The best betting sites in New Zealand are RoyalistPlay, Directionbet, LegendPlay and Betalright.
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These recommendations are based on expert, first-hand testing, which involved creating new accounts, depositing real money in NZD, placing bets and completing withdrawals across multiple books.
We’ll review each of these betting sites in more detail below. We’ll also analyze the most popular sports betting markets in New Zealand and address the wide range of deposit and withdrawal methods available.
Best Betting Sites in New Zealand Ranked
Our picks as the best NZ betting sites all boast reputable offshore licensing and offer NZD support. They also provide extensive market coverage across sports such as rugby, cricket and racing, which are widely followed throughout New Zealand.
We’ve carried out an extensive sportsbook comparison across 10+ licensed NZ operators. Testing involved creating a real NZD account, while our experts also initiated real money deposits and placed bets.
Real-time odds were also compared across our recommended betting sites, while we tested payout speeds across a selection of fiat and crypto payment methods.
This process has enabled us to objectively rank operators and identify the top 4 sites for online betting in NZ. Below, you’ll find a summary of these sites and their unique selling points, alongside any potential drawbacks when compared to their rivals.
RoyalistPlay – The Best for Live Betting
RoyalistPlay covers 35+ sports categories, including both rugby codes, horse racing and Australian Rules football. The site offers a dedicated esports vertical too, which covers 7 different games and extensive efootball and ebasketball betting markets.
The casino is also our pick as the best NZ site for live betting. The in-play betting vertical lets you switch between different views, while most events offer multiple fast markets that are settled in less than 5 minutes.
Limited livestreaming is available here, particularly during esports tournaments. When logged into your account, you can access virtual fields of play during other in-play events, which provides a visual representation of gameplay and can be used to place informed and well-timed bets.
We’ll touch on the site’s welcome bonus below, but existing RoyalistPlay bettors can also claim up to $50 in monthly bet tokens. A recurring 50% reload up to the value of $50 is currently on offer too, with this subject to nominal wagering requirements of 5x the bonus value.
RoyalistPlay Mobile Experience
There’s no native app available on either iOS or Android. Instead, you can access a responsively designed website that has been optimized for mobile devices, with this working well across iOS, Android and Windows.
This negates the need to download any third-party software, while the mobile site replicates the desktop design. This means that sports and betting markets can be accessed in just 2 or 3 taps via the vertical menu that runs down the left-hand side of the lobby.
The site’s bet slip design is clean, while this appears automatically at the bottom of the page when you click on a betting line. This also allows you to quickly structure single, combo and system bets with a single click.
RoyalistPlay Welcome Bonus
The RoyalistPlay welcome bonus comprises a 150% first deposit match up to $300. This requires you to make an initial deposit of $20 and enter the promo code WELCOME200 when prompted.
This is part of a total welcome package that covers your first 4 deposits up to $1,000. Each leg of the welcome offer is subject to wagering requirements of 8x, which is applied solely to the bonus funds and excludes your real money deposit.
The wagering requirements must also be fulfilled within 21 days of the first deposit being made, creating relatively accessible terms for casual bettors.
RoyalistPlay Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Most sports offer extensive Fast markets in-play, settled within minutes |
The welcome bonus has a minimum deposit limit of $20 |
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Unlock a $1,000 welcome bonus across your first 4 deposits |
There’s no native app on iOS or Android |
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Access weekly 50% reload bonuses and up to $50 in monthly bet tokens |
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The site offers extensive coverage of 35+ different sports |
Most sports offer extensive Fast markets in-play, settled within minutes
Unlock a $1,000 welcome bonus across your first 4 deposits
Access weekly 50% reload bonuses and up to $50 in monthly bet tokens
The site offers extensive coverage of 35+ different sports
The welcome bonus has a minimum deposit limit of $20
There’s no native app on iOS or Android
What’s Worth Knowing
When accessing in-play games in Events View at RoyalistPlay, you can immediately see the full range of available markets and real-time statistical information. If you’re logged into your account, you may also be able to livestream the event on your device or watch informative virtual fields of play.
You can deposit and withdraw using numerous payment methods at the site, including Visa and Mastercard debit, Neteller, Skrill, Rapid Transfer and PayRedeem. The site’s average pending withdrawal time is 24 hours, so most transactions of this type will take between 2 and 5 business days overall.
