OfferPromotions for registered customers
LicenceStatutory monopoly
Debit cardPOLiPayPalBank
Best bookmakers in New Zealand
New Zealand gives TAB NZ the exclusive right to offer sports and racing betting, and for years let residents bet with offshore sites too, since the law punished nobody for it. Legislation passed in 2025 tightened the monopoly and set out to geo-block the foreign operators, while a separate regime for licensed online casinos is being built. Here are TAB NZ and the two international brands that scored best in our tests with a New Zealand account, and what is changing.
How betting works in New Zealand
The Racing Industry Act reserves sports and racing betting to TAB NZ, which since 2023 has run its betting operation in partnership with Entain, the group behind Ladbrokes and Bwin. The product improved sharply with the partnership: a modern app, fixed-odds sport priced close to the international market, racing pools and a retail network. Winnings are tax-free, verification is at registration and payments are the usual New Zealand rails.
Offshore betting was never illegal for the player, and bet365, Betfair and others served New Zealanders openly. The 2025 amendments gave TAB NZ exclusive rights online and directed the authorities to block offshore operators’ access to the market; implementation is under way and the foreign sites’ position is changing. A licensing regime for online casino games, separate from sports betting, is due to award a limited number of licences from 2026.
Payments are debit cards, POLi, PayPal on TAB and bank transfers; withdrawals to a bank arrived within a day in our tests at TAB and within two days at the offshore sites.
TAB NZ and the two international sites we rate for New Zealand
Ranked by our test score. TAB NZ is the authorised operator; the other two accept New Zealanders offshore, subject to the 2025 restrictions.
OfferBet credits for new customers
LicenceUKGC, MGA
Debit cardPOLiBankPayPal
OfferFree bets, sportsbook and exchange
LicenceTasmanian Liquor and Gaming Commission
Debit cardPOLiBank
The three, in short
TAB NZ
The authorised site, run with Entain since 2023 and much improved for it: a modern app, fixed-odds sport priced competitively, racing pools, cash at TAB outlets and bank withdrawals within a day in our test. The recourse is real and the money is safe.
bet365
bet365 has accepted New Zealanders for years with NZ dollar accounts, the global live menu and streaming; withdrawals to a bank took two days in our test. Its position after the 2025 law is under review.
Betfair
Betfair’s exchange offers New Zealanders prices no bookmaker matches and no limits on winners, from its Australian licence; access after the 2025 changes is under review.
Other tested operators that accept New Zealand players
All accept New Zealanders offshore; the 2025 law directs the authorities to block unlicensed operators and the position is changing.
OfferFirst-deposit bonus, promo codes
LicenceCuraçao
VisaSkrillUSDTBitcoin
OfferFirst-deposit match, promo codes
LicenceCuraçao
VisaSkrillUSDTBitcoin
OfferFirst-deposit match
LicenceCuraçao
VisaSkrillUSDTBitcoin
Payment methods that work in New Zealand
Debit cards and POLi are instant; withdrawals to a bank arrived within a day at TAB and two days offshore.
Debit cardPOLiPayPalBank transferApple PayCash at TAB
Frequently asked questions
Is online betting legal in New Zealand?
With TAB NZ, yes; betting with offshore sites was never an offence for the player, and the 2025 law aims to block the operators rather than punish customers.
Are winnings taxed?
No, for recreational bettors.
Will bet365 still work from New Zealand?
Its position is under review as the 2025 law is implemented; TAB NZ is the certain option.
What about online casinos?
A separate licensing regime is due to award a limited number of licences from 2026.
Rankings on this page come from our tests with a real account opened in the country. Some links are affiliate links; sponsored boxes are labelled and never affect the order.