Safer gambling rules impact gambling sales in the UK and Ireland

By Shadrack Kairu    

Online betting firm 888 Holdings recently reported an 8% decrease in total annual revenue, which they attribute largely to stricter safer gambling regulations enacted in the UK and Ireland. According to the company, moving away from unregulated markets and adhering to the new rules cost them around EUR80 million in lost sales last year. Their UK and Ireland divisions were hit especially hard, with online revenue falling from EUR1.85 billion in 2022 to EUR1.71 billion in 2023.

Last year, the government announced a raft of gambling reforms, including a mandatory levy on sports betting firms and UK online casinos to fund treatment of gambling-related harm, in its bid to protect vulnerable players in the smartphone era.

The news comes after a chaotic 2023 for William Hill owner 888. Last March, compilers at the London Stock Exchange (LSE) removed 888 Holdings from the FTSE 250 index after its shares plunged 72% in 12 months.

That same year, the company lost its CEO Itai Pazner, faced a money laundering probe, and was hit with a record £9.4m fine over a series of social responsibility and money laundering violations.

The company through its spokesperson said it will have to take “the difficult decision” to make redundancies to counter the issues but did not disclose which departments will be affected.

“We are making some changes to our organizational structure that will better position the group to achieve its long-term strategic plans. As part of this, regrettably, some roles will be made redundant across some of our locations. We will be offering our full support to those colleagues who are impacted,” said an 888 spokesperson while speaking with iGB.

The spokesperson also confirmed the company will continue investing in intelligent automation and AI-powered data and insights.

Meanwhile, 888 new CEO Per Widerstrom introduced a £30 million cost-cutting scheme in December. He also announced the firm is taking swift actions to position the group for future growth. This includes freeing up funds to invest in growth and reducing overhead costs.

The firm has already closed one of its 11 global offices in Sofia, Bulgaria’s capital city, and made job cuts in Israel. It has a global employee size of around 11,000.

Speaking to The Sun about the new changes, Per Widerstrom, who took over as CEO in October 2023, said: “We must be more proactive in adapting to changes in regulation and technology.”

He added that the new changes have created a more sustainable business for 888. This includes generating approximately 95% of revenue from regulated and taxed markets.

Widerstrom also noted that 888’s financial performance must improve and pledged to unleash additional plans after the annual results are out in March.

Additionally, the company will shift its focus towards recreational customers and enhanced gambling protection measures.

“In FY23, the group made important strategic and operational progress in the face of some significant regulatory and compliance headwinds. I am pleased to say that the business has enhanced its foundations for sustainable and profitable growth including significantly strengthening compliance, refining its approach to marketing investment and increasing its focus on recreational customers,” Widerström said.

888 believes these plans will improve future success despite expecting its 2024 profit to take a hit due to the company’s heavy investments in AI and higher marketing costs.

Decoding the Safer Gambling Measures

Last April, the UK’s gambling regulator imposed sweeping new rules meant to increase protection for vulnerable individuals in the digital gambling age. Under these new guidelines, operators face stiffer requirements to put preventative measures in place to identify and protect higher-risk players.

Key among the proposals announced by Lucy Frazer, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, included new stake limits for online gambling. Under the statute, a maximum stake limit of between £2 and £15 was recommended for online slot games.

Furthermore, increased player protection checks were proposed to safeguard those most at risk of gambling harm. The government proposed that vulnerability checks should kick in at £100 of monthly losses. The most thorough checks will be triggered with a net loss of £1,000 within 24 hours or £2,000 within 90 days.

A new statutory gambling levy was also imposed on betting firms to fund research and treatment services for people at risk of gambling-related harm. For some online and remote operators, this levy is set at 1% of gross gambling yield (GGY). For traditional land-based betting shops, it is 0.4% of GGY, and for society lotteries, this will be 0.1% of GGY.

What the government aims to achieve with this mandatory levy is to raise around £90-£100 million per year and ensure that people with gambling-related problems get help.

Other measures announced include restrictions on bonus advertising to stop them from harming vulnerable people. The bonus offer rules will include how free bets and spins are constructed and targeted. Specifically, the goal is to close loopholes for those under 18 years old to prevent them from gambling online or through cash-fruit machines.

However, an outright ban on gambling advertising is not part of the measures although the Premier League has announced a voluntary ban on it on the front of football shirts.

These reforms also provided the Gambling Commission with extra powers to tackle illegal betting sites and unauthorized UK online casinos. This will see the regulator address illegal online gambling operations through court orders and internet service providers.

Finally, a new and independent industry ombudsman was proposed to handle disputes and rule on redress when consumers are treated unfairly. This will also fill the gap for consumers to seek help if they suffer excessive losses as a result of an operator’s failure to protect them.

Views of the Gambling Commission about safer gambling measures

Outlining the government’s plan for the digital age, Lucy Frazer said the white paper will force companies to step up their checks to better protect vulnerable customers and encourage responsible gambling.

“When gambling becomes an addiction, it can wreck lives. Shattered families, foreclosed homes, lost jobs, jail time, suicide,” she told parliament.

Ms Frazer added they’re stepping in to update the law with new player protection checks and maximum online slot stake limits.

On the UK Government website, Gambling Commission Chief Executive, Andrew Rhodes, is quoted saying: “The review is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver positive change for gambling in Great Britain and for all people impacted by it. Everyone at the Commission welcomes today’s publication of the White Paper and is determined to work with government and partners to make these changes a reality.”

“Given the correct powers and resources, the Gambling Commission can continue to make gambling safer, fairer and crime-free. This White Paper is a coherent package of proposals which we believe can significantly support and protect consumers, and improve overall standards in the industry,” he added.

“As the detailed implementation of the review now begins, we will also be reiterating to all operators that the Commission will strongly maintain its focus on consumer protection and compliance.”

Problem gambling affects roughly 1.3 million people in Great Britain, as well as countless others worldwide, including those engaging with the best UK online casinos. While betting companies are required to prevent harm – whether that be through implementing responsible gambling tools, responsible advertising, or providing support for those facing gambling addictions – there have been countless instances where they have allowed players to lose life-changing sums of money.

To this end, the safer gambling rules, which represent the most comprehensive reforms to the UK gambling sector since the Gambling Act was launched in 2005, are designed to strengthen consumer safety. The measures set out in these reforms help to protect gamblers from the grip of addiction while holding betting companies to account when they fail in their responsibility.

Unlock the Charm of French Language Day 2024 with Casino Lingo

Allons-y, we’re celebrating French language day at the best online casinos in Canada and we’ve got all the bonuses et tournes gratuits for you. March 20 is the day French speaking Canadians get together to mark this beautiful language and culture, and we have plenty to help the celebrations along.

Wondering why French language day is celebrated on this day? We’ve got the United Nations (UN) to thank for kicking off the tradition in 2010 so as to raise awareness about the history, culture and achievements of the six major languages most spoken around the world. Alongside French, the UN also celebrates the Arabic, Russian, Chinese, English and Spanish languages.

But today it’s all about the red, white and blue – and about all French speaking Canadians, of course. Incidentally the date of March 20 was chosen for this celebration because it coincided with the 40th anniversary of the International Organization of La Francophonie, a group that promotes the French language.

Around 20% of Canucks use this language on the daily, with some 7.2 million people considering it their mother tongue. This means that plenty of players at online casinos in Canada prefer using French even when playing, which is why many of our Canadian minimum deposit casinos offer the language option.

