2024 Royal Panda casino review for NZ players

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Checked byJovana Gjorgievska
85/100 Expert Rating by Elena I.
Up to NZ$1,000 + 300 free spins

Since its inception in 2018, the Royal Panda casino has grown in popularity. In this Royal Panda review, we present a fair assessment of their game offering and other crucial features such as security measures, payment getaways, support options, and more.

The operator’s dedication to providing an unrivalled experience is evident in their user-friendly website, hundreds of thrilling games, and exclusive content.

Pros and cons

  • Vast selection of games
  • Top software providers
  • Easy to use site
  • Not enough poker games
  • No apps
  • No helpline

General ratings

85 / 100 Expert Rating by Elena I
90Bonus rating
84Games rating
90Software rating
85Payments rating
89Safety rating
70Mobile rating
80Support rating
90Usability rating
How we rate?
81% Playscore based on 8 critics
93
newzealandcasinos.nz logo
92
90
bestnewzealandcasinos.net logo
83
casino guru logo
80
nzcasino.co.nz logo
76
bestnewzealandcasinos.com logo
70
64
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What is our Playscore?

General info

Launch date 2018
Company behind LeoVegas AB

Editor's note

This review is based on the operator’s current offer in New Zealand. Data and analysis below are accurate at the time of publishing, but may be subject to change as the operator’s offer expands.

Bonuses at Royal Panda casino NZ

Royal Panda has a wide selection of promotions and first-deposit offers. Players can enjoy a bankroll boost of up to $1,000 and 300 free spins as a welcome bonus after they create a Royal Panda casino account. 

Here’s how it works:

  • Depositing between NZ$10 and NZ$49.99 will award a 100% deposit match of up to $50 plus 100 $0.10 free spins.
  • Depositing between NZ$50 and NZ$99.99 will award a 100% deposit match of up to $100 plus 200 $0.10 free spins.
  • Depositing NZ$100 or more will award a 100% deposit match of up to $1,000 plus 300 NZ$0.10 free spins.

All free spins are awarded on the brand-new MGM Emerald Nights slot, aspread over five days after the wagering requirements have been met.

Royal Panda also offers a range of other recurring bonuses. ‘Daily Double Rewards’ lets you get free spins on the Book of Dead pokie, for example. This Royal Panda casino bonus has a low wagering requirement and minimum deposit limit to help players get the most from this game. 

Bonus facts

CategoryDetails
Welcome bonusUp to NZ$1,000 and 300 free spins
Wagering requirement20x
Bonus codeNo
Deposit bonusNo
Free spinsNo
Other bonusesDrops and Wins, Royal Jackpot, Daily Double Rewards, Bamboo Bonus, Game of the week, Lunch Spins
VIP offersRoyal Panda Loyalty Club

Royal Panda has Pragmatic Play’s Drops and Wins for players who enjoy the thrill of a tournament. There are weekly tournaments and daily drops. For those who enjoy Royal Panda free spins, the Game of the Week promotion allows you to win spins just by participating in a weekly social media promotion. 

This online casino also has a loyal Panda program. The Royal Panda Loyalty Club is exclusive to the casino’s most loyal and trusted players. The club offers fantastic benefits like priority withdrawals, early access to new games, a range of Royal Panda casino bonus offers and premium access to casino events.

Last but not least, Royal Panda casino has a lunchtime bonanza of free spins in the form of the Lunch Spins promo. Players can win up to 150 free spins every weekday on eligible games. 

Bonus rating

90/100 Great range of bonuses and promotions
  • Wide selection of promos
  • Free spins and cash prizes
  • Exclusive VIP program
  • Few high wagering requirements

I was impressed with the wide selection of bonuses at Royal Panda casino. Although there’s no Royal Panda app, the website is fully mobile-optimised so that players can take advantage of these promos for prizes like free spins and bonus money on any device. 

Royal Panda’s welcome bonus compares well to other online casinos. For instance, Spin Casino offers a 100% match deposit welcome bonus of up to NZ$1,000 along with 300 free spins on a popular new slot. So, Royal Panda’s bonus holds its own here. 

