Visa Card Casinos in New Zealand

Visa Casinos for Kiwis

For almost half a century in Aotearoa New Zealand, the majority of its people have understood the dialect of cashless communities through two major cards. One of them is Visa.

Issued via bank branches, Kiwis lap up Visa’s services to not just carryout electronic transactions locally but also transcend cultures, currencies, and language in helping move money around the world.

Alongside MasterCard, Visa remains the most-preferred payment method for New Zealand online casino gamblers and sports punters. A fair assumption is that a sizable number placing bets is middle-aged Kiwis with disposable income.

Visa’s loyal followers are unlikely to stray from the decades-proven cards to the contemporary digital wallets, although the anti-gambling lobby groups have begun mounting pressure on the New Zealand Government to ban the use of credit cards, akin to Australia and Britain.

The differences between the major cards are debatable. What isn’t is Visa’s reputation, although more banks are opting for it over MasterCard when issuing credit/debit cards.

Either way, New Zealand gamblers will find most trustworthy online casino operators will accept Visa as a payment gateway to an instant form of deposits, although it pays to know not all of them offer withdrawals, never mind on smart-time.

Visa doesn’t profess to be something it isn’t. In other words, Visa clearly states on its website that it is “at the forefront of emerging payment technologies”. Kiwis will salute that sort of honesty as the likes of PayPal, Skrill, and Neteller make inroads with the Generation Z colony.

To understand Kiwi gamblers’ allegiance towards Visa, one has to come to comprehend the payment provider’s illustrious history. Even before it acquired its globally renowned name in 1976, the company had footprints going back to 1958 when the Bank of America had launched its maiden platform for middle-class consumers to find traction with small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs).

Visa’s debit card didn’t surface until 1975. It wasn’t until 2007 that the global regional businesses were mustered to form Visa Inc. A year later, the company had gone public with one of the largest initial public offerings (IPOs) ever offered globally.

Today, Visa services more than 200 countries via cards and mobile portals such as laptops, android phones, and tablets. As the payment industry evolves, Visa remains steadfast on finding the best methods to pay and be paid, regardless of where it is in the world via its credit, debit, and prepaid cards.

With 2.5 billion Visa cards in circulation and the payment provider processing 109 billion transactions on average a year, it’s no wonder Kiwi gamblers, online casino operators, and betting shops have no qualms about forging secure ties with this conglomerate.

Creating A Visa Account

Because Visa is common in New Zealand, most Kiwis tend to open their credit/debit card accounts via their bank branches. The different banks’ requirements may vary but, generally, they expect customers to be account holders for a specified time (e.g. three months) before issuing a Visa card.

However, card recipients can visit the Visa website to sign up for its registration by filling out their name, birth date, phone number, and region. Under the account information, one’s email, password (complex one), and the issuing bank are required.

Note that Visa will ask you to tick boxes for “your interests” for optional personalised emails before agreeing to its privacy policy on the way to creating an account.

Making Deposits With Visa

Having created a Visa account, it’s time to be excited about making a deposit. Before that, identify a cluster of online casinos tailored to your needs.

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to New Zealand gamblers that making a deposit is as elementary as making any other transactions with Visa at retail outlets. The deposit is instant.

However, for Kiwis new to gambling, here’s a hassle-free process on using Visa to make a deposit at an online casino:

• Navigate your way to the cashier of the online casino.
• Select Visa from the list of other payment gateways.
• Furnish your card details before indicating the sum you wish to deposit. Hit the “submit” button.
• Sit back to watch the deposit drop into your account in a shake or two of a lamb’s tail.

Withdrawing Funds Using Visa

While Visa withdrawal is an option, it’ll disappoint Kiwis to learn it isn’t a given at some online casinos. Our advice to gamblers is to make sure their casinos offer Visa withdrawals before signing up to play. Some operators insist on one payment method for depositing and withdrawing.

Online casinos also vary in processing times for withdrawal requests. It can range from 1 to 7 days, depending on what operator it is and player status. High rollers receive faster service than regulars. They’re also granted more flexibility in minimum/maximum limits on withdrawals.

Newbies may have to verify their identity more than once, especially if the withdrawal sum is big. It pays to be vigilant when filling out signing-up and registration details. Make sure all your information matches with a degree of exactness otherwise the process will drag out.

That’s why we believe the e-Wallet payment providers offer a swift and sound process. However, if you’re dead set on using Visa, then here is a basic guideline to follow:

• Log into your online casino account.
• Navigate to the cashier’s department and enter.
• Opt for Visa from the other providers on the menu.
• Indicate the amount of money you wish to withdraw, within the limits Visa specifies.
• It’ll surprise us if online casino operators won’t ask you for a verification. Have handy your driver’s licence, passport, and utility bills.
• Hit “submit” and wait for anywhere between 1 to 7 working days.

How Safe And Secure Is Visa?

With the advent of the first traveller’s cheques in the late 1970s, Visa had launched an ATM prism to sustain a global round-the-clock service. That had also seen the credit card conglomerate embark on a mission to provide the most secure and seamless payment gateway, with the help of electronic technology.

