888 Casino is one of the best-known names in online gambling, and New Zealanders sometimes come across it when researching casino apps. This guide sets out the plain facts: what it is, who owns it, how it is licensed, its honest track record, and — most importantly — how New Zealand’s rules changed in 2026.
It is written to inform, not to promote. Nothing here recommends signing up or depositing. Online casino play carries real financial risk, even with a large, established operator.
What 888 Casino Is
888 Casino launched in 1997 as “Casino-on-Net,” making it one of the oldest online casinos in the world. It is owned by Evoke plc — the company formerly called 888 Holdings, which rebranded in 2024. Evoke is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: EVOK), is headquartered in Gibraltar, and also owns William Hill, Mr Green, 888sport and 888poker. Being publicly traded means the parent company is subject to financial-reporting and disclosure obligations that most offshore casino operators are not.
Its game library runs to more than 1,000 titles (the exact number varies by market) from major studios including NetEnt, Playtech, Pragmatic Play and Red Tiger, alongside 888’s own in-house games and a large, Evolution-powered live-dealer section. That is a far bigger and more mainstream library than the “200 games” some older descriptions suggested.
Licensing — a Genuine Multi-Licence
Unlike many offshore casinos that claim strong licences they don’t hold, 888 Casino’s licensing is real and verifiable. It is regulated by the UK Gambling Commission (licence 39028), the Gibraltar government, and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA/CRP/543/2018), and it was a founding member of the testing agency eCOGRA in 2002. These are among the more respected regulators, which generally means stronger player protection and clearer complaint routes than a Curaçao or Kahnawake licence provides.
That said, these are still overseas licences. They do not make 888 a New Zealand–licensed operator, and they do not extend New Zealand’s specific consumer protections. Our guide to trust, safety and compliance explains what the different licences mean in practice.
An Honest Look at the Track Record
888’s long history is genuinely strong in places — it has won industry awards (including Casino Operator of the Year at the EGR Awards in 2021 and 2022) and operates in tightly regulated markets. But an honest picture has to include its enforcement record, because it is significant:
- In 2017, 888 reached a £7.8m settlement with the UK Gambling Commission after more than 7,000 self-excluded customers were still able to gamble.
- In March 2022, it agreed a further £9.4m settlement over anti-money-laundering and social-responsibility failings.
- Across the wider Evoke group, UKGC penalties since 2017 total in the tens of millions.
None of this makes 888 a scam — it remains a licensed, regulated, publicly-listed operator. But it does show that even a big, long-established brand can fall short on player protection, which is exactly why the incoming New Zealand rules matter.
The New Zealand Rules Changed in 2026 (Why This Matters Most)
For years, New Zealand had no domestic licensing system for online casinos, and offshore sites reached players here without local oversight. That has changed.
The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 came into force on 1 May 2026 and created, for the first time, a licensing system for online casino gambling in New Zealand, run by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Only a limited number of operators — capped at 15 — can hold a licence.
From 1 December 2026, only DIA-licensed operators may lawfully serve New Zealanders. 888 is an international operator focused on regulated markets like the UK, so whether it accepts New Zealand players can vary — but either way it sits outside the new NZ framework unless it holds a DIA licence. The reliable way to check any operator’s standing is through the Department of Internal Affairs. See our overviews of online casino licensing in New Zealand and the regulation and legal framework.
| Term | Plain-English meaning |
|---|---|
| RNG (Random Number Generator) | Software that makes each game outcome random rather than fixed. eCOGRA tests these. |
| KYC (Know Your Customer) | The identity checks a casino runs before paying out, using ID and proof of address. |
| Wagering requirement | How many times a bonus must be bet before winnings can be withdrawn. |
| Self-exclusion | A tool to block your own access for a set period — the area where 888 was previously penalised. |
How the Platform and Apps Work
888 offers both browser play and native apps (iOS and Android) in the regulated markets where it operates, with the full range of slots, table games and live dealer available. Where an app isn’t offered, the mobile site provides the same games. Downloading only from official stores (the App Store or Google Play) avoids the security risks of installing gambling software from elsewhere.
Bonuses, Banking and Withdrawals
888’s welcome offer is typically a deposit match plus free spins, with the exact figures and wagering (often around 30–35×) varying by market. As always, the wagering requirement matters far more than the headline amount, so read the current terms. Our casino bonuses overview explains how to judge an offer’s real value.
For banking, 888 supports cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard and bank transfer (it does not offer cryptocurrency). A KYC identity check applies before withdrawals. One 2026 change is worth repeating: a licensed New Zealand operator may not accept credit-card deposits, a measure to stop people gambling with borrowed money. See our guide to the credit-card ban.
Staying in Control: Responsible Gambling in Aotearoa
Gambling should only ever be treated as paid entertainment — never as a way to make money or clear a debt. The odds are structured so the operator profits over time, and bonuses and VIP tiers are designed to keep you playing.
Regulated operators must offer control tools: deposit and session limits, cooling-off periods, and self-exclusion. Our guide to self-exclusion tools explains how these work — and, as 888’s own history shows, they only protect you if they’re applied properly.
Free, confidential help is available in New Zealand at any time — you do not need to be in crisis to use it.
Factual information disclaimer
This article is provided for general information only. It describes facts about 888 Casino and New Zealand’s online casino rules; it does not encourage gambling, does not recommend signing up to or depositing with any operator, and is not legal, financial or professional advice.
Gambling involves financial risk and can be harmful. Nothing here should be read as a suggestion that you gamble. Laws, licensing and operator details change — always confirm the current position with an official source before making any decision.
If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, free and confidential support is available: the Gambling Helpline Aotearoa on 0800 654 655 or at gamblinghelpline.co.nz, and the New Zealand regulator, the Department of Internal Affairs, at dia.govt.nz.
Who owns 888 Casino?
888 Casino is owned by Evoke plc, the London-listed company formerly known as 888 Holdings (it rebranded in 2024). Evoke is based in Gibraltar and also owns William Hill, Mr Green, 888sport and 888poker. 888 Casino itself launched in 1997 as Casino-on-Net.
Is 888 Casino licensed and safe?
888 holds genuine licences from the UK Gambling Commission, Gibraltar and Malta, and its games are eCOGRA-tested — so it is a legitimate, well-regulated operator, not a scam. It does, however, have a notable UK enforcement history (settlements in 2017 and 2022), and it is not licensed in New Zealand.
Is 888 Casino licensed in New Zealand?
No. Its licences are overseas (UK, Gibraltar, Malta), not New Zealand ones. Under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, only Department of Internal Affairs–licensed operators may lawfully serve New Zealanders from 1 December 2026 — and whether 888 accepts NZ players varies, so verify current status with the DIA.
Does 888 Casino support PayPal and crypto?
888 supports PayPal in the markets where it’s available, alongside cards, Apple Pay, Skrill, Neteller, Paysafecard and bank transfer. It does not offer cryptocurrency.
Where can I get help if gambling becomes a problem?
Free, confidential support is available in New Zealand through the Gambling Helpline Aotearoa on 0800 654 655. Support is available at any time, and you do not need to be in crisis to reach out.