Unbiased SkyCity casino review for 2024
Best casino in your area
Thanks to blue-sky thinking, the SkyCity online casino is here to wow New Zealanders with exceptional games, bonuses, and loyalty perks. Discover our expert’s insights into this reputable casino’s pokies collection, live games, software, payments, safety, and rewarding promos.
Pros and cons
- Excellent customer support
- Free spins offers
- Reasonable wagering requirements
- Very small game library
- Missing popular payment methods
- No native app
General ratings
General info
| Launch date | 2019 |
| Company behind | SkyCity Entertainment Group |
Best alternatives to SkyCity casino
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.
SkyCity online casino: no deposit bonus, welcome offer, loyalty
While SkyCity casino doesn’t offer a No Deposit bonus, it does offer 2 welcome bonuses. For the first casino bonus, players need to make a minimum deposit of NZ$10. The casino offers 100% match bonus up to NZ$100 with 7 free spins a day for 10 days. However, you can only make a SkyCity online casino withdrawal once you have met wagering requirements of 35x.
Additionally, if you prefer playing live casino games, SkyCity casino offers a live Casino bonus with a match deposit of 100% up to NZ$150. You will also receive 150 club points for the online club rewards. However, there is a min. deposit of NZ$50 and wagering requirements of 20x.
At the time of writing, there are no free spins bonuses available at SkyCity. If you’re looking to snag some free spins, we recommend checking our reviewed free spins casinos.
With the number of SkyCity online pokies on offer, there’s an opportunity to win real money with free spins. The bonus schemes include a reload bonus of 100% up to NZ$100 with a 35x wagering requirement over 30 days.
Apart from that, you can also get rewards for the Online Club. All you have to do is play any of the casino’s games, and you will receive club points. The Online Club has 5 tiers and each time you move up a tier, you will receive more impressive rewards.
Bonus facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Welcome bonus | 100% up to NZ$100 + 70 free spins |
| Wagering requirement | 35x |
| Bonus code | No |
| Deposit bonus | No |
| Free spins | Yes |
| Other bonuses | Live Casino bonus of 100% up to NZ$150 |
| VIP offers | Online Club loyalty programme |
One of the most impressive features covered in this SkyCity casino review is the casino’s online club. It’s simple, each time you play, you fill up your progress bar and unlock a random reward. This offers you exclusive promotions such as free spins, early access to sweepstakes and new game releases. Each tier provides you with more exciting promotions.
Bonus rating
- 70 deposit-free spins
- Great Live casino bonus
- Drops and Wins promo
- No-deposit bonus only via loyalty rewards
The SkyCity online casino is a reputable online gambling site and holds a licence by the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), one of the most reliable gambling regulators in the world. Sky City casino bonus codes are provided to reward NZ players and the min. deposit is just NZ$10.
SkyCity Casino NZ is dedicated to offering the best experience to NZ players. You can start gambling on the site for as little as NZ$10 and enjoy the numerous promotions and Online Club. Once you sign in, SkyCity Casino will give you an enticing welcome bonus which includes free spins.
It’s essential to read the terms and conditions of any bonus before depositing money. With so many different deposit bonus and welcome bonus offers at SkyCity, it would be easy to become confused. Therefore, I recommend you check the specific wagering requirements of any offer before you play.
Online casinos wagering requirements generally average between 30x and 50x. A high wagering requirement effectively negates the real value of any bonus. As we have seen, SkyCity’s wagering requirements vary from zero to 35x so this site’s bonuses are competitive. However, bet365 casino offers wagering requirements of as low as 20x.
Other casinos, like LeoVegas casino, offer wager-free spins and 20x playthrough on bonus funds, which is a deal that’s hard to beat. SkyCity online casino constantly runs promotions, but each will have different conditions attached. You will be notified of the terms by a pop-up notice on the site or even by email. In order for the bonus money to be credited to your account, you must confirm you agree with the terms.
With the experience as a land based casino translated into this online casino, it’s not surprising that the bonus schemes are imaginative and inventive. It should be easy to find an option that suits your playing patterns with such a varied portfolio to choose from.
Online casino games at SkyCity casino NZ
SkyCity casino boasts a large portfolio of casino games from more than 20 suppliers. The games are reviewed, and the selection is updated weekly from a library of over 300 games. This is intended to keep the site fresh and interesting.
The selection includes some of the best progressive jackpots games. You can embark on a journey with Sherlock and the Stolen Stone or choose the luxuriously styled Mega Fortune. Mega Moolah slot machine is also available to players on the site.
