TAB

TAB is currently the only bookmarker in NZ legally allowed to offer odds for horse/greyhound racing and sporting events. However, while being the only authorized sports gambling website in the country gives it some advantage in terms of legitimacy, how does this sportsbook compare to offshore online gambling ventures in payout percentages, game range, and loyalty programs? Dive into this in-depth guide to discover the answer to these questions! 

TAB NZ Game Range 

TAB NZ is a designated online sports betting establishment. As such, you won't find live casino games or progressive pokies among its offerings. However, you'll likely be impressed by the website's extensive collection of sporting and racing events if you're a sports fan.  

Starting at the football section, TAB NZ gives Kiwis access to league competitions from across 40+ nations worldwide, including Europe's top five leagues and UEFA club competitions.  

At the international level, New Zealanders can place bets and win money off the UEFA Euro qualifiers and finals, the UEFA nations league, and the World Cup. 

Of course, the website doesn't leave out women's football, with the English WSL and the Women's Internationals offering women football fans opportunities to wager on their favourite teams. 

Football isn't the only competition in the world, though, and TAB NZ offers 25 other sporting events to cater to NZ's diverse sports fanbase. 

From boxing to basketball, darts, mixed martial arts, motor racing, golf, rugby union, rugby league, tennis, American football, and eSports, there's something for every gambler at this bookmaker. 

Unsurprisingly, it's also home to an excellent collection of thoroughbred, harness, and greyhound races across the globe. In addition, if you're a fan of winning thousands of NZ$ off a single bet, TAB NZ has a jackpot section with cash pools totaling $25,000. 

As the sole provider of sports betting in New Zealand, this bookmaker obviously takes the job of catering to the betting needs of Kiwis seriously. 

TAB NZ Game Providers 

New Zealanders love casino gambling! Statistics show that between 2020-2021, kiwis spent almost a billion on pokies alone. Unfortunately, casino wagering is one area where TAB NZ falls short. 

The website doesn't offer slots, live casino titles, or progressive pokies. As a result, if you're looking for the best online casinos where you can enjoy your favourite games from Microgaming and Evolution Gaming, you may want to consider an offshore gambling establishment. 

TAB NZ Loyalty Program 

Another downside we found while browsing TAB NZ's website is that the gambling outfit doesn't have a loyalty program. It's a surprising exclusion, especially when you consider the role loyalty rewards play in attracting and retaining punters. 

However, the bookmaker makes up for its lack of a reward system with eye-catching promotions. For instance, you can predict an outright winner for any selected golf tournament and get a refund of up to $50 if your player doesn't win.  

Football lovers can also get refund bets of up to $50 if they place a head-to-head wager on either team during a football game and the match ends as a tie. Some other attractive promotional offers available at TAB NZ include:

TAB NZ Live Casino

TAB NZ doesn't offer live casino titles. The website focuses solely on sports and horse racing, with about 30 categories of these events available to Kiwis. If you're a fan of live casino gambling, your best bet to placing bets on your favourite games is an offshore casino outfit. 

TAB NZ In-play Betting and Live Streaming 

Like most online gambling outfits, TAB NZ offers in-play bets and live streams to enhance the betting experience for Kiwis. At last count, we found real-time coverage and live betting for at least ten events, including football, basketball, tennis, volleyball, and eSports. 

Of course, the number of available sports isn't as comprehensive as on offshore websites, but it's still better than nothing. 

The major highlight for us was the amount of betting markets available for ongoing games. For example, football lovers can place bets on head-to-head, correct scores, half-time result, team to score first, half-time total goals, and full-time total goals. 

Head-to-head, point starts, and total points bets are also available for ongoing basketball and tennis games. What's more? You can cash out your live bets early to minimize potential losses. 

TAB NZ License and Security 

Since you'll provide your personal and financial information to create an account and place bets at TAB NZ, it helps to ask how secure the website is. 

The TAB is New Zealand's only authorized racing and sports betting agency. It's governed by the TAB NZ board and regulated by several government institutions in New Zealand, including the Office of the Privacy Commissioner and the Department of Internal Affairs. 

TAB NZ also has obligations under the Privacy Act 2020 regarding its collection, storage, use, and disclosure of customer data. 

As a government-regulated body, the TAB follows strict measures defined by New Zealand legislation to safeguard your personal and financial data. As such, you can place bets with the guarantee that the website will not misuse your information or sell it to unauthorized third parties. 

TAB NZ Mobile App

TAB NZ features a mobile betting app for iOS and Android devices to cater to bettors who aren't fans of placing bets using a desktop or mobile phone browser. The app features an interactive design that's easy on the eyes and straightforward to navigate. 

If you're a little bit old school and prefer a mobile phone browser, TAB NZ also features a simplistic website that makes sports betting as convenient as possible. 

From the navigation bar just below your screen, you can visit the Sports, Racing, or In-play betting menus with relative ease. You'll also find the Promotions, Customer Support, News & Tips, Punters Lounge, Racing Results, and Sport Results sections by clicking the Menu icon at the bottom left corner. 

