In New Zealand, establishments like pubs and bars that house gaming machines are designated as Class 4 venues. The businesses operating these venues are known as venue operators, and the individual overseeing gaming machine operations is the venue manager.
Venue operators collaborate with corporate societies—entities licensed to conduct Class 4 gambling—to host gaming machines. The selection of a corporate society is influenced by:
- .Ensuring that the society’s distribution of funds supports community and non-commercial purposes, as mandated by the Gambling Act 2003.
- Partnering with societies recognized for ethical operations and transparent grant processes.
- Societies that provide efficient support and services to the venue.
Once an agreement is established, the venue hosts the gaming machines, while the corporate society manages the proceeds and allocates funds to authorized purposes.
It’s important to note that venue operators do not have control over the societies or influence their grant-making decisions, ensuring a clear separation of duties and adherence to regulatory standards.
For detailed information on the responsibilities and regulations governing Class 4 gambling, refer to the Department of Internal Affairs’ guidelines.
Pokie Venues in New Zealand
Costs
The venues must keep the proceeds from all gaming machines separate from all other funds. Any class 4 gaming machine is monitored electronically to determine how much money is invested in it.
This determines how much money the venue needs to transfer into the society’s bank account. The proceeds are then distributed to their respective corporate societies.
The venues receive a capped payment in exchange for hosting the machines. This amount reimburses them for the actual, reasonable, and necessary costs of operating a class 4 gambling machine.
Should a venue payment be more than these costs, it is an illegal use of net proceeds and, therefore, a misuse of community money.
The legal system does not allow any venue to profit from hosting a gaming machine. A requirement is that the venue does not rely on any gaming revenue for survival.
Advantages
A venue hosts a pokie machine mainly because it offers customers a more comprehensive range of entertainment at a pub or bar.
Many people believe that venues that offer gaming machines are more attractive to customers, leading to them drinking more alcohol, which increases bar business.
This, however, is not entirely true, as anecdotal evidence suggests that pokies gamblers in pubs tend not to drink very much alcohol. Gaming machines may distract some customers and put them off going to the bar.
It is illegal for societies to induce a venue to host its machines through inducements such as trips to Australia or sports award dinner tickets.
Pokies in New Zealand
New Zealand is home to six operating casinos, the first of which opened in 1994.
- Grand Casino Dunedin
- SkyCity Hamilton
- SkyCity Auckland
- SkyCity Queenstown
- Christchurch Casino
- SkyCity Wharf Casino
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1. Grand Casino Dunedin
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 118 High Street, Central Dunedin, Dunedin 9016 |
| Phone Number | 03 477 4545 |
| Rating | 4.1 |
| Timings | 12 pm to 2 am |
| Public Transport or Parking | The nearest bus stop to Dunedin is State Highway One 28 (6 min walk) Parking is available |
| Range of Pokies | 150 Electronic Gaming Machines; also offers Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, and Caribbean Stud Poker |
| Live Entertainment | It is a great place for event management, shares a list of multiple events on a calendar |
It first opened in 1999 in Dunedin, New Zealand. The casino is 0.5 kilometres south of the city centre.
The casino’s license was suspended by the Gambling Commission for two years in 2006 after it was found to let women gamble $6.6 million after three years.
However, it only lasted two years; after some hearings, everything went normal.
Dunedin Casino has been rebranded as Grand Casino Dunedin. It is the second casino to initiate a license renewal process.
Legal procedures with the Gambling Commission have been completed, and the license will be valid until October 2024, when it will be renewed.
Apart from providing gaming machines, it hosts many events. You can also ask them about managing any event, from small group gatherings to official events.
Games at Dunedin Grand Casino
Gambling on the property includes classic games, pokie machines, Blackjack, Roulette, Baccarat, and Caribbean Stud Poker.
If you are a continuous visitor, they have many things for you, like their Rewards Program.
| Rewards Program | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Rewards Plus | Complimentary non-alcoholic beverage 10% discount at Southern Cross Hotel 15% discount on food Bonus Points on freeplay or food and beverages |
| Legend | Complimentary non-alcoholic beverage 10% discount at Southern Cross Hotel 15% discount on food Bonus Points on Freeplay or food and beverages |
| Prestige | Complimentary non-alcoholic beverage 10% discount at Southern Cross Hotel 15% discount on food Bonus Points on free play or food and beverages |
| Elite | Complimentary non-alcoholic house beverages Complimentary food and house beverages Bonus Points on Freeplay or food and beverages Tier point holiday Invitations to Legend Events On-site parking (availability-based) |
They have unique coffee tables in the rooms where people can gamble, and they have games of every difficulty level on the casino floor.