Directionbet – Offers the Widest Sports Coverage
Directionbet covers 40+ sports extensively, including both domestic and international disciplines. You can access a particularly diverse selection of markets when wagering on the NRL and franchise cricket competitions like the IPL, while the site publishes numerous NFL, NBA, MLB and NHL betting lines.
NRL matches unlock multiple alternate handicaps and totals lines, while English Premier League games feature 300+ betting markets on average. This includes extensive player props, which are focused on goals, assists, tackles and shots.
The site publishes plenty of in-play markets, up to 30 of which can be combined using the Build A Bet feature.
In Event View, live matches can be tracked using virtual fields of play, which sits above a real-time stats hub. Prices and market availability are updated dynamically and in direct response to in-game events.
Directionbet Mobile Experience
Once again, Directionbet has yet to design a native app for iOS or Android. However, you can access the site’s full sports coverage via a website that has been optimized for mobile.
The mobile interface is clean and uncluttered, and largely replicates the desktop design. When you populate the bet slip with your picks, this will appear centrally and at the bottom of the page. This also allows you to arrange multiple bets in combo and system wagers with just a single click.
Directionbet Welcome Bonus
The Directionbet welcome bonus unlocks a 100% first deposit match up to $100. Deposit a minimum of $10 and enter the promo code WELCOME100 to opt in, while noting that there are higher than average wagering requirements of 16x the total bonus value. These requirements must be fulfilled within 21 days of the bonus being activated too.
As an existing bettor, you’re also eligible to receive $50 in monthly bet tokens when you make 3 qualifying deposits totalling $50. A weekly 50% reload up to the value of $50 is available too.
Directionbet Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Bet on 40+ sports categories, including domestic and international leagues |
Wagering requirements of 16x the total bonus value is quite high |
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Access alternate spreads and handicaps on the NRL and EPL |
There isn’t a huge range of bonuses for existing bettors |
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Use the Build A Bet tool to construct combination wagers |
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Claim up to €50 in monthly bet tokens |
Bet on 40+ sports categories, including domestic and international leagues
Access alternate spreads and handicaps on the NRL and EPL
Use the Build A Bet tool to construct combination wagers
Claim up to €50 in monthly bet tokens
Wagering requirements of 16x the total bonus value is quite high
There isn’t a huge range of bonuses for existing bettors
What’s Worth Knowing
Directionbet’s sports and league coverage is unmatched in New Zealand, while it offers a broad selection of markets and alternate lines when you’re betting on NRL and EPL matches.
The live betting vertical is exceptionally well laid out, enabling you to simultaneously access virtual fields of play and real-time statistical data. This can lead to optimally timed live bets. When placing both pre-game and live bets, you’ll also find extensive half-betting options across most major leagues.
LegendPlay – Best for Crypto Payments
LegendPlay is our pick as the leading crypto sportsbook in New Zealand. You can wager using 16 different tokens here, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and stablecoins such as USDT.
Most crypto assets have a minimum deposit limit of $25 and process transactions instantly, while Bitcoin allows you to credit your account up to $10,000. However, BTC also has a higher-than-average minimum deposit limit of $60.
Overall, the site covers 30+ sports, including New Zealand staples such as cricket, football and both rugby codes. Ahead of most Rugby Union and Rugby League matches, you’ll find 100+ betting markets on average, including alternate handicaps and a broad selection of winning margin lines.
As an existing bettor, you’re eligible to receive a 50% second chance bet up to $50. This is a stakeback bonus that’s payable in instances where your qualifying wager is settled as a loss. An accumulator boost of between 3% and 100% is available on 3+ leg multi-bets with minimum odds of 1.40.
LegendPlay Mobile Experience
There’s no native LegendPlay app on either iOS or Android, but the website has been optimized for mobile and offers access to the full slate of pre-game and live betting markets.
When navigating the mobile site, the bet slip appears at the bottom of the screen whenever you click on a particular betting line. This also allows for quick and one-click betting, which enables you to construct wagers using predetermined criteria.
When engaging in live betting on the move, you’ll also access fast markets during most events. These are focused on the outcome of the next play and usually settled within 5 minutes or less.
LegendPlay Welcome Bonus
The LegendPlay welcome bonus comprises a 100% first deposit match up to $250. This carries wagering requirements of 6x the combined deposit and bonus value, which must be fulfilled within 30 days. Qualifying bets can be placed at odds of between 1.50 and 2.00 depending on whether you’re structuring multi-bets and singles.
