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POLi Casinos in New Zealand in June 2026 

POLi casinos are now exclusive for New Zealand players since the payment method shut down its Australian operations in 2023. POLi is a payment service that allows customers to pay online directly from their bank account without entering any card or bank details. It is an intermediary network that connects the casino’s checkout directly to the user’s internet banking. Due to its nature, POLi is a deposit-only method, so in this article, you will understand how POLi deposits work, its disadvantages, and how it can help with your decision-making for the next POLi casino in New Zealand.

By
reviewed by
May 7, 2026 9 min. read
Lena Korvin
Lena Korvin
Editor
Important Notice for Australian Players

Even though it started in Australia, POLi officially shut down its operations in the country on 30 September 2023. Australia Post, which owned the service, decided to terminate the service due to a combination of competition and security changes. Several major Australian banks stopped accepting POLi transactions. They cited concerns over a process called “screen scraping”, which sees users provide online banking login details to a third party, so there are no longer any Australian online casinos that accept POLi.

Is POLi the Right Casino Payment Method for You?

Here are a few important pointers that can help Kiwis understand whether POLi is suitable to use at online casino sites and meet their needs.

POLi suits you if:

  • You live in New Zealand and have an account at one of the eight banks that allow a NZ casino POLi payment.
  • You want to deposit directly from your bank account without sharing sensitive bank details.
  • You are comfortable completing a deposit with just one action.
  • You are comfortable with POLi payments not being reversed once approved.
  • You wish to use a payment method that doesn’t charge any deposit fees.

POLi is less suitable if:

  • You don’t want your transactions to appear as gambling-related on your bank statements.
  • You need a withdrawal method; players cannot use POLi to withdraw money.
  • You seek a payment method with chargeback protection; POLi transactions are irreversible.

How POLi Works at Online Casinos

POLi is a direct bank transfer facilitator; it connects the player’s internet banking session to the casino’s payment system without requiring a POLi account, stored credentials, or a pre-loaded balance. POLi was launched in Australia in 2006, but in 2023, with security concerns and competition entering the market, Australia Post decided to terminate its services, and Merco acquired local NZ ownership rights.

As for New Zealand, POLi has been available since 2007, but until late 2025, banks discouraged residents from using it due to worries about its screen-scraping process. This changed when Open Banking regulations came into force on the 1st of December 2025. Banks then signed partnership deals to allow POLi to connect via bank-approved APIs.

Expert-vetted guide with POLi on a laptop with a deposit symbol against a green banner.

Now, POLi is used for paying online without sharing bank account details. In addition, POLi strictly acts as an intermediary: it never touches or stores users’ money, unlike alternative payment methods like PayPal or Apple Pay. There is no registration needed, as POLi is just a software bridge that links users’ bank accounts with merchants’ checkout. POLi facilitates outbound bank transfers only; the infrastructure routes money from the player’s bank to the casino, but can’t start an inbound transfer back to the player, which is why it is used only as a deposit method.

Lena Korvin
Lena Korvin
Editor
Be Aware of These Before Depositing at a POLi Online Casino

I recommend confirming your NZ bank is one of the eight POLi-supported banks before initiating any deposit. As POLi can’t receive withdrawals, register a separate withdrawal method before depositing. Also, unlike credit card or debit card payments, POLi transactions can’t be reversed by the bank, the casino, or POLi once confirmed. Players are not protected under chargeback rules for POLi casino deposits. If a deposit is made to a casino in error, the standard dispute route is through the casino’s regulator or ADR provider, not the bank. Verify the casino’s licence and ADR route before depositing, and do not open other browser tabs or navigate away during the POLi redirect session, as session interruption is the most common cause of POLi deposit failures.

How to Make a Casino Deposit With POLi

Without needing to share banking details, making online casino transactions at POLi Pay casinos is a four-step process that goes as follows.

Estimated Time: 5
Tools Needed: Mobile, Computer, iPad
Supplies Needed: Time
Step 1

Select POLi at the Casino and Enter the Deposit Amount

Sign up at one of the reliable POLi casinos and head to the cashier or banking section. There, choose POLi and enter the deposit amount per the specified limits.

Step 2
NZ banks on a phone with two coins and a POLi logo.

Select Your NZ Bank in the POLi Interface

Now, the list of banks that support POLi payments will appear, so select one from the interface. Note that Kiwibank, TSB, and Co-Op are banks that have not yet integrated Open Banking requirements, so they may block transactions.

Step 3
Claiming payment on a laptop with two coins and a POLi logo.

Log In and Confirm the Transfer in Your Internet Banking

The next step requires players to log in with their online banking credentials and confirm the transactions to the casino. Make sure not to disrupt the session or let time pass, as the transaction will fail.

