From Fun to Fortune: What Table Games Are Most Popular with New Zealanders

Last Updated on December 3, 2024

In the entertainment industry, there are trends that come and go all the time. Some are simply a flash in the pan, while others stick around long enough to garner wider attention. iGaming is an entertainment avenue that has experienced the complete range of popularity. It started off as a novelty, a convenient online version that offered players the basic elements of game play on casino classics such as blackjack, roulette, pokies, and slots. However, exactly thirty years ago was not the right time for iGaming to really unleash its potential. The avenue received warm applause.

Fast forward to the present day, and iGaming is very much in its element, enjoying the riches of worldwide recognition. The craze has also found its way to New Zealand, where Kiwis are beginning to become more aware of online casinos that are offering revamped versions of those casino classics, with more features, animations, interactive aspects, and greater rewards.

There are more opportunities than ever before to play casino online with real money in New Zealand and as far as those involved in the activity are concerned, the online casino wave is only getting started. Online casinos, under the term iGaming, which also includes sports betting, have become a genuine arm of industry, but which table games in particular are popular amongst Kiwis?

Before the podium is filled, here is a shortlist of the online table games found on online casinos in New Zealand:

·   Blackjack

·   Roulette

·   Baccarat

·   Poker

·   Craps

·   Live Dealer Games

3^rd Place: Roulette

Traditionally, roulette tables have occupied copious amounts of floor space at land-based casinos around the world. Roulette remains popular amongst the playing public at international standard land-based casinos in Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch, and Queenstown. Wellington also had a big roulette audience, but after an incident that occured recently, there is a slight outflow of players. However, the online version proves just as popular, with many Kiwis drawn to the online roulette tables due to the simplicity of the game.

With different sections of the table offering different multipliers, the aim is to hit the number the pill lands on. While the game of roulette is extremely straight-forward, players have long debated how much skill is actually involved, which is why roulette picks up the bronze medal here.

2^nd Place: Blackjack

Blackjack pips roulette to second place based mainly on the fact there is more obvious skill involved. Like roulette, the objective is remarkably simple. Beat the dealer’s hand. And if you manage to get to 21 without exceeding that value, then you win, unless the dealer also hits blackjack. 21 is the magic number for all players and many have been attracted to online blackjack tables due to the increased level of control over the end result. By “sticking” or “twisting” depending on what cards you are dealt, online blackjack players in New Zealand consider themselves more in control of their blackjack fate.

1^st Place: Live Dealer Games

Some players might argue the validity of the top step of the podium, but despite the fact live dealer games feature roulette and blackjack, the unique interaction factor makes the awarding of live dealer games as New Zealand’s favourite table game more plausible. Yes, the main offerings with live dealers are blackjack and roulette. The main difference, a video link to a real-life dealer who unveils the fate of your hand, much like in a land-based casino. The hybrid aspect of online decision making combined with real-life dealing and interaction has helped live dealer games grow rapidly in popularity. So much so that they command their own sections on online casinos.

Future contenders

So, there you have it. These are the table games New Zealanders are playing most online. The podium also represents the evolution of online casino table games in a very short space of time. Due to technological and software advances, iGaming operators have been able to move on from the more basic game play animations to the live dealer rooms that are captivating more iGaming enthusiasts.

In tune with the rapid evolution within the iGaming industry, Virtual (VR) and Augmented (AR) Reality could be challenging live dealer games for top spot in the popularity ranks and could fully bridge the gap between the online world and the real-life casino experience. It remains to be seen how long this will take to come into effect, but at the rate iGaming is developing, it could be very soon.