents.

The site also has a built-in staking system, so you can back other players or sell your own action. This feature helps you earn extra money outside your regular grind.

GG Poker’s mobile app runs smoothly for Android and iOS, and allows you to play up to 4 tables at once. You can check your hand history using the PokerCraft feature on it or use Smart Betting to help you with your decisions.

Our Verdict

GG Poker is one of the biggest poker sites around, packed with daily MTTs, big prize pools, and regular WSOP satellites. With overlays and solid value, it’s a great option for anyone in NZ to grind tournaments regularly.

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3. BetOnline – Best New Zealand Poker Site for Soft Games

BetOnline is by far the best New Zealand poker site if you are after easy, soft games. The tables are full of fish, so if you’re tired of battling regs, this is the room for you.

The site is part of the Chico Poker Network and has lower traffic than our other recommended sites. That’s a good thing – a smaller site means fewer regs and more fish at the tables, making the games soft for grinding.

Features

BetOnline keeps it simple but delivers some of the softest cash games you’ll find in NZ poker.

They’ve got Zone Poker for fast-fold action and a solid MTT schedule with $3 million in weekly guarantees – great for picking up extra value.

You can multitable up to 8 tables easily, and reach your EV faster. Plus, their crypto deposits and withdrawals are quick and hassle-free for New Zealanders.

Our Verdict

BetOnline is where you go when you care more about EV than aesthetics. The games are soft, the traffic is solid, and there’s enough variety to keep things interesting.

If you’re in New Zealand and want to grind against weaker competition, BetOnline is one of the best spots to do it.

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How We Found the Best Online Poker Sites in New Zealand

What’s the difference between the best online poker sites in New Zealand and the average ones? Here are five qualities we look for when it comes to separating the best from the basic:

1. Safety and Security: We only recommend trusted NZ poker sites, which means they need to be licensed, have encrypted software, secure payments, and have a good reputation.
2. Great Games: A great selection of games means offering Hold’em, Omaha, and Stud across a variety of formats and stakes.
3. Plenty of Value: Bonuses are a big part of the best online poker sites in New Zealand, so we make sure there are plenty of easily accessible offers.
4. Reliable Software: There’s nothing worse than timing out of hands because the software isn’t great, so we test each site to make sure it’s reliable.
5. Plenty of Fish: A steady stream of fishy players always makes the games better.

New Zealand Poker Sites Ranked by Traffic

Is Online Poker Legal in NZ?

Can you play online poker for real money in NZ? If so, how can you play on the best online poker sites in New Zealand, and are there any tax laws you need to know? Let’s find out.

Online Poker in New Zealand

Before the Gambling Act of 2003, real-money gaming in New Zealand was regulated by three statutes:

Generally speaking, any forms of gambling that were not considered beneficial to the community, were banned. While online gambling specifically was not regulated at all, authorities could apply the general regulations to online grinders.

Fortunately, the government was well aware of the prohibitive nature of these regulations and introduced permissive laws under the Gambling Act of 2003.

New Zealand Online Poker Laws

Online poker is legal in New Zealand. Unlike some countries that ban it or are undecided about it, New Zealand keeps it simple – the Department of Internal Affairs clearly says that online gambling is legal if you play from NZ.

“The prohibition is on remote interactive gambling in New Zealand and so does not prohibit gambling conducted overseas,” states the Department of Internal Affairs Prohibited Gambling Guide.

This means you can play the best online poker sites in New Zealand using sites such as CoinPoker and BetOnline, which are regulated elsewhere. There are no issues of it being a state vs. federal issue or a lack of jurisdiction. It’s clearly stated in New Zealand law that online poker is legal if you’re using licensed sites.

New Zealand and Poker-Related Taxes

The tax situation is slightly less clear than we’d like it to be.

Generally speaking, there is a 29% tax (down from 30.1% before 2021) on gambling winnings over $449. But, there is no tax for one-off wins.

As noted by the Commission for Financial Literacy and Retirement Income:

“One-off gambling winnings in NZ are typically tax-exempt.”

Based on this, it’s generally considered that poker winnings are tax-free in New Zealand if you’re a recreational player. But, if you’re assessed to be a professional (meaning you derive your sole income from poker), then you may be liable for 29% tax on all profits.

Given the slightly ambiguous nature of NZ online poker tax laws, we recommend consulting a local tax attorney to see if you’re liable. The best New Zealand poker sites will not declare your winnings to the local authorities.

NZ Online Poker Bonuses

You can play real poker online in NZ, but things won’t always go your way. It’s at these times that we’re thankful for bonuses to boost your bankroll. Below are some of the best poker bonuses to use.

Sign-Up Bonus

Sign-up bonuses, also known as welcome bonuses, are promotions designed for new customers. They’re a way for NZ poker websites to attract newbies and welcome them with open arms. There are two types of welcome bonuses:

One final thing to note is that New Zealand online poker sign-up bonuses are the most lucrative offers you’ll receive.

There are other ways to boost your bankroll, as we’ll explain. Still, in terms of a one-off reward, sign-up bonuses are almost always the biggest.

Rakeback

Rakeback is the most popular NZ online poker bonus. The easiest way to think about rakeback is that it’s a form of cashback directly to your account.

