Sports betting in NZ: top sites for 2025
Get ready to jump into the world of New Zealand sports betting. You’ll find plenty of thrilling betting opportunities with both domestic and offshore platforms.
Our Time2play betting pros work hard to identify the best betting sites in NZ for you and point out all the necessary information, so you can get the most out of your bets and take your game to new heights.
Sportsbook logo | Rating | Bonus | Go-to-sportsbook button | Show more | T&Cs |
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1
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90/100 Expert rating by Elena I. 88% Playscore based on |
200% up to NZ$500
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Play now |
Good to know
15 payment methods |
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2
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88/100 Expert rating by Elena I. 98% Playscore based on |
Up to NZ$50 in free bets
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Play now |
Good to know
7 payment methods |
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3
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88/100 Expert rating by Elena I. 82% Playscore based on |
100% up to NZ$150
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Play now |
Good to know
13 payment methods |
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4
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87/100 Expert rating by Elena I. 83% Playscore based on |
Up to NZ$500 in free bets
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Play now |
Good to know
6 payment methods |
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5
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87/100 Expert rating by Elena I. 88% Playscore based on |
Up to NZ$500 in free bets
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Play now |
Good to know
10 payment methods |
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6
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87/100 Expert rating by Elena I. 86% Playscore based on |
Up to NZ$50 in free bets
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Play now |
Good to know
6 payment methods |
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7
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86/100 Expert rating by Elena I. 89% Playscore based on |
Up to NZ$50 in free bets
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Play now |
Good to know
7 payment methods |
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8
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86/100 Expert rating by Elena I. 82% Playscore based on |
100% up to NZ$200
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Play now |
Good to know
13 payment methods |
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9
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85/100 Expert rating by Elena I. 82% Playscore based on |
120% up to NZ$200
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Play now |
Good to know
9 payment methods |
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10
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84/100 Expert rating by Elena I. 94% Playscore based on |
200% up to NZ$500
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Play now |
Good to know
6 payment methods |
#1. Stake — NZ’s best betting site overall
Stake is among the few crypto betting sites trusted by the Crypto Gambling Foundation. This means that Kiwis can benefit from secure banking options that simplify depositing and withdrawing money.
As the best betting site in NZ, you’ll find a variety of offers available, including excellent live betting odds. There are also various sports and markets to bet on, including rugby, soccer, tennis, cricket, and more detailed in our Stake review. Moreover, you can claim daily, weekly and monthly bonuses as ‘Races’ to boost your betting.

NZ online betting sites: the runners up
The best betting sites will ensure a robust gaming platform across all areas. Of course, each of the best sports betting sites has different strengths that make them stand out. To help you choose the site that meets your needs, we’ve outlined the differences between these online sportsbooks so that you can see where they excel.

#2. LeoVegas — best sports betting tools
LeoVegas is one of the most reliable bookies in New Zealand, with unbeatable betting tools. You’ll find various features, from its cashout option to the bet builder, so your betting opportunities are endless. Quality features make this bookie worth considering for everyone who loves sports betting. With LeoVegas, you can take advantage of system bets and combine multiple bets into one. You do not need to win all the different parts to be successful – instead, you can win with as little as 3 out of 5 legs or more, depending on your bet.

#3. 22Bet — best sports betting site odds
This mobile-friendly sportsbook boasts 46 sports on offer (second to none), and that’s on top of virtual sports and esports.
Pair that with one of the many generous bonuses and promo boosts, and you’ll be well on the way to climbing the tiered loyalty program (which is equally rewarding).
Sports betting online: sports you can bet on
Any quality online sportsbook should have various betting markets in place, giving players a wide array of choices. Of course, this can be overwhelming, too, as there can be almost too many betting options. Additionally, sports betting sites have branched out in recent years, and many now offer additional options such as live betting, wagers on politics and reality TV predictions too.
With so many betting options available, the best sports betting site must lay out all the sports neatly. Generally, the large number of sports can be swiftly sifted through. Typically, sites will alphabetise them to make it even easier, listing the more popular options at the top. Most sites will give you the option to personalise your home page too.
Most popular online betting events
No matter the season, there is always some sporting event on NZ sports betting sites. Many sports, such as rugby, will have something on throughout the year, while other sports, such as horse racing, will have more specific seasons where most of the races occur.
Of course, bigger events happen less often, such as the Rugby World Cup or the Olympics, which only occur once every four years. In the interim, though, players in rugby — union or league — can enjoy Super Rugby Aotearoa (Union) or the National Rugby League (NRL). These often have free bet promotions to encourage players to wager.

