CasiGO

That CasiGO Casino New Zealand had entered the Aotearoa New Zealand mind stream in the autumn of 2020 puts the operator in a good space. It was a time when Kiwis would have been reeling from the effects of the global pandemic lockdown, seeking escapism from the new normal threat.

New? CasiGO ticks that box. Welcoming? Oh, yes, with a freshness that New Zealand gamblers would have been yearning for with a passion. Don’t take our word for it. Go to CasiGO’s website landing page to discover a four-tiered, new-player bonus package that’ll have rivals look over their shoulder. Its daily promotions offer that extra oomph.

Owners of White Hat Gaming Limited should take a bow. It doesn’t come as a surprise to Kiwi players because the company’s service is in keeping with its sister establishments of Jonny Jackpot and Captain Spins as well as affiliates. If that isn’t enough to rock the boat of the fussiest iGamers, then note at least one Kiwi review site has nominated it as among the best NZ online casinos.

CasiGO’s website uses a white background with subtle green-and-blue tones to flirt with the eyes, rather than make Kiwis reach for an eye drop. Adopting a less-is-more approach, the operator develops an air of freshness about its website. The free-play button, under the “Explore Games” window display, sticks out. So does the “Trending” live window, below popular games.

However, scroll down a little to a rolling “Today’s Winners” that champions Kiwis claiming from $NZ200 to under $NZ2,000 for wins. It’s enough to make you start itching at the thought of running into CasiGO’s iGaming lounge. As always, our advice is to read the fine print before charging in.

Here are some other features to become familiar with to tailor your needs:

CasiGO comes with the security and safety measures of the Malta Gaming Authority as well as the United Kingdom Gambling Commission (although Kiwis don’t come under the latter’s jurisdiction). The online operator subscribes to the Tunnelled Transport Layer Security (TTLS) software to keep prying eyes away from sensitive player information, including Kiwis’ fiscal affairs. TTLS, by the way, is a more upmarket model of the trusty Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encrypting software technology the gambling industry uses.

More than 80 of its software gaming suppliers’ products come under the scrutiny of independent watchdog eCOGRA to ensure both parties' interests are protected. Game fairness via random number generators (RNGs), return-to-player (RTP) percentages, as well as volatility is paramount. CasiGO has forged ties with GambleAware to help ward off addiction.

No doubt, like any online casino operator, CasiGO isn’t perfect, so stay with us on our elaborate review for features such as the VIP scheme, customer support, and payment methods.

Range of Games

New Zealanders love pokies, so if they want to barge into the iGaming lounge, then CasiGO ensures they’ll have the gaming experience of their lives. Whether it’s the popular games, new ones, or the jackpots that take the fancy of the Kiwis, the online operator offers a smorgasbord of more than 1,500 from its teeming library catalogue.

However, Kiwi gamblers need to grasp the distinction between Red Tiger Gaming’s Daily Jackpots and the industry’s renowned Progressive Jackpots. CasiGO’s Red Tiger Daily Jackpot is similar to its older cousin, Progressive Jackpot, in that a percentage of Kiwis’ wager is added to the total prize pool. Where they part ways is that the daily variety must drop within 24 hours. The progressive one has no time constraints, thus the promise of mind-boggling windfalls. CasiGO also caters to Scratchies enthusiasts eyeing instant wins.

Pokies

The slot-machine game provides CasiGO with its bread-and-butter recipe. More than 1,300 of the online casino operator’s entire library collection comprises online pokies, including multi-reel ones. Whether you’re finding your fix from a desktop device, or mobile gadgetry, CasiGO guarantees a seamless gaming experience provided Kiwis find a reliable internet connection. Its iGaming playground comes with the assurance of adventurous motifs, razor-sharp graphics, engaging animation, and riveting plots. Click here for a briefing of its top pokies.