Unlike casino cashback bonuses that require you to lose money, poker rakeback is credited to your account regardless of wins or losses.

You pay rake each time you play online poker for real money in NZ. Rake enables poker operators to run their businesses, so it’s essentially the cost of playing. The best online poker sites return a percentage of the rake you’ve paid.

For example, at most of the best online poker sites New Zealand has to offer, you’ll get at least 20%. Let’s assume you paid $1,000 in rake during one month. You’d get 20% of that back ($200) in cash rather than bonus cash that comes with wagering restrictions. Some of the best rakeback deals can exceed 30%.

If you play online poker consistently, rakeback is essential.

Loyalty Rewards

Loyalty rewards are more common in the casino sector, but the best online poker sites in New Zealand have VIP programs. GG Poker is one of the top places to earn loyalty rewards.

We like loyalty programs because they give you cash rebates (similar to rakeback) as well as other rewards, including tournament tickets and prizes.

New Zealand Online Poker Bonuses: Terms and Conditions

New Zealand online poker bonuses are great, but nothing in this life is free. That’s why we’re paying close attention to the terms and conditions that encase poker bonuses. Some of the main terms to consider are:

Playthrough targets, also known as wagering requirements, are the most important terms for bonuses on poker websites. We want the rake targets to be as low as possible because it means you have to play less to release your bonus cash.

So, when you’re looking for NZ online poker bonuses, make sure the playthrough isn’t excessive.

Best Banking Option for Poker Online in NZ

You can only play online poker with real money in NZ if you’ve got ways to make deposits and withdrawals. That’s obvious, but the ability to make secure payments also determines whether or not you can unlock bonuses.

In other words, without safe ways to pay, you can win cash prizes or claim bonuses.

The main ways to make deposits and withdrawals when you play real poker online in NZ include:

Make sure you check the processing times and fees when you’re choosing a payment method.

In general, the best online poker sites in New Zealand don’t charge deposit or withdrawal fees. But, when it comes to processing times, eWallets and cryptocurrencies are always quicker than other methods.

In fact, cryptocurrency deposits and withdrawals are the best options for online poker for real money in NZ. The best crypto poker sites accept multiple coins for fast transactions with very low fees.

We’ve been championing the benefits of Bitcoin for the last few years, not least because withdrawals are processed instantly. The same goes for other cryptocurrencies, including USDT, Ethereum (ETH), and Solana (SOL).

Aside from speedy transaction times, crypto payments are universal. That means 1 BTC is worth the same in New Zealand as it is in the US or on the best Malaysia poker sites.

Finally, the main reason we prefer making crypto poker payments is anonymity. You don’t enter any personal details when you make crypto transfers. This means you can play completely anonymously, which, in turn, keeps you safer.

Can I Play Poker Online in New Zealand with NZD?

Since the best online poker sites for New Zealand are based in other jurisdictions and cater to an international player base, they don’t support local currencies. In fact, all of the top platforms use USD as the default currency, or opt for USDT, in order to show the same values for all users.

As a result, even if you deposit NZD with a debit or credit card, the amount will likely be converted and displayed in USD.

Crypto banking does provide a better solution as you can buy coins and then deposit in the account. So, you don’t have to worry about currency conversion fees when you deposit NZD at sites that have USD as their default currency.

Tips for Playing Online Poker for Real Money in NZ

We want you to have the best chance of playing poker with positive expected value, so here are five things that have helped us become winning card sharks over the last decade.

1. Target the Right Tables

One online poker table in NZ isn’t the same as any other. By that, we mean the dynamics of every game you play will be different.

So, your job is to find tables with the weakest competition or, more specifically, opponents you’re comfortable playing against.

Finding the right tables with the right players will give you the best shot at winning. It also helps to play on the softest poker sites than to look to challenge the pros.

2. Tight is Usually Right

Beginners should, in our opinion, always adopt a tight, aggressive strategy. This means waiting for premium hands (anything better than 9-9) and raising or betting whenever possible.

What we’ll say is that you should learn when to be aggressive and when to slow down if you’re playing the best online poker sites in New Zealand.

This comes down to reading your opponent. If someone is passive, the worst thing you can do is bet hard and scare them off. So, while it’s good to be aggressive, remember to pick your spots.

3. Position Always Matters

You can justify almost any play if you’ve got position on an opponent. That’s a slight exaggeration, but it highlights the importance of acting last.

Having the benefit of seeing what someone else does gives you a huge advantage, so focus on playing the majority of your hands in late position.

4. Stay in Your Lane

Bankroll management is a fundamental skill that anyone playing online poker with real money in NZ needs to master. This means not wagering more than you can afford to lose.

As a general rule, you need more than 100 buy-ins to play comfortably at any stakes. For example, if you’re playing $1/2, you should have at least $2,000 in your bankroll.

Staying in your lane also means sticking to variants you understand. You might be great at Hold’em, but that doesn’t mean you can jump into an Omaha game and win. Use your strengths and avoid your weaknesses.

5. Bank as Many Bonuses as Possible

This tip is for anyone who plays the best online poker sites in New Zealand. The best poker websites are packed with promotions.

From deposit bonuses to rakeback, make sure you claim as many offers as possible because the bankroll boost they provide can help counteract the impact of negative variance.

FAQs – Online Poker for Real Money in NZ