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Casino Days - Land-Based Casinos
New Zealand has five land-based casinos, from Auckland to Dunedin. Where they are, how entry works and how a night out differs from Casino Days online.
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How many casinos New Zealand has
The short answer first, then the detail.
In short: New Zealand has five operating casinos: SkyCity in Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown, Christchurch Casino and Grand Casino in Dunedin. You need to be 20 and bring ID, and no new casino venue licences will be issued, so this list will not grow. Casino Days is the online option, open 24/7 in NZD.
People who search for New Zealand casinos usually want one of three things: a list of venues, the rules for walking in, or a way to decide between a trip out and a session at home. This page covers all three. It is written for Kiwi players who also use Casino Days, so you will find both sides of the picture, each described fairly and without pressure either way.
The number five surprises some people. For years the country was described as having six casinos, and plenty of travel and comparison sites still repeat that figure. The sixth, the Wharf Casino in Queenstown, stopped trading when the March 2020 lockdown began and never reopened. Its operator left the lease early in 2024 and the venue licence was not renewed. The five that remain all offer both gaming machines (pokies) and table games.
If you prefer to play from the couch, the Casino Days pokies lobby works in any mobile browser. If you are planning a night out, read on, because a few minutes of preparation saves the usual disappointments at the door.
The five casinos side by side
Tap a column heading to sort the table.
| SkyCity Auckland | Auckland | 1996 | 1,877 | 150 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyCity Hamilton | Hamilton | 2002 | 339 | 23 |
| SkyCity Queenstown | Queenstown | 2000 | 86 | 12 |
| Christchurch Casino | Christchurch | 1994 | 450+ | 32 |
| Grand Casino Dunedin | Dunedin | 1999 | 150+ | n/p |
Swipe to see all columns
How to read the numbers: for the three SkyCity venues the machine and table counts are the licensed product figures from SkyCity's 2025 annual report. SkyCity Auckland also lists 240 automated table games on top of its 150 live tables. For Christchurch the figures come from the casino's own website, which says 32 table games and more than 450 gaming machines. Grand Casino Dunedin quotes "over 150" machines on one page and 180 on another, and does not publish a table count, so the table shows 150+ and n/p, which stands for not published.
Christchurch Casino opened in 1994 as the first in the country, and Auckland is by far the largest, with more machines than the other four combined. The Queenstown casino is the smallest, which suits a resort town where many visitors drop in for an hour rather than an evening. The Wharf Casino, also in Queenstown, is not in the table because it has been closed since the March 2020 lockdown, and its licence lapsed in 2024.
For context on scale, the Department of Internal Affairs reports that casinos recorded gambling expenditure of about NZ$592m in the 2023/24 year, a fraction of total national gambling spend. Numbers like these are a reminder that venues are businesses designed to win over time, so enjoy the atmosphere and set a budget before you walk in.
How casino licensing works in NZ
Who decides, who checks and who gets in.
- Regulator
- Gambling Commission
- Compliance
- DIA inspectors
- Entry age
- 20+
- New venues
- None licensed
Every New Zealand casino needs two licences: a venue licence tied to a specific site, and a casino operator's licence for the company that runs the gaming. Both are issued by the Gambling Commission under the Gambling Act 2003. The Commission sets the conditions, can renew, suspend or cancel a venue licence and approves the operators. Its decisions can be appealed.
Day-to-day policing belongs to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). It employs gambling inspectors with an office in every region that has a casino, who carry out audits, handle complaints and check that venues follow their licence conditions. If you ever have a concern about how a venue treated you, DIA is the agency to contact.
A venue licence runs for an initial term of 25 years from opening and is then renewable for successive periods of 15 years. When a renewal comes up, the Commission looks at the venue's compliance record, its suitability and the benefit it brings to local and regional communities and to New Zealand overall. Christchurch was renewed for 15 years from late 2019, SkyCity Hamilton's licence is due for renewal in 2027, and SkyCity Auckland's licence runs to 2048.
The most important rule for anyone wondering whether more casinos are coming is simple: the Gambling Act says no new casino venue licences will be issued, and existing casinos cannot expand their gambling operations in the way they could before. The Casino Control Authority, which used to regulate the industry, was wound up in 2004. In practice that means the five venues in the table above are a closed club.