Here’s a blend of CasiGO’s pokies and jackpot menu:

• Age of Beasts Infinity Reels
• Book of Dead
• Def Leppard
• Dragon’s Luck Power Reels
• Fluffy in Space
• Gonzo’s Quest
• Immortal Romance
• Mega Moolah
• Riches of Robin
• Starburst
• Treasure of Skyland
• Wheel of Wishes

Card/table games

Baccarat, online blackjack, online poker, or online roulette — you name it, CasiGO will serve them on a silver plate around its table, complete with variants. An exciting prospect, but you don’t feel confident enough to plant yourself in the virtual chair just yet? Hey, relax because the online casino operator has no qualms about New Zealanders honing their card/table skills in free mode and at their own pace.

Develop a few strategies before entering the CasiGO gaming lounge to turn your investments into profits. Indo-Asian immigrant workers, who love carpooling to brick-and-mortar casinos in New Zealand, will be pleased with Andar Bahar (Inside Outside in Hindi).

Here’s a snapshot of some of the 60 card/table games:

• 20p Roulette
• All Aces Poker
• Andar Bahar (Inside Outside in Hindi)
• Blackjack X-Change
• Casino Solitaire
• Craps First Person
• DJ Wild Stud Poker
• Double Ball Roulette
• Football Studio First Person
• I Luv Suits
• Mississippi Stud Poker
• Nouveau Roulette
• Red Dog Progressive Poker
• Texas Hedge’Em
• Vegas Strip Blackjack

Live-dealer games

The alluring lights, seductive sounds, and the smell of the table felt and fabric — who doesn’t want that without visiting a brick-and-mortar casino? Well, CasiGO goes the extra virtual mile to ensure New Zealand iGamers will come close to having that atmosphere, if not have all their five senses tickled pink.

The online operator’s live-dealer casino doesn’t cut corners to guarantee Kiwis the ultimate iGaming experience. Whether it’s blackjack, baccarat, craps, or the ever-popular roulette and poker, CasiGO has you covered. The human factor is a delight with cordial croupiers and deft dealers keeping Kiwis in the know while they chat among themselves.

A warning to New Zealanders, though. If you have a penchant for games outside the traditional card ones, then have a heart defibrillator within reach because wins can be multiplied from 50x to a jaw-dropping 10,000x your wager.

Here’s a taste of popular and variant games from the live-dealer casino:

• 2 Hand Casino Holdem
• Baccarat Lobby
• Bac Bo
• Crazy Time
• Dream Catcher
• Football Studio
• Gonzo’s Treasure Hunt
• Hindi Roulette
• Lucky 7
• Mega Sic Bo
• Monopoly Live
• Side Bet City
• Sweet Bonanza CandyLand
• Texas Holdem Bonus Poker

Payout percentage

When CasiGO made its debut in New Zealand in 2020, it grabbed the attention of the gambling playmakers as the new virtual playground on the industry block. The impending award nominations for newcomers aside, it goes without saying that CasiGO’s payout percentage (also known as return to players/RTP) is among the attractive qualities that are turning heads.

With CasiGO averaging a win rate of 97.9%, it’s not surprising to know it’s going to send some of its rival online casinos in New Zealand scrambling to revisit their payout percentages. No doubt, most of its opponents will have to weigh up their statistical game overall, including the 35x wagering requirement. That means, Kiwis must wager their deposit, plus the casino bonus and free spins, at least 35 times on CasiGO before they can withdraw wins. The operator imposes a 30-day limit within which iGamers must meet those requirements.

Many reviewers consider this stringent, but it compares favourably against major rivals whose RTP can hover around the 50% to 70% mark. Another salute to an outstanding website is CasiGO’s RTP link that offers the individual ratings of every pokie (in alphabetical order) in its more than 1,000-game catalogue.

