Blacklisted Casinos to Avoid for New Zealand Players in 2024

How Does a Casino Get Blacklisted?

A blacklist is a compilation of casinos that players should avoid. The reasons that sites end up there can be varied. They may involve a general lack of transparency, unfair terms and conditions, poor practices, bad customer service, and, in the case of the worst, sometimes even illegal operations.

Our expert crew has found that there’s an alarming number of sites where players shouldn’t be trusted with their personal data or money. That’s why we’ve created a comprehensive list that includes a number of long-standing offenders as well as the latest blacklisted casinos, so you can be sure that it’s up-to-date.

If you’re struggling to find gambling sites that you know can be trusted, consider those featured on the Slotozilla website.

Is Every Blacklist the Same for Untrustworthy Casinos?Platforms like Slotozilla maintain their own blacklists, meaning they are not centralised or universally standardised. As a result, the casinos flagged on one list might differ from those on another. In our experience, some bad actors may appear on multiple lists due to repeated offences, but this is not always the case.

Reasons Behind Adding Casinos to List of Unfair Sites

According to our research, many dodgy behaviours can get a casino blacklisted. Below are a few of the most common reasons for rogue platforms being classified as unreliable.

Licensing and Testing Issues

Regulators like the UKGC and independent testing agencies like eCOGRA offer reassurance that a site is trustworthy. A licence from a reputable regulator or certification from a reliable third-party indicates a high likelihood of security. However, if a site lacks proper licensing, it could operate illegally in the black market.

Payment Problems

Based on our observations, one of the biggest risks of playing at unsafe casinos is facing issues with withdrawals. Many sites are blacklisted for delaying payouts, failing to comply with proper KYC and anti-money laundering protocols, or outright refusing to release funds.

Security and Privacy Violations

High-quality casinos know the importance of treating their customers’ personal details with respect. This means protecting data using advanced technologies such as SSL and storing funds in a safe account. Data privacy violations are a serious infringement, and sites guilty of this should be avoided at all costs.

Unfair Terms and Conditions

One common characteristic of blacklisted casinos online is that they tend to have unclear or unfair terms and conditions. This may include excessively high turnover or withholding critical details until after a player has made a deposit. This lack of transparency not only creates a frustrating experience for players but also violates the standards set by reputable regulators.

Deceitful Bonuses

If it seems too good to be true, it probably is! Players should be wary of any bonuses that promise too much, especially if unfamiliar with the operator. Overly valuable promos frequently signal potential issues, with terms that may be deceptive or unclear. Many deals come with wagering requirements, which is fair enough. Still, if these are hidden, or limits such as max wins aren’t mentioned upfront, that violates the player-operator relationship.

Rigged Games

Most titles, such as slots, should be based on an underlying Random Number Generator (RNG). This ensures the game pays out as often as the RTP rate and variance suggest. Shifty websites, however, may host activities that are skewed in the house’s favour. Rigged titles like these are not uncommon on blacklisted online casinos.

What’s the Big Risk?There are numerous dangers to trusting blacklisted casinos with personal details or funds. They may freeze your balance or make you wait long for withdrawals. Rigged games and the resale of personal data are common. Also, gambling on a flagged site may mean that you’re not covered by protective laws. We strongly advise you to steer clear.

There are numerous dangers to trusting blacklisted casinos with personal details or funds. They may freeze your balance or make you wait long for withdrawals. Rigged games and the resale of personal data are common. Also, gambling on a flagged site may mean that you’re not covered by protective laws. We strongly advise you to steer clear.

How to Report a Casino for Blacklisting

If you come across a platform that seems unreliable or if a site has already mistreated you, you should definitely avoid it. You may also wish to report any offending sites that you come across, especially if you’ve already tried to resolve the issue with them and not had a response.

You can report a site to us using the form on our Contact Us page, or file a direct report with the New Zealand Gambling Commission. Doing this helps other players avoid the same trap and directs the authorities towards potentially criminal behaviour. Also, you may find that once a gaming hub has appeared on the blacklist, it’s more likely to release your winnings — this is because they have a reputation to protect.

Why Are Rogue Casinos So Prevalent?

Unfortunately, many brands deserve to be labelled as blacklisted casino sites. Sadly, these platforms cheat because they stand to make huge amounts of money by doing so. This means that platforms can sometimes be fraudulent regardless of size, licence, or reputation.

That’s not to say that all players are trustworthy, either! It’s actually quite common for them to get blacklisted from online casinos due to the use of particular tactics, such as holding multiple accounts.

One reason for this is that the current legislation in New Zealand is insufficient. It essentially allows customers to use offshore gambling websites which are not closely monitored. By not implementing strict regulatory control on these destinations, the NZ government is allowing criminal casinos to thrive. For these reasons, it’s crucial that players choose online casino real money spots wisely.

Tips for Spotting a Casino You Can’t Trust

Not all rogue and unreliable sites are blacklisted, so being able to detect them is a valuable skill for players to have. In this section, we’ll look at a few specific red flags that you should be keeping an eye out for:

1. Deceptively attractive bonuses: Incentives are a big part of gambling, and many legitimate sites offer attractive bonuses too. However, if something seems unbelievably good, you’re probably better off avoiding it. Have a look at the terms and conditions; if the wagering requirements are high, or the max win is low, then this might be why it seemed so enticing at first glance. There’s nothing wrong with turnover and other T&Cs, but all fine print should be clear and transparent.
2. Lack of licence: If a gaming spot lacks a licence from a reputable regulator, such as the NZ Gambling Commission, it’s a major warning sign. Be cautious, as some black market sites may fake licensing credentials. Always verify the licence number directly on the regulator’s official website. Additionally, if the brand is only licensed by unreliable jurisdictions, it’s best to steer clear.
3. Existing complaints: If your research reveals unresolved complaints or issues about a casino, it’s wise to take them seriously. If other users are having issues, you might too, so it’s worth having a quick check of online forums and review sharing sites for any negative experiences others have had, especially if they mention unfair practices.

Exposing Rogue Casinos

If you’re having issues with a site you’ve encountered, there’s a general procedure that you should follow to get the problem resolved. Before a brand can be blacklisted, follow these steps:

1. Contact customer support: Give the site a chance to fix the issue on its own by helpdesk via email, live chat or phone.
2. Reach out to the regulator: Contact the licensing authority to report the issue. They will investigate the matter and reach out to the platform directly to address your concerns.
3. Tell the watchdogs: Notify blacklist managers and other review sites; they will place the brand on their list to warn other players if they deem it appropriate.
4. Seek legal advice: If necessary, and if a casino is withholding your funds, you may wish to escalate the issue by taking legal action.

Note that being blacklisted isn’t a life sentence for a site. Most of the time, they can redeem themselves by correcting the issues that got them flagged. This may involve regaining the trust of players and the industry by demonstrating fair play.

Slotozilla’s 5 Most Trusted Online Casinos

If you’re ready to shift your focus from where not to gamble to where you should, here’s a roundup of the top online casinos NZ that are worth visiting, according to Slotozilla’s research.

Casino	Licensing	Security Measures	Customer Service	Games
Vulkan Bet	Curaçao Gaming Authority	SSL encryption	24/7 email, telephone, live chat	3,500+
Hellspin Casino	Curaçao Gaming Authority	SSL encryption	24/7 email, live chat	4,000+
All Star Casino	Curaçao Gaming Authority	SSL encryption	24/7 email, telephone, live chat	500+
SpinBet Casino	Curaçao Gaming Authority	SSL encryption	24/7 email, live chat	2,500+
HeroSpin	Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation	SSL encryption	24/7 email, live chat	1,000+