Best Live Dealer Casino Sites in New Zealand 2023

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Many online casinos have started to offer versions of their games with a live casino dealer. Playing live casino games with real-life dealers allows gamblers to replicate a physical casino experience without having to leave their homes.

Unlike regular online casino games, a live casino dealer controls the action and often provides players with more fun than they’d normally have at gambling platforms. There are also great live dealer casino bonus offers which are for exclusive use on games with real-life dealers.

If you’re intrigued about the possibility of playing a live blackjack or baccarat game with a dealer online, then this guide is for you. Here, you’ll find everything you need to know about live dealer casino sites. So, without further ado, let’s get stuck in!

Best casinos offering live casino

How Does a Live Dealer Casino Work?

A live dealer casino differs from a regular online casino in that it doesn’t offer games that run on an RNG (Random Number Generator) system. These games run on software that produces random results to ensure that each player has a fair shot of winning.

In a live casino game, a game will be streamed in real-time from a studio, and there will a real-life dealer. Multiple players can join games which will often have scheduled streaming times and may require you to sign up beforehand. Live dealer casinos often require players to make a minimum bet to get a seat at a table.

Certain gaming developers produce games at a live casino studio, which are then platformed at multiple casinos. This means you could play a live blackjack game with other players who have logged on via a different gambling site.

Features of a live dealer casino

Plenty of great features set live dealer games apart from other casino games. First of all, live dealer games aren’t pre-recorded or operating on RNG software; they take place in real time with an actual dealer who is shuffling and dealing the cards and rolling the dice.

With live dealer games, you’ll also be able to chat with the dealer and other players via a chat box. This interactive element is a major selling point for many Canadians who want to gamble online but miss the social aspect of a real-life casino.

What does a live casino dealer do?

A live casino dealer operates much like a real dealer at a land-based casino. The dealer is responsible for the smooth running of the entire game, such as taking bets, making calls, dealing cards, rolling dice, announcing winners, and beginning new games.

Live online dealers are also responsible for ensuring they provide users with an interactive and fun online experience. They should be friendly, welcoming, and professional so that gamblers who play live casino games feel as though they are in a real casino hall.

How We Rate a Live Dealer Casino New Zealand

When we look at the best live online casinos with dealers, we use certain factors to assess what the live dealer experience will be like. Here are the areas we examine before deciding which casinos will join our list.

Interactive experience

Live games with real dealers at online gambling platforms need to replicate the experience at land-based casinos. It is important that live dealer games provide players with an interactive and immersive gambling experience. We make sure that the live dealers are friendly and that the games on offer run smoothly.

Live dealer casino bonus

It’s not all about the live dealers; these casinos should also offer excellent live dealer bonuses so that players can boost their balances and make bigger wagers. The live dealer casino no deposit bonus is one of the most sought-after offers since it doesn’t require a deposit to claim.

Live dealer casino games

Top live dealer casinos must provide a large selection of games, so players aren’t stuck for choice. We recommend gambling sites that offer popular live casino games like live roulette, live baccarat, live blackjack and an array of live poker games like Caribbean Stud and Texas Hold’Em.

Studios and providers

When deciding the best live casinos, we also look at the studio providers behind the live casino online games. Some providers are better than others and are well-known for their well-trained and professional dealers as well as their first-rate live dealer studios. Notable live game developers include Evolution Gaming and Microgaming.

Customer support

Live casino games bring a lot of fun, but if you run into the occasional issue, you’ll want to know that there is customer support on hand. We ensure that casinos hosting the live dealer games have 24/7 support, be it in the form of a live chat feature, a help section, or telephone and email support.

Best Live Dealer Casino Sites

Not all live dealer casinos are the same, and some fail to offer a great gambling experience. Fortunately, the platforms featured in this article won’t fail to deliver if you’re looking to play live casino games, enjoy great bonuses, and have an overall fun time.

Check out our reviews of the top 10 gambling sites below to see which one best suits your needs.