I also liked the way the casino tries to engage players across different platforms. Its Game of the Week promo encourages players to use their social media platforms. There are also several sports betting bonuses to be had. 

One thing that does seem a little lacking on the Royal Panda site is the number of free spins. It could offer more free spins as part of its promos. LeoVegas casino offers a welcome bonus of $2,000 in cash and 150 free spins. So, Royal Panda could up its game on this front. 

However, this casino compares well to its competitors and knows players enjoy promos and tournaments. The Royal Panda Loyalty Club has many rewards for loyal players. Also, the casino continually updates its promos, so it’s worth players checking in regularly to see what’s available.

Royal Panda casino games: 2,000+ titles 

Our team has spent much time looking at online casinos in New Zealand. It is safe to say that Royal Panda casino stands up well when compared to its competitors. 

The casino has an extensive range of classic and video poker, table, and live casino games. However, Royal Panda NZ’s selection of jackpot games makes it stand out. 

There is an excellent selection of progressive jackpot slots, including games offering some of the biggest jackpots, such as Mega Moolah and Divine Fortune. Additionally, there is a huge selection of fixed jackpot pokies.

Royal Panda New Zealand also offers a small selection of virtual blackjack and roulette table games. However, no video poker games like Deuces Wild or Joker Poker exist.

Game facts

CategoryDetails
Expert’s pickPilgrim of Death
Slots 1,000+
Popular slotStarburst
Jackpots 27
Top jackpotMega Moolah
Table games 22
Popular table gameGolden Wealth Baccarat
Live games 240+
Most streamedRoyal Roulette
Average RTP94.99%
Demo-play availabilityRegistered users only

Royal Panda casino offers a large selection of live games including numerous blackjack tables and live dealer roulette games. It is also worth bearing in mind that the site has a sports betting section, which is worth a look.

Game types available

  • Slots
    Slots
  • Jackpots
  • Blackjack
    Blackjack
  • Roulette
    Roulette
  • Baccarat
    Baccarat
  • Video poker
    Video poker
  • Live blackjack
    Live blackjack
  • Live roulette
    Live roulette
  • Live baccarat
    Live baccarat

Games rating

84/100 Excellent range of casino games
  • 2,000+ games 
  • Great selection of pokies
  • Exclusive live dealer lobby
  • Limited table games choice

The collection of Royal Panda casino games impressed me with the number and variety of games on offer. The casino understands its audience and has gone to great lengths to supply an excellent choice of pokies and live games. 

When I compared Royal Panda to one of its closest rivals, Wildz casino, I felt that Royal Panda had the edge. This is because it has more exclusive live games. It also has Pragmatic Play’s Drops and Wins, which gives players the added excitement of entering tournaments. 

When I looked at Spinz casino during my Royal Panda review, I did find one area where Royal Panda could improve its offering. Spinz has a live stream channel where streamers broadcast shows, and players can win surprise prizes. This could be a fascinating addition to the Royal Panda casino and take them in a different direction. 

However, Royal Panda has done a fantastic job with its choice of games. It constantly adds games and doesn’t just stick to the classics. With over 1,200 games to choose from, it’s hard for a player to get bored on this site. 

I also appreciate the effort that has gone into acquiring exclusives. There is a good range of exclusive table games. This gives the casino an advantage over its competitors.

Software providers

Royal Panda has an extensive list of software providers as you would expect from an online casino with 1,200+ games. The casino works with some of the best names in the world of online casino gaming. 

It has selected a wide range of providers, including some of the top developers in the industry, such as Microgaming, NetEnt and Play’n GO, all of which have produced hugely popular games. 

Players will also find games from smaller studios, including Relax, Just for the Win, Red Tiger Gaming and ELK Studios. Royal Panda NZ works with upwards of 30 gaming companies to bring players a broad range of games. 

Royal Panda NZ mainly uses Evolution Gaming and Pragmatic Play Live for its live dealer games and offers a few titles from OnAir Entertainment, Authentic Gaming, and Stakelogic Live.