Canada is highly-committed to this bilingualism, with Canadians speaking either English, French, or both. Both languages are enshrined into the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, and recognized as official languages. Interestingly, there are some provinces where you’ll only find French spoken, and no English. According to Babbel.com, Quebec is one of these, and is home to around 7 million French speakers. However, approximately 23 percent of the population in Canada is conversant in French.

Many Canadian French-speakers are located in Quebec, with others in New Brunswick, Manitoba and Ontario, all regions that are united by the love of super gambling websites! Québécois are especially into finding the best online casinos Canada, with around 69% of adults being likely to regularly gamble online. And 50% of Manitobans are likely to spend time on a gambling site. Meanwhile, residents of Ontario and Quebec were the second and third to have generated the highest gambling revenue in Canada, with nearly three out of four Québec players (73%) choosing privately-operated platforms to play online casino games according to Newswire.ca.

Insights on French Language Day

French is one of the most commonly used languages at online casinos, with many of our recommended sites offering customer service support in French, multilingual staff and resources in French.

This is hardly surprising, given the popularity of the language. Curious to learn more? Here are five fun facts about French Language Day!

French is the sixth most used language on the internet. According to VisualCapitalist, it accounts for 2.6% of the top 10 million websites​​. Just for some perspective, English still dominates the web with 60.4% of the top sites, followed by Russian, Spanish, Turkish, Persian and eventually French. While the percentage may appear low, the presence of French online is nonetheless very significant as the small percentage translates into millions of people.

French is an official language in 29 countries. Indeed, its reach extends not only beyond France, but also beyond Europe. The language also holds official status in several global institutions, including the UNs, NATO, and the World Trade Organization. It is the procedural language for the European Union (EU) and the only language used for deliberations at the Court of Justice for the EU.

A total of 23 countries use French as their only language. These are Benin, DR Congo, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, Guadeloupe, Guinea, Ivory Coast, Martinique, Mayotte, Monaco, New Caledonia, Niger, Republic of the Congo, Reunion, Saint Barthelemy, Saint Martin, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, Senegal, Togo, Wallis and Futuna.

And in 17 other countries it holds the status of official language. These are Belgium, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Comoros, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti, Jersey, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Rwanda, Seychelles, Switzerland, Vanuatu and – of course – Canada.

Canada hosts the third largest number of French speakers in the world following France (of course!) and the Democratic Republic of Congo. There are about 8.6 million French speakers across the country, primarily concentrated around Quebec.

The popularity of French as online casinos in Canada is also evidenced by the number of French-themed pokies and games that many sites offer, such as BetSoft’s Return to Paris, Yggdrasil’s Notre-Dame Tales, Endorphina’s Macarons and Booming Games’ Paris Nights. Moreover, even French-speaking live dealer table enthusiasts will find themselves very well-catered for, with many Canuck sites offering classic games like Roulette, Blackjack, Baccarat and Poker with French-speaking professional dealers.

Five facts about French Canadians

French-Canadians present a rich cultural tapestry with deep historical roots and, while the community is unified by the French language, there’s an incredible cultural diversity that characterizes the lifestyle and traditions of every region and province. You’ll find a wide range of music, cuisine, traditions, and more. Here are five facts to give you a closer look at French-Canadian culture.

1. French-Canadians are the largest francophone community in North America. Despite being surrounded by English-speaking populations, they have maintained the French language as a core element of their identity, with laws that support the preservation of the language in these areas. The Charter of the French Language, for example, ensures French remains the predominant language in the workplace, education, and commerce.
2. 85% of French-Canadians are found in Quebec. This prevalence has given rise to the Québécois accent. The French spoken in Quebec carries a distinctive accent and includes unique expressions that aren’t used by other French speakers, not even in France. This is because French in Canada has evolved from 17th-century French and has been influenced by other indigenous languages. Thus, for example, people in France would usually use the Anglicised version of the word ‘weekend’ – ‘le weekend’. In Quebec, however, people still use the original term ‘fin de semaine’.
3. Quebec has its own French specialty dish, the poutine. Considered a culinary emblem, the poutine is made of fries topped with cheese curds and brown gravy. The recipe originated in rural Quebec in the 1950s and since then has gained popularity even across English speakers in Canada, so you’re likely to find it nationwide. Nowadays there are various types, with personalized toppings like pulled pork or smoked meat.
4. There is a French-Canadian festival that celebrates fur trading. Not one for animal rights campaigners, but the Festival du Voyageur is held every February in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The festival spans 10 days and nowadays it views fur traders (aka voyageurs, who traveled by canoe to trade furs) as part of the history of the region. Events organized during the festival include traditional music, snow sculptures and historical reenactments, all with the aim of offering a glimpse into the adventurous lives of early French-Canadian explorers.
5. June 24 is Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day and is celebrated as the national holiday of Quebec and by French-Canadians across Canada. La Fête Nationale, as it’s referred to, is a day of cultural pride, featuring parades, concerts and fireworks. Although originally it started out as a religious feast day today it has evolved into a secular celebration of French-Canadian heritage.

Looking Ahead: The Strong Cultural Identity of French-Canadians

French-Canadians embody a community where tradition and modernity co-exist in harmony, with a strong cultural identity that has thrived among diversity.

French-Canadians have made significant contributions to the country’s political, social, and cultural landscape., with prime ministers like Pierre Trudeau and Jean Chrétien shaping national policies. In the arts, French-Canadian artists, filmmakers, and writers – such as Leonard Cohen, Denys Arcand and Gabrielle Roy – have received international acclaim, enriching Canada’s cultural output.

The contributions of the French speaking population to Canada’s cultural tapestry are a testament to the resilience of Francophone culture in North America, and that’s exactly what we’re celebrating on this French Language Day in Canada. Et enfin, joyeuse journée de la langue française à tout le monde!

New CEO to be named at SkyCity amidst new hotel opening

By Ramona Depares

It’s exciting times for SkyCity Entertainment following a period of new project announcements and other upheavals, rumors are intensifying about the upcoming appointment of a new CEO.

The brand, which is considered one of the best online casino NZ offerings, has seen its fair share of shake ups in recent times, plagued with news relating to responsible gambling and other matters.

Now, it looks set to continue dominating the gambling landscape with significantly more positive news, with the opening of a new 5-star hotel expected to take place in the short-term future, and the appointment of a new CEO to herald the start of a new, and a more positive era.

And with current CEO Michael Ahearne stepping down at the end of the first quarter of 2024 to rejoin his family in Europe, SkyCity Entertainment officially announced that the recruitment process for the new CEO has been launched.

The quest to find the right person to head one of the top NZ online casinos is not going to be a simple one. If you, too, are asking yourself what this is likely to mean for the brand that’s so beloved by Kiwi players, Minimum Deposit Casinos New Zealand experts are here to shed some insight.

SkyCity made headlines in 2023

2023 could possibly have been described as SkyCity’s annus horribilis, following a series of issues and allegations that almost threatened its status as an NZ best online casino. And, although SkyCity chairman Julian Cook praised the outgoing CEO with Financial Review journalists for leading the casino through a “complex and demanding period”, many industry experts wondered whether the events of 2023 would have a domino effect on the brand’s performance.

Things started taking a dark turn for SkyCity, which enjoys a reputation for offering one of the top paying online casino NZ sites,  as early as December 2022 it made headlines for being under investigation by the Australian gambling regulator. The investigation resulted in the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) launching court proceedings due to alleged legal anti-crime shortcomings at SkyCity Adelaide.

