If your bank card was declined at an online casino, this guide from Zaidas.co.nz explains why it happened and how to get around it.
Below you'll find which NZ banks block gambling transactions, which offer voluntary spending blocks, and which alternative payment methods work without issues.
Quick Answer: Westpac and Kiwibank both offer voluntary gambling blocks - if you (or someone on your account) activated one, that's why your deposit failed. If you haven't activated a block, the casino's merchant category code may be triggering your bank's fraud filters. The fastest fix: use POLi (bypasses card blocks) or cryptocurrency (completely bank-independent).
Westpac NZ and Kiwibank are the two confirmed banks offering voluntary gambling transaction blocks in New Zealand. Both blocks are opt-in - they must be actively requested. ANZ, ASB, and BNZ have not publicly confirmed equivalent dedicated gambling blocks as of early 2026, though all banks may decline certain overseas gambling merchants through standard fraud filters.
| Bank | Gambling Block? | Cards Covered | Online Casinos Blocked? | Minimum Duration | How to Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westpac NZ | Yes (voluntary) | Debit & Credit | Yes - incl. overseas sites | 3 months minimum | Call or visit branch |
| Kiwibank | Yes (voluntary) | Visa Debit & Credit | Yes - online only | None (2 working days to remove) | Contact bank directly |
| ANZ NZ | Not confirmed | - | Possibly via fraud filters | - | Contact ANZ |
| ASB | Not confirmed | - | Possibly via fraud filters | - | Contact ASB |
| BNZ | Not confirmed | - | Possibly via fraud filters | - | Contact BNZ |
Since March 2024, Westpac has processed over 400 gambling blocks for customers. The block prevents card use at online casinos, physical casinos, lottery stations, and overseas gambling merchants - physical transactions at licensed NZ TAB venues are typically not affected.
Banks block casino deposits to reduce gambling harm and prevent customers gambling with borrowed credit card funds. Around 186,000 New Zealanders are personally affected by gambling harm according to Te Whatu Ora - banks introduced voluntary blocks as a harm minimisation tool, not as a blanket restriction.
Gambling with a credit card means gambling with borrowed money. A losing session creates immediate debt at 20%+ interest. Banks see this as high-risk lending and many categorise gambling as an ineligible credit card purchase.
Voluntary blocks let customers restrict their own access. Westpac's 3-month minimum cooling-off period is intentional - it prevents impulsive removal during a problem gambling episode. This is a responsible banking feature.
Overseas online casinos are flagged by bank fraud systems as high-risk merchants. Even without a deliberate gambling block, your bank may decline payments to offshore casinos as a precautionary fraud measure.
New Zealand's Online Casino Gambling Bill will mandate a credit card ban for licensed online casinos from December 1, 2026. This won't affect debit cards, POLi, crypto, or e-wallets - but credit cards will be blocked by law.
POLi processes payments directly from your bank account balance using your account number - not your card. Because it bypasses the card network entirely, a Westpac or Kiwibank gambling block on your card does not affect POLi transactions. Works with ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, and Westpac.
POLi uses your bank account number, not your card. Card gambling blocks from Westpac and Kiwibank target card network transactions - POLi operates on a different payment rail entirely.
Deposits appear in your casino account within seconds. No 1-3 day wait like bank transfers. Your bonus and free spins activate immediately after the deposit confirms.
The casino never sees your card number or bank credentials. POLi handles the secure bridge between your bank and the casino - significantly reducing fraud risk.
POLi transactions appear as standard internet banking transfers on your statement - no gambling-specific merchant codes that could trigger additional bank scrutiny or employer concerns.
POLi Casinos: Kiwi's Treasure, Jackpot City ($1), Lucky Nugget ($1), Spin Casino ($1), Ruby Fortune ($5), Mirax Casino ($10). See our full POLi casino guide.
Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Litecoin operate outside the banking system entirely. Purchase crypto through an exchange (Easy Crypto NZ, Binance), transfer to your casino wallet, and the transaction is invisible to your bank. No gambling merchant code, no card network, no bank involvement whatsoever.
E-wallets act as an intermediary between your bank and the casino. Fund your Skrill or Neteller account with a debit card transfer (not credit card), then deposit to the casino from the e-wallet. The casino sees a Skrill/Neteller payment - not a gambling transaction on your bank card.
Important: Some e-wallet deposits may be excluded from casino welcome bonuses. POLi deposits qualify for all bonuses at all casinos with no exclusions. Check the casino's bonus terms for e-wallet restrictions before depositing via Skrill or Neteller.
New Zealand's Online Casino Gambling Bill will ban credit card use for deposits at licensed online casinos from December 1, 2026. This is a legislative change affecting all NZ banks - not a voluntary block.
| Payment Method | Status After Dec 2026 | Action Needed |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Cards | Banned at licensed casinos | Switch to debit card, POLi, or crypto |
| Debit Cards | Still permitted | No action needed |
| POLi | Still permitted | No action needed |
| Cryptocurrency | Still permitted | No action needed |
| E-Wallets (Skrill/Neteller) | Still permitted (if funded by debit) | Do not fund e-wallet with credit card |
| Bank Transfer | Still permitted | No action needed |
The credit card ban applies only to licensed NZ online casinos. Offshore (unlicensed) operators may still accept credit cards, but playing at unlicensed casinos carries additional risk (no DIA oversight, no dispute resolution). We recommend switching to POLi or crypto now to avoid disruption in December.
If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, free confidential help is available 24/7:
Bank gambling blocks exist to help people with gambling problems. If you activated a block and are considering removal, please speak with a counsellor first. The Gambling Helpline (0800 654 655) provides free, confidential support 24/7.
Your bank has either applied a voluntary gambling block (Westpac 3-month block, Kiwibank 2-day block), or your card issuer is declining the overseas gambling merchant through standard fraud filters. Some banks also decline credit card transactions coded as gambling to prevent cash advance interest charges.
Westpac NZ and Kiwibank offer voluntary gambling blocks. Westpac's applies to all gambling merchants (3-month minimum before removal). Kiwibank's covers Visa Debit and Credit (removable within 2 working days). ANZ, ASB, and BNZ have not confirmed equivalent blocks but may use fraud filters.
Three methods reliably bypass card blocks: POLi (direct bank transfer using account number, not card), cryptocurrency (completely bank-independent), and e-wallets funded via debit card (Skrill, Neteller). POLi is the simplest for NZ players - instant, free, no account creation.
POLi may bypass card-based gambling blocks because it uses your bank account number rather than your card. Westpac and Kiwibank blocks target card network transactions specifically. However, if your bank has blocked the casino's merchant entirely (not just cards), POLi may also be affected.
Yes - cryptocurrency operates entirely outside the banking system. Purchase Bitcoin/Ethereum through Easy Crypto NZ or Binance, transfer to your casino wallet (7Bit, KatsuBet, Mirax), and the transaction is completely invisible to your bank.
No - only credit card deposits are banned under the Online Casino Gambling Bill (December 1, 2026). Debit cards, POLi, crypto, e-wallets, and bank transfers remain fully permitted. The ban applies to licensed NZ online casinos only.
Call Westpac or visit a branch - the block has a 3-month minimum cooling-off period before removal. This delay is intentional, designed to prevent impulsive removal during a problem gambling episode. No fee to apply or remove.
Contact Kiwibank directly - there is no minimum cooling-off period, and the block can be removed within 2 working days. The block applies to Visa Debit and Credit cards for online gambling transactions only.