Rugby – Rugby Union
New Zealand has a long and proud tradition of rugby betting that is evident in how fans get passionate about Rugby Union, Rugby World Cup, and Super Rugby. Kiwi punters have many options regarding wagering on these events, ranging from major tournaments such as World Cup or Super Rugby to individual matches. Live betting is also an option for New Zealanders looking for even more excitement and better odds.

Cricket – Cricket World Cup
New Zealanders are passionate about cricket, and their bets are taken seriously. Because the Cricket World Cup is one of the sport’s most important tournaments, Kiwis pay great attention to it. Other types of cricket to wager on include Test matches, One Day Internationals, Twenty20 matches, Commonwealth Games, ICC World, and more.

Horse racing – Melbourne Cup
Melbourne Cup and Auckland Cup are two of the most popular events in the racing calendar for New Zealand bettors. Both races attract a huge audience, with passionate fans making bets on their favourite horses or jockeys. Live betting is also available to Kiwi punters, allowing them to take advantage of in-race changes to get better odds and bigger payouts. There’s no doubt that New Zealanders keep an eye on both races with great enthusiasm leading up to these exciting events.

Football – New Zealand National League
NZ has several domestic leagues in which teams such as Auckland City, Wellington Olympic, and others compete, the most popular being New Zealand National League. The Wellington Phoenix also competes in Australia’s A-League. Furthermore, Kiwis are passionate fans of European football. They enjoy watching and betting on matches from top leagues such as Bundesliga, English Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A, as well as major international competitions such as EURO, UEFA, and World Cup.

Basketball – NBA
New Zealand bettors are passionate fans of National Basketball Association (NBA) and National Basketball League (NBL). Over the years, the league has seen an increase in popularity across the country and many Kiwis follow their favourite local teams enthusiastically. The local professional basketball teams provide a platform for loyal supporters to cheer on their home teams while also engaging in exciting live betting opportunities.
How to choose betting sites in NZ
If you’re new to betting online, it can be quite a lot to figure out the best online sportsbooks and which sports bets to take on. Luckily for you, we’re here to help you out. After all, we’ve been there too. This is why we make sure that we clearly outline how we rate everything.
In the following section, we’ll look at all you need to know when rating the best NZ betting sites. We discuss the main areas that impact a site’s rating, such as the odds, markets, betting apps, the betting site bonus, free bets, etc. In this way, you’re also equipped to rate NZ sports betting sites.

Sports markets
When it comes to online betting, having many sports on offer is a must if we’re going to give a site a high ranking. Generally, the best online betting sites will offer at least 20 different sports. Within each sport, you’ll also find various leagues and tournaments worldwide. We’re also looking for politics or reality TV options for a truly excellent site. Poor online sports betting sites will have fewer than ten sports on offer. Often these sites will also focus more on domestic games, further restricting the sports betting market options. Sites that stick with one or two tournaments for each of the different sports they offer should be avoided. And, while not a requirement, not having alternative betting events does bring the score down.

Betting odds
Sports betting odds and betting markets are, quite literally, the basis of all online sports betting. Without these, NZ sports betting would be non-existent. When you choose which team or player to bet on, you are shown a number, which is the payout you’ll get for placing a bet. As such, you need to have a good understanding of what the best odds are before embarking on your betting journey. When rating a site, we want to see that the odds are regularly updated to ensure they are the best. For the best online betting sites, the odds should be refreshed automatically throughout the day so that you don’t have to. A quick check against other sportsbooks will also show that they are highly competitive. Sites with slow updates or requiring a manual refresh of the odds should be avoided.

Payments
Sports betting payment options may not seem like a top priority, but they are. The top betting sites will have at least ten different betting payment methods. This means that you can select your preferred payment option. Several options will be available, but you’ll also be treated to a diverse selection, including cards, eWallets and more. NZ sports betting sites offering only four or fewer payment options should be avoided. This is because you’ve got no choice. Additionally, we also look at the fees when it comes to payments. The best sites will have no fees and offer low deposit and withdrawal limits, often around NZ$10. In contrast, poor sites will have fees in place and high minimum limits of around NZ$50.

Safety
It’s essential to play at safe sportsbooks in NZ. That’s why we only recommend you play at legal sportsbooks with a licence from one of the top gaming jurisdictions. As NZ sports betting sites don’t need an NZ licence, you must check where they do have a licence from. We prefer to recommend top sites licensed by the UKGC or MGA, as these have the most stringent security protocols. The licence can usually be found in the main page’s footer. But, if this cannot be found, we won’t recommend that sportsbook. If a sportsbook has no licence from anywhere, do not play there. On top of licensing, we also check security. The best sites will have 256-bit encryption, but 128-bit is also acceptable.