Enjoy hundreds of pokies with the most impressive slots to choose from. You can choose from old-school slots with three reels or the more advanced pokies, like video pokies. If you are a seasoned player, indulge in table games like roulette, craps, and blackjack.
With over 300 games, SkyCity online casino provides its players many gaming options but a bit short of the best casinos in NZ. Also, it ensures that you, as a player, can access these SkyCity games whether you are playing on a computer or your mobile phone.
Game facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Expert’s pick | Wheel of Fortune |
| Slots | 276 |
| Popular slot | Immortal Romance |
| Jackpots | 50 |
| Top jackpot | Fortuno |
| Table games | 26 |
| Popular table game | London Roulette |
| Live games | 24 |
| Most streamed | Live Blackjack |
| Average RTP | N/A |
| Demo-play availability | No |
More so, you can choose from a huge selection of gambling and card games, such as casino Hold’em, Baccarat, Baccarat Squeeze, Three Card Poker, Speed Baccarat, and Speed Roulette. Get more info about these games on the SkyCity online casino review, on this site.
Game types available
-
Slots
-
Jackpots
-
Blackjack
-
Roulette
-
Baccarat
-
Video poker
-
Live blackjack
-
Live roulette
-
Live baccarat
-
Craps
-
Sic bo
-
Scratch cards
Games rating
- Plenty of progressive jackpots
- Classic RNG and live tables
- Wide selection of games
- No keno or bingo
- Too few poker games
SkyCity casino online has chosen to partner with multiple top-notch providers in an effort to keep the players’ interests. The fact that they add and change the games on a weekly basis may be a bonus for you. However, for some, it’s an added confusion.
For me, personally, it’s the latter. My preference will always be quality above quantity. I like to narrow down my selection to play a few top-quality games rather than choose from hundreds. That said, each to his own and for some, this changing landscape is a positive benefit.
I love to play progressive jackpots, and I really enjoyed trying my hand at Book of Atem at SkyCity Casino. With huge jackpot prizes and timely payouts to players, I dream big. Where promotions offer free spins, I am often first in the queue. Mr Green casino, however, offers a much better selection of over 170 jackpots.
SkyCity’s live casino offering is first class, with all live dealer games supplied by Evolution Gaming. The live experience is really immersive, and I have thoroughly enjoyed Lightning Roulette, Baccarat Squeeze, French Roulette, Dream Catcher and Casino Hold ’em. But with only 24 games on offer, SkyCity pales in comparison with Woo casino, sporting 450 titles.
I also really enjoyed the casino’s blog. There is a wealth of articles about various games, many filled with useful tips. For those unfamiliar with a particular game, it’s a handy resource to learn the rules and some ideas for how to beat the house.
Overall, the SkyCity online casino has an impressive stable of game offerings from a world-class selection of game providers. If you are someone who likes to try your luck at lots of new games, I don’t think you’ll be disappointed to play here.
SkyCity casino software
With more than two dozen top-notch games providers on the site, SkyCity Casino stands out from the other New Zealand casinos. Available gaming software includes NYX Gaming, Pragmatic Play, Spinomenal, GameArt, Endorphina, SoftSwiss, Ezugi, EGT, ELK Studios and a lot more.
Most of the big-name suppliers have developed a live casino offering. Evolution Gaming provides the live casino games at Sky Casino, although others are undoubtedly trying to get a foothold in this lucrative area.
The casino site is easy to navigate. Whether a newbie or an experienced gamer, you won’t find it challenging to use the site. There is also enough info on the site to guide the new customers.
With a licence from the MGA, your privacy is taken very seriously at SkyCity casino. In fact, you can rest easy knowing the casino will only use the requested data for compliance purposes. All documents are treated confidentially and they are stored according to the requirements of the General Data Protection Regulation.
Software facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Most popular slot software | Microgaming |
| Number of software providers | 25 |
| Live providers | 2 |
| Most popular live software | Playtech |
| Bespoke software | Yes |
| Download required? | No |
Multiple software providers on the site are award-winning game developers with global experience. Each software provider brings its own unique offering to the site giving players access to a plethora of top notch games.
Most of the software providers at the SkyCity casino are world-renowned, innovative and expert in the online casino markets. That means you will find an extensive range of game options. Furthermore, these games are reviewed and changed or updated weekly.
Available software
-
NetEnt
-
Microgaming
-
Playtech
-
Play'n GO
-
Pragmatic Play
-
Evolution
-
Red Tiger Gaming
-
Big Time Gaming
-
Push Gaming
-
Yggdrasil
-
NYX
-
IGT
-
Elk
-
Quickspin
Software rating
- Top-rated software providers
- High-quality sound and graphics
- Variety of providers
- No exclusive software
I have no hesitation in recommending SkyCity online casino as a safe, legit and exciting casino to play at. First of all, the landing screen is clear and clean, so it is easy to see which options are available for navigation.