1. LeoVegas

The top online casino for a stellar live dealer experience is LeoVegas. It has a dedicated live casino section with hundreds of live game options, including live blackjack, live roulette, and live poker games. There are also unique game shows like Crazy Time Live, Sweet Bonanza Candyland, and Monopoly Big Baller.

LeoVegas also regularly runs live tournaments with large prizes. For example, during the festive season, there is usually a Live Christmas tournament with a top prize of $1,500. When you start playing live dealer games at LeoVegas, you can claim up to $1,000 in welcome bonus cash, which you can use in various games.

You’ll find live dealer games from providers like Playtech and Evolution Gaming, as well as LeoVegas exclusives, which aren’t available at any other casino site.

2. PlayOJO

There are over 60 live casino dealer games at PlayOJO, and most of these games are produced by Playtech, which means players can expect high quality at all times, whether they play live baccarat or roulette. You can play live casino games at any time of the day since PlayOJO offers games with live dealers 24/7.

One of the reasons why we recommend PlayOJO is that players can earn money back on every bet they make. With an OJOplus account, the casino rewards you for the money you spend; there are no strings attached, meaning whatever money you receive, you can keep.

All bonuses at PlayOJO come without wagering requirements, meaning you don’t need to jump through hoops to receive bonus winnings. If you reach VIP status at the casino, you’ll enjoy higher limits on live casino games, meaning you can wager more and enjoy bigger returns.

3. Jackpot City Casino

Evolution Gaming is the developer behind all of Jackpot City Casino’s live games, meaning you can expect professional dealers and well-managed casino games. Alongside traditional live casino games like live blackjack, roulette, and baccarat, there are live game shows such as deal or no deal. VIP players can enjoy exclusive live games that other gamblers cannot join.

You can claim a massive $1,600 deposit bonus when you sign up at Jackpot City Casino. The bonus money is split up between your first four deposits and allows you to make larger wagers on your favourite live games.

There is a user-friendly casino app for both Android and iOS devices. On the app, you’ll find many of the best live casino games available on the platform’s website and be able to easily make deposits and claim live casino bonuses.

4. Royal Vegas

You’ll find plenty of live dealer game options at Royal Vegas Online Casino from Ezugi and Evolution. Alongside traditional live table casino games like blackjack, poker games, and live roulette, you can also enjoy titles like Monopoly Live and Cash or Crash Live.

The casino offers an extremely user-friendly platform. You can view it in Canadian English and French and play casino games on your phone and computer device. Regardless of the device you use, you’ll be able to claim different promotions, such as the $1,200 welcome bonus.

5. Spin Casino

Another one of the top live dealer casinos is Spin Casino. Here you’ll find live versions of blackjack, roulette, poker and baccarat. There is also live lightning roulette, Deal or No Deal, and live money wheel games.

Four well-known software providers power the live games at Spin Casino: Evolution Gaming, OnAir Entertainment, Pragmatic Play, and Ezugi. This means you’ll find a variety of options when you choose to play live games, be it on your mobile or your computer.

A generous bonus awaits you when you sign up at Spin Casino, worth $1,000. You can get up to $400 in bonus cash on your first deposit and $600 across your second and third deposits. If you deposit $1,000, then the casino matches your deposits 100%.

6. Magic Red Casino

At Magic Red, there are many different live dealer table games to choose from. There are roulette, blackjack, baccarat, and sic bo varieties, as well as live game shows. When you’re browsing the live casino games on offer, you’ll notice that recent winners and the amounts they have won appear, which is encouraging.

Although Magic Red’s user interface isn’t as friendly as the other live dealer casinos on this list, it is a good option since it offers Canadian gamblers a lot of flexibility. For example, it accepts a lot of payment methods, including Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Skrill, and Paysafecard.

7. Betfair

At Betfair casino, live dealer games are available in the casino’s live gambling section. You can play live versions of blackjack, roulette, poker, baccarat, and special games like live Buffalo Blitz. You can play these games on your mobile since Betfair offers a smartphone app for Android and iOS.