Casino rules also differ from the pokies you see at the local pub. Pub and club machines are Class 4 gambling, run by corporate societies that pass proceeds to community causes, and a venue needs council consent under that council's own policy. Casinos do not need council consent, because their licence comes from the Gambling Commission. If you are curious how councils handle pub machines, our Waikato page walks through a real regional example.
A closer look at each venue
A short profile of every casino, north to south.
SkyCity Auckland
The flagship, on the corner of Victoria and Federal Streets in the city centre. It opened in 1996 and holds the largest licensed floor in the country: 1,877 gaming machines, 150 live table games and 240 automated tables. SkyCity Casino Management Ltd holds the operator licence for all SkyCity casinos in New Zealand. The venue licence runs to 2048, which says something about how settled the Auckland operation is. Official website.
SkyCity Hamilton
At 346 Victoria Street, in part of the former Chief Post Office beside the Waikato River. It opened in 2002 and is licensed for 339 machines and 23 tables. Alongside the gaming floor you will find bars and restaurants, and a regional tourism listing describes it as a 24-hour casino, though it is sensible to confirm opening hours before a late trip. Its venue licence is due for renewal in 2027. Official website.
SkyCity Queenstown
Found upstairs in Stratton House on Beach Street. Opened in 2000, it is the smallest of the five, licensed for 86 machines and 12 tables, and its compact size makes it an easy add-on to an evening in town. This is the only casino currently operating in Queenstown. Official website.
Christchurch Casino
New Zealand's first casino, at 30 Victoria Street, opened in 1994. It describes itself as locally owned and operated by Christchurch Casinos Limited, with Skyline Enterprises as the majority owner. The floor has 32 table games and more than 450 gaming machines, plus three restaurants and bars. At the time of writing the casino lists opening hours of 12pm to 1am, stretching to 3am on Fridays and Saturdays. It also runs a visible host responsibility programme, including pre-commitment options on machines and no credit for gaming. Official website.
Grand Casino Dunedin
Inside the Scenic Hotel Southern Cross at 118 High Street, which opened on 6 October 1999. The operator is Dunedin Casinos Limited. Machines are quoted at over 150, and the table list covers blackjack, roulette, baccarat and Caribbean Stud. Because the casino sits within a hotel, a visit can easily be combined with dinner or an overnight stay. Its FAQ is clear that guests must be 20 or older and may be asked for identification, and that the age rule applies to the Grand Bar and Restaurant as well. Official website.
One more name belongs in this section even though you cannot visit it: the Wharf Casino in Queenstown. Run by Otago Casinos Ltd, a SkyCity subsidiary, it closed with the March 2020 lockdown and stayed shut. SkyCity gave up the lease early in 2024 and the licence was due to expire in September of that year without being renewed. Older travel pages still list it, so if a site tells you Queenstown has two casinos, treat that as out of date.
Choosing the right venue for your night
Practical points that apply wherever you go.
- Location: the venue nearest your holiday or home usually wins. Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, Dunedin and Queenstown are all city or town centre venues, so a taxi or rideshare often beats driving.
- Games: if you want the widest choice, Auckland has the largest floor. If you want a calmer room with a handful of tables, Queenstown or Dunedin may suit better.
- Opening hours: these differ between venues and can change, so check the official website on the day you plan to go.
- Dress and conduct: each casino sets its own standards for what you wear and how you behave. Neat casual is a safe starting point, and the website is the place to confirm.
- ID and age: you must be 20, and the venue can ask for proof. Take the physical card or passport rather than relying on a photo on your phone.
- Budget: decide what you are happy to spend before you leave home, and take only that amount. Christchurch Casino issues no credit for gaming, and Grand Casino says credit cards cannot be used to gamble.
Think about what sort of evening you want. A table game such as blackjack or roulette feels social and runs at the pace of the dealer, while a pokie gives you more spins per hour and is easy to play alone. If you are new to casinos, a mid-sized floor like Hamilton or Christchurch is a gentle introduction. If you have only ever played online, watching a live table for ten minutes before you sit down is a good way to learn the rhythm.
It also helps to know what you actually enjoy. Players who like the bonus rounds of modern video pokies often find the online lobby gives them far more titles to pick from, while those who like the buzz of a crowd around a roulette wheel will find a venue hard to replace. Neither is better. Many Kiwis do both, and that is exactly how this site approaches it.