Mobile experience
Nowadays, access to mobile sportsbooks or mobile sportsbook apps is a must if a sportsbook stands out from the rest. The best online sports betting sites will have a mobile browser version of their site and an app compatible with Android and iOS devices. The mobile version should offer all the exact free bet offers, sports and support as the desktop site. That being said, a mobile app is not necessary for online sports betting sites to rank highly with us. The key is that all the betting options are easily accessible on a mobile device and that the platform works smoothly on all devices. Sites that do not cater to mobile users should be avoided at all costs.

Customer support
While the best sports betting sites will operate most of the time smoothly, having access to a good support team is essential, just in case. The best sites will have three or even more contact options available. This should always include a live chat operated by a real person. Sites that do not have a live chat or rely on bots only score a lot lower with us. Additionally, support should be available 24/7 in this day and age. If the sportsbook you’re on only has limited hours, it will get a worse score. Finally, you should also take a look at the FAQs. Comprehensive, detailed and easily accessible FAQs or help centres get higher scores than sites with minimal information, broken links or no help section.

Usability
Whether you’re a newcomer or an experienced user, it’s key to a good gaming experience that the betting site is very user-friendly. For instance, top online sports betting sites should have a straightforward design and a layout that’s not too cluttered. We also like sites to have simple colour schemes with bonus points for those with a dark mode available. Sites that are convoluted and take you on the run-around to find anything will get lower scores. Essentially, we want to ensure everything is as simple as possible. The best sportsbooks will have a good search bar, alphabetize their sports and even have options to change the odds format. You should also be able to quickly check in-play bets and edit your betting slip.

Player reviews
Finally, when looking at online betting sites, we also make sure that we consider what you, the players, are saying about each site. While our expert opinion is great, it’s nothing compared to direct experiences with a sportsbook platform. As such, we (and so should you) look at the different reviews players provide to see how positive they are about a site. Often, you’ll find that users are more forthright and trustworthy about a site when it comes to their reviews. After all, they’ve experienced it. Positive reviews can also be checked to verify authenticity, and if multiple players are extolling the same virtues, the site is likely a good one. If negative reviews are honing in on the same thing, like no payouts on a free bet, then the site should be avoided.

Additional betting site features
When it comes to online sports betting, there are other things to pay attention to, such as in-play betting, live bets and betting bonuses. Live betting sites are growing in popularity and something well-worth looking out for. This is because live betting allows you to follow your bet as the game unfolds and place new bets during the action. Better still, top sites will let you cash out early too.
Boosting your online betting with a free bet bonus is also an excellent option to get ahead. The best online sites will offer a free bet when you sign up or a match deposit bonus. Additionally, you may find that there are loyalty programmes that continue to offer free bets and other perks the longer you play. Taking on a free bet or two is the perfect way to boost your chance of winning.
Step-by-step guide to using sports betting sites
Online sports betting is a hugely popular pastime these days. But it can be daunting when you’re first jumping right in. However, if you follow our guide below, it’s not that hard. Simply start by signing up for one of the recommended NZ sportsbooks we’ve listed here. You’ll need to provide all the required personal details to get started and verify your account to get any later payouts awarded.
With your account open, you can then place bets on a variety of different sports. It’s also worth mentioning that you should check to see if you’re eligible for a free sports bet during the sign-up process. Many sportsbooks will offer free bets, bonuses, and promotions to help you get ahead. Make sure that you’re also checking for the best odds when using your free bet to make the most of it.
- Create an account on a sportsbook
- Verify your identity with the accepted ID
- Go to the banking section and deposit with options like VISA, PayPal or POLi
- Peruse the sports and choose what to bet on
- Place your picks and add a bet value
- Check your betting slip is correct and submit
- Wait to see if you have won
Betting odds and markets
Depending on the sport you’ve chosen to bet on, you’ll find that there are different bet types more suited to one sport than another. This means that you need to know the different bet types and how they can help you. For instance, the moneyline bet is a simple bet on which team or player will win outright.
However, there are many other options, especially when it comes to horse racing, where you can find completely different betting options when compared to other sports. In the following section, we outline some top bets you can expect to find and what they entail so that you can make the most out of using them.
Are sports betting sites legal in NZ?
Yes, sports gambling or online sports betting is legal in NZ as long as you play at legal sports betting sites. While sports betting is legal in the country, there are still no actual NZ sportsbooks. This is because all current sportsbooks are based overseas. And, while they don’t need an NZ licence to accept NZ players, they do need licences from other gaming jurisdictions.
Impressively, these sites can still offer a full gaming experience to NZ players — it’s just up to each sportsbook whether or not they permit NZ players to join up. If they do, Kiwis can also enjoy a wealth of bonuses, including the chance of scoring a free bet or other bonuses.
Responsible gambling
Even if a sportsbook is legal and licenced, this doesn’t mean that a player will be safely betting. The player does have to take responsibility for their betting, too, and this is where strong, responsible gambling protocols from the sportsbook’s side are essential. The best sportsbooks will have various options to help with your gambling, including hotlines, tips and the ability to cool off or self-exclude.
- Managing your bankroll — don’t spend more than you can afford to lose
- Play at a licensed and regulated sportsbook
- Keep track of the time spent betting
- Set loss limits to prevent overspending
- Consider cooling off periods if you’re playing too much
Pros and cons of sports betting online
Regarding sports betting, the platform has only become popular online in recent years. So, why would you consider betting offline these days? Well, some downsides to online sports betting still make offline betting quite attractive. In this section, we will look at the pros and cons of online sports betting so that you can choose where and how to play.
- Option to claim more bonuses and promotions such as a free bet or match deposit bonus
- Accessible all the time, anywhere
- A wider range of sports available
- Bigger sports betting market, including politics and TV options
- Better, more competitive odds available
- More chances of winning
- Relies on a good network connection to place bets
- Withdrawals can take some time to complete
- Lacks the social aspect or the thrill of watching a sport live
Tips for betting on sports in NZ
Betting on sports is all about luck. However, an element of skill is involved in understanding the sport as a whole and checking out the form of all the teams or players involved. Additionally, you can look at different resources and tools to boost your betting experience.
There are many helpful guides online, for instance, and the option to look at expert picks from those in the know. Additionally, it’s worth checking out focused sports blogs, reading sportsbook features and, of course, choosing where to play by following our reviews. You can also take on promotions such as free bets to give you a chance at testing out bets and sites without risk.

