Best Sites to Play Online Poker in NZ in December 2025
- All
|
#1
|
#1
CoinPoker |
150% Welcome Bonus Up To $2,000 |
150% Welcome Bonus Up To $2,000 |
 CoinPoker
|
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
|
#2
|
#2
ACR Poker |
100% Up To $2,000 On Your First Deposit |
100% Up To $2,000 On Your First Deposit |
ACR Poker
|
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
|
#3
|
#3
BC Poker |
$5 Free: No Deposit Needed |
$5 Free: No Deposit Needed |
BC Poker |
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
|
#4
|
#4
GG Poker |
100% Matched Deposit Up To $600 |
100% Matched Deposit Up To $600 |
GG Poker |
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
|
#5
|
#5
KK Poker |
First Deposit Bonus Up To $1,000 Reward |
First Deposit Bonus Up To $1,000 Reward |
KK Poker
|
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
|
#6
|
#6
Stake |
$500,000 All In Or Fold Jackpot |
$500,000 All In Or Fold Jackpot |
Stake
|
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
|
#7
|
#7
Black Chip Poker |
100% Bonus Up To $2,000 |
100% Bonus Up To $2,000 |
Black Chip Poker |
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
|
#8
|
#8
Ya Poker |
100% Bonus Up To $2,000 |
100% Bonus Up To $2,000 |
Ya Poker |
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
|
#9
|
#9
WPT Global Poker |
Massive First Deposit Bonus Up To $3,580! |
Massive First Deposit Bonus Up To $3,580! |
WPT Global Poker |
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
|
#10
|
#10
Up Poker |
$1,200 Welcome Bonus |
$1,200 Welcome Bonus |
Up Poker |
Play Now
NO CODE REQUIRED
|
In This Article
- Best Sites to Play Online Poker in NZ in December 2025
- Reviewing the Best Online Poker Sites
- How We Rank NZ Poker Sites
- Is Online Poker Legal in NZ?
- Different Types of Poker Sites
- Choosing the Best NZ Poker Site for You
- How to Sign Up to an Online Poker Site
- Glossary of Poker Terms Explained
- Responsible Gambling
- Ready to Try an NZ Online Poker Site?
Reviewing the Best Online Poker Sites
After checking out a range of options, here are our top picks for online poker in NZ, with key details on the benefits of signing up.
Best NZ Site for Poker Tournaments
CoinPoker
CoinPoker opened its doors back in 2017 and holds a gambling licence from Anjouan, in the Union of Comoros. Additionally, it is a crypto-based site that offers a generous welcome bonus and numerous rakeback opportunities. The platform primarily features Texas Holdâem and Omaha poker, hosting numerous tables with an average of 2,000 or more players online at any given time. CoinPoker is also well known for its range of poker tournaments, which weâll shed some light on shortly.
Quick Overview
CoinPoker opened its doors back in 2017 and holds a gambling licence from Anjouan, in the Union of Comoros. Additionally, it is a crypto-based site that offers a generous welcome bonus and numerous rakeback opportunities. The platform primarily features Texas Holdâem and Omaha poker, hosting numerous tables with an average of 2,000 or more players online at any given time. CoinPoker is also well known for its range of poker tournaments, which weâll shed some light on shortly.
Pros
- Huge range of tournaments
- A diverse range of buy-ins
- Plenty of satellites to get you into bigger tourneys
Cons
- Tournament seats can fill up quickly
đ° Why Itâs Best for Poker Tournaments
CoinPoker is one of the best online poker sites thanks to the wide range of tournaments they host. You can jump into the action for free with the regular freerolls available every week or play in centrolls tournaments with low buy-ins. Youâll find a number of satellite tournaments as well, where you can play for entry into higher buy-in events. Some of the favourites are the Sunday PKOs: the Sunday Tapout PKO and the Sunday Powerjam PKO.
â Extra Fun at Non-Tournament Tables
Outside of their tournaments, CoinPoker does a fantastic job with the range of tables you can play at. The two main variants available are Texas Holdâem and Omaha, with options of No Limit and Pot Limit Holdâem, as well as Pot Limit Omaha. Youâre not short on options, and with an average of around 2,000 players online during peak hours, youâll always be able to find some action.
