Online gambling is one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. It’s worth $95 billion, according to Statista. One of the reasons behind this quick growth is emerging markets like South Africa and New Zealand. New iGaming markets mean more customers for online casinos and sportsbooks. It also means more and more countries are legalizing the betting industry. Stick around to discover how South Africa and New Zealand legislate the gambling sector.

Initially Only Permitted Horse Racing

The Kiwi Nation permitted horse racing in 1961 with the introduction of the Totalisator Agency Board. South Africa officially banned most forms of gambling in 1965, except for horse racing. Although South Africa initially prohibited casinos and sportsbooks, they continued to operate illegally for years. In fact, the government estimated there were 2000 illegal gambling dens in the country at the turn of the new century.

Both Permit Land-Based Casinos

New Zealand has at least six brick-and-mortar casinos, the first of which opened its doors in 1994. South Africa legalized land-based casinos in 1996 and originally planned to hand out 40 licenses.

Today, SA is home to over 40 brick-and-mortar casinos, including these major brands:

• Time Square Casino Pretoria
• The Ridge Casino Witbank
• Emperor’s Palace Casino in Johannesburg
• Emerald Resort in Gauteng

Similar to South Africa, land-based casinos in New Zealand are located within the major cities. In Auckland, you can play slots and poker at Sky City. In Queenstown, you have Sky City Queenstown. On the other hand, you could use Dunedin Casino while in Dunedin City.

Online Casinos are a Legal Grey Area

Neither South Africa nor New Zealand has laws that address online gambling. This means you can’t open an online casino in either country. You would get into trouble with the law.

That being said, players in both countries often gamble at overseas casinos. Kiwis have been playing online casinos using foreign sites for years because it is not illegal to use overseas casinos under New Zealand law. In fact, one Maori man once won NZ$10 million while playing an online slot. 

Players often find great NZ online casinos by reading reviews. Look out for sites with welcome bonuses. Ensure they provide a wide range of slots. And if you love poker and blackjack, prioritize a live casino.

Online Sports Betting is Allowed

Although both SA and NZ are reluctant to license online casinos, they permit online sports betting. Now, we’re not talking about horse racing alone. NZ allowed all forms of online sports betting in 2003.

South Africa launched legal mobile sports betting in 2004. The only catch is that bookmakers require licenses from provincial boards. Many brick-and-mortar casinos also possess rights to offer mobile betting. But in the usual style, South Africans also have the option to use offshore sportsbooks. Below is an overview of what to look for in a reliable online gambling site:

Genuine and Secure

Gambling legislation exists to provide a safe betting environment for players. In most places, every safe online casino requires a license. This could be from a local province or government. In South Africa and New Zealand, most online casinos acquire their licenses from the Malta Gaming Authority. 

However, you can also find genuine iGaming sites with licenses from Curacao, Panama, or Costa Rica. While a license proves a casino is legitimate, it says little about security measures. So, look out for SSL encryption, data privacy policies, and password encryption. Some casinos also feature certificates from independent auditors like eCOGRA and iTechLabs. Third-party auditors check a casino’s security measures, license, and payment systems to ensure it’s genuine.  

A Full Range of Games

Modern casino sites pack an extensive library of slots and table games. But these games aren’t created equal. Before you select a casino, find out if you can play your favourite games. The best slot machines come from leading developers like NetEnt, Play’n GO, BTG, Microgaming, Betsoft, No Limit City, and Blueprint Gaming. If you like table games like poker, roulette, and baccarat, look out for Evolution.

Evolution supplies live casino games to the majority of online casinos. It features nearly every table game in its live dealer library. This includes unique variations like lightning roulette, French roulette, Perfect Pairs Blackjack, and Monopoly Live.

Learn about the best casino games if you’re a beginner. Precisely, blackjack is an excellent option for someone looking for a high-paying experience. But you might be more entertained by Money Train 3 or Big Bass Bonanza.

If you’re like many casino players, you love bonuses. And if you’re a South African, you should probably be taking advantage of this with the Rand getting you less for your money day-by-day. These bonuses can add more money to your betting account. This leads to a longer time playing your favourite slots and table games. 

Now, bonuses differ in quality depending on the casino you select. Also, some casinos are more generous than others. This means you need to find a site with lots of fair promotions. Look out for no-deposit and first-deposit bonuses. Next, check reload bonuses, VIP rewards, cashback deals, and weekly tournaments. When it comes to policies, focus on wager requirements, withdrawal limits, and validity time. Choose bonuses with a small number of wager terms. However, aim for a high withdrawal limit and a long validity time. 

Deposits and Withdrawals

You can learn a lot by reading about a casino’s banking policies. How fast does it process withdrawals? What’s the maximum you can withdraw in a day? Also, check for the minimum and maximum deposit amounts.

Find a casino with a smooth banking process. This way, you can deposit money quickly through your favourite payment option. Speaking of which, e-wallets and crypto offer the fastest payments. 

When it comes to withdrawals, a bank transfer is convenient for large winnings. E-wallets like PayPal and cards like Visa have a maximum payment of $10,000. With that in mind, read reviews to discover a casino’s reliability with payments. Also, learn more about the quality of its customer service to make sure you’re being well looked after.

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