Chch casino or Christchurch casino the first real casino to open in New Zealand, the city of Christchurch in 1994. In addition to this casino, there are only 5 other land-based casinos in New Zealand.
Today, over two decades after, the heritage is still alive and all residents and visitors of Christchurch can enjoy their favourite casino games in this beautiful two-floor gambling paradise of New Zealand.
Chch casino is well known for the New Zealand Poker Championships tournament. It is open non-stop 24/7, and slightly stricter rules have been introduced such as dress code, casino age limits with no entry for people under 20, and you are not allowed to enter with bags or travel bags, etc.
These things tell us that this casino in NZ is actually luxurious and comfortable. Limited Skyline Enterprises which are one of the owners, actually cares about the reputation of the casino and the safety of guests. This casino is located near the airport, and within the casino, there are 2 bars and three restaurants.
Chch casino facts
But before we continue our review let’s take a brief look at the main Chch casino information that might interest you including:
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Name | Christchurch casino |
| Established | 1994 |
| Location | 30 Victoria Street, Christchurch Central |
| Age limit | 20 years and over |
| Owner (as of late 2025) | Skyline Enterprises (conditional sale agreement signed; settlement expected mid-2026 to an Iris Capital, an Australian privately owned investment group, through a company called CCL NZ BidCo Limited.) |
| Contact | 03 365 9999 / generalenq@christchurchcasino.co.nz |
Chch casino hours
Regular hours are:
- Monday – Thursday: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am
- Friday – Saturday: 12:00 pm – 3:00 am
- Sunday: 12:00 pm – 1:00 am
Hours can be extended on long weekends, public holidays or for special events. Always check the official site on the day you plan to visit.
If you have any questions about Chch Casino you can contact their customer support via:
- Email: generalenq@christchurchcasino.co.nz
- Telephone: 033 65 99 99
- Postal address: PO Box 4141 Christchurch 8140
- Website: www.christchurchcasino.co.
Parking
- Peterborough Street car park – Open. Free for Players Club members during casino opening hours. Public rates apply otherwise (first hour free, then $5/hour, $20 daily maximum).
- Victoria Street car park – Currently closed due to seismic works.
Christchurch Casino dress code
We have already told you that you must have or be over twenty years old if you want to visit Christchurch casino. Proof of age (id, passport) may be required from you at the entrance. Smart and neat presentation is required at all times. Management reserves the right to refuse entry.
The following items will not be allowed inside Chch Casino:
- Hats
- Tracksuits
- Iron boots
- Clothes with offensive designs or wording
- Messy look
- Clothing that is stained or dirty
- Gang tags or other gang insignia
- Steel-capped boots
- Any clothing deemed unacceptable by management
Recent Developments (2025–2026)
- AML/CFT penalty: In October 2025 the High Court confirmed a $5.06 million civil penalty after Christchurch Casino admitted systemic failures in its anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing programme between 2018 and 2023. The casino was not accused of being directly involved in money laundering.
- Ownership change: Skyline Enterprises signed a conditional agreement in late 2025/early 2026 to sell the casino (and an indirect interest in Dunedin Casino). Settlement is expected in mid-2026 subject to regulatory approvals. The incoming Australian owner has stated it intends to continue operating the business.
- Seismic strengthening: Ongoing structural upgrade works throughout 2026. Some temporary floor-plan changes and the temporary closure of the internal/Victoria Street car park are in place. Gaming machines and tables continue to operate.
- Promotions & events: Regular live music (Fri/Sat), sports viewing, quiz nights, Beats by Bingo, and seasonal campaigns such as the Spring Stakes series (cash draws, Casino Dollars prizes, NZ Cup experiences). Premium Lounge members receive additional exclusive offers throughout the year.
Pros
- Wide range of casino games
- A lot of restaurants and bars around
- Live entertainment
- Smoking area
- Parking space
- Tab facility
- Taxi available
Cons
- Dress code
- No entry for visitors under 20
Games at Chch casino
Are you interested in what games Christchurch Casino offers to its guests? In this section, we have made a complete list of all games available at Chch Casino.
