One of my best experiences in New Zealand’s online gambling industry has been trying out new platforms from time to time. Whether I’m in my bed at 3 a.m. or I’m consulting on an affiliate partnership, I’ve seen the landscape taking a diverse shape over the last few years.
Amidst this digital transformation that has come to stay, the rise of VPN casinos has drawn the attention of the New Zealand gambling industry. Whether you are attempting to access games that were originally not available in New Zealand or you desire to have more control over your security and privacy, these VPN casinos have ushered in a new possibility for Kiwi punters.
However, here’s the catch: finding review websites that are trustworthy to not only list VPN-friendly online casinos but also take time out to vet them properly is not as easy as it seems.
This is why I have put together this detailed review of the best New Zealand casino affiliate sites that list online casinos supporting VPN usage. These are websites that I have tried out and tested in detail. I have also taken the time to rank them based on criteria that matter to real players.
What Makes a Great Casino Affiliate Site?
Before I proceed to rank these affiliate websites, let me give a breakdown of how the ranking system is developed. I did not just throw that blindly at a board but spent time evaluating them using five important criteria:
- Expertise
- Reliability
- Popularity
- Customer Satisfaction
1. Expertise
If your website does not have what it takes to flag unreliable gambling sites and unfavorable bonus offers, then it’s off the list. Expertise implies that the site is run by seasoned gambling experts, or at least folks who understand how the industry works and can provide detailed information to different levels of players. The players’ quality of experience relies on the depth of information they get from an affiliate website. Websites with relevant information command more appeal and are likely to be prioritized.
2. Reliability
I checked to see if online casinos listed on the review platforms I evaluated are licensed and contain accurate and up-to-date information. The whole point is about how trustworthy the content is, especially with VPN casinos, where the rules can shift. Kiwis want to be sure that the website they are getting information from is not just chasing clicks and commissions but is in for quality updates on recent developments.
3. Popularity
There’s a reason why the phrase “crowd favorite” exists. Popular sites, to a large extent, imply they are doing something right and have a strong reputation among Kiwi gamblers. I checked for user engagement, website traffic, and mentions in popular gaming forums. When a New Zealand affiliate site is popular in the gambling community, this often implies that Kiwis trust the source for reliable information, and it has built a reputation over time.
4. Customer Satisfaction
I ended my research with the torch of human contribution, which is the customer satisfaction of every platform. I’m sure that the platform provides what players need by also looking through third-party reviews, such as Reddit, and direct feedback. A New Zealand-affiliate website with better customer satisfaction will retain loyal users. Reviews must be comprehensive enough for beginners to understand, and the website must provide an avenue for users to leave feedback.
Now that the ranking criteria have been established let’s get into the top four affiliate websites for VPN casino players in New Zealand.
#1: BetKiwi – 9.2/10
BetKiwi has earned a reputation as a reliable platform that features trusted gambling operators that allow players to use a VPN for gambling.
I like that the content team knows the ins and outs of VPN usage and how New Zealand players can navigate online gambling restrictions. The expert-level guidance on the safe and legal use of VPNs makes this affiliate site stay on top of the list. They have a curated list of casinos that are compatible with the use of VPNs (I tested about 12, which worked flawlessly).
Furthermore, they update their library with user feedback and reviews from various platforms to further strengthen their claims and get rid of fluff. The website features beautiful UX with a dark background (easy on the eyes!) and swift loading times across all pages. If you are new to VPN gambling, BetKiwi’s starter guide will walk you through the basics of all that you need to put in place.
A downside to this affiliate website is that the mobile layout is a little crowded for newbies.
#2: KiwiSpins – 8.5/10
KiwiSpins covers a good range of the basics when it comes to VPN casinos; however, it lacks the deep insight that more experienced players would crave.
Looking at what this affiliate site gets right, there are straightforward reviews of top operators that are VPN-friendly. The quality of the content shows that expert efforts have been put into writing simple and jargon-free reviews. I like that there’s also a regular update of promotional offers on the website for every operator.
The only problem I had with this affiliate website is that it only lightly touched on VPN compatibility. For example, they might list the site as being accessible from anywhere in the world but not deeply explain how a VPN plays a part in making it possible, nor the risks that are associated with it.
Still, if you’re new to all these, KiwiSpins can help you get familiar with them. Overall, this affiliate website is strong on surface-level information and provides a good comparison of operators that support VPNs. However, you cannot expect the same depth or industry authority as BetKiwi.
#3: NZJackpotRadar – 7.9/10
NZJackpotRadar makes a decent attempt to hit the mark of a brilliant affiliate site, and in some ways, it does. This website has a solid library of international casinos, and a lot of them support the use of VPNs. This website provides helpful ratings of operators that allow Kiwi players to connect and play their favorite games.
What I observed about this website is that it is more inclined toward mobile users and supports a fast loading time. There are no broken links or sketchy operators featured on the website. But for a VPN casino, I need to know what works, what does not, and how to go about every tiny detail. NZJackpotRadar falls short in this area.
All in all, this is a good backup site if you already know where to find VPN casinos but need options to make a comparison.
#4: PokiePort – 7.6/10
PokiePort comes out of the box with a slick interface with one of the best UX in the industry. In my honest opinion, this affiliate website looks more like a mobile application than a website. I enjoy the high level of responsiveness that I get from every tap of the button to the scrolling on the pages. There’s also an innovative filtering tool that allows Kiwi players to get VPN operators with minimal clicks.
This website features real-time information updates with bonus tracks. This is a good addition to the website because it improves the gambler’s experience. But when it comes to VPN support, this website is noticeably slim. While some of the listed casinos are accessible through a Virtual Private Network, you won’t get clear instructions or safety tips.
Overall, I love the look and feel of this website, but I wish they showed VPN players a lot more love. It’s worth browsing through, but it’s not considered a primary resource.
Why VPN Casinos Are Popular in NZ
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room. Why are VPN casinos a thing in New Zealand right now? According to the Department of Internal Affairs, it is illegal to provide online gambling domestically, except by authorised providers (Lotto NZ and the TAB). On the other hand, it is legal for New Zealanders to gamble on offshore websites. However, the options for Kiwi players are limited as a number of overseas websites block NZ traffic.
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) makes connectivity to overseas casino websites possible from NZ. But the process is not smooth sailing. The use of VPNs can easily go against the terms and conditions of online casinos if not done properly.
Plus, NZ players can potentially access fraudulent websites without proper regulation this way.
That is the reason why trusted affiliate websites are saddled with the responsibility to highlight trustworthy casinos that support VPNs and guide players on how to use them within the legal framework.
The Affiliate Site You Can Trust
After hours and hours of reading, testing, and dealing with the late-night frustrations of sketchy redirects, I can confidently say that BetKiwi is the best viable option when it comes to an affiliate site that provides an all-around experience. The place is not just another platform that is trying to promote its partners; it is doing the work to create helpful resources for punters in New Zealand on how VPN casinos operate.
If you are curious about VPN casinos or desire to play professionally in the long run, ensure that you’re equipped with the right tools to help you navigate the online casino space. Use an affiliate website like BetKiwi not just to spot online casinos but to gamble smarter.