Here are some of its best payout percentage games, including free play, Scratchies, and jackpots:

New Zealand newcomers will find it hard to resist CasiGO’s no-deposit bonus, welcome bonus, and free spins, in a four-tiered system starting with a 200% match bonus of up to $NZ225, plus 100 free spins, before dropping to 50% (50 free spins) in the second deposit and then bouncing back to 75% (75 free spins) and 125% (up to $NZ575, 150 free spins), respectively, in the remaining two deposits. A minimum of $NZ10 is required to access the bonus, but Kiwis must note Neteller and Skrill methods don’t qualify. A $NZ5 ceiling is placed on wagers while the bonus is in play. Bonus credits only become active if the initial deposit is exhausted. Click on Standard Promotional Terms & Conditions on the CasiGO website for details.

For mathematically-challenged people, the RTPs can feel like sitting algebra exams. Don’t worry. We’ll break it down here for you. RTP is the result of comparing the money paid out from wins against the sum of cash wagered at any given online casino. At CasiGO, for example, an average RTP of 98% comes with the understanding that for every $NZ100 a Kiwi gambler wagers, the online casino will fork out $NZ98 in winnings. However, note this is only in theory.

Software manufacturers

Whether it’s an old online casino or a brand-spanking new one, the grunt under the bonnet of its engine must hum to satisfy its customers. CasiGO employs elite software game providers of the ilk of Microgaming, NetEnt, and Playtech to ensure Kiwis will have a flawless digital playground. The online casino operator’s website lists more than 150 gaming software manufacturers that include pioneers, affiliates, and subcontractors.

Here are some of the high-count software studios on CasiGO’s platform (game count):

Just because some of the software creators — such as Merkur Gaming, Hacksaw Gaming, and Iron Dog Studios — didn’t make our list above doesn’t mean they’re lacking in cutting-edge technology. It’s a collaborative effort from all the creators to turn the online casino into a thriving ecosystem. 2x2 Gaming, Quickspin, and White Hat Gaming also play pivotal roles to ensure interface hostility is a thing of the past for Kiwi iGamers.

Some New Zealanders tend to gravitate towards the software manufacturers’ games to maximise their gambling fix. That’s fantastic. All Kiwis have to do is hit the blue arrow on the side of each software supplier to display vivid title thumbnails of games. CasiGO’s gaming creators subscribe to independent watchdogs, such as eCOGRA, to test every game for fairness. Random number generator (RNG) technology comes into play.

Evolution Gaming, the king of live-streaming table/card gaming technology, has tech wizards who slip on their thinking caps to provide seamless engagement on live-dealer casino games. Multiple award-winning Yggdrasil Gaming guarantees stellar storylines, razor-sharp graphics, and exuberant animations on its video pokies (including progressive jackpots). Instant lotto, lottery games, as well as Keno and Scratch games, is Yggdrasil’s speciality.

CasiGO’s registering/log-in process comes under the intense scrutiny of the upmarket TTLS and the 128-bit SSL security software. Details such as your name, bank account and payment methods are encrypted to ward off cyber terrorists.

Loyalty Programme

In any venture, loyalty is a commodity that cannot be bought. CasiGO knows it’s no different in the gambling industry. Having found loyalty the online operator is aware it needs to return that with interest. That’s why it rewards its most loyal customers with a colour-coded loyalty programme (how good is its website again?).

The five-tier CasiGO Loyalty starts with every Kiwi newbie automatically making the Green muster on 500 points by placing their first real money deposit of a minimum of $NZ10. Points increase incrementally as New Zealanders hop from one colour to another on account of how often they wager, and gaming hours invested. New Zealanders can maintain status by fulfilling the minimum requirements in a calendar month. Points can be redeemed for cash in multiples of 1,000, but not exceeding 10,000 daily.

Here’s a snapshot of what Kiwi gamblers can receive from CasiGO Loyalty:

The gambling good times don’t end there. A four-tier VIP programme of Silver, Gold, Elite Platinum, and Elite Black beckons Kiwis. However, progression to different levels is at the discretion of CasiGo and Elite Black is invited only. Do read the FAQs for terms and conditions. VIP players will enjoy rewards of bumper bonuses, exclusive hosts, and glitzy events, such as sumptuous dinners, exotic holidays, and luxury cruises.