Gambling in this casino is cheap and easy because players are not forced to spend all their money to have a good time.
New Zealand players who come in for a night of gambling can also enjoy the entertainment that is on the site. Players get everything they need and can come by any time they are in this part of New Zealand.
Restaurants & Bars
The land-based casino has all the restaurants and bars that people could want. It is unique in that it has bars and restaurants that can see the casino floor and restaurants and bars that are far out of sight.
Some bars are quiet so people can recover from a night of gambling, and some restaurants offer a nice sit-down meal.
There are places where players can get a buffet dinner and bars that sit right off the casino floor. Then, they can walk right back to play more games.
2. SkyCity Hamilton
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 346 Victoria Street, Hamilton Central, Hamilton 3204 |
| Phone Number | 07 834 4900 |
| Timings | 10 am to 4 am on Weekdays; Open 24 hours on Weekends |
| Public Transport or Parking | Car parking is available, and Hamilton Transport Centre on Bryce Street is approximately 10 minutes’ walk away. |
| Range of Pokies | 330 Gaming Machines and 23 Table Games |
| Live Entertainment | Customised events, from intimate gatherings to larger parties |
This entertainment complex is in the central business district of Hamilton and overlooks the beautiful Waikato River.
The casino opened its doors in September 2002, with the SkyCity Entertainment Group gaining 100% ownership in 2005.
This complex currently includes one casino, nine food and beverage outlets, a 600-guest function centre, a 300-space car park building and a ten-pin bowling alley.
SkyCity Hamilton also currently employs 300 staff members.
Gambling
They boast over 330 gaming machines and 23 tables of the world’s most popular casino games, such as Baccarat, Blackjack, Roulette, and Caribbean Stud, as well as fabulous live entertainment and food and bar offerings!
SKYCITY Casino offers worlds of fun for everyone, with Vue Bar and Number Eight Bar located directly on the main gaming floor, right next to the action!
SKYCITY Casino is open 24 hours daily and has rooms for players of all skill levels! Ask any friendly casino team if you’ve never played or want a solid refresher course!
SKYCITY prides itself on being a responsible host and would encourage you to play only at affordable levels.
Remember – you must be 20 years or older to enter the gaming areas at SKYCITY.
Bowl and Social
You can also play Bowling and socialize with people out there.
Location: Level 2, SkyCity Hamilton
Features:
- Bowling: World-class technology and bowling lanes
- Food and Drink: Order directly from the lanes, enjoy pizzas, hot dogs, nachos, and more
- Entertainment: Arcade games, air hockey, pool table
- View: Incredible view of the Waikato River
Pricing:
| Games | Child (14 and under) | Student | Adult | Senior (65+) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| One Game | $15 | $17 | $19 | $17 |
| Two Games | $24 | $29 | $32 | $29 |
Note: Prices are correct as of April 10, 2024, and are subject to change. Students must show valid secondary or tertiary identification.
3. SkyCity Auckland
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | Corner Victoria and Federal Street, Auckland CBD, Auckland 1010 |
| Phone Number | 09 363 6000 |
| Rating | 4.3/5 |
| Timings | Open 24 hours |
| Public Transport or Parking | Free parking; Bus Stations – Victoria Street West, 1 min walk |
| Range of Pokies | 2,100 Gaming Machines and 150 Table Games |
| Live Entertainment | Live entertainment at Flare, featuring music acts from up-and-coming artists to superstars |
The casino is a casino and an event centre; you can find it in Auckland’s central business district.
Sitting at the bottom of the Sky Tower, it was the second casino to open in New Zealand and still the only one in Auckland.
This mega complex has two casinos, restaurants, bars, a hotel, a theatre and the 1,000-foot-high Sky Tower, the tallest tower in the Southern Hemisphere, which offers magnificent views and bungee jumping.
Gaming Section
Among the other land-based casinos, SkyCity Auckland has more pokies machines, approximately 2100 gaming machines.
You will also find table games like blackjack, roulette, Tai Sai, Poker and baccarat.
It has a specifically dedicated Baccarat Room in Level 3 where 20 baccarat tables were available.
The casinos offer favourite table games such as Blackjack, Baccarat, Tai Sai, and Roulette, plus over 1,200 gaming machines.
4. SkyCity Queenstown
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | Stratton House Level 2/16-24 Beach Street, Queenstown 9300 |
| Phone Number | 03 441 0400 |
| Rating | 4/5 |
| Timings | 12 pm – 10 pm |
| Public Transport or Parking | Queenstown Bus Stop in 2 min walk; Car parking available |
| Range of Pokies | 86 gaming machines; Table Games including Blackjack, Roulette, and Midi Baccarat |
| Live Entertainment | Wild Thyme Bar and Restaurant can accommodate up to 150 people |
The fourth casino to open in New Zealand was on December 7, 2000.
