5 Best NZ Online Poker Sites (2026)

New Zealand’s have access to a diverse range of poker games, catering to players of all skill levels. These platforms ensure a secure and fair playing environment, featuring both classic and modern poker variations.

Beginners can start with guides like “How to Play Poker for Beginners,” to grasp the fundamentals, while experienced players can refine their skills with advanced strategies and tips.

Our exploration of the top 5 poker rooms in New Zealand promises an engaging and varied experience for enthusiasts of this globally renowned card game.

1. Tiger Gaming

Tiger Gaming Casino, established in 1999, has evolved into a premier online gaming platform that proudly serves New Zealand’s gaming community alongside a global audience. With over two decades of experience, it offers a well-rounded entertainment experience, functioning as a sportsbook, an online casino, and a poker site, each facet as engaging and popular as the next.

Originally a poker-centric site, Tiger Gaming has expanded its offerings to include a diverse range of games and features to meet the evolving preferences of its players. Despite the expansion, poker remains a vibrant and heavily trafficked part of the platform, testament to its enduring appeal among New Zealand residents and international players alike.

The platform accommodates a variety of payment methods to suit the convenience of its users, including Mastercard, Visa, Skrill, Neteller, iDebit, UseMyBank, among others, and even embraces cryptocurrency options like Bitcoin. This flexibility ensures that players from New Zealand can enjoy seamless transactions for an uninterrupted gaming experience.

Bonus: Join Tiger Gaming and you will receive a 100% matched deposit bonus worth up to $1,000. You can claim your deposit after making a qualifying deposit worth $50 or more – it is definitely worth maxing this offer out as you will have no shortage of opportunities to test your poker skills at Tiger Gaming.

2. GGPoker

GGPoker, established in 2017, is a haven for poker enthusiasts in New Zealand, offering a diverse range of games suitable for novices and experts alike. Created by seasoned poker professionals, GGPoker is a platform where the action is relentless, featuring innovative games that cater to every skill level.

New Zealand players can enjoy the prestige of playing on a site endorsed by globally recognized poker celebrities such as Daniel Negreanu and Dan Bilzerian, enhancing the platform’s credibility. GGPoker offers a variety of poker styles including Texas Hold’em, Omaha Poker, and 6+ Short Deck, with a range of stakes from casual low stakes to high-rolling VIP games.

The platform is a hotspot for tournaments, hosting major annual events like the GGPoker World Festival and the Road to Vegas, in addition to daily tournaments and special events. Kiwi players can immerse themselves in themed tournaments such as “Bounty Hunters” or the Omaholic series, with entry levels accessible for all, starting as low as $1 buy-ins. This inclusivity ensures that whether you’re in Auckland or Otago, there’s a seat at the table for you at GGPoker.

Bonus: GG Poker offers new players two different welcome bonuses. Either you can pick $100 in rewards or a matched deposit worth up to $600, so you can hit those poker tables with a little extra to help you get started.

3. Poker Stars

PokerStars has firmly established itself as a premier online poker destination for New Zealanders, delivering a comprehensive experience that aligns well with the gaming preferences of residents from Auckland to Invercargill. The platform’s vast selection of games, including popular variants like Texas Hold’em and Omaha, ensures that Kiwi players have access to both international and local tables at any level of expertise or betting limit.

Tournaments on PokerStars are a significant draw, with events like the Sunday Million for New Zealand players to compete on the global stage without leaving their homes. The user interface is smooth and intuitive, making navigation and game selection a breeze for both desktop and mobile users.

For New Zealand players concerned with transaction security, PokerStars offers a variety of trusted banking options, catering to both traditional and e-wallet preferences. The platform’s dedication to fair play and security is evident, featuring robust measures to ensure the integrity of games.

Customer service is also a strong point, with support available 24/7 to assist with any queries specific to New Zealand players, including those related to time zone differences. With its blend of global reach and local appeal, PokerStars is a top choice for New Zealand poker enthusiasts looking for a world-class gaming experience.

4. Party Poker

Party Poker stands out as an exceptional online poker platform that is well-suited for New Zealand players. With a user-friendly interface and a wide array of games, it caters to both beginners and seasoned players across the country. The tournaments are a particular highlight, offering a diverse schedule that ensures Kiwis can find a game that fits their timetable and skill level, regardless of whether they are in Wellington’s windy streets or the calm of Christchurch.

The site’s reliability and security are top-notch, providing peace of mind for players dealing in NZD, while the customer support is attentive and well-versed in addressing the unique needs of New Zealand residents. The loyalty program is also a standout, rewarding regular play with points that can be redeemed in various ways, adding an extra layer of excitement to the experience.

Additionally, Party Poker’s commitment to responsible gaming is commendable, ensuring a safe and enjoyable environment for all. For New Zealanders looking for a reputable and engaging online poker experience, Party Poker is undoubtedly a platform worth considering.

5. 888 Poker

888 Poker launched in 2002 and is popular all over the world for its fantastic array of poker cash games and in-house tournaments. The operator also has a casino and sportsbook, but the good news for poker players in NZ is that it is mainly focused on delivering the ultimate poker experience.

This poker site covers Omaha, Omaha Hi Lo and Texas Hold’em, but that is not all. You can test your hand at thrilling variants such as Blast Poker, Horse, 5 Card Draw, Snap Poker, and various other games. There are cash games for players of all levels and budgets. You can play rounds for cents, or hit those big buy-in competitions and try to win prizes from massive pools. Kiwi poker players who like to mix things up a bit can try tournaments such as Sit & Go Poker, Multi Table Tournaments or Heads Up Tournaments. If you don’t have enough money to join bigger events, be sure to check out any Satellite Tournaments, which don’t cost much and can win you a buy in to major money tournaments.

888 Poker is licensed in Gibraltar and Malta, and only uses approved payment processors. You can pay using popular ePayment methods such as Visa, MasterCard, Apple Pay, Neteller, and various others.

Playing Online Poker in New Zealand

Despite being a very gambling friendly country, New Zealand has no licensed online poker sites. The New Zealand Gambling Commission regulates all the landbased casinos and online iGaming sites in the country, ensuring that they comply with the laws of the Gambling Acts of 2003. There are only two regulated online gambling sites in New Zealand. Lotto NZ is the state lottery, providing Kiwi gamers with all sorts of lottery games. Then, there is TAB, the official horse racing and sports betting platform. But neither provides online poker rooms.

Therefore, Kiwi gamers can turn to international operators to play online poker. These sites do not have any local licenses, but the NZ regulations does not forbid you from signing up and playing at them. The thing to look out for with these sites is whether they are licensed in foreign jurisdictions or not. The online poker sites that we have picked out are all legitimate as they are regulated by the Malta Government, or in Curacao, the UK and so on. If you want to learn more about iGaming licenses, be sure to check out pages about the different regulators and their legislation.

Future of iGaming in New Zealand

While there may be no official online poker rooms or online casinos in New Zealand at the moment, the situation may change in the future. New Zealand lawmakers have already explored the notion of opening the iGaming market to foreign gambling operators. If this happens, then the NZGC would reserve the right to issue licenses to international gambling operators, legitimising their presence in the NZ gambling market. Another option would be to launch a state run online casino, or bolstering the NZ Lotto or TAB platforms to include both casino games and poker rooms. But these scenarios may take years to unfold, so in the meantime, you can freely use international poker sites to play your games.

Conclusion

New Zealand’s online poker scene presents a diverse array of platforms for every kind of player, from beginners to seasoned pros. Together, these sites provide New Zealand players with a comprehensive poker experience, ranging from casual games to high-stakes challenges, all accessible from the comfort of home.