Is There a Casino Rotorua New Zealand?

Kamal Kaur
Written by: Kamal Kaur | Last updated: 3 March 2026
Casino Rotoura New Zealand
Casino Rotorua NZ

Casino Rotorua are Taverns and Pubs in Rotorua where you can find pokies machines to play in real-time. If you are looking for a full-fledged casino in Rotorua, then unfortunately, no such particular casino exists to date.

Rotorua doesn’t have a casino, but there’s no reason to worry. Luckily, Skycity Casino Hamilton and Skycity Casino & Hotel Auckland are nearby, so you can visit and play games.

Sky City is the nearest land casino near Rotorua, where you can enjoy many casino games. In the future, Rotorua might have a real casino, as the Rotorua casino bill is still pending in Parliament. 

American casino developer Bob Hathaway of Global Indigenous Development said yesterday that his company had already been waiting for three years after narrowly missing the application margin before the present casino license moratorium was imposed in 1997.

Casinos in Rotoura New Zealand
Casino Rotorua

Discovering Rotorua Before delving into the gaming options, it’s essential to appreciate the richness of Rotorua’s culture and history. Rotorua boasts a wide range of cultural and historical attractions. While you’re in town, make sure to explore the following highlights:

  • Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland: A geothermal wonderland with colourful hot springs and unique landscapes.
  • Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest: A haven for nature lovers with towering redwood trees and various walking trails.
  • Village Maori de Tamaki: Experience traditional Maori culture, including performances, cuisine, and arts.
  • Volcanic Hills Winery: Savor local wines and enjoy breathtaking views of Lake Rotorua.
  • Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre Ngongotaha: Get up close and personal with New Zealand’s native birds of prey.

After exploring these attractions, it’s time to enjoy Rotorua’s vibrant nightlife.

Where to Play Pokies in Rotorua, New Zealand?

The town of Rotorua has numerous cultural and historical points of interest. This is the perfect opportunity to discover its wealth of history and culture.

With so many options, bars, shops, leisure activities, shows, etc., you’re unlikely to become bored during your visit to Rotorua!

There are countless recommended spots to visit in Rotorua. Still, the most renowned are undeniably Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest, Village Maori de Tamaki, Volcanic Hills Winery, and Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre Ngongotaha.

Casino Rotorua Guide

In Rotorua, you will have an exceptional time in the breathtaking town’s many clubs and bars.

1. Four Winds Tavern Rotorua

Where to play pokies in Rotoura New Zealand
Four Winds Tavern Gaming tables

Highlight:

  • Located a short distance from the City Centre, Rotorua Airport, and Lake Rotokawa, Four Winds Tavern is a popular spot to play pokies.
  • Operating hours: Sunday-Monday from 11:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. and Tuesday-Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m.
  • This venue caters to sports enthusiasts, making it one of the best sports bars in Owhata, Rotorua. Catch live NRL, soccer, rugby, and cricket matches here.
  • Four Winds Tavern offers 18 poker machines, TAB betting, several pool tables, and comprehensive SKY Sports coverage.
  • Enjoy a diverse selection of pokie machines, large-screen televisions, and pool tables while sipping on your favourite drinks, including coffee, wines, and beers.
  • The menu features classic tavern foods like burgers, fish and chips, steaks, and more.

As it also caters to sports, it is considered one of the best Sports bars in Owhata, Rotorua. If you want to watch the NRL, soccer, union, or a little cricket, this is your go-to venue in Owhata.

Enjoy great Pokies Gaming and TAB in Owhata, Rotorua. You will find TAB betting, 18 poker machines, several pool tables, and  SKY Sports coverage here. It’s a popular pokies gaming lounge in Rotorua, as voted by actual players.

Patrons can enjoy a nice selection of pokies, gaming machineslarge-screen televisions, and pool tables while they enjoy a selection of drinks, including coffee, wines, and beers.

A menu of hot and cold tavern foods is also available. This is a cracker venue where you can watch sports events on TV in the Rotorua area. The food offered here is not fancy, but it has all your favourites, like burgers, fish and chips, steaks, and other pub-style dishes.

Rugby, fishing, hunting, organised sports, and other outdoor and indoor activities are celebrated here. The Motutara golf course, Rugby Park, Lake Rotorua, Government Gardens, and the Te Ngae Shopping Centre are within miles of the tavern.

With an international airport less than an hour away, visitors will feel right at home in no time as they fellowship with the locals and other tourists to celebrate the beauty and wonder of the New Zealand countryside.

For more details, you can contact the Tavern on the Phone at 7-345 6899

2. Mitchell Downs Tavern

Mitchell Downs Tavern New Zealand
Roto Vegas Poker is in progress at the Tavern

Highlight:

  • Situated at 10-12 Goldie Street, Pukehangi, Mitchell Downs Tavern has served the Rotorua community for over three decades.
  • The tavern offers a local pub bar, lounge bar with 18 gaming machines, T.A.B, and an outdoor and garden bar.
  • Weekly events include karaoke, poker nights, and more.
  • Open daily from 11:00 AM till late, Mitchell Downs Tavern provides a friendly atmosphere and a range of entertainment options.

Mitchell Downs Tavern is another casino in Rotorua, NZ, where you can play pokies. This is a local tavern, a public bar, a lounge bar with 18 gaming machines, a T.A.B., and an outdoor and garden bar.

Located at 10-12 Goldie Street, Pukehangi, Rotorua, this Tavern has served the Rotorua community for over thirty years. Today, it offers bar services, TAB live betting, great-value food, entertainment, and venue hire for celebrations and business conferences. 