đĄ Expert Opinion
We took their platform for a spin ourselves and were more than a little impressed. The interface is simple to use, as it allows you to filter by game, table, and blinds. The tournaments we examined had diverse buy-ins, ranging from $5 to $500. Moreover, we loved that we could customise the look of the tables and cards to give our experience a more personalised touch. The only real criticism we had was that CoinPoker didnât have a very large selection of sit-and-gos, and there were no fast-fold tables either. These days, players prefer to move quickly with their cash games, so we think they should consider adding a few fast-fold options.
Key Features
đ° Why Itâs Best for Poker Tournaments
CoinPoker is one of the best online poker sites thanks to the wide range of tournaments they host. You can jump into the action for free with the regular freerolls available every week or play in centrolls tournaments with low buy-ins. Youâll find a number of satellite tournaments as well, where you can play for entry into higher buy-in events. Some of the favourites are the Sunday PKOs: the Sunday Tapout PKO and the Sunday Powerjam PKO.
â Extra Fun at Non-Tournament Tables
Outside of their tournaments, CoinPoker does a fantastic job with the range of tables you can play at. The two main variants available are Texas Holdâem and Omaha, with options of No Limit and Pot Limit Holdâem, as well as Pot Limit Omaha. Youâre not short on options, and with an average of around 2,000 players online during peak hours, youâll always be able to find some action.
đĄ Expert Opinion
We took their platform for a spin ourselves and were more than a little impressed. The interface is simple to use, as it allows you to filter by game, table, and blinds. The tournaments we examined had diverse buy-ins, ranging from $5 to $500. Moreover, we loved that we could customise the look of the tables and cards to give our experience a more personalised touch. The only real criticism we had was that CoinPoker didnât have a very large selection of sit-and-gos, and there were no fast-fold tables either. These days, players prefer to move quickly with their cash games, so we think they should consider adding a few fast-fold options.
Key Features
Top Choice for Online Poker Guides and Learning Resources
ACR Poker
ACR Poker is a top online platform that was established in 2001. Theyâve been licensed by the Curaçao Gaming Control Board and run their site on the Winning Poker Network, one of the best networks for poker in NZ. Games like No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Pot-Limit Omaha Hi/Lo and Fast-Fold tables are all available, with variable limits. One thing that really sets them apart is their collection of guides and tips for improving as a poker player, which we look at in detail below.
Quick Overview
ACR Poker is a top online platform that was established in 2001. Theyâve been licensed by the Curaçao Gaming Control Board and run their site on the Winning Poker Network, one of the best networks for poker in NZ. Games like No-Limit Hold’em, Pot-Limit Omaha, Pot-Limit Omaha Hi/Lo and Fast-Fold tables are all available, with variable limits. One thing that really sets them apart is their collection of guides and tips for improving as a poker player, which we look at in detail below.
Pros
- Helpful poker guides for players of all levels
- Fantastic VIP program
- Multi-table play available
Cons
- Peak times are not ideal for NZ players
đ Why Itâs Best for Learning Poker Skills
Most online poker sites have a few guides here and there, but ACR Poker offers detailed guides that start at Beginner and progress through Intermediate and Advanced levels. You can find guides for tournament play, cash games, heads-up poker, the psychology behind the game, and managing your bankroll. They include unique articles, such as learning poker theory to cope when decks go cold, how to maximise late positions in Texas Hold âem, and much more. Whether youâre new to poker and trying to learn or looking to fine-tune your play, ACR is the place to do it.
đš High Number of Players and Large Tournaments
ACR Poker boasts one of the highest average player counts, with around 5,000 players. They also run some of the largest regular tournaments with prize pools reaching six figures. The cash games feature Fast Fold options, No-Limit Holdâem, Pot-Limit Omaha, and more. You can even play across multiple tables at once, with their software managing automatic window rotations and pinning active tables.
đĄ Expert Opinion
The guides and learning resources at ACR provide clear insight into strategy and specific approaches for each stage of play. We found them genuinely insightful for measuring our poker skill levels. The only drawback of the ACR Poker site is that the peak times donât gel well with NZ players. Youâll need to stay up late/get up early to get in on the peak action, when the player count is at its highest.
