Almost wherever in the world that you travel you’ll find that some form of gambling may be popular. It might be on horse-racing, soccer, lotteries or on casino games.
The latter have a special appeal for many people thanks to the image of glamour and excitement that surrounds them.
New Zealanders are no exception when it comes to enjoying the typical games that you’re likely to find in any casino – and each one of these games has its own particular appeal.
In recent years the appearance of many online casinos in NZ has also introduced far more people than ever before to the games whereas, previously, they may only have experienced them in one of the country’s six bricks and mortar casinos.
These are found in the main population centres of Christchurch, Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown where they are also very popular with tourists and other visitors to the country.
Gambling laws in NZ
All gambling in New Zealand comes under the control of the Department of Internal Affairs. As a result, all operators are expected to donate a proportion of their profits to the community. Each year around $580 million is spent in land-based casinos to the contribution they make is considerable.
The one game that is found both within casinos and outside of them is the pokie – otherwise known as the slot machine. These have been licensed for use ever since 1987 and today it’s estimated that there are around 15,000 spread across the country – and that’s why they come first in our list.
Pokies
Anyone who has ever played on a pokie will know just how exciting even a moderate win can be. First you see the symbols you need land one by one on the reels. Then there’s the flashing of lights, and music too, before the machine disgorges your winnings.
Pokies are made even more enjoyable to play thanks to the themes that many have, from Marvel movie characters to lucky Irish leprechauns leading players to the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. The fact that there is no skill needed to play on the pokies makes them even more appealing.
Roulette
Next up is the quintessential casino game of roulette. For many it conjures up images of a tuxedo-wearing James Bond putting all of his money on 17 black and defying the odds to win. There’s something about the tension of waiting for that little white ball to land on your number that makes this a very dramatic game for players and spectators.
Another part of its appeal is the choice that you can have in the bets you make. Play it safe with 50/50 chances or go for your lucky number and hope to pull off a 35/1 win.
Blackjack
Now we’re into card games and the most popular pure betting one is blackjack. The object is to take on the dealer and get closer to 21 than they can without going bust. Beautifully simple to play, you also have the advantage of the “basic strategy” on your side. This is a predetermined guide which, when memorised, will let you know what your best move is in any given situation. It can’t guarantee that you’ll win every hand you play, but it will certainly give you an edge.
Baccarat
This is another very popular casino card game in New Zealand – and another that pits your directly against the dealer. The objective is to get as close as possible to 9 with your cards. But where this is a different kind of game to blackjack is that you can bet on either yourself or the dealer winning the hand. You can even bet on the less likely event of a draw, One of its main appeals is that it’s a very fast-moving game so you can fit a large number of hands into a session – and more hands mean more chances to win.
Poker
For cards players who like to be a little more in charge of their own destinies then poker has always proved to be winner in New Zealand casinos. It’s a tantalising mixture of skill, luck and bluffing that can also be a real moneymaker if you hit a winning streak.
Most casinos have a dedicated poker area or poker room where players can indulge in cash games or tournaments, depending on their preference.
By far the most popular form of the game in New Zealand is Texas Hold’em and the country has even produced some world-class players, led by Lee Nelson who has also written several books on how to win at this incredible game.
There are other popular casino games in New Zealand like craps and sic bo which are fast moving and played with dice. But they’re nowhere near as popular as the five games we’ve listed above – and they’re not likely to overtake them anytime soon.