The bonus’s minimum deposit limit is $20. This means that you cannot opt in at the lowest level using most crypto tokens, with Ripple the only exception to this rule.
LegendPlay Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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Deposit and withdraw instantly using 16 different cryptocurrencies |
Most cryptocurrencies have relatively high minimum withdrawal limits |
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There’s a generous weekly reload bonus of 50% up to $500 |
The site’s PAGCOR license is less reputable than the Curacao alternative |
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Bet on a large selection of virtual and AI-powered sports events |
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Participate in a 5-tier loyalty program from the moment you sign up |
Deposit and withdraw instantly using 16 different cryptocurrencies
There’s a generous weekly reload bonus of 50% up to $500
Bet on a large selection of virtual and AI-powered sports events
Participate in a 5-tier loyalty program from the moment you sign up
Most cryptocurrencies have relatively high minimum withdrawal limits
The site’s PAGCOR license is less reputable than the Curacao alternative
What’s Worth Knowing
LegendPlay is one of the few licensed NZ sportsbooks that accepts fiat and crypto payment methods, with a total of 16 tokens currently accepted. Although Bitcoin is the most popular token, this has a noticeably high minimum deposit limit of $60.
The site also offers extensive esports coverage, providing betting markets across 10+ games and efootball. When wagering on popular games like Dota 2, you’ll also find a wide selection of betting markets, including map handicaps, total maps and correct score lines.
Betalright – Best Odds for NZ Punters
Across all sports, Betalright has an average odds margin of 5.0%. However, this falls to 2.0% on selected English Premier League betting lines and similarly high profile markets. The site also offers extensive market coverage of both rugby codes, football and cricket.
When wagering on premium cricket tournaments like the IPL, you’ll find a particularly large range of betting markets. These include extensive game and player props (such as the over/under on how many wides will be bowled during a match) and alternate team totals lines.
You can even access several so-called Specials, including the total number of runs an individual player will score during a game and whether or not they’ll achieve a specific milestone such as hitting a half century.
Like LegendPlay, the site also accepts a number of crypto tokens (16). These allow for near-instant payouts, while most tokens allow you to withdraw as much as $10,000 per single transaction.
Betalright Mobile Experience
As with our other recommended NZ betting sites, Betalright doesn’t offer a native iOS or Android app to players. However, the site has been responsively designed and adapts seamlessly to all mobile device types, while it loads quickly so long as you access it via an updated Safari or Chrome browser.
The mobile site unlocks an unintuitive live betting experience too. This includes extensive flash and play-by-play betting markets, such as the method of dismissal for the next batsman in a cricket game. All in-play odds are dynamic and updated in real-time.
Betalright Welcome Bonus
The sports betting welcome bonus at Betalright comprises a 100% first deposit match up to $250 and has the exact same terms as the LegendPlay promo.
This offer also has a maximum win cashout rule of 10x the total value of the bonus. So, if you deposit $100 and receive an additional $100 with which to play, you’ll be able to withdraw a maximum of $1,000 in winnings.
Remember, qualifying combination bets can be placed at odds of 1.50 or greater. This lets you wager on outcomes with an implied probability of up to 66.7%, whereas the minimum odds requirements for singles bets is 2.00 (50.0%).
Betalright Pros and Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
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The site has a competitive average odds margin of 5.0% |
There’s no native app available on iOS or Android |
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The odds margin falls as low as 2.0% on selected high profile sports events |
The minimum deposit limit for Bitcoin is very high at $60 |
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Live betting unlocks a huge range of play-by-play betting markets |
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A total of 16 different cryptocurrencies are accepted at Betalright |
The site has a competitive average odds margin of 5.0%
The odds margin falls as low as 2.0% on selected high profile sports events
Live betting unlocks a huge range of play-by-play betting markets
A total of 16 different cryptocurrencies are accepted at Betalright
There’s no native app available on iOS or Android
The minimum deposit limit for Bitcoin is very high at $60
What’s Worth Knowing
Betalright has been operational since 2018, making it our most established New Zealand sportsbook pick. The site’s average odds margin is also highly competitive, especially when wagering on high-volume events such as the EPL, IPL and National Rugby League.
As an existing customer, you’re also eligible to claim 10% of qualifying weekly losses up to $500. This is paid each Monday in the form of cashback. Some 1×2 betting markets will also be marked with an Early Payout (EP) sign, meaning that they qualify for early payouts up to $50,000.