Considering we’re talking about a two floors casino that is spanning over 4,087.5 square feet, it’s no surprise that Chch casino offers over 450 best nz online pokies for real money with stakes ranging from $ 1c to $ 2 and 34 table games like Texas Holdem, Baccarat, Roulette, Blackjack and others.
| Number of slot games | Number of table games |
|---|---|
| 450+ | 32-36 |
Available casino games at Chch Casino include:
- Baccarat
- Blackjack
- Roulette
- Rapid Roulette
- Money Wheel
- Poker
- Tai Sai
- Three Card Poker
- Caribbean Stud Poker
- Casino War
- Ultimate Texas Holdem Poker
- EGM (Electrical gambling machines)
Christchurch Casino member benefits program
Everyone over the age of 20 can now register via the app available on google play and play store; through it; they can view the status of their points, new promotions and current food and drink offers.
Membership is free and open to anyone aged 20+. You can pre-register online and complete the process at the Players Club desk with photo ID, or sign up in person.
Points are earned by playing or simply spending money in the casino, every penny spent counts, and you buy Base points.
After collecting a certain amount of points, the application allows you to get a refund in specific amounts depending on the tier you are currently in.
If you download the app, you will be able to track your VIP status, which is divided into tiers, including:
- Bronze: For every $ 10 spent, you get 100 points worth $ 1, collected on your membership card or app. The accumulated points are converted into cash, and you can spend them in the casino on food, games and other products you otherwise have to pay for. If you have a bronze badge, you get a 10% refund.
- Silver: You must collect 4,000 points within 6 months to get a silver badge. This means you must spend $ 400 at the casino in 6 months. As a silver badge holder, you have benefits like gaming promotion dining offers; you get 15% back from buying food and drinks. If you earn 5 base points, you are entitled to free casino parking.
- Gold: To qualify for the gold badge, you must spend $ 1000 in 6 months and thus collect 10,000 points. As a member with a gold badge, you have a 20% return on all purchased food and drinks, receive dining offers at game promotions, invitations to exclusive promotions and events, plus free parking.
- Platinum: You become a member with a platinum badge only by invitation
- Black: The casino must invite you to become a black member
Key benefits include:
- Earn points on gaming, food and beverage
- Redeem points for Casino Dollars, dining, free play and more
- Tiered rewards (Bronze → Silver → Gold, with Platinum and Black by invitation)
- Free parking during casino opening hours at the Peterborough Street car park
- Exclusive member promotions, birthday gifts and bonus points
- Free Players Club app to track points, offers and events
New members frequently receive a welcome package of Casino Dollars (offers change, so check current promotions).
Christchurch Casino Players Club
Let’s talk about the Christchurch Casino’s epic loyalty program, eh? They’ve got a cracker of a deal for all their regular punters, and it is called Players Club. It’s all about that sweet loyalty, and once you’re in, you’re in for some ripper rewards!
As a member of their Christchurch Casino Players Club loyalty program you’ll be racking up points faster than a hongi at a family reunion!
And the best part?
You can redeem those points for a bunch of bloody fantastic stuff. Whether you’re keen on some free pokies spins, a pint at the pub, or even a flash dinner at one of their top-notch restaurants, they’ve got you covered, bro!
They’ll treat you like a proper VIP, offering all sorts of perks like free parking, skip-the-line privileges, and invites to exclusive shindigs that’ll make you feel like the king of the castle!
Location of Christchurch casino in NZ & getting there
Chch Casino is located in the largest city of New Zealand, Christchurch, on the southern island of New Zealand (Canterbury Region) at 30 Victoria Street near the airport. This is one of the most popular land-based casinos in NZ. Taxi ranks and rideshare options are readily available outside.
If you can’t find a casino, it would be best to turn on GPs or google maps. Let’s take a look at the exact location of Chch Casino below.
Christchurch casino restaurant options
Christchurch Casino offers the following dining options:
- The Grand Cafe: The Grand Cafe is a popular buffet-style restaurant at Christchurch Casino, offering a diverse selection of dishes for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. The buffet typically features an array of international cuisine, including New Zealand specialties, seafood, salads, desserts, and more.
- Monza Sports Bar: The Monza Sports Bar is a casual dining spot where visitors can enjoy classic pub-style food while watching live sports events on big screens. The menu includes a variety of appetizers, burgers, pizzas, and $9.50 happy-hour pints (5–7 pm daily).
- Skylark Bar & Lounge: Live music every Friday and Saturday night, cocktails ($14.50 specials 7–9 pm), and a more lounge-style atmosphere.
Note: no reservations needed for normal dining.
Here you can see the Christchurch casino menu.
Hotels near casino
Christchurch Casino does not have an on-site hotel. However, several accommodation options are available near the casino, located in the heart of Christchurch, New Zealand. Many of these hotels are within walking distance or a short drive from the casino, making it convenient for visitors to enjoy both the gaming experience and comfortable lodging.