Key Features
đ Why Itâs Best for Learning Poker Skills
Most online poker sites have a few guides here and there, but ACR Poker offers detailed guides that start at Beginner and progress through Intermediate and Advanced levels. You can find guides for tournament play, cash games, heads-up poker, the psychology behind the game, and managing your bankroll. They include unique articles, such as learning poker theory to cope when decks go cold, how to maximise late positions in Texas Hold âem, and much more. Whether youâre new to poker and trying to learn or looking to fine-tune your play, ACR is the place to do it.
đš High Number of Players and Large Tournaments
ACR Poker boasts one of the highest average player counts, with around 5,000 players. They also run some of the largest regular tournaments with prize pools reaching six figures. The cash games feature Fast Fold options, No-Limit Holdâem, Pot-Limit Omaha, and more. You can even play across multiple tables at once, with their software managing automatic window rotations and pinning active tables.
đĄ Expert Opinion
The guides and learning resources at ACR provide clear insight into strategy and specific approaches for each stage of play. We found them genuinely insightful for measuring our poker skill levels. The only drawback of the ACR Poker site is that the peak times donât gel well with NZ players. Youâll need to stay up late/get up early to get in on the peak action, when the player count is at its highest.
Key Features
Fantastic Poker Room Customisation
BC Poker
BC Poker, launched in 2024, is a poker operator that’s best known for its crypto-friendly banking options, making it one of the most streamlined and anonymous platforms in our selection. It’s part of the multi-award-winning BC Game network, and offers tables in Hold’Em, 6+ Short Deck, and PLO across SnGs, satellites, and big tournaments. However, its fantastic poker room customisation features deserve the spotlight here, with a raft of features to help you set up your own private clubs with friends.
Quick Overview
BC Poker, launched in 2024, is a poker operator that’s best known for its crypto-friendly banking options, making it one of the most streamlined and anonymous platforms in our selection. It’s part of the multi-award-winning BC Game network, and offers tables in Hold’Em, 6+ Short Deck, and PLO across SnGs, satellites, and big tournaments. However, its fantastic poker room customisation features deserve the spotlight here, with a raft of features to help you set up your own private clubs with friends.
Pros
- Excellent 30% cashback available when you refer friends
- App download is available across all major platforms
- Extensive cryptocurrency support
Cons
- Newer platform, means other sites may have more live players
đ Why Itâs Best for Room Customisation
BC Poker’s create-your-own-club system adds an extra dimension to an already impressive platform, with players able to create cash games and their own tournaments using BC’s unique coding. The service allows you to create Texas, Omaha, and 6+ games at no charge, set player numbers, adjust game lengths and auto-start functions, and moderate your rooms and games as you see fit. There’s also the added bonus of claiming extra freebies as you continue to invite friends.
đž Generous and Provably Fair
BC Poker further earns its slot as one of the best sites for online poker in NZ thanks to its seamless gameplay and its focus on provably fair outcomes (all a part of its crypto focus). Using a decentralised RNG, games here are fair whether you’re playing against strangers or friends. Plus, you can take advantage of a 120% welcome deal and stacks of rakeback and promo prizes if you keep coming back.
đĄ Expert Opinion
BC Poker wows us purely on how fast and intuitive its tables are despite being such a young platform. It definitely benefits from its connections to BC Game and its decentralised setup, and its easily-customisable private rooms perform just as smoothly as its open tournaments. Crucially, it’s the age of the site that plays against it at the time of writing, as it may not have as many live players available when you sign in as you expect. That said, the platform is growing, with more than five million active players a month.
Key Features
đ Why Itâs Best for Room Customisation
BC Poker’s create-your-own-club system adds an extra dimension to an already impressive platform, with players able to create cash games and their own tournaments using BC’s unique coding. The service allows you to create Texas, Omaha, and 6+ games at no charge, set player numbers, adjust game lengths and auto-start functions, and moderate your rooms and games as you see fit. There’s also the added bonus of claiming extra freebies as you continue to invite friends.
đž Generous and Provably Fair
BC Poker further earns its slot as one of the best sites for online poker in NZ thanks to its seamless gameplay and its focus on provably fair outcomes (all a part of its crypto focus). Using a decentralised RNG, games here are fair whether you’re playing against strangers or friends. Plus, you can take advantage of a 120% welcome deal and stacks of rakeback and promo prizes if you keep coming back.