As soon as news broke out, SkyCity embarked on a drive to address these shortcomings effectively, refining its anti-crime operations and investing in appropriate professionals to tackle the issue. These measures included an Adelaide AML senior management committee as well as a specialist Financial Crime team to monitor day-to-day compliance in a move that ended up being copied by a number of top online casinos NZ in an effort to avoid similar action being taken against them.

The court case, however, ended up dragging well into 2023 with SkyCity facing the possibility of completely losing its license to operate in Adelaide. The Australian gambling regulator even went as far as to enlist the help of a retired Supreme Court Judge Brian Martin to further investigate whether the punishment was appropriate.

As of September 2023, SkyCity was facing the possibility of a 10-day license suspension. Analysts also indicated that SkyCity casino could be liable for fines by 2024, leading the company to make a provision of AU$45 million ahead of the potential penalty.

Reuters reported that this was part of a broader strategy being followed by the Australian regulator, and that SkyCity was not the only online casino real money NZ brand to face such probes, with other competitors across Australia also being investigated and fined.

The news did take a heavy toll on company shares, with the New Zealand Herald reporting a drop of 16.4% to AU$1.815 as a result of investors rushing to resell their stock. While the shares currently remain undervalued, financial experts at simplywall.st have predicted a swift upturn in value, as the brand has taken rapid and strong steps to rectify the situation while re-establishing itself as a best online casino NZ site.

Events took an even tougher turn due to the company’s drop in profit throughout the year, with profits for the second half dropping to $68 from the $72 in the previous period. However, the NZ Herald attributed this drop to fluctuations between the NZ and the AUS dollar, rather than the legal proceedings that are on-going..

Things came to a head with an announcement in October 2023 that CEO Michael Ahearne had resigned and would be officially stepping down in March 2024. Ahearne had been promoted to CEO in 2020, after joining in 2017 and eventually serving as the Group COO. The search for a new incumbent began immediately, and the role is not a simple one to fill as the newcomer will be required to effectively lead one of the best online casino NZ sites out of its current predicament and back to its usual strong market footing.

The new CEO will also be responsible for the launch of the new SkyCity Entertainment 5-star property. Horizon by SkyCity is set to open its doors in Auckland in March 2024, its 938 rooms across three hotels securing SkyCity’s position as the largest single-site accommodation provider in New Zealand.

Designed by Moller architects, the project is expected to be one of the biggest Auckland has ever seen. The hotel complex will showcase ultra modern architectural features, with a curved glass facade, a pedestrian laneway, air bridges and a direct connection to the city precinct. World-class dining and entertainment options will all be a short stroll away within the complex itself.

While SkyCity has reported the project to be on track for completion by launch date, the upcoming months will undoubtedly be challenging ones for the new CEO. While there are ample rumors floating about who this may be, with some sectors quoting the possibilities of poaching directly from competitors and others suggesting that the newcomer may be a complete outsider to the NZ online casinos landscape, we can only wait for the official announcement to be made.

Background of SkyCity Entertainment

The name SkyCity Entertainment has always been synonymous with entertainment and hospitality and, since it opened the SkyCity Auckland complex back in 1996. Over the years, it has become known for providing Kiwi gamblers with the best online casino NZ services, respected for taking a customer-centric approach and for being one of the top paying sites.

1996 also saw the opening of the group’s original Auckland casino, following this up fast with casino launches in a number of New Zealand and Australian cities. The flagship Adelaide casino opened its doors in June 2000, followed by SkyCity Queenstown as part of the Otago resort town.

The group is not only known as a big player on the NZ online casinos landscape. The name SkyCity is also synonymous with a vast number of other leisure and entertainment services. In 2001, SkyCity Leisure was born after the group bought shares in cinema operator Force Corporation and rebranded it.

The upward trajectory continued intensifying after 2004 saw the group buying a 41% share of Christchurch Casino. Although Skyline Enterprises, which was the other majority shareholder, opposed the deal, the gambling regulator still gave it the green light. This move cemented SkyCity Group’s position as leaders on the gambling and leisure market, although it eventually resold the Christchurch shares to Skyline, replacing them with a 40% stake in Queenstown Casino to the tune of $5 million.

More leisure acquisitions followed with the purchase of Darwin Casino and Hotel from MGM Mirage. The property was then rebranded to SkyCity Darwin. The period between 2016 and 2019 was characterised by multiple casino purchases and transfers that represented huge growth for the group, allowing it to diversify its services within the entertainment and leisure industry and to go beyond regular casino operations. The launch of a number of fine dining restaurants, chic bars and even convention centers solidified this position.

Finally, 2019 brought with it what was to be SkyCity Group’s most ambitious gambling project: the launch of an online casino that could legally service Kiwi players. SkyCity online casino brought with it a fair amount of controversy. Operated by the Malta-based Gaming Innovation Group on behalf of SkyCity Malta Ltd, it successfully complied with all the requirements of the NZ gambling regulator so as to be able to join the ranks of the top new online casinos NZ.

Now, thanks to the opening of Horizon by SkyCity and the appointment of a new CEO, SkyCity Group is expected to put all the issues it faced throughout 2023 behind it and to focus on reviving a period of growth and development.

Challenges, hurdles and all, SkyCity Entertainment remains one of New Zealand’s biggest success stories. The secret behind its success is possibly not much of a secret at all, as the company’s history is testament to its ability to adapt and to be innovative in a notoriously competitive environment.

And, with the advent of a new CEO, all eyes are on this market leader to see what new developments may be in store for the group.

Canada Unlocked: How to Access Great Casino Bonuses for a $1 Deposit

By Shadrack Kairu

Have you seen advertisements for $1 deposit casino bonus in Canada but wondering if these offers are too good to be true? This comprehensive guide will explain everything you need to know for unlocking big bonuses from the leading real money online casinos with just a $1 minimum deposit.

You’ll discover the top sites offering $1 welcome bonuses packed with extras like free spins bonuses and more for almost no investment. Learn how these offers work, how to avoid pitfalls, and most important, how to find and claim the most lucrative $1 offers that provide the biggest bang for your buck. Let’s dive in!

Exploring $1 Deposit Casinos in Canada

$1 minimum deposit casino sites are primarily targeted at players who want to enjoy real money gaming but without having to risk large sums of cash upfront. These platforms often provide game selections numbering in the thousands and features comparable to – or even better – than traditional online casinos. This makes them an ideal option if you want to test the waters first before fully diving in.

The vast majority of $1 bonuses available at Canada online casinos are licensed and regulated in offshore jurisdictions like Curacao, Costa Rica, Panama and elsewhere around the world.

Originally gaining huge popularity across Europe, $1 minimum deposit casinos are now catching on rapidly here in Canada as well. Their explosive growth matches the rapid expansion of Canada’s online gambling market, as more provinces move to regulate iGaming locally.

For Canadian players, having access to $1 minimum deposit casinos comes with several advantages as follows:

You can safely “test drive” new casino sites completely risk-free

Take any platform for a spin and thoroughly evaluate the games, features, support and overall experience without breaking the bank.

Enjoy big bonuses without breaking the bank

Most $1 deposit casinos often offer bonuses equal to what casinos with much bigger minimum deposit requirements provide. This way, you get way more bang for your buck and multiply the value of your minimal spend.

Available to players of all budget sizes

The micro deposit requirements make online gambling far more accessible and appealing to recreational or budget-conscious players. With just $1, you can get your foot in the door.