Some popular hotels near Christchurch Casino include:
- Rydges Latimer Christchurch: Located approximately 1.5 kilometres from the casino, this upscale hotel offers modern rooms, a restaurant, a fitness centre, and conference facilities.
- Novotel Christchurch Cathedral Square: Situated about 1.3 kilometres from the casino, this contemporary hotel features comfortable rooms, a restaurant, a bar, and a fitness centre.
- BreakFree on Cashel: This budget-friendly hotel is around 1.5 kilometres from the casino and offers simple yet stylish rooms, a restaurant, and a 24-hour reception.
- The George: A luxury boutique hotel approximately 1.2 kilometres from the casino, offering elegant rooms, fine dining restaurants, and beautiful river views.
All brick-and-mortar casinos in NZ
| Casino | Age limit | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| SkyCity Auckland | 20 | 24/7 |
| SkyCity Hamilton | 20 | 24/7 |
| SkyCity Queenstown casino | 20 | 12noon – 12am, everyday |
| SkyCity Wharf | 20 | Currently closed |
| Grand Casino Dunedin | 20 | 12 pm–12 am |
| Christchurch Casino | 20 | 12 pm–12 am |
Online platform launched from Malta
Christchurch Casino has taken a remarkable step by introducing an online gambling platform from Malta, effectively bypassing existing New Zealand regulations.
This initiative, executed through their offshore subsidiary, Christchurchcasino.com Limited, in partnership with a licensed global gaming company, signifies a significant transformation in New Zealand’s gambling landscape.
While online gambling continues to surge in popularity, New Zealand’s current laws restrict such activities to just two authorized providers, namely Lotto NZ and the TAB.
This strategic move by Christchurch Casino acknowledges the changing dynamics within the gambling industry, where online casinos have been gaining ground at the expense of traditional brick-and-mortar establishments.
As this transformation unfolds, the implications of this shift and its influence on responsible gambling practices remain subjects of extensive debate and discussion.
New Zealand Poker Championships (NZPC)
Christchurch Casino is widely recognised as the Home of New Zealand Poker and has hosted the New Zealand Poker Championships for many years. The event is the country’s premier live poker festival and regularly attracts strong fields of local and international players.
The 2026 edition ran from 29 July to 2 August (with Monday 3 August as a reserve day). The typical structure includes:
- Canterbury Champs – $1,100 buy-in (Wed)
- Main Event Day 1A – $2,250 buy-in (Thu)
- South Island Champs – $1,600 buy-in (Fri)
- Main Event Day 1B – $2,250 buy-in (Sat)
- Big Bounty – $900 buy-in (Sun)
Main Event Day 1s usually feature 45-minute levels (12 levels per flight), with survivors returning for Day 2 on longer (60-minute) levels. Re-entries are generally permitted in the early stages of each event. Satellites are offered in the weeks leading up to the series.
Beyond the annual NZPC, the casino runs regular weekly and monthly poker tournaments (often on weekends) plus cash games (typically Wednesday – Sunday evenings). The poker room maintains a friendly, community-focused atmosphere and is a key destination for South Island players.
Full details, results and future dates are published on the official Christchurch Casino website closer to each event.
Frequently asked questions
Is there any dress code at Christchurch casino?
Yes, there is a dress code that needs to be followed. If you wear inappropriate clothing you will not be able to enter the Christchurch casino. You can learn more here in our review.
Is there any loyalty program?
Yes, there is a loyalty program for loyal players and visitors of Christchurch casino, and it is called Players Club. You can download this program with the app, and every penny spent on food, drinks or casino games is counted and converted into points. Gaining points also increases the level of the badge type, which means more benefits, gifts, promotions and others.
Does Christchurch Casino have an online version?
Yes, via a separate Malta-licensed platform. The physical casino itself does not offer online play under New Zealand regulation. If you are interested in playing online you should visit our list of all casinos available to NZ players.
Can I play bingo at Chch casino?
Bingo-style events (including Beats by Bingo) are held periodically in Monza Sports Bar. Check the What’s On page for dates.
How many land-based casinos are there in New Zealand?
There total of 6 land-based casinos in New Zealand.
Author: Aaron Smith
This page is independently written and is not affiliated with or endorsed by Christchurch Casino. Always confirm the latest hours, promotions and conditions on the official website: christchurchcasino.co.nz.