Mobile Sites/Apps

CasiGO doesn’t want your love of iGaming to disrupt your daily routine, so it’s left no stone unturned in trying to provide New Zealanders with a mobile casino. While the operator doesn’t have a dedicated mobile app at Android and iOS stores, it does provide a seamless gaming experience via browsers of mobile devices.

It’s in the interests of Kiwi gamblers to have the most updated software to enjoy an optimal level of immersive mobile gaming experience offered in New Zealand cyberspace. Hand-held devices also have compatibility with CasiGO’s mobile site. Games load in a sensible time and are free of hiccups.

Not every game is available on the mobile mode, but then name one online casino operator who can claim to provide every single game when you make the transition to portable portals for instant access. Kiwi players at CasiGO will be able to contact the customer crew, as well as carry out their deposit/withdrawal transactions with ease, no matter how technically challenged some of them may feel.

Confused or disoriented customers are bad business. The gambling industry is no exception, so that’s why online casino operators, such as CasiGO, offer a Contact Us link at the bottom of its website landing page for some answers. No doubt, if you’re a VIP member, then personal/executive hosts will absorb the stress.

The “Need help, chat now!” icon, with a smiling female face, is a round-the-clock invitation. I popped a question: “So why do you not have a phone support service?”

Within a second, a hearty “Marcela” greeted with: “Thank you for holding. I’ll be assisting you.” About three minutes later she simply clarified CasiGO had a live chat and email support service only. The lack of phone service may disappoint some New Zealanders, but the live-chat response time is uplifting.

Customer service comes in several languages and different time zones, including English, Finnish, French, German, Norwegian, Spanish, and Swedish. As always, the addition of Maori can boost an operator’s profile in New Zealand.

• Email: support@casigo.com
• FAQs
• Live chat

It can take 72 hours for professional CasiGO customer support agents to respond to email queries. It could be better, considering some rival online casinos respond within 24 to 48 hours, but CasiGO assures Kiwis most emails are cleared within 24 hours.

CasiGO’s frequently asked questions (FAQs) should be the first go-to point for New Zealanders. They cover things like what to do if a withdrawal is pending, a forgotten password, or advice on troubleshooting.

Payment Methods

 Surf the internet to find disgruntled global gamblers claiming online casinos have short-changed them after a windfall. On our site, we see both sides of the industry — operators safeguarding bona fide players’ interests and players resenting delays to their rightful earnings. The last thing New Zealand gamblers want is to encounter hurdles after a lucrative day of wagering on the CasiGO platform. That can only mean one thing — having full-time access to a trustworthy banking system that accepts Kiwi dollars. In fact, CasiGO prefers players to use the currency of their country of residence. It offers an exhausting lineup of trusted brands as payment methods. Click banking to go to the CasiGO website page for details.

Payment options

• Apple Pay
• Bank transfers
• Payz
• MasterCard
• Neteller
• PayPal
• Paysafecard
• Skrill
• Sofort Banking
• Trustly
• Visa

To be safe, Kiwis must go to the CasiGO website to become familiar with the complaints & disputes section. The unwavering guarantee of safe, reliable, and swift transactions will leave New Zealanders in a great mental space to do what they love most — place bets on their favourite games. Simply click on the “bank” tab to follow the cashier's instructions.

CasiGO welcomes debit and credit cards from reputable merchants, such as Maestro, MasterCard, and Visa. Neteller and Skrill e-Wallets also work well for instant deposits but be mindful that they don’t entitle you to a welcome bonus. When it comes to withdrawals, Kiwi players must note that not all depositing methods have an acceptable dual purpose. CasiGO offers a similar variety of transaction methods with e-Wallets leading that service sprint within two days. The other methods vary from three working days to seven. It pays to know that Kiwis will need to verify their accounts. Bank transfers are offered, and prepaid cards are accepted but note, the latter doesn’t allow for withdrawals.