Learn the ins and outs of online casino gaming without losing money

$1 deposit bonuses enable total newcomers to learn real-money games while risking mere peanuts. There’s simply no better way for rookies to get started and gain experience.

Understanding the Mechanics of $1 Deposit Bonuses

While the specific bonus details and offers will often vary between different Canadian online casinos, $1 minimum deposit bonuses generally come in three main forms:

Deposit matches

This is arguably the most common bonus type. The casino will match your initial $1 deposit by a set percentage, usually between 50% on the low end up to 100% or more in the best cases.

For example, a 100% deposit match would double your bankroll and playing power to $2 by adding another $1 of their own money to your account. Maximum match values can range anywhere from $10 into the hundreds at some of the most generous casinos.

No deposit bonuses

These highly sought-after bonuses provide completely free bonus cash simply for signing up a new player account, with absolutely no deposit required. No deposit bonus amounts tend to be on the modest side, typically $1 to $20 in value.

Free spins

Some casinos will offer you around 10 to 100 free spins valid on selected slot games for making a minimum $1 deposit. These bonus spins allow you to play risk-free for a shot at real cash winnings. Free spin packages also often come with a maximum payout cap.

Having explored the bonus options available at $1 deposit casinos, let’s now take a look some of the key terms and conditions to keep in mind while seeking them.

Wagering requirements

What wagering requirements means in simple terms is that you’ll need to bet through your bonus funds a fixed number of times before cashing out any wins. This is to protect casinos from bonus abuse. Expect to see wagering requirements between 30x to 50x, meaning a $10 bonus would need $300 to $500 worth of play before making a withdrawal.

Game restrictions

Bonuses may only apply to certain slot machines or other games specified by the casino. Table games and most niche games often don’t contribute to playthrough requirements. Be sure to always double check eligibility.

Expiration dates

Most $1 deposit bonuses expire within 7 to 14 days if left unused. You must fulfill all wagering requirements by the posted deadline, otherwise any remaining bonus funds will be forfeited.

Payment method limitations

Your choice of Canada casino payment method can affect bonus eligibility. Many sites restrict e-wallet deposits like Neteller and Skrill from claiming bonuses, for example, so choose wisely.

Navigating the Legal Landscape of Canadian Online Casinos

While Canada’s federal laws prohibit operating online casinos located within the country itself, offshore gambling platforms that accept Canadian players exist in more of a grey legal area.

Provinces hold the power to regulate land-based gambling such as casinos, lotteries, sports betting, and anything else offered within their borders. However, most forms of online gambling actually remain federally unregulated at the moment, apart from single-event sports betting after Bill C-218 was finally passed in 2021.

This means that casino games, poker sites, bingo networks and more all operate in uncertain legal territory as far as Canadian law is concerned. But that doesn’t mean it’s illegal or unsafe by any means for you to play.

That’s because Canadians can enjoy online casino gaming freely as long as they use properly licensed sites located offshore. The vast majority of $1 minimum deposit casinos hold valid licenses from respected regulatory bodies like the Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao Gaming Control Board, Kahnawake Gaming Commission, and many other reputable organizations.

These regulators impose strict rules and regulations surrounding issues like fairness, player safety, responsible gambling, timely payouts and more that sites must adhere to in order to maintain their gambling licenses abroad. These licensed casinos also undergo regular independent audits to ensure they remain in full compliance at all times.

Conclusion: Unlocking the Full Potential of $1 Casino Bonuses

$1 minimum deposit casino platforms make playing games online substantially more affordable and accessible to all Canadian players, especially those on a tight budget. If you play your cards right, you can easily stretch your bankroll much, much further and win decent money compared to traditional online casinos with $10, $20 or $25 minimum deposits.

Here are some expert tips you can implement to take full advantage of $1 minimum deposit bonuses in Canada:

Only use secure, properly licensed casino sites that have an established reputation for fairness. Do your due diligence by thoroughly researching sites – or better yet consulting our casino reviews for recommendations.

Carefully read and fully understand key bonus terms like wagering requirements, expiration dates, eligible games and other fine print before you play. Nothing is worse than misunderstanding the rules and conditions.

Use fast payment methods like Interac or crypto if you value speed, convenience and privacy. Traditional methods like credit cards or bank transfers can be slow.

Most importantly, gamble responsibly within your means and never chase losses. Only fund your account with what you can comfortably afford to potentially lose, whether that’s $1 or $1,000.

We hope this guide provides valuable tips to help you unlock the very best online casino bonuses in Canada using $1 deposits. Finally, be sure to check back regularly as hot new $1 deposit deals and offers are updated here every week.

Mascot Queens – The latest release form Mascot gaming

Mascot Gaming has just unveiled its latest auditory delight, “Mascot Queens,” marking a refreshing addition to the spring playlist. Officially released on Spotify on March 8, this compilation is a sonorous journey through the essence of spring. The album consists of eight tracks, each meticulously crafted to evoke the serene and rejuvenating spirit of the season.

The music of “Mascot Queens” is atmospheric, offering listeners an escape into a world where calm reigns supreme. These tracks are the perfect companion for spring walks, as they encapsulate the calming atmosphere of blooming nature and longer days filled with sunlight. The intricate melodies and subtle harmonies interweave to create a soundscape that relaxes the mind and uplifts the spirit.

For those eager to immerse themselves in the soothing embrace of “Mascot Queens,” the album is available on Spotify. This collection is not just music; it’s an experience—a musical reverie that celebrates the awakening and renewal that spring brings. Whether you’re meandering through a park, unwinding at home, or simply seeking a moment of tranquility, “Mascot Queens” by Mascot Gaming is your gateway to a season filled with peace and beauty.

In addition to its atmospheric charm, “Mascot Queens” incorporates beloved themes from Mascot Gaming’s famous slots, including “Book Of Anksunamun” “Bastet And Cats” and “Trump Card Queen” This special feature allows fans to indulge in the memorable soundtracks of their favorite games, enriching the listening experience with a touch of gaming nostalgia. Through these musical nods to its gaming roots, “Mascot Queens” offers a unique blend of relaxation and excitement, catering to both music enthusiasts and gaming fans alike.

Discover “Mascot Queens” on Spotify and let the harmonious blend of sounds transport you to a place of calm and renewal this spring. Listen to the release.

One bonus to rule them all at New Zealand $1 deposit casinos

By Ramona Depares

Finding the best $1 deposit casinos in NZ means opening the magic doorway to unlimited entertainment opportunities that make everyone feel welcome, no matter how modest your casino bankroll may be.

There’s only one requirement at these NZ $1 deposit casinos. You guessed it, all you need to do is make a deposit and you’ll be eligible for the very best Kiwi casino sign-up offers.

At Minimum Deposit Casinos we’ve gathered our top 1 dollar deposit casino NZ offers, and you can claim them all with a simple mouse click by using our exclusive links. Ready to kick off on a journey of thrills, and possible wins, like no other? Hang on tight and let’s get this party started.

The Charm of Minimal Investment: Discovering the Allure of $1 Casinos

What makes a 1$ deposit NZ casino so sought-after among Kiwis? The answer’s pretty simple. Just think about it – how many things can you buy with $1? Not many. A cup of coffee, an apple or a banana, some candy perhaps? When you play at $1 deposit casinos NZ, your dollar will stretch so much further, giving you hours of thrilling entertainment and even the potential to win yourself some free cash.

