About five decades ago, it may have seemed illogical to think the casino industry could ever enjoy global influence. But do you know that today, more than 4 billion people gamble at least once per year, according to approximations by Cision News? This just shows how gambling has become a deep-seated part of people’s daily activities, and Hong Kong expats in New Zealand have not been left out.
Remember, New Zealand is one of the world’s most robust casino markets, with Statista expecting its size to reach $3.11 billion in 2025. This is partly because of the popularity of online platforms, which have made gambling more accessible than ever before. As reported by onlinecasinoshongkong.com, players can access top gambling platforms with just a few taps on their mobile phones from any place.
And since most Hong Kong expats in New Zealand settle in major cities like Auckland, Hamilton and Christchurch, they can easily access physical gaming venues if they want more realistic experiences. But does that translate to the popularity of this industry among such populations? If so, what draws them? Well, you may want to keep reading to discover the answers for yourself.
A familiar leisure outlet in a new land
For many Hong Kong expats, gambling is nothing new. Back home, gambling forms like horse racing and Mahjong have been part of the social fabric for a long time. Mahjong, for instance, has been around since the 19th century. It’s in this century that horse racing was introduced in the region by British colonialists. So, when someone from Hong Kong arrives in New Zealand, there’s often a sense of cultural continuity when visiting a casino.
It could be why companies like SkyCity Auckland offer multilingual services to cater to their diverse clients. Part of what SkyCity offers is multilingual hosts at their VIP gaming area, EIGHT and translated brochures on responsible gaming and other topics. For Hong Kongers in the Land of the Long White Cloud, this experience makes everything feel like home.
Also, remember that both land-based and online casino wagering is illegal in Hong Kong. Moving to a region like New Zealand, where the laws are a bit relaxed, means more freedom for players. So, Hong Kongers who may have wanted to engage at home but were restricted can now participate in New Zealand’s physical casinos without worrying about the government coming after them.
Has the online space played any role?
More convenience and engaging experiences
Of course, not everyone visiting this country lives near a land-based casino. And those living in smaller towns or rural regions perhaps have difficulties accessing physical gambling venues. Thanks to online casinos, they can get ahead of these challenges.
Although the government has, in the past, maintained a tough stance towards the online gambling space, players can still participate using offshore sites. And this is actually not new in this country. A recent study has revealed that New Zealand has been losing up to $140 million yearly to unregulated casinos.
Hong Kong expats could be part of this equation. Since many digital casinos offer games in Cantonese or Mandarin, it shouldn’t be surprising that a good number of Hong Kongers in the country gamble virtually. And even statistics from OneSky agree. The institution claims that localising content by offering products in the native language increases the likelihood of 72% of shoppers buying from a brand.
Taking customer preferences into consideration
With mobile phones becoming exceedingly popular, people use them to do almost everything. According to Exploding Topics, accessing the internet alone accounts for over 96% of smartphone users. This is why experts claim that mobile phones account for the largest share of global internet traffic, amounting to more than 60%.
Therefore, it’s logical to conclude that most Hong Kongers in New Zealand will turn to their mobile devices to play games, book a hotel or pay utility bills. Imagine the pain of missing out on such a population just because you didn’t optimise your platform for smartphone use. Since no business is ready to bear such a loss, seeing this country’s online casinos implement responsive designs shouldn’t be surprising.
These mobile-friendly sites are created using flexible layouts, allowing them to adjust to fit multiple screens automatically. This ensures you enjoy seamless gambling experiences, regardless of your gaming devices. For expats, you can gamble on the go, in a parking lot or even on your couch. All it takes is a few taps on your smartphone, and you can spin the reels as seamlessly as you would on your desktop.
Personalisation keeps players returning
In the past, understanding players’ unique preferences was challenging because of limited data. But with the rise of online platforms, things have changed. Operators can now monitor gamblers’ preferences, gaming styles and habits to recommend relevant suggestions. Even Hong Kong expats will feel more valued and cared for if they find such experiences.
Surprisingly, personalising the gameplay can improve retention rates by as much as 44%. With new games launching every now and then, spotting a suitable one out of the many can be challenging. But if you can use personalisation to help players overcome this challenge, you can convert a good number of them into loyal shoppers.
Considering all these factors, it might be reasonable to conclude that casinos are popular among Hong Kong expats in New Zealand. In the physical space, operators are customising the experience to make it feel homey. In the online world, casinos are becoming more player-focused, encouraging return visits.