Step 4

Return to the Casino and Register a Withdrawal Method

The POLi casino deposit NZ amount should appear in your account within a minute. As for your casino withdrawal, you will need to opt for a different payment method.

POLi-Supporting New Zealand Banks

In total, POLi works with eight NZ banks. Transactions from other banks won’t be supported. Here are the banks that allow users to use POLI at online casinos:

  • ANZ
  • ASB
  • BNZ
  • Kiwibank
  • TSB Bank
  • Westpac
  • Bank Direct
  • The Co-Operative Bank

Now, some of the information and concerns about banks and their partnerships with POLi can be outdated, while others are recent. Here is what you need to know about some banks and their POLi payments:

  • ASB’s New Policy: ASB was one of POLi’s harshest critics, as it accused the third-party payment service of creating fake versions of the ASB login page to get customer details. Now, with APIs in place, the situation changes, and ASB has signed a partnership deal with POLi.
  • Settlement Risks with ANZ Payments: Some ANZ payments may not go through, as the bank may flag a transaction as a potential scam. This way, even if your transaction is marked as Completed, it may be reversed and never reach your casino account.
  • Westpack’s SMS Confirmation: If you are a Westpack user, the bank may still send you an SMS code to verify a POLi payment.
  • The Other Four: Bank Direct, TSB, the Co-op, and Kiwibank still haven’t sanctioned APIs for POLi, so if you use this payment method, you will need to enter your existing online banking login details to the POLi interface.

How We Verify and Select POLi Casinos Before Listing

Finding POLi casinos requires us to implement a more encompassing process than just checking the availability of the POLi payment options. Here are the criteria we use in our Affiverse casino review.

1

POLi Deposit Confirmed From a Supported NZ Bank

We start by assessing whether POLi deposits are accepted by making an account top-up with a supported NZ bank account. Here, we note how smooth and fast the process is, and if the transaction doesn’t redirect or fails, we discard the operator.

2

Session Stability Tested Across Desktop and Mobile

We test whether the POLi deposit is processed instantly on different devices: desktop and mobile. We note whether there are any failed payments on mobile devices, and we suggest an environment in our reviews.

3

Withdrawal Method Availability for POLi Depositors

Casinos that accept POLi payments should have an extensive list of alternative options that users can choose. We specifically search for operators that accept e-wallets, bank transfers, and cryptocurrencies, while also noting any KYC requirements.

4

Licence Verification and Bonus Eligibility Confirmed

Every international casino we list here is licensed, and our experts verify the licence by cross-referencing the published data with the regulator’s database. Any casino that doesn’t offer POLi casino bonuses or excludes the payment method from its offerings is discarded immediately.

Withdrawals and Verification at POLi Casinos

While POLi can offer instant deposits, it is not a payment method you can use to withdraw winnings from casinos. Here are a few considerations to know when it comes to withdrawals at top POLi casinos:

  • Other Payment Options: Casinos may often automatically default online casino players to direct bank transfers for withdrawals instead of POLi. Bank transfer (direct to NZ bank account), e-wallets (Skrill, Neteller), and cryptocurrency are the most commonly available withdrawal methods at offshore online casinos that accept New Zealand players.
  • Same Method Rule: The casino may operate on a closed-loop policy (allowing deposits and withdrawals with the same payment method). In this case, to choose an e-wallet like Skrill, Neteller, or crypto, you will likely need to deposit with them first.
  • KYC Considerations: Regardless of the payment method you use, most reliable operators in the online gambling industry require an ID check before the first payout. This usually involves ID and proof of address and can take 24 to 72 hours. Complete KYC immediately after registration to avoid delays at the withdrawal stage.
  • Transaction Limits: Pay attention to the minimum and maximum limits for withdrawals. Verify before depositing that winnings can be accessed from a realistic balance.

Advantages and Limitations of POLi at Online Casinos

Pros
No account registration is needed: users just need to have a bank account with an eligible bank
No card details are needed: players can make transactions just by choosing their bank and deposit amount
Available at many online casinos from abroad that accept Kiwis
Deposits are instant, and there are no fees for customers
Cons
Withdrawals are not possible with POLi: players need to search for alternative methods
POLi transactions are irreversible: there are no chargebacks allowed
Not active in Australia anymore: it shut down its business in 2023
Only four of the eight banks have shared Open Banking APIs with POLi

Common Problems at POLi Online Casinos and How to Fix Them

Choosing POLi as the preferred deposit method means that players will usually get to make seamless and instant deposits, but a few roadblocks can sometimes appear.