Gone are the days when you needed to have a sizeable bankroll if you wanted to pick up a decent casino welcome bonus. Nowadays the range of options has increased considerably, which means that literally any player can forget the daily grind for some time and get to enjoy some cool rewards.

The casino bonuses offered at MDC’s best NZ online casinos are accessible to players who are cautious about how they spend their disposable income, offering myriad thrilling experiences thanks to large slot collections where you can use your bonus money and free spins.

This approach has democratized NZ gambling sites, removing them from the purview of high-rollers with huge budgets and bringing them to everyone. This is as it should be because, let’s be honest, why should the thrills of NZ online casinos only be available to the privileged few?

Why MDC is the best resource for $1 deposit casinos

Democratizing the world of online gambling is precisely where Minimum Deposit Casinos come in. We do our best work when we’re making sure that Kiwi players have access to the best online casino NZ sites that offer generous bonuses for very low first deposits.

We have a team of casino experts who live and breathe casino games, and who are ideally placed to sniff out the best 1$ minimum deposit offers. What’s more, we have made it our mission to negotiate even better deals than you’ll find anywhere else, and players who visit our site will find links to exclusive offers and bonuses.

At Minimum Deposit Casinos we are strong believers in providing players with honest, transparent and factual information that will help you enjoy the best experience at our recommended sites. For this reason, we also offer independent reviews of a vast variety of top online casinos in NZ.

To reach our verdict, we follow a very strict process whereby we take into consideration a series of criteria that can make or break your gambling experience. These include finding good bonuses with generous terms, making sure that the site provides a safe environment to players and a solid responsible gambling program, checking for popular casino payment options and ensuring that the games library is equipped with a strong selection.

Only when we’re satisfied that all the above pass muster do we feel happy to recommend a site. This means that when you’re clicking on one of our exclusive offers you’re also receiving the Minimum Deposit Casinos seal of guarantee for a stellar experience.

Not One but 2 Bonuses that have changed the $1 game in NZ

Ready for the good news? Minimum Deposit Casinos has unearthed not one, but two different bonuses that each have one thing you’re going to want – a pocket-friendly $1 deposit NZ casino offer that gives you so many free spins.

Our gold star performers are Lucky Nugget Casino and King Billy, and we’re going to tell you all about the 1$ free spins, which games to use them on and how to claim them (hint – that’s the easiest part).

Play the best Slot games with this $1 casino offer

Deposit $1 and get 40 free spins with the latest exciting offer at Lucky Nugget Casino! We bet that it sounds like this is your lucky day, right? You can use your free spins on the pokie Arena of Gold, which is one of the top titles from Microgaming/All4One.

Get your gladiator sandals on because this one’s giving you a hell of a ride, with a 96.2% RTP and a very player-friendly 25-playline system. Wagering requirements for this bonus are 200x, but don’t let the figure scare you. What you need to remember is that your first deposit is only $1, so reaching a playthrough is very, very reachable. And before you can say ‘toga’, you’ll be looking at the cashout in your account.

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Lucky Nugget

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By the way, Arena of Gold has a respin bonus too, so don’t be too surprised if you find yourself with more free spins than when you started. You can bet up to $0.50 with each free spin round and you can withdraw up to six times your first deposit. Not bad going as return on investment goes.

Your $1 deposit also opens the door to more casino slot games than we can count. More than 500 of the best titles, in fact. Boredom? What’s that? And if you decide to go ahead and make a second deposit of $5, say hello to another 100 free spins. Check it all out at our Lucky Nugget casino review.

2024s latest $1 bonus exclusive for NZ players

And here’s another bonus gem that Minimum Deposit Casinos has managed to secure for our Kiwi players at King Billy an exciting bonus of a Deposit of $1 get 50 Free Spins, with even lower wagering requirements of 50x. This is an exceptionally low playthrough for $1 offers and you can walk away with up to $50 in winnings. Yup, that means your first deposit multiplied by 50.

The maximum bet allowed on your free spins is $7.50, and you’ll need to activate them within 24 hours. Simply go to your Player Profile, click on Bonus and activate. You will immediately be taken to a selection of casino games where you can use your bonus spins.

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This casino offers more than an ample selection of games where to make the most of your $1, and you’ll find pokies, jackpots, table games and plenty to keep the thrills going. Our King Billy casino review reveals more details about this and which payment options you can use to make your first deposit. And, of course, the exclusive link that gives you access to this $1 free spins offer.

The 10 Commandments of Casino Bonuses

By Ramona Depares

The best online casinos invariably offer a host of bonuses and promotions. With so many to choose from, and so many pesky terms and conditions attached, it can be easy to feel overwhelmed.

For this reason, some players shy away from seeking out new bonuses, simply because they’re worried they may bite off more than they can chew. Or that the deal that looks like it’s too good to be true, in fact, is too good to be true.

But this is not a good reason to miss out on the multitude of excellent deals offered by our top-rated online casinos. Join us as we uncover the tips and tricks to bear in mind when claiming a casino offer and which terms to watch out for so that you can enjoy a super gambling experience with your bonus money.

Commandment 1 – Read the terms and conditions of the bonus

We can’t stress this hard enough. No matter which top online casinos you’re playing at, it’s crucial to read the terms and conditions of the bonus. They’re there for a reason so that when you’re enjoying your favourite games you don’t come across any unexpected surprises.

This doesn’t mean that you need to memorize every single sentence, but it’s always good to make sure you understand the main elements of the terms. You will usually find these very clearly listed right underneath the bonus itself, or maybe as a link with the words ‘terms and conditions apply’. Make it part of your responsible gambling routine to give the terms a quick look; at Minimum Deposit Casinos we always try to simplify life for you by pointing out the important ones. We’ll go into more detail about these right below.

Commandment 2 – Check that you have the minimum deposit required

Few things are worse than having the excitement of finding some cool, new online casinos that offer a generous bonus upon sign-up – only to discover too late that you didn’t qualify for the bonus. Unless you’re lucky enough to find a no-deposit bonus, the vast majority of sign-up offers will require that you make a minimum deposit before you can claim the bonus.

The amount that you’ll need to deposit varies according to the casino. Low-rollers will find an excellent range of $1 deposit casino sites recommended here, like 7Bit and Katsubet. If you’re up to spending more, sites like Royal Vegas and Captain Spins have some excellent $5 casino bonuses, while others go up to $10 deposit casino and even more.

Whichever one you choose, you’re guaranteed a lucrative reward, as long as you make sure that you’re meeting the minimum deposit requirement.

Commandment 3- Check the duration of the bonus

Different online casinos have different expiry terms for their bonuses and there are two terms that you need to look out for here. The first is how much time you have between the time you set up your account and the time you make your first deposit. Typically, low-deposit casinos can give you anything between 24 hours to seven days to make your deposit, before the offer expires. Spin Casino, for example, gives you a generous seven days, as does Instaspin.

Once you’ve activated your bonus, you’ll also need to check out how long you have to use it. Again, timeframes vary wildly, from 24 hours up to 30 days. And if the bonus includes both a match deposit and free spins, some online casinos will have different expiry terms for each. Instaspin, for instance, gives you a full 30 days to use your bonus cash. However, each batch of free spins must be used within 24 hours.

Commandment 4 – Check out the game the bonus applies to

Neither free spins nor bonus cash can be used on whichever games you please. In the case of free spins, even the best online casinos will typically limit you to one specific slot or a small selection. Betvictor, for example, is particularly generous and will allow you to use your spins on three different slots – Big Bass Splash, Big Bass Amazon Xtreme and Rise of Giza PowerNudge, all Pragmatic Play heavyweights. Some sites like Wildz prefer to assign a pokie at their discretion, so it all depends on the luck of the draw.