That in itself is an endorsement of Visa’s commitment to protecting the welfare of New Zealanders, never mind the online gambling fraternity. Visa has since then invested in an anti-fraud detection system that employs artificial intelligence to keep a tab on suspicious activities.

Launched as Visa Advanced Authorisation more than a decade ago, the payment provider giant has whittled down fraudulent activities via its platform to less than 0.1%, according to its website report. Despite the jaw-dropping growth in business, Visa had curtailed close to $25 billion in fraud by April 30, 2019, after processing more than 127 billion transactions the year before.

The anti-fraud system uses algorithms to identify a complex web of peculiarities of unauthorised users to accumulate clues to detect devious activities. Visa administrators base their judgements on account of such artificial intelligence risks to approve or decline transactions.

Visa also offers New Zealanders peace of mind on its Zero Liability policy, covering them for lost, stolen, or fraudulently used cards. However, it is important to know that the policy requires issuers to replace unauthorised funds taken from your credit/debit account within five working days of notification.

Whether that service is extended to online casino gamblers, isn’t clear. The policy certainly doesn’t apply to certain commercial card and anonymous prepaid card transactions, or any transactions Visa doesn’t process. We advise Kiwi gamblers to consult their issuing local banks for clarification on how Visa stacks up in such curly situations.

Mercifully, Visa NZ has a toll-free phone number, 0800-44-3019, for New Zealanders to call if they discover their card has been stolen or rendered missing. Administrators will help you deactivate the existing card and endeavour to replace it within 24 to 72 hours. They also can do it faster, depending on your circumstances.

Fees Kiwis Face When Opting For Visa

Generally, the banks issuing a Visa card will not levy any fees for carrying out transactions. That doesn’t mean the online casino operators won’t charge fees, especially up to 6% of one’s deposit. Our advice to Kiwi gamblers is to read the general terms and conditions of online casinos before using Visa for making deposits or withdrawals.

The fact that online casino operators subject Kiwi players to a rigid verification ritual means a processing fee is inevitable. Again, do your homework on what is the cheapest rate out there.

Newbies who are either opting for Visa for the first time or switching issuing banks to make the most of the credit-card benefits must consider a cluster of features before committing to it:

• Annual fees
• Benefits
• Interest-free days
• Interest rate
• Rewards

We feel the interest rate, despite the regular up-to-55 days of interest-free breathing space from issuing banks, can push New Zealanders to flirt with the 23% mark. The fees tend to differ from one bank to another as well as the type of card Kiwi gamblers opt for.

Some banks levy $NZ20 to $NZ40 fees on a card every six months with another $NZ6 levy each for any additional cards. Nominal fees of teller-assisted transactions ($NZ3), copy of statement ($NZ5), and late payment fee ($NZ5) can add to the grand total levy.

Pros & Cons of Using Visa

No matter what payment method gateway Kiwis consider, they won’t find perfection. Visa is no exception. It has its share of pros and cons in delivering a true-and-tried service for decades in New Zealand.

Needless to say, Visa’s transparency instils trust among New Zealanders gambling at online casinos. Its uncomplicated process in facilitating deposits is the critical point, especially for casual Kiwi gamblers and punters.

No doubt, the casino operators recognise Visa’s universal appeal and, consequently, endorse its services. However, the downside to Visa is its impotency when it comes to making withdrawals. That said, the onus is always on New Zealanders to read our insightful reviews to reach their own educated conclusions on whether the services are tailored to their individual needs.

Advantages:

• Accessibility: Most online operators endorse Visa, displaying its emblem on their websites.
• Apps: It can be downloaded onto mobile devices for user-friendly interface time.
• Bonuses: Some bumper benefits are up for grabs for Kiwi gamblers who do their homework on suitable casino operators.
• Conveniency: Visa is easy to use even for those who are entering an iGaming lounge for the first time.
• Currency: Not only does it accept kiwi dollars, but it opens doors to numerous other foreign currencies.
• Immediacy: Deposits tend to be processed in a blink of an eye.
• Limits: Visa has several options where Kiwis can adjust the ceiling when gambling.
• Security: Built on the foundation of safety even before it was christened Visa, the conglomerate is forever investing on anti-fraud technology to stay ahead of cyber scammers.
• Versatility: While New Zealand may not have every single one, Visa offers a robust range of cards to cater for different needs. They include the daily credit/debit cards, gift cards, and prepaid ones. Gamblers be aware of using credit cards for fear of losing track of your balance.

Disadvantages:

• Added fees: Visa’s annual fees aren’t the best going around.
• Bank blocks: Kiwi gamblers may find some local banks may prevent them from gambling.
• Conversion rate: Visa reserves the right to charge you a percentage of your transaction total on foreign currencies if you use its prepaid card.
• Sluggish withdrawals: With some marquee online casino operators preferring one payment method for both transactions, Visa’s withdrawal process becomes a liability. This will be the biggest put off for Kiwis.