Overall, you're guaranteed a convenient betting experience whether you opt for TAB NZ's mobile app or web version.

24/7 customer support is non-negotiable for online gamblers, as you'll likely encounter several issues while staking bets, funding your account, or executing withdrawals. 

Fortunately, TAB NZ offers a phone line and email to reach customer service if you experience difficulties using the website. 

However, we couldn't find a live chat option while testing the platform, which is slightly disappointing since email responses often take a while and customer service phone lines can be busy sometimes. 

Regardless, TAB NZ does guarantee that customer service is available 24/7 via phone. Unfortunately, it also mentions that its support staff may be unable to handle some queries beyond regular work hours (8.30 AM-8 PM Sunday-Thursday and 8.30 AM-10 PM Friday and Saturday). 

That said, TAB NZ's Contact Us segment provides addresses to its offices in Hamilton, Auckland, Palmerston North, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Petone. 

Furthermore, the website features extensive FAQs in the Help section to answer some inquiries first-time users may have. You can even search for questions using keywords or find them via a glossary. A handful of tutorial videos also provide betting tutorials on single, multiple, trifecta, and pick6 bets. 

TAB NZ Payment Methods

Deposit options at TAB NZ include credit or debit cards (Mastercard or Visa), bank transfer, and online EFTPOS. You can send funds to your TAB NZ account via online EFTPOS if you have an account with the following banks: 

• ANZ
• ASB
• BNZ
• Westpac
• Co-Operative

You don't need an EFTPOS card for these transactions. The only requirement is your bank app. You can also visit the FAQs section of the website to learn how to use this deposit method. 

TAB NZ doesn't have a deposit limit if you're funding your account using your debit/credit card. However, you may have a maximum deposit limit, depending on whether you've verified your account. 

Furthermore, TAB NZ charges $2.15 for all credit/debit card deposits. As for withdrawals, the website only permits you to move funds from your TAB NZ account through bank transfer. 

This factor may be disappointing for several New Zealanders accustomed to withdrawing winnings using multiple payment methods besides their bank accounts. Withdrawals typically take around 1-3 business days. 

If you make a withdrawal after 2:00 PM, TAB NZ will count the first business day from the following day. 

TAB NZ Responsible Gambling

As a government-regulated online betting platform, TAB NZ takes safe betting seriously. The website is under obligation by the Racing Industry Act 2020 and the Gambling Act 2003 to ensure it reduces any harm related to using its services. 

In line with these legal requirements, TAB NZ has some measures on its website to ensure that Kiwis gamble responsibly. Some of them include the following: 

Account Age Limits 

Minors (individuals below 18 years) aren't allowed to create TAB NZ accounts or place bets. You'll typically provide a valid ID which the website will crosscheck with government agencies to verify your age. 

Access to Support Services 

TAB NZ provides punters access to several tools and services to help them deal with any gambling-related problems. The available gambling resources on the website include:

Gambling Helpline 

Gambling Helpline is a 24-hour counselling service providing Kiwis with professional and confidential support for gambling addictions. You can reach Gambling Helpline via:

• Maori Gambling Helpline: 0800 654 656
• Pasifika Gambling Helpline: 0800 654 657

Alternatively, you can visit their website at gambling helpline.co.nz.  

Other Gambling Harm Support Services

Aside from Gambling Helpline, TAB NZ also provides contact information for other counselling services, such as:

• The Salvation Army Oasis:  0800 53 00 00
• Problem Gambling Foundation NZ:  0800 664 262
• Asian Family Services:  0800 862 342

Deposit Limits

You can fix daily, monthly, or weekly deposit limits in the Account Control segment of your TAB NZ account. 

If you'd like to set a daily or monthly limit that's unavailable in the Account Control section, you can email TAB NZ at saferbetting@tab.co.nz. 

However, note that increasing your deposit limit results in a mandatory cool-down period that you cannot override. 

Account Breaks 

TAB NZ allows bettors to take breaks from their accounts for up to 30 days if they feel they're exhibiting harmful gambling behaviour. 

You'll not have access to your account to place bets during the break period. The website will also not send you any promotional material during that time. 

Account Exclusions

You can exclude yourself from your TAB NZ account for up to five years or permanently. To execute an account exclusion, contact the TAB NZ team at saferbetting@tab.co.nz. 

Once the team approves your request, you cannot undo the exclusion. Once your account's suspension period elapses, you can contact the website to reopen your account and specify a mandatory deposit limit you cannot undo. 

Retail Exclusion

Aside from an online exclusion, you can block yourself from gambling at TAB NZ pokie machines and nationwide venues. You can contact the website on 0800 102 106 for extensive details on this exclusion program. 

Account Closures 

TAB NZ allows you to close your account and reopen it subsequently. You can shut down your account from the Account Controls section. 

However, you'll need to contact the customer support team via 0800 102 106 to execute a reopening. If you close and reopen your account multiple times, the website will investigate your gambling activities and contact you for further discussions.