You can make easy deposits at Betfair using a number of payment methods. Some of these banking options include PayPal, Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, and Skrill. Deposits are quick and easy, although withdrawing winnings from live casino games may take longer depending on the method you use. For example, if you send your winnings to an e-wallet, they will arrive the same day. However, withdrawals with debit or credit cards could take up to two days.

8. Bizzo Casino

At Bizzo Casino, you’ll find over 4,000 games, including numerous live dealer options. There are regular live versions of table games, speed versions, and special game shows, meaning you can switch up the games you play and enjoy some variety.

When you sign up at Bizzo Casino, you’ll be eligible to receive $250 welcome bonus with 100 free spins. While you won’t be able to use the free spins on live casino games, the $250 will allow you to join live casino tables with high minimum bet amounts.

9. Jonny Jackpot Casino

Although Jonny Jackpot hasn’t been around for long, it offers some great features to players interested in a live dealer experience. There are live roulette and live blackjack games along with some more unique titles such as lightning roulette, Dream Catcher, and Football Studio.

You’ll eventually gain VIP status if you spend enough time at the casino and make enough wagers. When you’re a VIP club member, you enjoy a dedicated VIP manager, better bonuses, and offline rewards such as free cruises and holidays.

10. SkyCity Online Casino

SkyCity Online Casino is the online version of New Zealand’s popular land-based casino. This casino launched in 2019 and is well-liked amongst Kiwis due to its famous name. Moreover, it offers popular casino games and has an excellent live dealer section.

Evolution Gaming is the provider behind SkyCity’s stellar live game section. You’ll find a large selection of blackjack, baccarat, and roulette games, so you’re sure to find your favourite game in the live dealer lobby.

Pros & Cons: Playing at a Live Casino

Live casinos are fun and provide many benefits over regular casinos. They offer you a more authentic and realistic experience since you are playing with actual humans. However, live casinos also come with a few downsides. This makes it important to understand the pros and the cons before deciding to play in a live casino. Below, we will cover the pros and cons of live casinos.

Pros

  • You can play from anywhere in the world
  • Allows you to interact with dealers and other players
  • You get access to exclusive bonuses
  • Live casinos provide a realistic casino game experience

Cons

  • It requires a good network connection
  • Since the games are real, you won’t get the same graphics as normal casino games
  • The experience is close, but it is not the real casino experience.
  • The available game options are limited

How to Start Playing at a Live Casino

Finding the best new online casino sites shouldn’t be a daunting task but with so many new casinos emerging in the market, finding the best new live casino can be difficult. Here are a four steps to help you find the best offers.
Estimated time needed: 00:05 Tools needed: CasinoCrawlers' list Supply needed: Money
live casino
Browse Our Casino List First, go through our list of live casinos and choose the one you like. Each casino is licensed and offers amazing games. Step 1
live casino
Register at the Live Casino Site Register at the live casino platform and claim your bonus if there is one. Step 2
live casino
Deposit Some Money Deposit some money so that you can start playing for real money. You may also get a deposit bonus after you do this. Step 3
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Choose a Live Game and Have Fun Go through the list of live casino games and choose the one you want to play. Remember to have fun during the process and if you win, withdraw your earnings! Step 4

The Best Live Casino Games

There are tons of live casino games to choose from, making it difficult to choose the best option because the number of options is simply overwhelming.

Thankfully, the experts at CasinoCrawlers have done the legwork and put together a list of the best live casino games you can play. Regardless of the live game experience you want, you will find something that suits your needs. Below are some of the live casino games you’ll find online:

Live Roulette

Live roulette is one of the most popular casino games available. At first glance, it may seem challenging, but it is one of the least complex games, which is why you’ll find it in nearly every online casino.

Live roulette should be easy to understand if you have played online roulette before. The roulette table will be on the screen with a long table for inside bets and a wide table for outside bets. At the top of the table will be the dealer responsible for spinning the wheel and calling the winning bet.