As for match deposit bonuses, these can typically be used on the vast majority of slots. However, check the terms for the list of games that are not eligible. Some NetEnt titles and other progressive jackpots are usually excluded. If you attempt to use your bonus money on a game that’s not eligible you risk forfeiting your bonus, so it’s definitely not worth the risk.

Commandment 5 – Understand the wagering requirement of the bonus

Some players will tell you that this is the most important condition of all. Put simply, the wagering requirement (WR) is the number of times you’ll need to play through your bonus before you can cash out the winnings. This usually is between 30x at the most generous low-deposit casinos, but it can go up to 50x or more.

How does it work? Let’s say you deposit $10 and receive $10 in bonus cash at a WR of 30x. This means you need to wager $300 to meet playthrough and cash out. The sneaky part? Keep an eye on whether the WRs apply both to bonus money and deposit. In the above example, if the WR applies to both you’ll need to wager $600 for a playthrough, so the detail is very important.

Commandment 6 – Consider the payment and withdrawal options

So you’ve checked all those pesky terms and you’re all raring to claim your bonus at one of the best online casinos. Not so fast – banking options are not officially part of bonus T&Cs, but they’re just as important. Before committing, make sure that the site offers a deposit and withdrawal method that suits you. You will usually find a list under the Payment Options menu or in the general terms.

Look for a variety of payment options that include e-wallets, traditional banking and prepaid cards. Ideally, your chosen deposit method should also be available for withdrawal, so as to simplify the cash-out process. Finally, don’t forget to check the payment timeframes. Some methods like e-wallets can give you instant cashouts, but credit cards and bank transfers always take longer.

Commandment 7 – Check the reputation of the online casino

Before committing to new online casinos, you should make sure that this is a reputable brand that will keep your funds and your data secure. You will gain valuable information by checking the best casino reviews on Minimum Deposit Casinos, as we have a team of experts focused exclusively on testing gambling sites so as to deliver a comprehensive and honest verdict.

It’s also useful to get into the habit of checking the social media sites of online casinos, together with player forums on Reddit and the like. Finally, scroll to the bottom of the page and make sure that your chosen gambling site is licensed by a reputable regulator, such as Curacao eGaming or the Malta Gaming Authority.

Does it sound like too much work? Worry not. All the low-deposit casinos you find recommended here have already passed our strict standards as we’ve carried out extensive research into their reputation. So you can go ahead and play with full peace of mind.

Commandment 8 –Test out a demo game first

Not quite sure whether the game experience justifies the deposit? We’ve got a solution for you – test out a demo game to be able to gauge whether this is the right gambling site for you. Although you won’t be able to cash out winnings on demo games, the experience is still valuable because you get a taste of what the site can offer, and you also get some practice on the games. Pro tip: do this both on your desktop and from your mobile device, so you can get a feel for the whole experience.

Commandment 9 –Make sure you have your documents ready

The top-rated online casinos nowadays have a checklist of documents that they ask for. This isn’t because they’re snooping, but because the law requires that they carry out a Know Your Customer (KYC) process so as to eliminate the possibility of identity fraud or money laundering.

When signing up for new online casinos, you’ll need to show proof of identity, such as a passport, as well as proof of address, like a utility bill or government correspondence. For particularly large deposits or withdrawals you might also be asked for proof of earnings, to show that your income is obtained legitimately.

If you fail to verify your identity you won’t be able to cash out your winnings, so make sure you’re good and ready with documents when these are asked for.

Commandment 10 –Signing up is easy

Finally, once you’ve ticked all the above boxes, you’re ready to sign up for your chosen online casino and claim that bonus. This is the easiest part of all, as it only takes a few minutes. The best online casinos have simplified the process and made it very user-friendly so that you’ll be in the casino lobby playing your favourite real money games in no time. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Follow the link from our review and click the green ‘Join Now’ or ‘Get Bonus’ buttons.
2. Fill in the requested details, including name, surname, date of birth, address and telephone number.
3. Pick a password and store it safely.
4. Choose your preferred deposit method from the pop-up window.
5. Make sure to make a minimum deposit that qualifies you for the bonus.
6. Confirm any payment verification details requested – these will depend on the method you choose.
7. Navigate to the games section and start enjoying your bonus cash and spins.

New online identification law introduced in Europe

By Ramona Depares

The top online casino landscape across Europe has just taken a leap for the better, thanks to a new EU digital identity law – players are now able to enjoy a higher level of security that confirms their digital identity without a doubt when making online payments.

As of 5 March 2024, EU citizens are now able to enjoy more secure access to digital transactions across the EU thanks to the introduction of eIDAS, a new online identification framework. Under this new structure, the EU Digital Identity will be accessible to every single person and business in the EU. This will allow you to confirm your personal information and enjoy safer online services through the creation of a personal digital wallet.

While the creation of this digital wallet is not directly related to online casinos, its benefits will also be enjoyed by anyone who uses gambling sites across the EU. The process will improve substantially on security and privacy aspects of every online banking transaction carried out at online casinos that operate within EU countries.

The new system is being referred to by the acronym eIDAS, which stands for ‘electronic identification and trust service’. The umbrella term includes the new range of services that are related to verifying electronic documents and the identity of people and businesses.

The updated law was made possible thanks to the introduction of Regulation (EU) 910/2014 on electronic identification and trust services for electronic transactions in the internal market. eIDAS was deemed necessary because the digital identification systems that were offered by individual EU countries suffered from several important shortcomings, with only about 14% of key public service providers across all Member States allowing for cross-border authentication with an e-Identity system.

For gamblers, this means that EU members playing at the top online casinos had no way to provide their identity over the Internet via a standardized, official process.

Work on the framework started back in 2021 with a proposal that evaluated the previous framework and identified the precise gaps. Following that, an open discussion was launched across Member States so as to collect feedback from all parties involved. The discussion remained open till October 2020, when the European Commission evaluated all the feedback that had been gathered via in-depth surveys and interviews.

Now, as of March 2024, the necessary updates to EU law regarding online banking and digital identities have been carried out. This means that the law has been brought into effect, with online casinos and other digital platforms implementing the improved framework.

Benefits of the new digital wallet in the EU

If you are a resident in an EU member state, you will enjoy the perks of the eIDAS regulation and the personal digital wallet not only when playing at the best online casino sites, but pretty much across every single digital interaction that involves online banking.

To understand the implications better, it’s worth taking a look at how Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, explained the reasoning behind the introduction of the digital wallet on the official EU Website: “Every time an App or​​ website asks us to create a new digital identity or to easily log on via a big platform, we have no idea what happens to our data in reality. That is why the Commission will propose a secure European e-identity. One that we trust and that any citizen can use anywhere in Europe to do anything from paying your taxes to renting a bicycle. A technology where we can control ourselves what data is used and how.”

You can use your new personal digital wallet whenever you’re interacting online and providing your personal details for financial reasons as eIDAS provides for secure cross-border transactions. What does this mean on a practical level? Here’s a list of tangible benefits that you’ll be able to enjoy in your everyday dealings:

• You can sign anything online with an authenticated e-signature, without the need for any papers or printouts.
• You’ll have an official time stamp that authenticates digital purchases of items like concert tickets.
• You’ll be able to open a bank account in another country with the use of your national identity card.
• You’ll have access to electronic registered delivery services, ensuring that all your deliveries arrive safely to the correct destination.
• You’ll have access to a Qualified Web Authentication Certificate, which tells you that the sites you’re using are safe.