Every game’s supplier partner has been carefully selected, and the resulting superior quality of the casino is undeniable. I love the games and the graphics, and for me, the quality of games available far exceeds many other casinos I have played in.
It would be good to see providers other than Evolution Gaming included in the live dealer casino games, but I am sure that will happen in time. Instead of rushing things and encountering technical difficulties, SkyCity takes a measured approach to implementing new innovations.
I like to see everything laid out in a neat and orderly fashion and SkyCity casino satisfies me here. In fact, all the games are neatly presented, and there is a search bar to find your favourite games or providers. It couldn’t be easier and reminds me of operators like Casumo casino and King Billy.
Games are updated on a regular basis meaning that I get to try my hand at a new game as soon as it is released. So whether you are looking for Classic Slots, Table Games, Scratch Cards or Slingo, you’ll always find something to suit your needs.
Payments
If you are looking for one of the best casinos with many payment options, SkyCity Casino could be your ideal choice. You can make a deposit using several payment methods, including INPAY, Mastercard, Neteller, VISA, Paysafecard, and Skrill.
Deposits via these payment methods will be processed almost instantly and be credited to your account. That means you should be ready to start your gaming experience within seconds. However, check the min deposit before signing up.
Withdrawals can be processed with the same method used to make the deposit. However, in some cases, such as for BNZ cards or all Mastercards, you must withdraw via bank transfer. Sky Casino endeavours to approve withdrawals within five days from the initial request as long as you have met all wagering requirements.
Like other online casinos, additional checks are occasionally required by law to prevent money laundering. In the event of these checks being deemed necessary, you should expect a delay of up to 24 hours.
Payment facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Number of payment methods | 7 |
| Top payment | Neteller |
| Minimum deposit | 10 |
| Maximum deposit | N/A |
| Minimum withdrawal | 20 |
| Maximum withdrawal | N/A |
| Average deposit time | Instant |
| Average withdrawal time | 72 hours + |
| Deposit fees | No fees |
| Withdrawal fees | No fees |
At SkyCity Casino Online, you’ll find popular payment methods to make the transaction process hassle-free. Simply select your preferred payment method upon your first deposit and withdrawal. Bank transfers are accepted in cases such as for BNZ cards or all Mastercards,
Sky Casino may take up to five days to approve a withdrawal. Once approved you can expect funds to reach Visa and Mastercard in between one and three banking days. Skrill, Paysafecard and Neteller transactions should arrive within 24 hours.
Deposit methods
Withdrawal methods
Payments rating
- Instant deposits available
- Transparent payment policy
- Fee-free payments available
- PayPal, Poli, and crypto not accepted
The SkyCity casino website’s front page also shows ‘Inpay’ as a payment option. This is a Danish-based service offering cross-border financial transaction processing. The terms and conditions refer to withdrawals through bank transfer.
In general, I was quite satisfied with the payment options. Although I would have liked to see more options, I think that, overall, some of the most popular options were available. I contacted an agent on the live chat, and she confirmed that even bank transfers are available for withdrawals at SkyCity casino.
However, I was surprised to see Paypal missing from the payment methods on offer at SkyCity casino online. I hope that the range of deposit and withdrawal methods will broaden, but for now, you will have to operate within a limited range. For comparison, Zodiac casino offers 11 options, and Casino Tropez 11.
At the risk of sounding like a nag, I want to repeat that you should always read the terms and conditions before you commit funds to a casino site. It’s only by doing so that you can understand the nuances of financial transactions.
The relatively few payment options on the site may make it a challenge for some to top up their accounts. However, for me the major concern is the endeavour to approve withdrawals within five days’ followed by up to three banking days for money to reach Visa or Mastercard. This could mean a wait of almost two weeks for withdrawals.
Safety
At time2play we always check a site for data integrity and system security, first. We look for a licence from a recognized and reputable government body too. SkyCity Casino holds a Malta Gaming Authority licence.
That means the site has been scrutinized to check the validity of the technology. SkyCity Casino uses Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption technologies. This ensures personal data and financial information of casino members remains secure at all times.
All the games use certified random number generators (RNG) to ensure completely random and unbiased results. They do not have an affiliation to eCOGRA but that doesn’t mean there is anything to be concerned about.
