Tips on how to win at online casinos

Having trouble winning when gambling online? We’ve got you covered. Here are our top 10 tips on how to increase your chances of winning real money at online casinos.

Top 10 tips for winning casino games

Smart gamblers know a certain amount of risk is required when betting online. No matter how well you know the game rules or how frequently you’ve played, it often boils down to luck. Still, having a few gambling tips wouldn’t hurt. Improve your chances of winning with our experts' top 10 tips on how to win online casino games:

1. Research online casinos

This is the first and perhaps the most crucial step if you want to know how to win at online casinos. We recommend doing a background check before registering with online casino sites and depositing real money. 

Do your research and confirm whether the online casino you want to play at is licensed and regulated by recognised gambling authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA) to ensure you’re protected while you play. You should also check whether the site uses modern SSL encryption to secure your data. 

Another great way to check a casino’s reputation is to read trusted online casino reviews. Our experts carefully vet online casinos using strict criteria covering games, bonuses, the mobile platform, and customer support service to recommend the best sites.

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2. Choose the right casino games

Playing online casino games with a high return-to-player (RTP) percentage can boost your winning chances. RTP refers to the average amount of money a game pays out when played over a long period. For instance, a game with a 97% RTP will return an average of $97 for every $100 wagered.

Theoretically, you’re more likely to win a payout playing online pokies with an RTP of 98% compared to those with an RTP of 96%, as they offer a better chance of success. Regarding table games, blackjack and baccarat titles have some of the highest payout rates.

3. Play games with a low house edge

House edge is the statistical advantage a casino possesses over a player. It is present in every casino game and is designed to give the casino an edge. For example, if the house edge of a game is 2%, then the casino expects to make an eventual 2% profit on game bets, with the remaining 98% returned to customers.

Choosing a game with a low house edge significantly increases your odds of winning. Blackjack is the game with the lowest house edge advantage, ranging from 0.42% to 1.5%. Video poker is just a little behind at 0.76% to 5%, while roulette has some of the highest odds at 2.70% to 5.26%. Baccarat and online slots have house edges of between 1.06%-14.36% and 1% to 13%, respectively.

4. Seek out casino bonuses & promotions

Casino bonuses and promotions are a great way to boost your bankroll and extend gameplay. Most online casinos offer bonuses and promotions as incentives to entice players to register and gamble on their sites.

Here are the most popular casino bonuses available in New Zealand:

  • No deposit bonus: One of the most sought-after bonuses at online casinos is the no deposit offer. It often comes in the form of free spins, but some gambling platforms will award free credit and cash. Unlike other casino bonuses, which require a qualifying deposit, you only need to register a new account with the online casino to claim a no deposit bonus.

  • Welcome bonus: This is one of the best casino bonuses tailored towards new players. It’s usually available as free spins, a match deposit bonus, or a combination. You can claim a welcome bonus on the first qualifying deposit at your chosen online casino.

  • Free spins bonus: Another popular offer at online casinos is free spins. They can come as part of a bonus package or be issued by themselves to be used on a specific selection of slot games or a selection of slot games.

  • Refer a friend bonus: Online casinos offer this bonus to help bring in new customers. Some platforms reward you for successfully referring a friend or family to register an account, deposit and play casino games.

5. Play casino games in demo mode

If you’re a beginner or want to practise a casino strategy, playing games in demo mode before depositing real cash is advisable. This allows you to get used to the game and familiarise yourself with the rules, paytable and bet types at no extra cost.

Many NZ online casinos provide free-play games, so you don’t have to worry about finding a site. Some of the best games to play in demo mode include European roulette, Double Exposure, Book of Dead, and Bonanza Megaways, to name a few. Try out over 17,500+ casino games right here:

6. Check the casino's T&Cs

Another gambling tip that will prove helpful is reading a casino’s fine print. Before playing for real money, check out the online casino’s T&Cs for information on bonus wagering requirements, expiration dates, payment methods and withdrawal limits. It’ll also be worth checking if the casino provides fast payouts, as this will make all the difference when it’s time to withdraw your winnings.

7. Don't chase losses

Chasing losses is a common mistake online casino players make. If you’re on a losing streak, don’t attempt to recover your losses by wagering more and increasing the size of your bets, as this could lead to more significant losses. Always gamble responsibly and implement measures like budget setting and time limits to help manage your bankroll.

8. Learn casino game strategies

Casino strategies have been proven to help many gamblers win at online casino games, particularly in table games like poker and roulette. Outsmart your opponents by mastering the art of bluffing in poker or employ simple betting strategies like the Martingale and D’Alembert systems.

The Martingale system involves doubling up on losing bets and halving your stake after a winning bet to increase your chances of a profit when you eventually win a wager. Similarly, the D’Alembert system involves decreasing stake sizes after a losing bet and increasing them after a win.

9. Manage your bankroll

Proper bankroll management is essential to winning real money at online casinos and can help maximise the fun. We recommend setting a budget and sticking to it so you only wager money you can afford to lose.

To help stretch your funds further during a gaming session, start by playing low-variance games and placing small bets. As you secure more wins, gradually increase the bet amount to have some control over the risk level.

10. Gamble responsibly

While entertaining, gambling can be addictive, with problem gambling levels spiking yearly. To reduce the possibility of developing bad habits, always gamble responsibly.

Online casinos provide various self-help tools and resources to help players manage their gambling habits. These include self-exclusion limits, deposit limits, self-assessment tests and support group services. If you or someone you know is struggling with problem gambling, here are some specialists responsible gambling agencies for New Zealanders:

Safer Gambling

  • Freephone: 0800 654 655

  • Free text: 8006

Problem Gambling Foundation

The Salvation Army Oasis

  • Free phone: 0800 530 000

FAQs

  • Yes, Kiwis can legally play online casino games here in New Zealand. While no entity is allowed to own or operate an online casino in New Zealand, residents can legally gamble at internationally licensed gambling sites.

  • There’s no trick to winning online slots, as these games use random number generators (RNG) to ensure outcomes are entirely random. To boost your winning chances, play pokies with high RTPs, as theoretically, these award payouts more often.

  • Yes, you can. Sign up for a reputable online casino like those featured on our site, make a qualifying first deposit and play a game of your choice for your chance to win real money.

  • You can try numerous strategies to increase your winning chances, such as playing games with a low house edge or high RTP and betting a small percentage of your bankroll per wager.

  • It depends on what you want to get out of your gaming experience. While no deposit bonuses award free cash, spins, and credits just for signing up, they are usually small amounts. On the other hand, welcome bonuses require a deposit but can be worth thousands of dollars and comprise free cash and spins. Whichever you choose, always read the T&Cs to check for fair wagering requirements and time conditions.

  • Yes, they do. Employing specific gambling strategies goes a long way in improving your winning chances. They also help reduce your losses if you’re on a losing streak.

Peace Nwankpa
Peace Nwankpa
Verified expert
New Zealand content writer

Peace Nwankpa is an OCNZ iGaming writer. She has been a freelance writer since 2019, specialising in casino, esports and entertainment news. When she’s not researching online gambling platforms, you can catch her reading books, mangas and even watching anime.

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