Software facts

CategoryDetails
Most popular slot softwarePragmatic Play
Number of software providers33+
Live providers7
Most popular live softwareEvolution
Bespoke softwareYes
Download required?No

Because Royal Panda NZ has so many game providers, players will always find new titles with their favourite casino games. However, one area that is lacking is soft games such as scratch cards.

Available software

  • isoftbet logo
    iSoftBet
  • push gaming logo
    Push Gaming
  • playson logo
    Playson
  • thunderkick logo
    Thunderkick
  • iron dog logo
    Iron Dog
  • alchemy gaming logo
    Alchemy Gaming
  • synot logo
    Synot
  • elk studios logo
    Elk
  • wms logo
    WMS
  • relax gaming logo
    Relax Gaming
  • hacksaw gaming logo
    Hacksaw Gaming
  • lightning box logo
    Lightning Box Games
  • stakelogic logo
    Stakelogic
  • Fantasma logo
    Fantasma
  • quickspin logo
    Quickspin
  • 1x2gaming logo
    1X2Gaming

Software rating

90/100 Large array of software providers
  • Top quality developers
  • Collection of smaller studios
  • Various providers
  • Some developers with few titles

When conducting this Royal Panda casino review, I looked carefully at the providers used on the Royal Panda NZ site. It was clear that Royal Panda focuses on providing top-quality games to its players. 

Royal Panda casino has chosen to work with some of the most trusted game providers. The casino has more than 30 top names on its site, which compares well to some of its competitors, such as Slots Palace, which also uses over 30 providers. 

However, this can’t compete with PlayZilla online casino, which offers players an even greater variety from the 110+ providers on its site. The number of providers matters because players get a greater variety of games. It also allows players to see online pokies from new providers and more established ones. 

Royal Panda NZ has done well to have so many game providers on its site. As I found out, many of its competitors also have a lot of providers. Therefore, Royal Panda NZ needs to be able to offer as many online casino games as its competitors and to keep up with new games. 

I was generally impressed with the providers on the Royal Panda online casino site. I felt the casino had chosen its providers well and that players could have a good gaming experience on this site. The collection of Royal Panda slots offers a wide variety of themes and includes classic pokies and new games.

Payment methods

One of the essential factors that makes a casino successful is the ability to make fast deposits and withdrawals. That’s why we always look closely at the payment methods available at online casinos. 

Kiwi players are very fortunate because they have many safe payment methods available in New Zealand. Royal Panda NZ allows players to use eight safe and trusted methods. 

The casino allows its players to use traditional payment methods, like credit and debit cards, and newer methods, such as e-wallets.

Payment facts

CategoryDetails
Number of payment methods8
Top paymentNeteller
Minimum depositNZ$10
Maximum depositN/A
Minimum withdrawalNZ$10
Maximum withdrawalN/A
Average deposit timeInstant
Average withdrawal time72 hours +
Deposit feesNo fees
Withdrawal feesNo fees

Players can make deposits and receive those funds into their casino accounts almost instantly. This is ideal if the player is eager to play a new game.

Withdrawals will take longer as there is a pending period in place first, during with Royal Panda verifies the request.

Deposit methods

Withdrawal methods

Payments rating

85/100 Solid payment methods selection
  • Decent selection of payments
  • Accepts New Zealand dollars
  • Fee-free transactions
  • Slower withdrawals

Royal Panda casino has consistently impressed me. It offers all major traditional banking methods, such as Visa and Mastercard. However, it also accepts online e-wallets such as Neteller and Skrill. 

This is great for players, as it means they can choose the method that suits them best and view their cash balance. Many players like the speed and anonymity afforded by e-wallets. Royal Panda accepts a good selection but could include more, like MuchBetter, which JackpotCity casino accepts. 

In late 2023, Royal Panda added Apple Pay to the payments arsenal, which is a leap in the right direction. I’d love to see Google Pay and PayPal in the near future, which would put Royal Panda on very competitive ground with the best casinos for payment variety.

Nevertheless, it’s good to see that Royal Panda NZ doesn’t charge any fees for deposits or withdrawals.

Overall, Royal Panda NZ has a good selection of payment methods. That and the lack of fees meant I gave this site a good score overall.