The casino license runs until December 2025—Queenstown hosts eight gambling tables, four gaming tables in the VIP room, and 86 gaming machines.
More than NZ$128,600 was donated in 2015 by the Queenstown Casino Community Trust towards grants to community groups.
The casino is also a major sponsor or co-sponsor of local events, and since May 2016, they have sponsored the local ice hockey team, SkyCity Southern Stampede.
For a place that thrives on its tourism industry. We were a little let down by the lack of restaurants within the Skycity Queenstown Casino. There is one restaurant, and that is the Wild Thyme Restaurant.
On the plus side, as the only eatery in the casino, it has to come to the party to provide succulent dishes.
Plus, there are dining benefits at Wild Thyme. You can enjoy delicious meals for as little as $10. The restaurant is known for its $10 lunch deals.
The eclectic menu offers starters as simple as mince and toast, specials like croquet monsieur, salads like the Thai beef salad, and hearty meals such as lamb shank and char-grilled Angus rump.
Gaming Section
SkyCity Queenstown is open from 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. every day, and the gaming room, dedicated explicitly to pokies, has 86 gaming machines.
If you are new, look for the “Learn to Play” brochures on the main casino floor. Along with this, table games like Blackjack, Roulette, and Baccarat.
The casino’s staff is quite friendly, so if you are unaware of the gaming rules, ask one of our friendly Table Games staff for assistance.
5. Christchurch Casino
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Address | 30 Victoria Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8013 |
| Phone Number | 03 365 9999 |
| Rating | 4.1/5 |
| Timings | 12 pm – 12 am |
| Public Transport or Parking | Bus Stop at Victoria St near Peterborough St; Car parking available |
| Range of Pokies | 32 table games; Poker games; 450+ gaming machines |
| Live Entertainment | Live sports at Monza Sports Bar (Rugby, Baseball, AFL); Live music every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday |
This casino, which opened in 1994, was New Zealand’s first. It has 500 slot machines and 34 table games.
The property has three restaurants and two bars; entry is only for persons over 20.
Christchurch Casino is New Zealand’s first casino and one of the best places to see in Christchurch, which offers many entertainment options.
It is open seven days a week, and you can enjoy fantastic food, fun games, and dance every weekend to live music.
It is a casino with a popular selection of table games, machines, restaurants, bars, and stage performances.
You can join the players’ club. The cafe, Monza Sports Bar, and Valley Bar are their food highlights.
Gaming Section
There are 450 gaming machines, table games like Blackjack, Baccarat and Roulette, and Poker.
It is responsible for helping visitors via friendly casino staff, so do not hesitate if you are stuck anywhere. Ask anyone in formal or casino attire there and get an answer instantly.
In addition to table games, you will also find a Money Wheel to play. You can choose from any of our 450+ gaming machines, with denominations ranging from 1 cent to $2.
The VIP Gaming room will unlock opportunities to play high-limit games and unlock some rewards.
You can become a member of the Players Club, and by collecting more coins, you can climb higher from Bronze Membership to Silver and Gold.
6. SkyCity Wharf Casino
Wharf Casino is currently closed until further notice [29/05/2024]
The casino opened in June 2013, and it currently holds a licence that runs until September 2024. The SkyCity Wharf Casino is authorised to operate six gaming tables and 74 gaming machines.
The casino operates six gaming tables and 61 gaming machines. It is one of the most popular venues in New Zealand.
SkyCity Wharf is the best place in this area because it is already on the water. Players come here to have a good time in restaurants and bars and on the casino floor. Also, this is the best place for people to play in the area.
It allows the players to have a good time, does not require them to dress formally, and helps them relax with friends they have met for a party.
SkyCity Wharf casino games & offers
SkyCity has a unique rewards program for all players who can sign in with their casino card, collect rewards as they play in the casino, and earn prizes.
The casino offers massive rewards for customers and many food and drink options for those who invest in the casino daily with their gaming. This is one of the most popular Pokies Venues in New Zealand.
The casino has members’ benefits and events that allow people to come in because they are reward members.
Plus, these players will find they can win more money because they get bonuses from the casino.
The casino has special member events for frequent visitors and a lovely restaurant where people can eat after gambling all day.
Editor’s Verdict
As one of the Pokies Venues in New Zealand, the casino also has an excellent rewards program that pays people back for the games they have played.
The particular member events are quiet events where people can win more money, and these people often come back because they live in the area.
People who live in the area come through often to have a nice meal, to bet a little, and then they get to head home after a show.
I have listed the nearest bus stops from the land-based casinos so you don’t have to hustle much about travelling.