There are 5 land-based casinos in New Zealand. Previously there were 6, but in 2019 Skycity Wharf in Queenstown was closed down and therefore there are now only 5 active casinos on land in New Zealand.
Local NZ casinos that offer an online version
- Skycity casino online launched in 2019
- Christchurch online casino launched in 2022
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Quick NZ casinos facts
| Casino Name | Location | Phone Number | Number of Games | Owner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Skycity Auckland | Auckland | +64 9 363 6000 | 2,100+ | Skycity Entertainment Group |
| Skycity Hamilton | Hamilton | +64 7 834 4900 | 330+ | Skycity Entertainment Group |
| Skycity Queenstown | Queenstown | +64 3 441 0400 | 86+ | Skycity Entertainment Group |
| Christchurch Casino | Christchurch | +64 3 365 9999 | 500+ | Skyline Enterprises |
| Grand Casino | Dunedin | +64 3 477 4545 | 180+ | Dunedin Casino Limited |
| Wharf Casino | Queenstown | – | – | SKYCITY Entertainment Group |
All Country-based Casinos in New Zealand: Reviews
New Zealand had 6 land-based casinos until 2019 which was the year Skycity closed down Wharf casino so nowdays New Zealand has 5 land-based casinos. The very largest is Skycity Auckland with over 2,100 games, the first to open was Christchurch casino which opened in 1994 and the last to open was Skycity Hamilton Casino, which officially opened its doors on September 20, 2002.
Here are all state-owned land-based casinos in New Zealand including Wharf casino that is closed down:
- SkyCity Hamilton
- SkyCity Wharf casino (closed)
- SkyCity Queenstown casino
- Grand Casino New Zealand
- Christchurch Casino
- SkyCity Auckland casino
1. SkyCity Hamilton casino
SkyCity Hamilton is a casino located in the beautiful city of Hamilton. The casino is really an attraction for locals and tourists who visit this city.
The SkyCity Hamilton Casino is truly an incredible casino that offered its visitors a selection of the most popular casino games, a fantastic offer of live entertainment, great food, and a bar.
The casino owns 23 table games of the most popular titles such as poker, baccarat, blackjack roulette, and beyond. In addition, there is a range of over 330 gaming machines.
The staff is friendly, kind and always at the service. The casino is open 24/7 every day of the year.
More info
- Opening date: 2000
- Address: 346 Victoria Street, PO Box 954, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Telephone contact: +64 7 834 4900
- Email: hamilton@skycitycommunitytrust.org.nz
- Age limit for entry: 20+
- SkyCity Hamilton casino opening hours:
Mon to Thur: 10am – 4am
Friday: 10am – Closing on Sunday at 2am in the morning
2. Skycity Wharf casino (Closed)
In 2000, Skycity purchased the license and opened a new casino called Skycity Wharf that really attracts New Zealanders and tourists in the Queenstown city.
Wharf casino offers its visitors 6 gaming tables with the casino most popular games. In addition to table games casino offers over 60 machine games.
Wharf Casino is characterized as a ’boutique’ casino and offers its players a great gaming experience. On the southern island of SkyCity Wharf, gambling enthusiasts offer a great experience and a glamorous atmosphere in which they will definitely enjoy.
The casino is not huge but offers an interesting experience, and the staff is very friendly.
More info
Wharf casino was shut down in 2019. In our review you can read more about why.
3. Skycity Queenstown casino
One of the best gaming houses in New Zealand is definitely Skycity Queenstown. The casino was opened in 2000 and was the fourth casino in New Zealand. Skycity owns two casinos in Queenstown.
SKYCITY Queenstown got eight gaming tables, plus four gaming tables in the VIP room and 86 gaming machines.
SkyCity Queenstown got varieties of table games just to make sure you do not run out of options like Blackjack, Roulette, Midi-Baccarat and Caribbean Stud Poker.
For the new players, there is an awesome team that will help you get familiar with our games. There are also brochures on ‘Learn-to Play’ available on the main Casino floor. There is also a lot of events that this casino sponsor.
More info
- Opening date: 2000
- Address: 16-24 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300, New Zealand
- Telephone contact: 03 441 0400
- Email: info@skycityqueenstown.co.nz
- Age limit for entry: 20+
- Casino SkyCity Queenstown opening hours:
Every day 12am – 1am
4. Grand Casino (Dunedin)
Grand Casino in Dunedin is the jewel of New Zealand if we talk about land-based casinos. The casino was opened in 1999 and is located in the city centre.
The Grand Casino offers many popular board games and over 180 slot machine games. Glamorous and super service are the characteristics of this casino.
The casino is an attraction for many tourists because it is located in the area of many hotels, restaurants, and bars.
The casino itself offers Room 118 Lounge & Tapas Bar. There you can be sure to drink a drink or some other drink. In addition, there is also the Grand Bar and Cafe.
There you can also be awake, and go over from something in their marvelous cuisine. Also, the casino offers many privileges to its visitors, and we can say that every visitor will experience a great experience when visiting the New Zealand Grand Casino.
More info
- Opening date: 1999
- Address: 118 High Street, Dunedin New Zealand
- Telephone contact: 0800 4770 4545
- Email: enquiries@dunedincasino.co.nz
- Age limit for entry: 20+
- Dunedin casino opening hours:
Every day 12AM – 2AM
5. Christchurch Casino
Christchurch Casino is a land-based casino in Christchurch, located on the southern island of New Zealand. The Christchurch Casino is owned by Skycity Entertainment Group and is located in the city centre. Christchurch Casino offers its visitors 500 pokies machine games and 45 table games.