Safety features 

Another vital aspect of any casino site is its safety features. These features include how players’ data is handled, how data is sent and received, whether the games are tested for fairness, and whether the casino is properly licenced. 

During our Royal Panda casino review, we went to great lengths to investigate these features. We also looked at Royal Panda NZ compared to its competitors to see if it is at the same level. 

Royal Panda NZ is licenced by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). This authority is internationally respected, and this is considered to be a very trustworthy licence. This means that the casino and its games must be regularly audited, and the operator must continually prove that it can meet the licence requirements. 

The casino uses the latest SSL encryption to keep players’ data safe. It also ensures that all of the technologies it uses are up to date to find and resolve any security gaps.

Safety facts

CategoryDetails
Auditing sealseCOGRA
Responsible gaming sealsLeoSafeplay, Gambling Therapy
SSL encryption256-bit
Two-factor authenticationAvailable
Ever blacklisted?No
LicencesMGA
Company behindLeoVegas AB
Deposit, wager, time, and loss limitsAll Available
Self-exclusionAvailable
Cooling-off periodAvailable

Royal Panda NZ uses the LeoSafePlay website to assist players if they feel they need help with responsible gambling. The website has a self-assessment guide and tools to help players limit their gambling. This applies to both the casino section and the sports betting section.

Licensed by

  • mga logo
    MGA

Trusted by

  • leosafeplay logo
    LeoSafeplay
  • gamblers anonymous logo
    Gamblers Anonymous
  • gambling therapy logo
    Gambling Therapy
  • gamtalk logo
    GamTalk
  • Gambling Help Online

Safety rating

89/100 Up to date security technology
  • Uses SSL-encryption
  • Has an MGA licence
  • Is regularly audited
  • No advanced security features

I was pleased to see that Royal Panda NZ has done a good job of securing its site. It uses the latest SSL encryption technology to send and receive data. The casino is also fully licenced, which reassured me that the casino is operating legally. 

Royal Panda NZ holds a licence from the MGA and uses eCOGRA as its auditor was also a plus in my book. Furthermore, while sites like ExciteWin also use eCOGRA, their 128-bit SSL encryption falls short of Royal Panda’s 256-bit. 

Another favourable aspect of this casino is that it uses well-respected software providers who get their games independently tested by bodies such as eCOGRA. I found it good that Royal Panda NZ uses many of the same providers as respected sites like Slots Palace. 

One area where Royal Panda casino could improve is responsible gaming. The link to this section is in the footer, so it’s not easy to find. By making the link more prominent, Royal Panda NZ could help players to get help faster. 

However, overall this is a well-protected and technically sound site. Responsible gaming tools are available for players, and security is taken very seriously. The Royal Panda sports platform also seems to work well.

Mobile features 

Interestingly, Royal Panda has not chosen to create a Royal Panda app. Instead, it has opted for a browser-based site that works on a desktop computer and any mobile device. This means there is no additional software to download, and the site runs in an internet browser. 

Many of Royal Panda NZ’s games are already compatible with mobile devices, so it does not need an app to work. Therefore, it is not essential to provide apps for mobiles. 

The Royal Panda casino site is designed to resize seamlessly across devices. So players should be able to move from their desktops to their mobiles without experiencing any significant issues. 

Having a mobile-enabled site and no apps is a brave move, but Royal Panda NZ has created a site that moves across devices well. The colour palette is simple and works well across different-sized screens. It also keeps the structure of the site consistent across devices.

Royal Panda NZ has a mobile-first approach to its site. This means that any additional feature needs to be fully optimised for mobile. By using this approach, the casino can ensure that it has a mobile-friendly site.

Play on devices

  • android logo
    Android
  • ios logo
    iOS
  • windows logo
    Windows
  • macos logo
    MacOS
  • linux logo
    Linux

Mobile rating

70/100 No mobile app, but has mobile-optimised site
  • Cross-device optimised
  • No need for downloads
  • Simple colour palette
  • No mobile app

I was pleased that the Royal Panda website was optimised to run on mobile. Often, casinos choose to produce apps for iPhone and Android. However, that has pros and cons, so I don’t necessarily think it’s a bad thing that Royal Panda casino has chosen to stick to the website. 