Think about getting home too. Late closing hours are part of the appeal, but they are also why it is worth arranging a lift or a taxi before you start, so the decision to stop is never dependent on how you are doing at the table.
A night out or a night in with Casino Days
Two ways to enjoy the same hobby.
At a NZ casino
- Real atmosphere, live dealers and other people at the table
- Restaurants, bars and a proper night out
- Staff on hand and visible host responsibility
- Entry from 20, with ID checks at the door
At Casino Days
- Open 24/7 on your phone or computer, with the balance in NZD
- Free demo mode on most RNG games, so you can try before you stake
- Over 5,000 games, from pokies and jackpots to live roulette and game shows
- Deposits from NZ$20 and a two-step welcome package
The welcome package at Casino Days is spread across two deposits. The first deposit earns a 100% match up to NZ$500 plus 100 free spins on Sweet Bonanza, and the second adds a 50% match up to NZ$500, for up to NZ$1,000 in bonus funds. The minimum deposit is NZ$20, wagering is 35x the bonus within seven days, and no promo code is needed because the offer is claimed with a button in Rewards. Slots count in full towards wagering, while table and live games count for less, so check the terms before you pick what to play with bonus money.
Casino Days sits on a licence from the Curaçao Gaming Authority, number OGL/2023/159/0076, run by White Star B.V., and has been open since 2020. You can read about the company on the about page and see the progressive pots on the jackpots page. Many of the machine types you see in a casino have an online cousin, and you can open a demo to compare without spending a cent.
Responsible play tools matter in both settings. At the casinos you can ask for an exclusion order. At Casino Days the account has deposit, loss and wager limits for the day, week or month, reality check reminders and a time-out of 24 hours up to five months, and self-exclusion through support. The online casino sets its own minimum age of 18+, while New Zealand casino venues require you to be 20, so keep the two separate in your head.
Many players find the easiest approach is to treat the two as different entertainment budgets. A planned evening at a venue is an occasion with a clear start and end. A quick session online is something you fit into a spare half hour. Whatever you choose, use the limits, take breaks and stop when it stops being fun.
Entry refused or venue closed
What to do when the evening does not go to plan.
Stay calm and ask why. Staff can turn someone away for age, missing ID, a venue-initiated exclusion order or behaviour concerns. A polite question usually gets a straight answer.
Check your ID. If the problem is paperwork, a current passport or NZ driver licence is the most dependable document. If yours is at home, a return trip is the only fix.
Confirm your age. The minimum is 20 and there are no exceptions for those just under it. Under-20s cannot enter the gaming area, so a younger friend will need a different plan for the evening.
Ask about exclusion orders. If an order is in place, whether you set it yourself or the venue issued it, it can last up to two years, and breaking it is an offence. If you think an order was applied wrongly, ask the venue for the process, and contact the DIA gambling inspectors if you are not satisfied.
If the venue is closed, look at its official website or social channels for a notice. Hours change, and holidays or events can alter them. The closed Wharf Casino in Queenstown is a good reminder that a listing on an old site may no longer be accurate.
Have a backup plan. A meal at the venue's restaurant, a drink nearby, or an evening of demo games on the Casino Days pokies page keeps the night going with no stake at all.
The refusal itself is rarely personal. Venues must keep out under-20s and anyone covered by an order, and the penalties for getting it wrong fall on the operator. Take it in good spirit, because the same strictness is what keeps the room safe for everyone else.
Slip-ups that spoil a casino visit
Six mistakes worth avoiding.
Forgetting ID
No card, no entry. Check your wallet before you leave, and bring photo ID even if you are sure you will not be asked.
Turning up under 20
The online age of 18+ at Casino Days does not carry over. NZ casinos let nobody under 20 into the gaming area.
Mixing up pub pokies and casinos
Class 4 machines in pubs and clubs follow their own rules, with council consent and community funding. Casino rules are different.
Chasing losses
Trying to win back what you lost is the fastest way to turn a small loss into a large one. Walk away at the budget you set.
Planning to use credit
Do not count on borrowing for the night. Grand Casino says credit cards cannot be used for gaming and Christchurch issues no credit.
Trusting an old listing
Some websites still show six casinos or two in Queenstown. Check the operator's own site for hours and details.