At the best casinos with live dealers, you’ll find many variants like American, French, and European Live Roulette. However, live roulette casinos offer many more variants, including:

Different developers provide different roulette types, making it feel like you are playing a different game every time you play live roulette. A live casino is the best option if you want a roulette experience that is a bit different from regular roulette games.

Live Blackjack

Live blackjack falls right behind live roulette games in terms of popularity. After live roulette, blackjack is the next point of call for players that want a great online casino experience. During live blackjack, a real dealer is in charge of the game and uses real cards and the same classic table you will find in real casinos.

The rules of specific blackjack variants may differ, so you need to understand each before you play. Some popular blackjack variants include:

Live Poker

Live poker differs slightly from the typical poker games you’ll play in brick-and-mortar casinos. In live poker, the dealer deals one hand faced up. What’s more, an unlimited number of players can take part in live poker games, unlike at physical casinos where there are a limited number of seats.

If you play live poker in a live casino, you can play anytime you want without waiting for a new position to open up. There are many live poker variants today, with most leading developers offering a version. However, some of the most popular options you will find include:

Other options include:

Live Baccarat (Punto Banco)

Live baccarat is a popular online casino game that differs from blackjack. Baccarat only has a single hand, and everyone bets on that hand’s outcome; moreover, cards are dealt using two spots instead of 6 or 7.

It’s easy to play baccarat since it comes with easy-to-understand rules. You can bet if the player’s hand will win, the dealer’s hand will win, or if there will be a tie. Once you have placed a wager, the croupier deals two cards to the dealer and player spots. The goal in baccarat is that all your cards get as close to a value of 9 as possible.

Like many other live casino games, there are numerous live baccarat variants, including:

Most Played Live Casino Games

If you’re unsure which live dealer casino game to play first, then those we’ve listed below are a good start. Check out ten of the most popular live casino games available at some of our recommended casinos!

Game Developer Maximum Win Play at
XXXtreme Lightning Roulette Evolution Gaming Up to 2000x your bet LeoVegas
Cash or Crash Live Evolution Gaming 18,000x your bet Royal Vegas Casino
Crazy Coin Flip Live Evolution Gaming Up to 2000x your bet LeoVegas
Monopoly Live Evolution Gaming Up to 500x your bet LeoVegas
Dream Catcher Evolution Gaming Up to $500,000 Betway
Infinite Blackjack Evolution Gaming 500x your bet Spin Casino
Sweet Bonanza Candyland Pragmatic Play 20,000 x your bet Casumo Casino
Deal or No Deal Evolution & Endemol Shine 500x your bet Betway
Mega Roulette Pragmatic Play 500x your bet Royal Vegas Casino
Blaze Live Roulette Authentic Gaming $500,000 Magic Red Online Casino

 

Regular vs Live Dealer Online Casino Games

You can play live or ‘regular’ casino games at an online casino. The main difference between the two game types is that live games are streamed from studios and are manned by real-life dealers who roll the dice and shuffle the cards. On the other hand, ‘regular’ games often run on RNG (Random Number Generator) technology, meaning you’ll often be playing against computer software which generates results.

Live dealer casino games provide you with a more lifelike casino experience over the internet and are more interactive than video-generated games. Live games often allow you to use more strategies since you will often be reacting to moves made by the dealer or other players.

However, you’ll find that you are more limited in terms of choice if you only play live games. A larger range of casino games run on RNG software, like pokies and online scratch cards.

 

casino with live dealers

Software and Operators

The online casino itself does not provide live casino game software. Instead, operators offer live casino games on casino sites. The same names behind popular online casino games you play today operate popular live casino games.

A few operators have managed to stand out from the crowd by providing high-quality casinos with live dealers. So, when you find live dealer games from these operators, you can be sure you are enjoying the best experience. Below are a few of the best live casino software providers:

Evolution Gaming

Evolution Gaming is one of the most successful casino game producers in the world. Evolution Gaming is known for producing live casino online games of extremely high quality, which has helped it win numerous awards and become the go-to option for most players who want the best live dealer experience. This provider uses only the best dealers and most recent technology in its games.