With many of us shopping online so often, possibly the biggest benefit of the new online identification law is that it offers a guarantee that our chosen site is safe – or not. All you need to do is make sure that the site has a Qualified Web Authentication Certificate as mentioned above, and this is enough assurance that the trader is legit. This is particularly valuable when clicking on links received by email as it helps avoid phishing attempts.

The initiative is also useful to businesses like online casinos as they will be able to use the e-id to verify that a newly registered player is who they say they are and that they’re old enough to gamble.

Impact on the online casino industry

The implications of the new EU digital wallet are far-reaching even within the online casino industry. In a press statement on its official website, the European Gaming and Betting Association (EGBA) welcomed the eIDs approval, calling it “a significant milestone in the journey towards a more secure and inclusive digital environment for all citizens across the European Union”, adding that it addresses several concerns in the digital sphere.

Among the benefits quoted, the EGBA mentioned that the e-ID will allow EU players to identify and authenticate themselves without having to resort to commercial providers. The latter practice at online casinos had given cause for concern in the past, raising trust, security and privacy issues related to the sharing of consumer data with third-party platforms.

Moreover, the e-ID enhances security by offering consumers and businesses a trusted and standardized tool for online identification, minimizing the risk of identity theft and fraud and enhancing responsible gambling measures.

• Greater data protection for players
• Guaranteed privacy
• Less risk of identity theft
• Less vulnerable to online fraud

The system is expected to yield benefits even for online casinos themselves, reducing administrative and tech costs for gambling operators by offering a single verification tool to use across all EU member states, instead of having to pay high fees to use commercial databases.

“We welcome the European Parliament’s approval of a unified digital identity framework and are confident that the use of the new e-ID in our sector will lead to a more seamless and trustworthy online experience for players and help to reduce costs and administration for gambling operators. This innovative tool represents an important step towards building a more secure and user-friendly digital ecosystem, aligning with EGBA’s core objectives of promoting integrity, transparency, and a safe, consumer-centric playing environment.”

Maarten Haijer, Secretary General, EGBA, stated.

A more secure future for online casino players across the EU

While the use of the new e-ID remains entirely voluntary, players are highly encouraged to make use of it. Likewise, it is expected that the top online casinos will not take long to integrate the e-iD tool within their Know Your Customer (KYC) processes, resulting in a safer gambling environment throughout the EU.

Spring 2024’s latest and greatest Slot Games

Spring is a special time of the year that heralds new beginnings. The air is crisp and clean, flowers are everywhere, and new fun and exciting slots abound. At our Top-Rated Online Casinos, you will find a collection of new slots created with cutting-edge technology by award-winning software companies like Yggdrasil, Play’n GO, Blueprint Gaming, and Relax Gaming. The graphics are world-class, the music is toe-tapping, and the game features are exciting. Are you ready to play the Latest Slot Games this Spring?

This Spring, you can look forward to some exciting new releases

Our featured online casinos constantly release new slot machines to keep players entertained and engaged. Made possible by iGaming Software Providers, new slots use advanced Online Gaming Software to ensure an immersive gaming experience and the potential to land big wins. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never played slots before or are a seasoned slots gambler; thanks to simplicity, innovation and creativity, everyone can play new slots at our supported online casinos. If you’re itching to get started, here are the newest exciting game releases you can look forward to this Spring.

This Spring, try out the all-new Gold Fever from Yggdrasil and AceRun

A popular theme for slots lovers, the Wild West transports slots gamers to the era of cowboys, gunslingers, and gold prospectors. This Spring, try out the all-new Gold Fever from Yggdrasil and AceRun, released on 6th April 2023. Become the wealthiest punter in the saloon by spinning your way to gold and precious gems and shooting your way to a potential top win of $/€53,975. With a 96% Return to Player (RTP) Rate and a maximum multiplier of X 1,079, the wins will keep on coming. Affordable for all budgets, betting starts at $/€0.10 to $/€50. A result of the ѕuссеѕѕful раrtnеrѕhір bеtwееn award-winning software developer Yggdrasil and the nеwlу-еѕtаblіѕhеd ѕоftwаrе соmраnу, АсеRun, Gold Fever offers the thrill of the chase for gold, with exciting bonus features, and the potential for big payouts.

10Hot Hotfire is a must try this Spring

Launching online on 11th May 2023, 10Hot Hotfire is a must-try this Spring! Finding a classic fruit slot machine at an online casino is easy, but a new classic slot game with fair returns and lower volatility is hard to come by. Designed for Yggdrasil by AceRun, 10Hot Hotfire is a straightforward fruit game video slot with juicy and hot symbols that burn ten times higher. Symbols from winning lines burn at the end of every spin, delivering wins of 6440 times your bet. Bets start at $/€0.20, up to a maximum of $/€150, and as a mobile-first provider, Yggdrasil made 10Hot Hotfire compatible with modern smartphones and tablets on Android or iOS devices. With an above-average frequency rate of 29.06% and an RTP of 96.1%, this Ancient Egypt-themed slot game offers classy graphics and fiery wins.

Devour the Weak is another new slot launching this April

Devour the Weak is another new slot by Yggdrasil that will go live at our featured online casinos on 27th April 2023. Visit the underground, where various dangerous beasts reside and spin your way through a lava-filled inferno. With gigantic multipliers that can reach 666X and hex symbols that devour low-paying symbols and turn them into wilds, take home top wins in Devour the Weak. This game offers a RTP of 96% and maximum wins of a massive $/€1 Million. Its hit frequency is 25.03% and offers a maximum multiplier of x 10,000. Devour the Weak can be played from $/€0.10 to a maximum of $/€100. Within this lava-filled slot gaming adventure, you have a few festive features to help you in your quest for bigger wins, including wilds, hexed symbols, free spins, and multipliers.

Check out the all-new Gods of Giza from Pragmatic Play

Check out the all-new Gods of Giza from Pragmatic Play and enjoy imaginative gameplay as you explore the land of pharaohs. Hidden among the pyramids, the treasure has been waiting for lucky players to stake their claim for thousands of years. Launched on the 6th of April 2023, Gods of Giza offers exciting gameplay and high-quality graphics and will appeal to those that love classic gameplay, with wilds, scatters, a tumbler reel, and as many as 120 free spins. The Gods of Giza slot game follows Pragmatic Play’s blockbusters like The Red Queen and Big Bass Hold & Spinner and delivers wins of up to 5000 times your bet. The RTP is 96.01% and can be played from $/€0.20 to $/€100.

Blueprint Gaming’s new slot Crabbin’ for Cash Extra Big catch

Go fishing with Blueprint Gaming’s new slot game Crabbin’ for Cash Extra Big catch and catch big wins. The ocean is calling, which is irresistible, so prepare your fishing rods and nets and start the adventure with bets from $/€0.25 to $/€25.00. A sharp and fresh slot game that inhales new breath to the popular Blueprint portfolio, this new game has been available online since 10th April 2023. With a 96.00% RTP, packed with modifiers in the base game, a free spins round, and re-spins, try your luck spinning the reels and win prizes of up to 1,000x per symbol. Crabbin’ for Cash Extra Big Catch’s win potential is boosted even further with a progressive jackpot prize, making it a title fit for all players.