⬇️ Bonus Terms and Conditions
| Bonus Terms | RoyalistPlay | Directionbet | LegendPlay | Betalright |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bonus Structure | Claim a 150% first deposit match up to $300 | Access a 100% first deposit match up to $100 | Get a 100% first deposit match up to $250 | Get a 100% first deposit match up to $250 |
| Promo Code | WELCOME200 | WELCOME100 | N/A | N/A |
| Minimum Deposit / Bet | $20 / $10 | $10 / $10 | $20 / $10 | $20 / $10 |
| Settlement | Bonus funds awarded immediately upon first deposit. Total package matches first 4 deposits up to $1,000 | Bonus funds awarded immediately upon first deposit | Bonus funds awarded immediately upon first deposit. Skrill and Neteller deposits are ineligible | Bonus funds awarded immediately upon first deposit. Skrill and Neteller deposits are ineligible |
| Ineligible Bets | Refunded, cancelled and denied bets | Refunded, cancelled and denied bets | Cashed out and system bets, voided bets and wagers placed using free bets or bonus funds | Cashed out and system bets, voided bets and wagers placed using free bets or bonus funds |
| Minimum Odds / Probability | 1.80 / 55.6% | 1.80 / 55.6% | 1.50 / 66.7% for multi-bets and 2.00 / 50.0% for singles | 1.50 / 66.7% for multi-bets and 2.00 / 50.0% for singles |
| Wagering Requirements | 8x the bonus funds | 16x the bonus funds | 6x the combined deposit and bonus value | 6x the combined deposit and bonus value |
| Bonus Bet Expiry | 21 days after the first deposit | 21 days after the first deposit | 30 days after the first deposit | 30 days after the first deposit |
Sports Betting Markets in New Zealand
As of 2024, football has become the most played team sport in New Zealand. This has coincided with the national team qualifying for the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals, their first such appearance for 16 years.
This has also impacted sports betting in New Zealand, with an estimated $212 million wagered on the nation’s domestic football league through 2024 alone. Cricket is also widely bet on and attracts a typically younger audience, with some 45.5% of bettors falling within the 25 to 34 age range.
New Zealand’s top sports unlock a huge selection of betting markets, including popular options such as totals, handicaps, moneylines and player props. Through their intuitive Bet Builder tools, our 4 recommended NZ sportsbooks also enable you to build extensive same game parlays from a choice of 30 different markets.
Domestic sports betting in New Zealand is regulated by TAB, which operates a monopoly in the country. However, despite the organization’s attempts to outlaw offshore gambling sites, bettors can still access sportsbooks like RoyalistPlay without facing criminal sanctions. Such sites offer much broader market coverage, particularly of international sports and events.
Rugby Betting in New Zealand
Rugby betting remains popular across both rugby codes, particularly Rugby Union. The iconic All Blacks drive significant betting volumes among New Zealanders, including both individual test matches and series and international tournaments such as the Rugby World Cup.
Rugby Union also dominates the domestic betting landscape in NZ. The National Provincial Championship (NPC) is covered by all of our recommended sportsbooks, while it includes prominent sides including Auckland, Canterbury, Wellington and Tasman.
Then there’s the Super Rugby Pacific tournament, which also includes teams from Australia and Fiji and the Pacific Islands. The Christchurch Crusaders are the competition’s most successful side with 13 titles, while the Auckland-based Blues have triumphed on 4 separate occasions.
The NZRL Men’s National Competition is New Zealand’s elite Rugby League tournament. This features 12 teams, while the Akarana Falcons have won 6 of the previous 8 championships contested.
NRL and Warriors Betting
NRL betting is also popular in NZ, thanks to the presence of the New Zealand Warriors from Auckland. Although the team have never won a Grand Final and been crowned premiers during a season, they’ve finished as runners-up twice (in 2002 and 2011) and claimed the Minor Premiership in 2002.
Despite being a staple of the NRL, the side has endured mixed form of late. They have finished as high as 4th and as low as 15th in the previous 5 seasons, winning 53 of their 120 matches overall (44.1%). They’ve tied once and lost 66 games during the same period.
Since their formation, the Warriors have contested 743 regular season matches and won 338, creating a similar overall win percentage of 45.4%. This hints at a consistent performance level over the years.
The Warriors tend to offer outside value as Minor Premiership outright picks, while they’re commonly picked to finish in the top 8 and qualify for the postseason.
In terms of match betting, backing the Warriors with a positive handicap is often a popular option, while totals lines and try scorer markets can also offer value depending on relevant form and historic head-to-head data.