Safety facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Auditing seals | N/A |
| Responsible gaming seals | Te Piringa Tupono – Raukura Hauora o Tainui |
| SSL encryption | 256-bit |
| Two-factor authentication | Available |
| Ever blacklisted? | no |
| Licences | MGA |
| Company behind | SkyCity Entertainment Group |
| Deposit, wager, time, and loss limits | All available |
| Self-exclusion | Available |
| Cooling-off period | Available |
The casino only accepts players aged 20 and above. Additionally, it has robust responsible gaming tools and is affiliated to The Salvation Army Oasis scheme. Tools include self-exclusion by blocking or suspending your SkyCity Casino account.
Licensed by
-
MGA
Trusted by
-
OASIS Salvation Army
-
Asian Family Services
-
Te Piringa Tupono – Raukura Hauora o Tainui
Safety rating
- All the important safety features in place
- SSL certificate
- Trustworthy casino
- No unique safety measures
Self-exclusion is one of many options at SkyCity online casino that adhere to all regulations. I received a pop-up when playing on the site with information on my wagers, playtime, and winnings and losses.
SkyCity online casino licence is in the name of Silvereye Entertainment Limited. This may be a confusion since SkyCity Entertainment Group owns SkyCity online casino. Don’t let that put you off. It is a legitimate business and properly licensed.
The security measures are on par with other casinos accessible by New Zealanders, like Royal Vegas and JackpotCity casino.
So, you can start your gambling journey at SkyCity online casino knowing that your data is safe, the SkyCity casino games are fair, and the site is legit. For most of us, gambling is a pleasurable pastime, but if you do experience difficulties, there is help available.
Mobile experience at SkyCity
SkyCity Entertainment Group has not invested in developing a native app. However, the SkyCity casino website is one of the many mobile casino sites optimised for mobile play. This means the site will recognize when you are playing on a small screen device such as a smartphone or tablet.
The site will be presented in a format that makes it easy to see and use on a smaller screen. You will find all the same features, promotions and resources as on the desktop version.
Deposits and withdrawals are available on the mobile site which has an intuitive user interface. That’s really important because some online casinos don’t allow banking transactions on the mobile site and that can be a frustration for people on the move.
Furthermore, all game titles available on the desktop site are available on the mobile optimized site. That includes live dealer games. That means you can enjoy gaming from anywhere where you have a secure internet signal.
Because SkyCity mobile casino offering is an optimized version of the desktop site, you won’t have to download any specific software to your phone or tablet in order to play. For many, this is an advantage since it keeps the memory of your device clear.
Play on devices
-
Android
-
iOS
-
Windows
-
MacOS
-
Linux
Mobile rating
- Easy to navigate
- 100% games access
- No bugs or issues encountered
- No native app
I tried the SkyCity mobile casino website on a number of devices, including iPad, iPhone, and Samsung Android devices. The gameplay was smooth, and there was never any buffering. Of course, I had a solid Wi-Fi signal at the time, and that’s essential for a good mobile play experience.
The layout is slick, with all the same functions as the desktop. Although some clickable links are in different places on the desktop, I soon found my way around and had no complaints at all.
I am always happy when I can access a full portfolio of online casino games on a desktop site, and not every online casino offers that in a mobile solution. However, that is not the case for SkyCity casino. Therefore, it was a bonus for me.
The optimized mobile casino is really well-engineered, and, personally, I prefer not to have to download apps. That is simply my preference, of course. For some, the absence of a native app may be a black mark.
The only must for mobile play is a solid internet connection. If you are in an area without Wi-Fi and your device is receiving an intermittent signal, you will find the experience less than satisfactory. However, you don’t have to choose between desktop and mobile, as your account will be accessible from both.
Customer support
Players at Sky City online casino can receive excellent customer support service every hour of the day and every day of the week. If you face any issues while using the site, you can contact the customer care agent through email or live chat.
There is also a detailed FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions) library. This is the best place to start. If you don’t find an answer to your question in the FAQ section, it’s time to move to the live support options.
Live chat enables a player to be in direct contact with the customer services team through an online chat facility.24/7. The live chat forum is accessed from the button on the bottom left of the desktop screen. This takes you to a form where you are required to complete your name, email and address details.
The response time at SkyCity casino is usually less than one minute. Customer service agents seem very well-informed and are warm and friendly. They are also available right round the clock, 365 days a year.
Support facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Customer support availability | 24/7 |
| Live chat | Yes |
| [email protected] | |
| Contact number | N/A |
| On-page support | FAQs |
Overall, excellent customer service is a must for the best online gambling sites. Without it, the players would become frustrated. SkyCity online casino understands this and has made fast-response customer service a priority. The only thing it lacks is a contact telephone number.