I looked at several other New Zealand sites, including Wheelz and found that many do not have apps. Most modern games are now designed to work across devices anyway, so there is probably very little need for dedicated apps. 

I also found that other casinos, such as Neon54, don’t offer dedicated apps. Therefore, Royal Panda NZ seems to be in line with its competitors. Sites tend to have simple, mobile-first designs that enable players to move seamlessly from screen to screen. 

The Royal Panda mobile casino is well-designed to fit any screen. I liked that the navigation remains at the top left of the screen. It can be confusing when the navigation changes position. 

The site uses a simple structure, which makes it easier to keep it consistent across devices. Royal Panda’s colour palette also helps to make the site easy to use, even if the screen size changes. Overall I thought the Royal Panda casino site has some great mobile features that make it simple for players to change devices and continue playing.

Customer support

Being able to contact the casino is crucial. Players might need help if a game freezes or want information on deposit limits. Therefore, any reputable casino should offer several ways to get in touch. Royal Panda NZ has a comprehensive Help Centre and a live chat option. 

The Help Centre at Royal Panda is divided into several sections, and there is also a search bar. The centre covers accounts, deposits, withdrawals, responsible gaming, live casino, casino, verification, source of funds, and more. 

This is very useful for players who have general questions. It means they don’t have to message the customer support team and wait for a reply. Also, it allows the player to refer back to answers later. 

For more complex questions, Royal Panda casino has a live chat. It is available from 2 am, so practically 24 hours. You can find the live chat icon on the bottom right of every page.

Support facts

CategoryDetails
Customer support availability8am – 2am
Live chatYes
Email[email protected]
Contact numberN/A
On-page supportHelp section

Royal Panda NZ also has a number of social media channels, which players can use to contact them. These channels may not respond immediately, but the casino does try to respond to all messages. 

Support rating

80/100 Good support options
  • Sticky live chat icon
  • Comprehensive Help Centre
  • Social media support
  • No email support
  • No telephone support
  • No 24/7 live chat

This aspect of the site is a little bit of a letdown. Although there is a Help Centre and live chat, I would also have liked to see an email address at the very least, and a helpline would have been a plus. 

Additionally, I was very disappointed that the live chat is unavailable 24/7. However, at least Royal Panda beats Wallacebet here as its live chat hours are limited to 9 am to 1 am CET. Points lost here I’m afraid. 

Sometimes, players have a more complex query, but it’s not urgent. In those circumstances, it is useful to have an email address. Most of the big-name sites like bet365 have an email address as well as 24/7 live chat. So I did feel that Royal Panda could improve its service by adding an email address to its support section. 

Having said that, the Help Centre is very good. The sections cover most of the key questions that players are likely to have. I also think it’s important that the Responsible Gaming section is easy to find, which it is here, as this can help players with gambling addiction issues. 

Finally, the live chat when I contacted them was actually very good. The agent was helpful and polite. There was very little waiting time and I felt that the agent understood my question quickly. Overall, it’s not a bad offering from Royal Panda casino, but it could be a little better.

Usability

When we think about the usability of a site, we’re really thinking about the look of the site and how information is organised. Royal Panda casino has opted for a fully mobile-optimised website that resizes across devices. 

The site uses black, red, grey, and white as its colour palette. Black is used as the main background colour and white is for areas with text. This works well, as it allows important features to stand out. 

Royal Panda's promotions page live casino lobby on two mobile phones

The navigation remains at the top of the screen across devices. There is a hamburger menu on the top left. Search, sign up and log in are on the top right. Again this remains the same across different screen sizes. 

Royal Panda NZ uses the full width of the browser window, thus using all the space available. The layout doesn’t feel cramped, as there is plenty of room for all of the content.

Usability facts

CategoryDetails
Mobile appNo
Mobile games availabilityFull suite
Ease of navigationVery easy
Game filtersYes
Search functionYes
Loading speed0.8 sec
UX and UI ratingExcellent
Other productsPoker

The footer is large and contains some of the most useful links on the site. It has the MGA licence information, the Responsible Gaming button, and other important information. The live chat icon is found on the bottom right of every page.