Another quiet mistake is playing without a time limit. Casinos are comfortable places designed to keep you relaxed, and hours pass without notice. Setting a phone alarm for when you will leave, or agreeing a finish time with friends, takes thirty seconds and protects both your budget and your evening. The same logic is behind the reality check reminders in your Casino Days account.
Looking after yourself and your wallet
Free, confidential help is a phone call away.
Need to talk? The Gambling Helpline NZ is free and open 24/7 on 0800 654 655, or free text 8006. The Problem Gambling Foundation offers free counselling on 0800 664 262 on weekdays from 8:30 to 5:00.
Gambling should be a paid-for evening out, not a way to make money or fix a problem. Red flags include spending more than you planned, borrowing to play, hiding it from people close to you or feeling that you have to win back a loss. If any of that sounds familiar, speak to someone sooner rather than later. You can find the Gambling Helpline website and the Problem Gambling Foundation online as well.
Every NZ casino operates exclusion programmes. A self-exclusion order can last up to two years, and venues can also issue orders themselves. Christchurch Casino uses facial recognition to identify people who have been banned, and its machines offer pre-commitment tools. At Casino Days you can set deposit, loss and wager limits, use reality check reminders and request self-exclusion through the 24/7 live chat. Use whichever tools fit, and use them before you need them.
Our editorial policy explains how we research and update pages like this one, and you can return to the Casino Days home page whenever you want to see the current offer.
NZ casinos: your questions answered
How many casinos are there in New Zealand?
Five casinos operate today: SkyCity Auckland, SkyCity Hamilton, SkyCity Queenstown, Christchurch Casino and Grand Casino in Dunedin. A sixth licence, for the Wharf Casino in Queenstown, existed until 2024, but that venue has not traded since the March 2020 lockdown. Some older websites still say six, which is why you may see two different answers.
How old do you have to be to enter a casino in NZ?
You must be 20 or over to enter a New Zealand casino, and Grand Casino applies the same rule to its bar and restaurant. Staff can ask for proof of age, so bring photo ID every time, even if you look well past 20.
Will New Zealand get any new casinos?
No. The Department of Internal Affairs states that no new casino venue licences will be issued under the Gambling Act, so the five existing venues are the whole list. Casinos also cannot simply move to a new site, which is also why a closed venue cannot simply be replaced by a new one.
Do I need ID to go into a casino?
Yes, plan on it. Grand Casino says guests may be asked for valid identification, and venues are required to keep under-20s out of the gaming area. The exact list of accepted documents is set by each venue and is not published in one place, so a current passport or NZ driver licence is the safe choice. If in doubt, check the casino's own website before you travel.
Are pub pokies the same as casino pokies?
No. Pub and club pokies fall under Class 4 gambling, run by societies that pass proceeds to the community, and each venue needs council consent. Casinos are a separate category with their own venue licences and their own rules. Do not assume that what applies in the corner pub applies on a casino floor, or the other way round. Local council policies are covered on our Waikato page.
Can I play the same sort of games at Casino Days that I see in a casino?
The families are the same: pokies, roulette, blackjack, baccarat and live dealer tables. The online lobby adds jackpot games, crash games, Keno and Plinko, and most RNG games open in a free demo. The big difference is convenience, because the NZD balance is on your phone and the lobby is open around the clock.
Can I ban myself from a casino?
Yes. Self-exclusion orders are available at the casinos and can run for up to two years, and a venue can also issue an order if it has concerns about a patron. Breaking an order is an offence, so it is a serious step that is worth taking if gambling has stopped being fun. Grand Casino, for example, handles self-exclusion by a form completed at the casino.
Is the Wharf Casino in Queenstown still open?
No. It has been closed since the March 2020 lockdown and its venue licence was not renewed in 2024. The SkyCity Queenstown casino on Beach Street is the one operating in the resort town.
Keep Reading
- Gambling in WaikatoHow council policies shape pub pokies around Hamilton and the wider region.Read the guide
- Casino Days PokiesBrowse the online pokies lobby by studio and RTP, with free demos.Read the guide
- Casino Days JackpotsThe four-tier progressive jackpot and how wins are paid out.Read the guide
From venue to lobby
Take the Night In
Open Casino Days on your phone, pick a game in NZD and try the demo before you stake anything.