The most popular casino games such as Poker, Roulette, Blackjack, and others are available to players in different variants. The casino is open for visitors 7 days a week.
The casino size is about 4000 square meters with a luxurious interior. In addition to the games hall, the casino has three restaurants and two bars where you can relax, have lunch or have a drink. Check more about this casino in our review.
More info
- Opening date: 1994
- Address: 30 Victoria Street Christchurch, New Zealand
- Telephone contact: 03 365 9999
- Email: generalenq@christchurchcasino.co.nz
- Age limit for entry: 20+
- Christchurch casino opening hours:
Monday till Thursday: 11AM – 3AM
Friday: 11AM – Closes Monday morning at 3am.
6. Skycity Auckland casino
Skycity Auckland is the largest land-based casino in New Zealand. It is located in the city centre of the second largest city of New Zealand Auckland and is the only casino in the city.
The casino is part of the Sky Tower facility, a casino is the main event but the visitors will be able to enjoy many good entertainment offers. Visitors can go to the theater, attend the convention centre, numerous restaurants, 12 bars, and two hotels.
The whole complex of the facility is in a luxurious and glamorous style. The casino itself has over 2000 real money slot games, over 150 table games with games such as Poker, Blackjack, Roulette, and others.
The Skycity complex is a real attraction for all casino enthusiasts but for the other benefits offered by this casino. The casino is opened 24/7 every day in the year. Find out more about this casino in our review.
More info
- Opening date: 1996
- Address: Corner Victoria and Federal Streets
- Telephone contact: 0800 759 2489
- Email: enquiries@skycity.co.nz
- Age limit for entry: 20+
- SkyCity Auckland casino opening hours:
24/7
History of NZ land-based casino
Brick and mortar casinos are in most cases buildings that offer their visitors a diverse offer of games of chance. These buildings or facilities are arranged to look luxurious and attractive to visitors and are usually in conjunction with hotels, restaurants, discos, luxury cruise ships, and other tourist attractions.
Of course, not all casinos are luxurious but we must admit that they give us a special feeling when to visit them.
As for New Zealand, the first gambling beginnings began in the 18th century. Then gambling in New Zealand was banned.
The history of gambling in New Zealand is not as interesting and picturesque as we did in Hollywood movies, but it had defects in its rise and fall. In 1908, betting on horse racing was permitted, but the state prohibited it for a long time.
1994 in New Zealand welcomed the first land-based casino Christchurch Casino.
In the next nine years, new luxury casinos have opened in New Zealand, which offers great entertainment and the environment, whether you are a tourist or a local citizen.
Update: In 2019, the Wharf casino was shut down! The local operators instead focus more on the new trend of offering games online.
Location of all New Zealand land-based casinos
New Zealand is a beautiful country that offers its citizens and tourists plenty to see and visit. One of these offers is, of course, a land-based casino. Gambling lovers who live or have visited New Zealand have the opportunity to enjoy 5 really great land-based casinos.
They are located in five cities. Cities, where you can feel adrenaline playing your favorite game, are Christchurch, Auckland, Hamilton, Dunedin, and Queens town.In addition to the service of the most popular casino games, many casinos offer numerous entertaining events, great restaurants, and bars.
Of course, some of these casinos are part of a luxury hotel that will provide all-inclusive treatment for visitors. Each casino offers private parking to its visitors, and besides, casino staff are friendly and always at your service. If you want to see the exact locations below the text we put a google map and tagged these 5 great casinos.
Benefits of land-based casinos
We compared the difference between land casinos and online casinos, both leaving good and bad effects on players and it’s up to you to decide which one you like more. But if we had to extract the benefits given to us by the real-life casino they would be these three:
- The thing that highlights a real-life casino is definitely a special feeling when staying in the casino and the atmosphere of the casino itself. This feeling is really special and no online casino and even a live online casino can provide.
- Besides great atmosphere, there are services that come along with land-based casinos such as luxury hotels, restaurants, bars and many entertainment events in which in addition to gambling, you can enjoy and feel special.
- With all this, when visiting the story we have the opportunity to socialize and meet other people when playing. This effect is different because, since the beginning of casinos, people have had the opportunity to meet other people, whether they are other players or dealers.
Land-based casino or online casino?
Land-based casinos give their visitors a special experience and feeling because they have their own special charm. These are places where in the company of other people we have the opportunity to experience a special atmosphere and unforgettable fun and adrenaline.
We should not forget that apart from fun and relaxation, there is a chance to double our money. Online casinos, on the other hand, give their players a completely different experience and feeling, because at anytime and anywhere they can start playing their favorite online casino games.
Today, online casinos can be accessed via their mobile devices or computers and break the monotony of a boring day or evening with the exciting online casino games.
Local news
FAQ
How many local casinos does New Zealand have?
New Zealand has 5 local land based casinos.
- Skycity Auckland
- Skycity Hamilton
- Skycity Queenstown
- Skycity Wharf Casino (closed)
- Grand Casino
- Christchurch Casino
How old do you have to be to play at landbased casinos in NZ?
You have to be at least 20 years. To play online you only need to be 18 at most off-shore casinot but if you want to play at SKycity online or Christchurch casino you still need be to at least 20 years old.
What is the biggest casino in New Zealand?
The biggest casino in New Zealand is Skycity Auckland, which is located in Auckland and has over 2,100 gaming machines and 150 table games. It also has two hotels, several restaurants and bars, and a convention center.