Most Popular Rugby Betting Markets
- Outright Betting: Outright betting on tournament winners is popular among rugby fans, especially when backing the All Blacks in competitions such as the World Cup. This typically unlocks competitive odds, with Betalright currently pricing them at 5.00 to win the 2027 tournament iteration.
- Handicap Betting: When backing the All Blacks and dominant club sides like the Falcons in individual matches, handicaps (such as -11.5 points) are also popular. Handicapping lets you back a heavy betting favorite at enhanced odds, although they’ll have to beat the spread and win by a specified margin for the bet to pay out.
- Try Scorer Markets: Most rugby matches unlock multiple tryscorer markets. These enable you to pick the first and last scorers in a specific game, while you can also predict anytime tryscorers at typically shorter odds. This type of player prop offers tremendous value and depth, especially to informed and highly analytical bettors.
Which Sportsbook Offers the Deepest Rugby Markets
Of our recommended NZ sportsbooks, LegendPlay offers the deepest selection of rugby betting lines. Here, you’ll find over 100 markets on average, including alternate handicap and totals lines. The site also offers the biggest range of winning margin lines, unlocking enhanced odds that can create value for informed bettors.
Cricket Betting and the Black Caps
Cricket betting is also highly popular in NZ, with the Black Caps currently ranked as the 5th best Test side, 2nd best ODI team and 4th best T20 outfit. Overall, they’re an incredibly competitive cricketing nation, and often offer value as outright picks in international tournaments such as the ODI World Cup.
Sites like Betalright provide extensive coverage of global T20 franchises too. These include the IPL, which unlock a diverse selection of prop markets and players specials that are based on key performance metrics.
Across all cricketing tournaments, you’ll find competitive match winners and totals lines. Popular alternative markets include picking the best performing batsman or bowler in a particular game, or on an individual team. These markets can unlock a wide range of odds both pre-game and in-play.
Football Betting
We’ve already touched on the growing popularity of football betting in New Zealand, with this prevalent across both domestic and international leagues. For example, you can wager on Australia’s A-League (which features 2 New Zealand teams), with sportsbooks like Directionbet offering 220+ betting markets per game on average.
Iconic competitions such as the EPL and UEFA Champions League feature 300+ betting markets at Directionbet. This number includes player props that cover a huge range of metrics, including goals, assists, shots, corners and cards. You can even access alternate totals lines that range between 0.5 and 6.5 goals.
When betting at RoyalistPlay, you’ll find daily odds boosts published across the highest profile football leagues. These often target prebuilt BetBuilder combinations and boost odds by between 10% and 15% on average.
Our books will all offer extensive 2026 World Cup coverage too, including all of New Zealand’s Group G games and any potential knockout matches.
Horse Racing Betting in New Zealand
The NZ racing industry is worth around $1.6 million, and is reliant on TAB’s revenue distributions. Horse racing betting also accounts for the majority of TAB’s annual revenue, while this search term generates 9,500 monthly online searches on average.
Although TAB NZ remains the primary domestic racing platform in New Zealand, our recommended offshore books all offer varying levels of coverage. This applies across the 3 main codes of racing in New Zealand, namely thoroughbred, harness and even greyhound racing (the latter of which is being phased out after a 2024 ban).
- Directionbet provides the best international coverage, publishing markets on events in Australia, Chile, France, Mexico, Turkey and South Africa. The site also offers extensive race predictions and information, including a particular runner’s odds history. This can lead you to make more informed picks in real-time. Directionbet also offers the largest slate of virtual horse racing betting events.
- LegendPlay also provides extensive international race coverage, including events in Argentina and the US. The site pays out each-way bets at average odds of 1.25, which is slightly higher than the industry average (1.20). You can also livestream selected races, including high profile meetings in Australia, the UK and Ireland.
- Betalright is the best horse racing betting site for forecast and tricast wagering. These wagers let you pick the top 2 or 3 finishers in a particular race, in the correct order too. These wager types add significant market depth and can unlock highly competitive odds, which also imply low implied probability values. Each-way bets pay out at average odds of 1.20 here.
Before betting on a particular race, we’d recommend that you line shop and compare odds across each of these 3 sportsbooks. Similarly, you can use our handy odds converter tool to compare all odds in a consistent format, whether you’re familiar with decimal, American or fractional pricing.