There’s karaoke, a DJ, poker night, and more every week! Mitchell Downs Tavern can enjoy the friendly atmosphere and everything on offer!

This tavern, besides pokies and TAB games, also offers awesome events to win prizes. Here are Mitchell Downs Tavern’s regular events on weekdays.

  • Tuesday – Pub Quiz
  • Wednesday – Poker
  • Thursday – 8 Ball Pool
  • Friday –  Karaoke
  • Sunday – Trivia Bingo 

This Tavern is open 11:00 AM till Late from Monday – Sunday

You can contact the casino by phone at (07) 347 8706

3. The Rotorua CT Club

The Rotorua CT Club
The Rotorua CT Club

Highlight:

  • Located at 26 Moncur Drive, Rotorua, the Rotorua CT Club is a welcoming establishment that welcomes members, guests, and affiliates to enjoy its amenities.
  • The club features a heated swimming pool, a barbecue facility, two bar lounges, a snooker room, and a main bar section.
  • Members and guests can access 18 popular New Zealand poker or poker machines.
  • Operating hours: Monday-Sunday from 02:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
  • The restaurant offers a buffet menu, A la Carte dining, and bar snacks on various days.

The Rotorua CT Club is a welcoming establishment located at 26 Moncur Drive, Rotorua. The venue invites members, guests, and affiliates to enjoy its amenities. Families, friends, or couples can visit and enjoy some excellent food, refreshments, and pokie gaming entertainment. You can also socialize in an authentic Kiwi atmosphere at this popular club.

Special services and facilities are available throughout the establishment. For example, you can relax in a heated swimming pool and even prepare barbecue meals afterwards. The club is furnished in a modern way to deliver an urban ambience.

Members and guests have access to the club’s wide range of meals. The restaurant section is open from 5.30 pm to 8.30 pm from Thursday to Sunday. On Thursday and Friday, members and guests can enjoy a buffet menu, a la Carte dining, and bar snacks. However, on Saturday and Sunday, the venue only serves bar snacks.

The Rotorua CT Club currently has about 1,150 members and is always ready to welcome new ones. Every once in a while, the club holds an open day and advertises it in the local paper. The day provides an ideal chance for potential members to visit and see what’s on offer.

To join, you can download the application form from the club’s website, fill it out, and submit it at their office. Furthermore, the membership rates are great value for what you get at the club.

There is a pool that’s heated during daylight savings. It provides a great spot for families to relax and enjoy the club’s barbecue facility. As such, the Rotorua CT Club fully caters to your leisure needs.

Here, you can enjoy a wide range of facilities. They include a pair of bar lounges, a snooker room, and a main bar section. Members and guests can also access a self-service TAB and a gaming area with 18 popular New Zealand poker or pokie machines.

If you need it any other night, call 07-347 8301 and make arrangements. The club also provides off-street parking at no cost for NZ Motor Caravan Association members.

Rotorua CT Club is open from Monday to Sunday from 02:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. You can contact the club by phone at 07 347 8301.

There are various other pubs and clubs in Rotorua where you can play pokies, like Colonial Tavern Rotorua, and sports bars like Ruck ‘n’ Maul Sports Bar, where you can play pokies and other various types of casino games. You can also visit online casinos in Rotorua, New Zealand, on your mobile, PC, or tablet to play poker and do sports betting in real-time.

Future of Casinos in Rotorua

While Rotorua does not currently have a full-scale casino, discussions are underway to develop a $150 million casino project in the region. The proposed casino, backed by Ngati Whakaue, aims to provide substantial social and economic benefits to the area.

However, opinions on this development are divided, as concerns about potential gambling issues, especially among Maori communities, have been raised.

In the meantime, visitors can enjoy their favourite gaming machines and entertainment in the existing venues mentioned above. Whether you’re a resident or a tourist exploring the wonders of Rotorua, these establishments offer a fun and exciting gaming experience.

You may also like TVNZ’s on-demand.

Conclusion

Rotorua, New Zealand, offers a unique natural beauty and entertainment combination. While a full-fledged casino may be in the region’s future, there’s already plenty of excitement in the taverns, pubs, and gaming venues.

So, if you’re in Rotorua, try your luck with the pokies, savour delicious food, and experience the warmth of Kiwi hospitality.

FAQs

Is there a full-scale casino in Rotorua, New Zealand?

No, Rotorua does not have a full-scale casino. However, several taverns, pubs, and gaming venues offer pokies and other forms of entertainment.

Where can I play pokies in Rotorua, New Zealand?

Rotorua offers multiple pokie venues, including Four Winds Tavern, Mitchell Downs Tavern, The Rotorua CT Club. Each provides a unique gaming experience.

What other attractions are there to explore in Rotorua besides gaming venues?

Rotorua is renowned for its cultural and natural attractions. You can explore the Wai-O-Tapu Thermal Wonderland, Redwoods, Whakarewarewa Forest, Village Maori de Tamaki, Volcanic Hills Winery, and Wingspan National Bird of Prey Centre Ngongotaha.

What are the operating hours for gaming venues in Rotorua?

Operating hours vary by venue. For specific details, check with each establishment. Typically, these venues are open in the afternoon and evening, providing ample opportunity for gaming and entertainment.

What types of games are available at Rotorua’s gaming venues?

While pokies (slot machines) are the primary attraction, various venues offer other games like TAB betting, pool tables, and live sports coverage. The specific offerings may vary from one place to another.