Support rating
- All important channels available
- Instant responses via live chat
- 24/7 availability
- Longer email response times
I found the FAQs clear and well laid out. It was easy to get to the information I needed. The language is easy to understand. The live chat button is always on screen and is shown on the top of the FAQ page, too, alongside an ’email’ button.
To start a conversation, I had to complete a form of confirming my name, email address and street address. I found that quite annoying as some sites allow you to chat without filling in any forms.
Another thing that annoys me is when bots are used in a live chat environment without real people in support. A bot is an app that is programmed to recognize keywords in a written conversation and generate answers using a knowledge base. If the bot cannot answer the question, it is escalated to a real person.
I couldn’t identify the use of bots at SkyCity which means, if they are being used, they are being used effectively. The live chat gave me fast answers to my questions, and I was offered the option to have the chat transcription sent to me via email afterwards.
Usability
Any online casino site that offers poor usability won’t be able to capture market share. Considering this, the SkyCity online casino website is dedicated to providing a positive user experience. The site is mobile-friendly and easily accessible.
Usability facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Mobile app | No |
| Mobile games availability | Full suite |
| Ease of navigation | Excellent |
| Game filters | Yes |
| Search function | Yes |
| Loading speed | 1.1 sec. |
| UI and UX rating | Excellent |
| Other products | Fantasy sports |
At SkyCity online casino NZ, all important sections have been linked at the top of the screen. The site is easy to access and has a fast loading speed. The registration process is also very easy, and you’ll need two to three minutes to sign up.
Usability rating
- Straightforward game categories
- Simple navigation
- Search function available
- Filters are buggy
Usability differs for different people. Overall, I found the site very easy to access. The three-minute registration time is on par with the top-notch casinos in the business. The same goes for the bonus offer availability.
The navigation is quite intuitive, and the speed of the website is also very fast. What seriously makes SkyCity online casino NZ different from its competitors is the game filtering. With the GN filters, I can find everything easily in the game library.
Another great feature is that you can click on each game card and find the information directly about RTP, volatility, and more. Many other online casinos don’t have this feature, and you can only get the info about volatility and RTP when you load the game.
However, if you experience any problem when navigating through the casino, you can always call the support team. The friendly customer service will provide you with all the information you need and answer your questions.
Expert verdict
SkyCity casino online is one of the best online casinos that offers complete privacy and safety to the players. It offers more than 1,500 titles from over 20 top providers to enhance the user experience. The welcome bonuses, free spins and loyalty bonus codes are a treat for players. You can play slots with the highest payouts using free spins and win big.
There are multiple payment options, and it has some great tools to protect players, like the Net Loss Limits feature. This feature helps you ensure that the loss you make in real money online gambling sessions doesn’t exceed a certain amount. This makes managing your bankroll easier.
Customer support is excellent, and it comes with features such as self-exclusion and time-out. And the usability impresses everyone with complex game filtering that helps you with specific preferences. If you’re looking for a reputable and reliable operator in the New Zealand online casino market, SkyCity is a solid choice.
FAQs
What kind of games are available at SkyCity casino?
SkyCity NZ casino offers a wide selection of games, from pokies to classic table games. With over 1,500 titles to choose from, you’re guaranteed to land on at least a handful of your favourite casino games.
Does SkyCity casino offer a no-deposit bonus?
At the time of writing, there is no no-deposit bonus on sign-up; however, SkyCity does offer various rewards, including no-deposit bonuses, as part of the loyalty scheme and as limited-time promotions.
Is SkyCity online casino safe?
Yes, SkyCity is a safe and trustworthy online casino in NZ. The platform is licensed by the MGA and employs various security and account-control measures, including two-factor authentication, 256-bit encryption, and limits on deposits, wagers, losses, and time.
Does SkyCity casino NZ offer a loyalty programme?
After level 10, players unlock Club Tiers, boosting their random rewards and earning exclusive Tier prizes and perks.
What kind of welcome bonus does the SkyCity casino have?
Live Casino players can enjoy a welcome bonus of 100% up to NZ$150.
What are the sign-up bonus wagering requirements?
The 70 free spins, however, are wager-free! You can enjoy 70 extra chances of winning, and you’ll get to keep every dollar.
Is Skycity online casino related to SkyCity Auckland casino?
Yes, both casinos are owned by the same company. The SkyCity online casino was established using all the knowledge and expertise of the land-based casinos to offer a ‘virtual’ gambling experience for New Zealand players who can’t get to Auckland. SkyCity Malta operates the online casino for NZ players in conjunction with Gaming Innovation Group Inc. and is a subsidiary of SkyCity Entertainment Group of New Zealand.
SkyCity casino review
Do you have any experience with this operator?