This provider offers live dealer titles like Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, Live Poker, Live Baccarat, and many others.

NetEnt

NetEnt is another top online casino game developer in the industry. It is well-rounded and produces every type of casino game, including live dealer options. This company has been around since 1996, so it has had more than enough time to fully perfect its offerings.

NetEnt has been known to approach their live dealer games with seriousness and professionalism. It does this by making sure dealers are dressed smartly and provide efficient services at all times. The developer streams its live dealer games from a Maltese studio and utilizes the most recent technology to provide the best gaming experience.

While streaming, you can expect HD video quality with minimal lagging and amazing audio. Unlike other developers, NetEnt does not fix their tables in a room but uses Green Screen technology, allowing it to create a great-looking game.

Playtech

Playtech is another leading software provider for many online casinos today. It was established in the 2000s and almost instantly began developing live casino games. This catapulted Playtech into becoming one of the leading gaming companies, and it offers a range of live games, including Live Roulette, Live Blackjack, Live Poker, etc.

The company's live dealer studio is situated in different locations, including Romania, Manila, and Estonia. It streams high-quality games, but you need a high-quality internet connection to get the best experience. The games are handled by friendly and professional dealers who make the live game experience fun and entertaining. Bet limits are well-balanced since they cater to different types of rollers.

Pragmatic Play

Compared to the others on the list, this developer got into the casino gaming market much later, in 2013. However, it has quickly become one of the leading casino software providers. In 2018, it purchased and rebranded Extreme live gaming and has turned around its live casino offerings with the help of leading experts.

It streams most of its live games from a London studio and uses the Live Box. This mix of online gaming and land-based gambling is made possible by broadcasting straight from the casino floor. The games streamed by this developer are in HD and suffer minimal to no lags. Its interface is easy to use, and players can control cameras and sound and alter video quality.

Live Casinos and Security

Your security is the most important thing when you’re playing in a live casino. For this reason, CasinoCrawlers only recommends the best online live casinos that are safe. Any casino on our list must have met our safety and security standards.

The appropriate bodies properly license the live online casinos we recommend. To check that a casino is licensed for yourself, you can scroll to the bottom of the casino site’s homepage, where you will see the logo of the body that has licensed the online casino. Some of the best licenses for a casino to hold include those from the UK Gambling Commission, Malta Gaming Authority, and Gilbrater Gaming Commission. You can also find licenses from other bodies like Curacao gaming.

At CasinoCrawlers, we also only recommend casinos that have undergone independent auditing. Some of the most reputable labs that audit online casinos include iTech Labs, eCogra, and GLI, which constantly check the RTP of games to ensure fair gameplay.

Live casinos should also use 128 or 256-bit encryption to keep all your data safe. This offers the same level of protection as banks so that you can make secure transactions at the casino. Moreover, if a casino has HTTPS before its website name in the URL bar, it means it has an SSL certificate, and your data is encrypted.

Live Mobile Casino

Gambling on the move is something many players enjoy because of the convenience it offers. Thankfully, each of the live casinos in this guide allow you to gamble using your mobile device at no extra cost.

You can usually access a live mobile casino using your desktop browser, but many of the casinos now offer mobile-compatible apps which make the entire online live casino experience easier. There are iOS and Android apps, meaning you can play on your iPhone, iPad, and many other devices. Check out the App Store and Google Play Stores to find available apps you can download.

Live Casino Bonus Offers

A casino bonus is a significant feature of every online casino. Live casinos offer plenty of unique bonuses that allow you to play games for free and boost your winnings. All the live casinos on our list offer excellent rewards, including:

However, the wagering requirements for these bonuses tend to be on the higher side, and you will need to fulfil these requirements before you can withdraw your bonus winnings. Fortunately, all the live casinos on our list offer bonuses with reasonable wagering requirements, which means you can easily remove your money without jumping through several hoops.

Latest Live Dealer Casino Bonus Offers

All online casinos offer bonuses, but not every single one will be available for use on live games. For example, plenty of casinos have free spins offers that you cannot use on live games. Below is a closer look at some of the best casino live dealer bonus offers.