Thoroughbred Racing
Thoroughbred racing in NZ produced $968.4 million in direct spending in 2024, while it remains the most popular code throughout the country. This features jockey-ridden runners, while the nation’s key courses are located in Ellerslie, Riccarton and Trentham.
There are 20 Group 1 thoroughbred races held during the year, including the 12-furlong New Zealand Derby. This set-weights race is held at the Ellerslie racecourse in Auckland, while it’s usually scheduled to take place every March. Runners compete for their share of a $1,250,000 prize pool.
You can also bet on the New Zealand 1000 and 2000 Guineas events. These feature 3-year-old fillies and male horses respectively, while they have total prize pools of between $600,000 and $700,000. Both of these races take place at Riccarton Park in Christchurch.
Outside of this category, the Auckland Cup (Group 2) and Wellington Cup (Group 3) are also widely bet on in New Zealand. The former was graded as G1 race until 2022 and is contested over 2 miles, while the Wellington Cup is held at the Trentham track and has a cumulative prize pool of $400,000.
Harness Racing
Although harness racing in NZ is significantly less popular, it still features 16 Group 1 events every year. These races feature either pacing or trotting horses, with each runner categorized according to their gait.
The country’s best known harness race is the NZ Trotting Cup. This G1 meeting is held at the Addington Raceway in Christchurch, usually during the month of November. The race is contested over an average distance of 2 miles, while it has a total prize pool of $1 million.
Dominion is another G1 harness race for standardbred trotters, which also takes place at the Addington Raceway. This is also run over a distance of 2 miles, although it has a lower cumulative prize fund of $400,000. The race is held on the same day as the New Zealand Pacing Free For All, which is open to pacers and has a purse of $200,000.
Harness racing tends to unlock a broader range of wager types, including exotic bets like quinellas (which requires you to pick the top 2 finishers in a race in any order). You can also engage in First Four betting, which involves predicting the top 4 either in their correct order or not. This market can unlock variable and enhanced odds in some instances.
Mobile Betting in New Zealand
None of our 4 recommended brands operate native apps in New Zealand, as they instead rely on responsively designed websites that have been optimized for mobile.
However, these sites replicate the desktop experience and unlock a full range of betting options, while they adapt intuitively to suit different device types. Below, we’ll compare our sportsbooks more directly using key mobile betting features, so that you can determine which one is best for you.
- Bet Slip Design: LegendPlay offers the cleanest and most intuitive bet slip design. This unlocks Quick and One-Click Betting, which allows you to set predetermined stakes and place wagers with just 1 tap. This is ideal when betting in-play and on Fast markets, which can be settled in less than a minute in some instances.
- Live Betting Markets: RoyalistPlay delivers the best live betting experience to mobile bettors. This unlocks the broadest selection of in-play Asian handicaps and totals, while livestreaming or virtual fields of play are available across all sporting events. Directionbet’s Build A Bet feature also lets you combine up to 30 markets in a single in-play wager.
- Cashout and Early Payouts: Betalright offers full and partial cashout options, across a large range of qualifying markets. This applies when betting on popular New Zealand sports like horse racing and both rugby codes. Selected single, multiple and system 1×2 wagers may also qualify for Early Payouts, with these marked by an EP sign and clearly visible on mobile devices.
In terms of the best betting apps in New Zealand, the official TAB NZ tool is one of the most highly rated. The iOS app has an average score of 4.4/5 from a total of 2.4K reviews. However, there are Reddit threads that criticize the app’s sports betting offering, citing poor odds, high margins, restricted markets and inadequate customer support.
Online Betting in New Zealand
For years, online betting in NZ has been regulated by the Gambling Act 2003. This also introduced a provision called the Racing Act 2003, which included the establishment of the TAB NZ organization. This entity was created to maximize and fairly distribute profits, while they have historically held exclusive rights to offline racing and sports betting activities.
While the Gambling Act made it illegal for offshore betting sites to operate domestically in NZ, it didn’t expressly prohibit New Zealanders from wagering with these brands. This created a scenario where an estimated $180 million was bet offshore by NZ residents in 2023/24, while TAB NZ delivered $200 million to all racing cards during the same period.
This contributed to the passing of the Racing Industry Act amendment on June 27th, 2025, which banned offshore betting sites from accepting any wagers inside NZ. This extended the scope of TAB NZ to include online betting, creating a total monopoly through the organization’s Betcha website.