Slashimi from Play‘n GO is another must-try this Spring

Sink your teeth into this tasty new slot game and cook up a storm with master Chef Jiro Miike as he takes you on a flavour-filled online gaming experience in Slashimi. With a sushi/Japanese eatery theme

Slashimi plays out in a hibachi restaurant while players watch the chef slice, dice, and serve the food. The background is semi-interactive; if you click on the fish and tentacle, it will wriggle and try and escape. Slashimi’s hypnotic underwater effects will get you in the mood, and the maximum potential wins of 5000 times your bet make for the perfect snack. Slashimi’s RTP is 96.2% and can be played with bets from $/€0.10 to $/€100 per spin. Slashimi from Play‘n GO is another must-try this Spring, so check out our casinos at Minimum Deposit Casinos and get your portion of this sushi slot game.

Ever wanted to be a Monkey mobster? Try out the new Relax Gaming slot Banana Town Dream Drop

One of the most popular software developers is Relax Gaming, and in their newest release, out since the 6th April 2023, Banana Town Dream Drop offers monkeys and mafia and amazing game mechanics. Banana Town Dream Drop features the famous Dream Drop Jackpot and bonuses to help you win amazing prizes throughout the game. With many fantastic opportunities to take home real cash, have fun with cascading wins, multiplier upgrades, free spins, and the Dream Drop Bonus. The maximum win is 10,000 times your bet, but if you’re aiming for bigger wins, land 15 banana crates appear, and if you pick the right crate, you can win a progressive Jackpot prize that can reach $/€1 Million. With a 94% RTP, play Banana Town Dream Drop from $/€0.20 to $/€100, and have fun with its thrilling engine, fantastic artwork and payouts that will make you go bananas.

We tried out 2024s best value NZ online casinos so that you don’t have to

Using an online casino NZ can be a wonderful experience, providing hours of entertainment and thrills. And if Lady Luck smiles upon you, some excellent wins and cashouts too, of course. Literally, there are thousands of gambling sites, but make no mistake – they don’t all guarantee this wonderful experience we’re describing.

Sadly, when an online casino NZ is bad, it’s really bad. If you hit upon an unscrupulous operator, this can totally ruin everything for you. So how to avoid this? Comparing, rating and testing casinos takes time and knowledge, and we know that this isn’t necessarily something you have the inclination to take up.

Enter Minimum Deposit Casino’s team of experts. We’ve tried out every best value online casino NZ so that all you have to do is focus on picking up that welcome bonus and letting the good times roll.

Of course, we don’t rate casinos haphazardly. Our team undertakes a very stringent process, applying a set of objective and transparent criteria that affect a gambling experience before deciding whether an online casino NZ is worthy of our recommendation. We apply these criteria consistently to every single site we score, so that players know we are comparing like with like. And we are always transparent about the reasons why one site will earn a position on our list of best value NZ online casinos while another doesn’t.

We review every single casino using the below main list of criteria:

• Licensing
• Safety and security
• A good welcome bonus
• Trustworthy payment options
• Size of games library
• Overall usability

Keep reading if you’d like to learn more about the in-depth process we follow to review an online casino NZ.

First, we check that the license is above board

We’re not sending you to any online casino NZ unless it’s backed by a gambling licence from a respectable regulator, and that’s the end of it. Our top Minimum Deposit Casino sites all feature a license from the Malta Gaming Authority, Curacao eGaming, the UK Gambling Commission or one of the other regulators that place the interest of the player above all else.

A trustworthy license means that your interests are protected at law, and that your financial and personal data is kept safe. It also guarantees that in case of any complaint, you’ll have the full strength of that license acting on your behalf. Gambling licenses come with very strict conditions, and violating any of them not only leads to massive fines but also license suspension, so we’re not kidding when we say this is the topmost priority for us.

We gauge all other safety and security features

A license is the bare minimum, and there are other elements that need to be present to ensure the best gambling experience possible. This includes a good responsible gambling programme, so that any players who feel vulnerable or face problems will find immediate help to control their gambling.

We also check that the casino games are provided by reputable software providers so as to make sure that all wins are truly random. If a site also gets independent third party authentication, such as from eCOGRA, then that guarantees an even higher score from us.

We make sure the bonuses are generous and fair

A good sign-up bonus is one of the biggest priorities for our expert reviewers when rating a Minimum Deposit Casino. This is because we know how important it is for players that their chosen online casino gives a good boost to their bankroll immediately upon signing up.

Our best scores are reserved for those sites that offer a good welcome package, such as a $1 minimum deposit bonus that is accessible to low-rollers.

Match deposits always go down well, and we give especially good scores to those that reward new players with multi-deposit bonuses, rather than stopping the rewards after the first deposit is done. If the package includes free spins bonus, that’s even better.

We also check for terms and conditions that are fair. The most important ones are reasonable wagering requirements, with 35x to 50x being the average in New Zealand. We also want to see reasonable expiry terms to give you enough time to enjoy the bonus.

We look for trustworthy payment options

When it comes to making our first deposit at an online casino NZ, we want to make sure to find the banking option that is convenient for Kiwi players, most of which typically favour traditional casino banking methods, e-wallets or prepaid vouchers. Our highest ranking sites offer a choice between VISA, MasterCard and bank transfers, as well as Neteller and Skrill for those who prefer digital wallets and Paysafecard or EcoPayz.

The bigger the choice, the better our casino as it also signals a level of respect from these established payment providers. But we go beyond just looking at the options. We search for instant withdrawal processes that makes life easier for players to get their hands on some wins. Flexible transaction limits that allow us to withdraw or deposit as much as needed are also high on our list of priorities.

We give the casino games a spin

We’re here primarily for the games, so any online casino NZ that doesn’t deliver in this regard is not going to receive a superb recommendation from us. First of all we check the size of the games library. Ideally, this will run into thousands, as most players like variety. Next, we look at the different categories offered.

Online pokies remain the most popular game category among Kiwi players, so we definitely need a good selection that includes all the classic fan favourites and newer titles to keep things lively. We also see that there is a decent selection of live dealer and table games, besides jackpot and tournament opportunities.

And to make sure that the variety criterion is fulfilled, we give the top scores to those NZ online casinos that partner up with a variety of software providers, including leading names like NetEnt, Evolution, Play ‘n Go, Microgaming and the like.

We rate the overall casino usability

The elements that make up an excellent casino online NZ aren’t limited to the obvious, but includes other things that determine how fun and easy it is to play at a gambling site. For example, we know that the new generation of Kiwi gamblers prefer to play on the go, so we expect our best Minimum Deposit Casinos to be 100% mobile responsive, whether by providing a dedicated app or via the regular mobile browser.

We also know that players hate lengthy registration processes with too much admin thrown in, so if a site ensures you’re settled and playing in under five minutes, it gets extra kudos. Also on our radar is customer support, where we like to see 24/7 live chat available to make sure our questions are answered fast.

And finally, we also rate the overall platform for ease of use and design. This includes an efficient game search and filtering option, FAQs and a help centre and all those tiny details that place a casino online NZ a cut above the rest.

Our reviews say it exactly as it is

You won’t find any nasty surprises when you click on an online casino NZ that’s recommended by us. This is because our Casino Reviews are transparent and consistent, and we explain exactly why we loved a particular site, while also including any disadvantages that we might have encountered while playing there. Our first responsibility at Minimum Deposit Casinos is the players, and that’s one thing that is not going to change.