Casino Bonus Offer Wagering Requirements
LeoVegas $1,000 & $30 in Golden Chips 40x
Jackpot City Casino $1,600 70x
Royal Vegas Casino $1,200 70x
Spin Casino $1,000 70x
Magic Red Casino 10% cashback up to $20 on live games 35x
Bizzo Casino $100 40x
Jonny Jackpot Casino $1,000 35x
SkyCity Online Casino $100 35x

Land Based Casinos in New Zealand

 

Casino Name Address URL link
Christchurch Casino 30 Victoria Street, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand Website
Dunedin Casino 118 High Street, Dunedin, Otago 9016, New Zealand Website
SKYCITY Auckland Victoria and Federal Street, Auckland, New Zealand Website
SKYCITY Hamilton 346 Victoria Street, Hamilton 3204, New Zealand Website
Wharf Casino 88 Beach Street, Steamer Wharf, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand Website
SKYCITY Queenstown 16-24 Beach Street, Queenstown, New Zealand Website

Get Ready for Your Live Casino Adventure!

More live casinos are accepting players from New Zealand, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy a live gambling experience from the comfort of your home. You can play all the most famous table games, including roulette, blackjack, Baccarat, and more.

However, if you want to find the best casinos with live dealers, you must play in only licensed and reputable live casinos. This will ensure you get the best live gaming experience you can find.

CasinoCrawlers has put together a list of safe, licensed online casinos with live dealer games to help you find the best places to gamble online. Simply check out our elaborate list of recommended casinos, choose one that you like, sign up, and start playing your favourite live dealer games.

FAQs: Live Casinos in New Zealand

Are live casinos legit?

Yes, live casinos are legit in most countries, including New Zealand. However, you need to ensure the live casino you choose has a license from the appropriate body.

Are live casino games rigged?

No, live casino games are not rigged. Since you are playing with a real live dealer, you will see the dice being rolled and the cards being shuffled. You choose your bets yourself, which means every outcome is random.

Can I win real money with a live casino online?

Absolutely! Live casinos aim to give you the same experience as a typical casino, including playing for real money.

Can I communicate with the dealer when playing live casino games?

Yes, you can interact with dealers when playing in a live casino like how you would in a standard casino. However, you do this using a live chat feature which you can use to interact with other players too. This is a great way to remain social while you make real money.

What is the best online live casino?

There are many great live online casinos, but one of the best is LeoVegas. You can find plenty of live games at this gambling site and enjoy a dedicated live casino bonus of $1,000 in free cash.

How to beat online live casino dealers?

If you want to beat an online live casino dealer, you'll need a combination of strategy and luck. Make sure you know the game rules before you start playing since this will help you succeed.

Who creates the best live dealer casino games?

Evolution Gaming is one of the best casino game developers, and many of the top casino sites offer games from this software provider. Evolution has created many live table games and unique games like Deal or No Deal.

What online bonus can I get for live casino blackjack?

You can use most cash bonuses for live casino blackjack at gambling sites. However, you'll likely need to wager any bonus winnings you make when playing live blackjack.

Can I play live dealer games for free?

Usually, you can't play live casino games for free. These games usually require players to make a minimum bet which can be quite a lot depending on the game.

Do I need to use live dealer casino software?

You don't need to download any third-party software to enjoy live dealer games. Various casino platforms host these games; all you need to do is create a casino account at the gambling site and log in to join a game.

Can I play at a live dealer casino on mobile?

Yes, many live dealer games are mobile-compatible, meaning you aren't limited to playing them on your computer! You can join in playing these games wherever and whenever you want to.

Author Noah Adams

Noah Adams has a Masters in journalism from the university of Canterbury. He has held job positions in various media companies in New Zealand such as Bauer Media Group, The New Zealand Herald and TVNZ. Noah has for the past yea... Read more about the author

Casinocrawlers » Best Live Dealer Casino Sites in New Zealand 2023
Last updated: February 28, 2023