How Does This Impact Bettors
TAB NZ works in conjunction with the Department of Internal Affairs, which operates as a primary regulatory and enforcement arm in New Zealand. This will now have the power to hold offshore bookmakers directly liable for taking online bets in the country.
However, the amendment stops short of geo-blocking offshore betting operators’ websites, meaning that our recommended sites remain accessible online.
Also, bettors can still wager online at offshore sites without facing legal consequences, and this remains appealing to many due to greater sports coverage and market depth available. So, while some bettors may turn away from offshore brands and instead use TAB NZ’s Betcha app, there remains a significant online demand for operators like RoyalistPlay.
NZ Betting Regulations
The NZ betting market has been significantly complicated by the June 2025 amendment to the Racing Industry Act, creating a slightly different landscape when compared to Ireland, the UK and neighbors Australia. Here’s a brief overview of these markets and precisely how they compare.
- Ireland: On March 4th, 2025, Ireland’s Gambling Regulation Act 2024 was passed into law. This established the Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland as the market’s sole regulator, and this organization began the process of issuing updated licenses to operators in February, 2026. Unlike in NZ, however, this process will be open to offshore sportsbooks who currently operate in Ireland. The first licenses are likely to be issued before the end of 2026, while some of the best betting sites in Ireland are expected to apply.
- The UK: The UK is home to a mature and highly regulated market that’s overseen by the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This imposes stringent regulatory measures on licensees, while a recent whitepaper proposed affordability checks and a £2 maximum bet limit for slots. At the time of writing, this regulator has yet to formally ban offshore sites from accessing the UK market, while bettors are also free to wager with these brands.
- Australia: Online betting in Australia is regulated by the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 (IGA). This allows extensive pre-game sports betting via licensed operators, but in-play wagering is currently prohibited nationwide. Although Australia seeks to block and prohibit offshore betting sites, these entities aren’t geo-blocked and remain widely accessible to bettors. Also, Aussies cannot be legally sanctioned for betting online with an offshore brand.
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Payment Methods Comparison
LegendPlay and Betalright offer the broadest selection of payment methods in New Zealand, including both fiat and cryptocurrency options. Tokens like Bitcoin, Ethereum and Ripple unlock near instant withdrawals that are completed in no more than 4 hours, while the latter’s minimum deposit limit of $20 is highly accessible.
$20 is also the lowest overall deposit limit at LegendPlay and Betalright, even when crediting your account via a fiat banking method. You can deposit as little as $10 per transaction at RoyalistPlay and Directionbet, while this limit even applies to the welcome bonus at the latter brand.
Fiat payment methods including Visa and Mastercard debit cards, Skrill and Neteller are accessible across each of our recommended books. However, both Skrill and Neteller are excluded from the LegendPlay and Betalright welcome bonus terms, and it’s important to keep this in mind when making your initial deposit.
All of our recommended betting sites provide NZD support, which negates the need to convert currency and incur transaction fees. Our top 4 NZ sportsbooks all have an average pending withdrawal time of between 0-24 hours, with bank transfers taking up to 5 working days to complete in some cases.
| RoyalistPlay | Directionbet | LegendPlay | Betalright | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Top Payment Methods | Visa / Mastercard debit, Skrill, Neteller, ecoPayz, PayRedeem, Rapid Transfer | Visa / Mastercard debit, Skrill, Neteller, Interac, PayRedeem, JCB | Visa / Mastercard debit, Paysafecard, Neosurf, Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether (USDT) | Visa / Mastercard debit, Neosurf, PSCD, Skrill, Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ripple, USDC |
| Crypto | No | No | Yes | Yes |
| NZD Support | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Minimum Deposit | $10 | $10 | $20 | $20 |
| Minimum Withdrawal | $20 | $20 | $20 | $20 |
| Withdrawal Time (Fastest) | 0-24 hours | 0-24 hours | 0-4 hours | 0-4 hours |
How We Evaluate Betting Sites
Our recommendations are based on extensive testing of 10+ licensed sportsbooks in the New Zealand marketplace. Our testing methodology is based on 10 key criteria, each of which has a direct impact on the online sports betting experience in NZ. Each criterion is weighted according to its importance and tested objectively to ensure transparency.
Responsible Gambling in New Zealand
Gambling should be enjoyable, not a source of stress. If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties with gambling, free and confidential help is available 24 hours a day.
Gambling Helpline: 0800 654 655 (free, 24/7, confidential). Text 8006.