đĄ Expert Opinion
BC Poker wows us purely on how fast and intuitive its tables are despite being such a young platform. It definitely benefits from its connections to BC Game and its decentralised setup, and its easily-customisable private rooms perform just as smoothly as its open tournaments. Crucially, it’s the age of the site that plays against it at the time of writing, as it may not have as many live players available when you sign in as you expect. That said, the platform is growing, with more than five million active players a month.
Key Features
How We Rank NZ Poker Sites
Our team adheres to a rigorous set of criteria when evaluating the best poker sites. Hereâs how we pick out the best poker platforms in NZ:
Reputable Licences
A licence is a key sign that a real money poker site is safe and reliable. Licensed sites must follow strict regulations to maintain their licence. When a site holds a recognised licence, you can trust that their games are fair and the platform is secure. Additionally, we always look for licences from trusted names, such as the Malta Gaming Authority or Curaçao eGaming.
Promotions
Promotions play a significant role in platforms offering online poker for New Zealand players. Sites often offer a mix of welcome bonuses, reload bonuses, and ongoing rewards, such as rakeback, to keep things interesting for both new and existing members.
Welcome Bonuses
Welcome bonuses are designed to get you started on a poker site by giving you extra bonus funds or poker tournament entries. For example, CoinPoker offers a 150% matched deposit bonus of up to $2,000 to all new users who sign up. BC Poker, too, offers new players depositing $10 an extra $10 in cashback and a weekly tournament entry.
Reload Bonuses
A reload bonus is a reward you get for adding more funds to your poker account after your first deposit. It works much like a welcome bonus, but is designed to encourage you to play regularly. For example, a site for online poker in NZ might offer a 20% bonus on your next deposit up to a set amount, giving you extra chips to use in cash games or tournaments.
Some reload bonuses are tied to specific events or days, like a midweek deposit bonus that boosts your bankroll for weekend tournaments. Others might come in the form of tournament tickets or free entries to special poker events, allowing you to compete without using your own money.
Rakeback
Rake is the fee poker sites take from each pot or tournament buy-in. Rakeback gives you a percentage of that fee back as a bonus. For example, if a site takes 5% from each pot and offers 30% rakeback, youâll get back about 30% of the rake you personally contributed, not of the total pot.
Some online poker for real money websites pay rakeback directly to your account on a weekly or monthly basis, while others use a point system that can be converted into cash or tournament tickets.
Tournaments
Poker tournaments let you compete for bigger prizes and test your skills against multiple players. Most sites run a mix of daily, weekly, and special events. For example, ACR Pokerâs Venom tournaments offer multi-million dollar prize pools, while CoinPoker regularly hosts CHP token tournaments with huge guaranteed prizes. You can also find smaller daily tournaments or sit-and-go events with lower buy-ins.
Is Online Poker Legal in NZ?
Operating an online poker site or other gambling site, except for Lotto NZ or TB, is illegal within New Zealand territory. It is not, however, illegal for New Zealand residents to access licensed offshore poker sites, because the law doesnât prohibit Kiwis from using platforms based outside the country.
There have been proposals in 2025 about changing these laws. The government is looking into new laws that could allow 15 licensed online gambling operators to legally offer their services in New Zealand. For now, Kiwis can use the offshore sites weâve listed.
Different Types of Poker Sites
Online poker for real money in NZ is available on two types of casino sites. Here is an overview of both types.
Dedicated Poker Site
A dedicated site for online poker in NZ is built entirely around poker. These sites typically donât offer casino games like pokies or roulette, but they make up for it with a wide range of poker games, larger tournaments, and bigger player pools. Youâll often find more traffic, better promotions, and plenty of action at all hours.
Casino Poker Site
An online casino and poker site is more of an all-in-one platform. You can play poker, but youâll also find pokies, blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and more under the same roof. The poker selection might not be as deep as on a dedicated poker site, but you can still find more than enough tables to sit at. Everygame is a good example of this kind of platform.
Choosing the Best NZ Poker Site for You
While weâve provided you with some great sites to play online poker in NZ, you may be wondering how to choose a site from this list. Letâs touch on a couple of important things to keep in mind before joining any platform.