Usability rating

90/100 Visually pleasing and easy to use site
  • Good colour palette
  • Easy to navigate
  • Great user interface
  • Too small game icons

Many online casinos tend to use very bright colour palettes, so I found it very refreshing that Royal Panda NZ chose to use black and white. These simple colours allow the game icons to stand out. Royal Panda casino can guide players without the colours being overbearing by using red as the highlight colour. 

In fact, the dark colours at Royal Panda NZ put me in mind of Stake online casino, which also has a good colour scheme in place. Stake uses a dark blue design with white text, making it easy on the eyes. Occasionally, I felt there was just too much white at Royal Panda, but that’s my preference. 

VoodooDreams, on the other hand, has gone a little too far in the dark direction, in my opinion. So much so that I found it quite hard to read some of the text, so points to Royal Panda for clear visibility. 

In some ways, Royal Panda NZ has made its site’s design and usability issues more complex, as it needs to adapt to all screen sizes. Sites with separate apps don’t need much time considering how the site will change. However, by keeping the design simple, it has been able to overcome a lot of complications. 

Using the site was straightforward and enjoyable for me. I liked the colour scheme and layout. It is easy to find what you’re looking for, and switching devices doesn’t cause any issues, so I pushed my score just into the excellent range.

Expert verdict 

Over the years, our team has reviewed many online casino sites in New Zealand. We have looked at a wide range of sites, some with many games and some with fewer, more select games. Royal Panda casino is a site that we have enjoyed reviewing. 

It has an extensive choice of online pokies from all major providers. Royal Panda NZ works with trusted providers who have created some of the best games. The casino puts a lot of effort into keeping its games up-to-date and continually adds new games. There is also a sports betting site, which we will cover in a separate review. 

Overall, this is an excellent all-around online casino. It has over 2,000 games, which is impressive by anyone’s standards. The site itself is easy to use and lacks many jarring colours. The casino ranks well compared to other online casinos in New Zealand, so we recommend you check it out.

FAQs

Is Royal Panda casino legit?

Yes, the Royal Panda casino site is fully licenced and operates legally. It is licenced by the MGA. This authority is responsible for ensuring the site is regularly audited and that it maintains the highest standards. Royal Panda NZ also works with recognised and trusted games providers, who have their games tested for fairness. Independent third-party bodies like eCOGRA are responsible for testing the games.

Who owns Royal Panda?

Royal Panda casino is owned by LeoVegas AB (publ). LeoVegas bought the casino on 24th October 2017. In 2021, Royal Panda migrated to the LeoVegas platform and now runs on it alongside other LeoVegas brands. Rhino’s technical platform now handles more than 10 brands and holds licences in eight jurisdictions. Royal Panda has offices in Malta and is licenced by the Malta Gaming Authority.

How long does withdrawal take from Royal Panda casino?

The length of time it takes to make a withdrawal depends on the payment method you use. Royal Panda casino accepts many payment methods in New Zealand, including Visa, Mastercard, Neteller, Skrill, NeoSurf, Apple Pay, and paysafecard. The casino has a processing period of around 24 hours to check the validity of the withdrawal request. After this, e-wallet withdrawals are usually processed within a day, but card withdrawals can take 3-5 days, and bank transfers up to 10 days. 

Is there a Royal Panda casino app available?

Royal Panda casino has chosen a website that is optimised for all devices. Therefore, players don’t need to download a separate app. They can access the site from their browser on any device. The advantage of this is that players don’t need to use up space on their mobile devices to store a separate app, and the look and feel of the site are the same across devices.

Does Royal Panda casino accept NZD currency?

Yes, it most certainly does. Royal Panda has gone to great lengths to cater to the payment requirements of players. Therefore, it accepts all major payment methods, which accept New Zealand Dollars. Royal Panda NZ has teamed up with some internationally recognised payment providers to ensure that Kiwi players have an excellent choice of safe and secure payment methods.

Royal Panda casino review

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