Problem Gambling Foundation: 0800 664 262 (free counselling). Text 5819. Mon-Fri 8:30am-5pm.
Mapu Maia (Pasifika Support): 0800 21 21 22 (dedicated Pasifika gambling support service).
Visit safergambling.org.nz for more resources. You must be 18+ to gamble in New Zealand.
FAQs
What are the best betting sites in New Zealand?
RoyalistPlay, Directionbet, LegendPlay and Betalright are our picks as the best betting sites in NZ. Each of these operators offer coverage of 30+ sports and publish a huge range of markets, especially across popular disciplines like rugby, cricket and football. Directionbet covers the most sports overall, while RoyalistPlay is a market leading live betting sportsbook. Both LegendPlay and Betalright are among the best crypto betting sites in New Zealand.
Is online betting legal in New Zealand?
Yes, online betting is legal in New Zealand. However, NZ gambling is monopolised domestically by TAB NZ, which now has control of the offline and online betting markets after a June 2025 amendment to the Racing Industry Act. However, offshore books like RoyalistPlay aren’t geo-blocked in NZ, while it’s not illegal for bettors to wager there. It’s important to understand the current legal framework before comparing the best gambling sites in NZ.
What happened to offshore betting sites in NZ?
Officially, offshore betting sites are now prohibited from accepting wagers from players located within New Zealand. From a legislative perspective, this means that online betting in New Zealand is now completely regulated by TAB NZ. However, offshore betting sites remain accessible in NZ, while individual bettors won’t be sanctioned for wagering with such sportsbooks. Despite this, the New Zealand regulator can now hold offshore brands accountable if they trade or market their products in the country.
Which NZ betting site has the best welcome bonus?
RoyalistPlay matches your first deposit by 150% up to $300. This is part of a broader welcome package, which matches your first 4 deposits in total up to the value of $1,000. LegendPlay and Betalright both match your first deposit by 100% up to $250, while this offer is subject to wagering requirements of 6x the combined deposit and bonus value. We’d recommend that you compare each bonus and its unique terms and conditions in full, before choosing the one that best suits your needs.
Can I bet on rugby at these betting sites?
Each of our recommended NZ betting sites offer extensive coverage of both rugby codes (League and Union). The most popular rugby betting markets include handicaps and totals lines, alongside the first, last and anytime tryscorer during a match. You can bet on a diverse range of domestic and international tournaments, from the NPC and NRL to the Rugby World Cup. Super Rugby betting is also available online at our sportsbooks. LegendPlay offers an average of 100+ pre-game betting markets ahead of Rugby Union and Rugby League matches.
Is there a betting app for NZ?
Our 4 recommended sportsbooks don’t currently operate native betting apps in NZ. This includes RoyalistPlay, Directionbet, LegendPlay and Betalright. However, these operators allow you access a full slate of sports and betting markets via websites that have been responsively designed and optimized for mobile. However, there is a TAB app, which is highly-rated on both iOS and Android and provides access to fully regulated odds and markets.
How do I bet on horse racing in NZ?
NZ racing is incredibly popular, with thoroughbred meetings the most widely bet on by punters. All of our recommended books offer extensive horse racing betting coverage, with Directionbet enabling you to wager on international meetings in Chile, Mexico, Turkey and South Africa. If you like to bet on harness racing or prefer exotic wager types such as forecasts and tricasts, Betalright provides the best coverage and most competitive odds overall.
Do these betting sites accept NZD?
Yes, our sites all accept NZD as a native currency. This is an important consideration, as it negates the need to convert your currency and pay even a nominal transaction fee. Other universally accepted currencies include the pound, Euro and the US Dollar, while you can even deposit and withdraw using the Norwegian Krone.
Which betting site has the best odds?
Overall, Betalright offers the lowest average odds margin across all sports. This is around 5.0%, while some high profile events and betting lines unlock an average odds margin of just 2.0%. At RoyalistPlay, some pre-game BetBuilder combinations will benefit from odds boosts of between 10% and 15%, which are most commonly applied to events such as the EPL.
Where can I get help with gambling problems in NZ?
The early signs of problem gambling include spending outside of your means or borrowing to fund your betting activity. If you recognize these compulsive behaviors, it’s important to seek out help as quickly as possible, by calling the Gambling Helpline on 0800 654 655. The Problem Gambling Foundation also offers practical and emotional support, while the Mapu Maia provides culturally responsive advice for Pasifika communities in Aotearoa.