Check if the Site Is Available to New Zealand Players
Not every poker site accepts players from NZ. Some platforms have country restrictions based on local laws or licensing rules. Before you create an account, take a moment to read the siteâs terms of use or FAQ section to make sure that New Zealand players are accepted. It saves time and avoids issues later on.
Check the Site Accepts NZ Dollars
Most poker sites only support a few main currencies, so itâs worth checking if you can play in New Zealand dollars. Having NZD as a supported currency makes deposits, withdrawals, and bets much easier to manage. For the most part, you wonât have to worry about this with the websites for online poker in NZ in our guide.
Check the Poker Types on Offer
Before you join, ensure the site offers the type of poker you want to play. For example, if you enjoy Texas Holdâem, check that itâs available and that there are enough tables or tournaments running.
Check the Site Has Your Preferred Game Formats
Every poker site has its own mix of game formats. Some focus on tournaments, while others offer sit-and-gos. Consider how you prefer to play, and ensure the site offers those formats so you can have the online poker experience youâre after.
Check the Site Has Your Preferred Betting Structures
Poker offers various betting styles, ranging from no-limit to pot-limit and fixed-limit games. Before you deposit, check that your preferred structure is available. If you want to play at multiple tables or use Fast Fold, you can usually see whether they are available on the main lobby page.
How to Sign Up to an Online Poker Site
Signing up at one of the above-mentioned casinos and playing real money online poker in NZ is a simple process. The first step is to check out our reviews of these websites and select the one that best suits your needs. Once youâve done that, follow these steps to open your account:
- Visit the poker siteâs homepage and click “Sign Up” or “Join Now”.
- Fill in a few personal details, such as your name, email, and date of birth.
- Create a secure password and confirm your account.
- Set your currency to NZD if available.
- Make your first deposit and claim any welcome bonus.
- Choose a poker game and start playing.
Glossary of Poker Terms Explained
If you are brand new to the world of online poker in NZ, there are certain terms and phrases you need to understand before you jump in.
| Term | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Buy-in | The money required to enter a game |
| Cash game | A game where chips represent real money |
| Freeroll | Free to enter tournaments, often with a cash or ticket prize |
| Lobby | The main menu area, where you can see all the different tables |
| Multi-table tournament | A tournament that involves multiple tables and players, with winners advancing as others are eliminated |
| No-limit | A format that allows any-sized bets |
| Pot-limit | Maximum raises are limited to the size of the pot |
| Rake | A small percentage is taken by the poker site from each pot |
| Rakeback | Rewards system that pays back a percentage of your rake over time |
| Rebuy | The option to buy more chips and re-enter a tournament after losing your stack. |
| Sit-and-go | A small tournament that starts as soon as all seats are filled. |
Responsible Gambling
Itâs important to gamble responsibly when playing online poker. While poker can be a fun and social game, itâs still gambling, and thereâs always a risk of losing money. Setting limits on how much time and money you spend can help you stay in control.
Donât hesitate to take advantage of the various responsible gambling features on these sites, which include deposit and loss limits, cooling-off periods, or self-exclusion, which will limit access to your account for a specified period. They help you keep your spending in check and prevent you from chasing your losses.
Also, if you ever feel that gambling is becoming a problem for you or anyone close to you, there are a few organisations in New Zealand that can help.
| Organisation | Phone Number | Email Address |
|---|---|---|
| Gambling Helpline | 0800 654 655 | [email protected] |
| Problem Gambling Foundation | 0800 664 262 | [email protected] |
| Safer Gambling Aotearoa | 0800 654 655 | [email protected] |
Ready to Try an NZ Online Poker Site?
Now that you know all about the best websites for online poker in NZ, you can confidently pick out a site and start playing. It also helps to know that youâre legally able to use offshore sites in NZ.
While all the sites in our top ten are reliable and bring their own qualities to the table, weâd go with CoinPoker first if youâre starting out. They have a great app for both desktop and mobile, plenty of low-stakes and high-roller tournaments and a range of top-notch promotions to get your hands on. Check them out when you get a chance, and youâll see why we enjoyed playing poker on the site so much.