“My POLi Session Timed Out During the Bank Transfer.”

  • Problem: The redirect session expired before the bank transfer was confirmed.
  • Fix: Check the bank account balance. If it hasn’t changed, then the session expired before it was approved, so the money is still in your account. You can retry the transaction.

“My POLi Deposit Did Not Activate the Welcome Bonus.”

  • Problem: A player made a deposit to get a welcome online casino bonus, but it was not credited to their account.
  • Fix: Check the bonus terms to see whether POLi deposits are eligible for bonuses. If yes, and the bonus was not credited, contact support and resolve the issue.

“My Bank Transfer Was Completed, but the Casino Balance Did Not Update.”

  • Problem: The money left the bank account, but it was not credited to the casino account.
  • Fix: If the money left your bank account but didn’t appear in your casino account, contact support at the gambling platform and send them proof of the payment.

Alternative Payment Methods for NZ Casino Players

Since POLi is not available for withdrawals, offshore online casinos will offer different types of payout options to Kiwis. Here are a few common and popular ones.

Method Deposit Withdrawal Bonus Eligibility Best For
POLi Yes No Usually eligible Direct deposits without sharing bank details
Bank Transfers Yes Yes Usually eligible Withdrawals when POLi is not available
Skrill Yes Yes Excluded from some casinos Fast e-wallet deposits and transactions
Neteller Yes Yes Not all casinos accept it for bonuses Fast e-wallet transactions
Cryptocurrency Yes Yes Usually eligible Fast and pseudonymous deposits and withdrawals
Visa/Mastercard Yes Yes Usually eligible Security and general casino availability

Choosing the right online casino with POLi NZ requires you to check more than just the availability of POLi as a deposit option. Make your choice based on the available withdrawal payment solutions as well.

Responsible Gambling for New Zealand Players at Offshore Casinos

POLi deposits are not limited to similar limits as e-vouchers like Paysafecard, Flexepin or Neosurf, whose voucher value is the spending cap. Bank transfers in general have a larger transaction threshold, so it is vital for players to take advantage of the responsible gambling tools at operators. If professional support is needed, then Kiwis can turn to organisations like the Problem Gambling Foundation and Gambling Helpline.

Conclusion

Since Australia shut down its POLi operations, this payment method is solely available in New Zealand. It enjoys wide acceptance among offshore sites, but players still need to verify that their specific bank is among the eight supported institutions, check whether POLi deposits qualify for bonuses, and confirm there are no casino fees attached to transactions. Most importantly, since POLi is a deposit-only method, a separate withdrawal option, such as a bank transfer, e-wallet, or cryptocurrency, should be registered before making a first deposit to avoid delays when cashing out winnings.

FAQs

Can I Use POLi at a Casino If I Am in Australia?

POLi is no longer active in Australia. Players from the country can opt for alternative options like PayID or cryptocurrency.

Can I Withdraw Casino Winnings via POLi?

No, POLi doesn’t support casino withdrawals. A direct bank transfer is the natural replacement, but e-wallets and cryptocurrencies are generally available as well at offshore casinos.

Which NZ Banks Support POLi at Online Casinos?

There are eight banks that partner with POLi in New Zealand: ANZ, ASB, BNZ, Kiwibank, TSB Bank, Westpac, Bank Direct, and The Co-operative Bank.

Is POLi Safe to Use at Online Casinos?

Yes, since POLi signed partnership agreements with major banks starting in 2025, it has started implementing its secure APIs for safe transactions. POLi also doesn’t store or share your bank credentials with your chosen casino.

Why Did My POLi Deposit Fail?

If your session was interrupted during the redirecting period, you can retry in a few minutes. Pay attention to whether you have chosen a bank that actually partners with POLi at the Cashier. There might also be cases of disruptions in the POLi network, which should be taken care of within 10-15 minutes.

Does Depositing via POLi Qualify for the Casino Welcome Bonus?

Generally, POLi deposits are eligible for welcome bonuses and free spins, but confirm this by reading the bonus terms. Other important terms to pay attention to include eligible casino games and wagering requirements.

Evan Stroud
Written By:
Evan Stroud
Author
Evan Stroud has been writing about online casinos, crypto gambling and payment methods for the past 6 years, bringing a systematic and reader-focused approach to every review he produces. The experience he gained as an English teacher enables him to convey complex topics, ranging from the mathematical calculations of betting odds to blockchain transaction mechanisms, in clear and accessible language. At Affiverse, Evan focuses on explaining bonus terms in detail, personally testing deposit and withdrawal processes, and identifying the details that most review sites overlook. His work is guided by a single principle: every claim must be something the player can act upon.