Compare odds and betting lines
Make sure you compare odds and betting lines between sportsbooks.

Take advantage of bonuses
Utilise bonuses such as free bets to minimise spending and gain experience.

Familiarise yourself
Pick a sport and get to grips with all the jargon, teams, players and so on surrounding it.

Check expert opinion
Check out what experts say to add to your sports knowledge.

Manage your bankroll
Set a betting budget and stick to it.
FAQs
Can you bet on sports in New Zealand?
Yes, you can participate in sports betting in NZ. Sports betting is legal if you are playing at an NZ betting site based outside the country. Most top sports betting sites available to Kiwis will have a good set of betting markets, giving you a lot of choices. Additionally, the best NZ betting sites have competitive odds, free bets, sports betting apps for on-the-go betting and even live betting options.
Which are the best sports betting sites in NZ?
This depends on what you are looking for. Several top international betting sites have excellent reputations regarding betting online. Many of these come from the UK or Europe and offer a wealth of betting options. These international betting sites also have a wide array of live betting options, the best odds, free bets, and much more.
Is online betting legal in New Zealand?
Yes, you can legally bet in New Zealand, provided the online betting site is based overseas. Any overseas online betting site is legal for NZ players to play at, and there is no need for the betting site to get a licence from New Zealand. A growing number of online betting sites will happily accept NZ players and offer a free sports bet.
How does sports betting work?
Sports betting is all about placing a bet on a specific sport. Essentially, you are predicting the outcome of an event. The best NZ sports betting sites will have a wide array of betting options so that you can choose from sports such as horse racing betting, football betting and more. You can also enjoy online sports betting bonuses, such as a free bet to boost your bet online.
What are the best sports to bet on in NZ?
New Zealand has a variety of sports to choose from when it comes to betting online. Popular ones include rugby, cricket, football and horse racing. Basketball, tennis and golf are also popular betting options in New Zealand. Whether you’re looking for action-packed excitement or a safer bet with lower risks, you can find various options at the best betting sites.
What types of bets are available at NZ betting sites?
There are many different types of bets available at sports betting NZ sites. These include single bets, accumulators, match spread betting, parlay betting and moneyline wins. With a single bet, you bet on one outcome of an event or a series of events; with accumulators, you combine several events into one bet; with match spread betting, you choose a team to win/lose by a certain amount; and with parlay betting, you combine more than two events into one bet. Moneyline wins are wagers placed on the winner of a specific game or match.
What does +7 mean in online betting?
A +7 in sports betting is a spread bet. This means that you are looking at the odds for the underdog in the event you are betting on. For this bet to win, the underdog must win the entire game outright. Or, they can’t lose by more than seven points. The bet will still pay out if they are closer than 7 points to the winner. Conversely, for a bet on the favourite to payout, the favourites must win by more than 7.