David Morey 
The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted daily life for everyone. And for us gamers and punters in New Zealand, it changed how we get our gambling fix. With pubs closed and SkyCity locked down, heaps of us had to find new ways to get our gambling fix from home. As long-time gamblers, we’ve noticed friends who’d never tried online betting suddenly giving it a go.
No deposit free spins casino promotions became a go-to for Kiwis. These special deals let you play pokies with free spins and even get a fair payout. It’s a pretty tempting offer when you’re stuck at home. It wasn’t just bonus spins either; online casinos also rolled out other perks for players feeling that their time had come. We’re the 101RTP crew, and we’ve been closely tracking these changes since the lockdown began.
The Great Online Migration
When lockdowns hit, half of Kiwis actually gambled less than usual during the strictest restrictions. But those who kept playing made a massive shift online. The research found that 8% of New Zealanders tried online gambling for the first time during COVID. And 12% cranked up their existing online activity.
Why the rush to digital? The survey found some pretty clear patterns:
Venues Closed (51%). Over half went online simply because their usual betting shops or casinos were shut. Fair enough – when your local’s closed, the internet’s your only option.
Boredom (34%). Lockdown got boring fast. Online gambling became entertainment when Netflix wasn’t cutting it anymore.
Chasing Wins (28%). Some saw it as a way to make money when other income sources dried up.
Relaxation (25%). Plenty found that having a punt helped them switch off from all the pandemic stress.
Interestingly, studies in other countries showed similar patterns. Nearly one-third of gamblers opened a new online betting account during COVID-19 lockdowns. And about 1 in 20 started gambling online for the first time.
The New Normal
Here’s where it gets interesting. Even after restrictions lifted, the online boom didn’t fade. Total gambling spend hit a record NZ$2.76 billion in 2022/23, way up from around $2.25 billion pre-pandemic. But this wasn’t just people rushing back to physical venues (though pub pokies did bounce back hard to $1.07 billion).
Online gambling properly took off. Lots of researches show the digital market reached about NZ$1.1 billion by 2023. And projections suggesting it could hit NZ$1.5 billion by 2027. That’s serious growth – roughly 7-8% annually.
Currently, about 9.2% of Kiwis gamble online (roughly 1 in 11), but we’re tracking toward 11% in the next few years. That’s over half a million New Zealanders actively using online platforms.
The Big Spenders
Online gamblers aren’t just casual players. The average online punter drops about NZ$2,450 per year. Compare that to the pre-COVID average of $572 per year across all Kiwis (including non-gamblers), and you can see online players are seriously committed to their hobby.
Mobile Takes Over
Everyone’s moved to mobile. During lockdown, plenty were playing on laptops at home. But now over 60% of online gambling happens on phones and tablets. Makes sense – why be tied to your computer when you can chuck a bet while waiting for the bus?
We’ve tested hundreds of mobile casino apps and betting platforms. And the experience has genuinely improved. Fast loading, smooth gameplay, and easy payments have made mobile the preferred option for most Kiwi players.
What’s Changed in Player Behaviour
Our research shows Kiwis aren’t just sticking to their old favourites. Plenty of traditional lotto and sports punters have branched out into online pokies, digital card games, and live dealer tables. During lockdown, online slots filled the gap left by closed pub machines. And live dealer games gave players that social casino feel they were missing.
Sports betting absolutely exploded once rugby and cricket resumed. Many fans prefer the TAB app over physical betting shops. The convenience factor is huge. So, place your bet from the couch instead of driving to the pub.
The Bigger Picture
The pandemic didn’t just move existing gambling online. It expanded the entire market. Players now mix and match: lotteries during the week, maybe some online pokies on Friday night. And a sports bet if the All Blacks are playing. It’s like having streaming services and still going to the movies – we’ve embraced options.
But with great power comes great responsibility. Having a casino in your pocket 24/7 is convenient. But it also makes it easier to lose track of time and money. The good news is that awareness of gambling harm has increased.
Conclusion
COVID-19 permanently changed how Kiwis gamble. The data shows record spending, hundreds of thousands of active online players… And sustained growth in the digital market. For fellow punters, it’s an exciting time. More games, better apps, and endless opportunities to play.
The genie’s out of the bottle – online gambling in NZ is here to stay, and it’s only getting bigger.
