BitStarz is a cryptocurrency-friendly online casino that launched in 2014 and became one of the first sites to let players use digital coins and traditional money side by side. This guide explains what BitStarz is, who operates it, and how its games, bonuses, payments and security work — and, importantly for anyone reading from New Zealand, how it sits within the country’s new online-casino rules. It is a factual overview written for information only; it is not a review, a recommendation or an invitation to sign up.
Key Points
- What it is: an online casino launched in 2014, known as an early adopter of both cryptocurrency and fiat (regular money).
- Operator and licence: run from Curacao (originally Direx N.V., later Dama N.V.) under a Curacao licence — not a New Zealand licence.
- Games: a large multi-studio library of pokies, live dealer tables, classic table games and in-house “BitStarz Originals”.
- Banking: supports both crypto (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and more) and fiat currencies; limits and methods are set by the operator and change.
- NZ status: holds no New Zealand licence; some restricted-country lists show NZ as blocked. Always check the live terms.
- Bonuses: a multi-deposit welcome package with free spins, usually 40x wagering; figures change often and vary by country.
What is BitStarz Casino?
BitStarz is an online casino, launched in 2014, that built its reputation on accepting cryptocurrency alongside regular (fiat) currencies. “Fiat” simply means government-issued money such as New Zealand dollars or euros, as opposed to crypto coins like Bitcoin. At a time when few gambling sites touched digital coins, BitStarz let players deposit and withdraw in Bitcoin as well as cash, which is the main reason it is often described as an early “crypto casino”.
The platform offers the game types most online casinos carry: online pokies (slot machines), live dealer tables streamed by a human croupier, and classic table games such as blackjack and roulette. It also publishes a set of in-house titles marketed as “BitStarz Originals”. The brand is known for a clean, fast website and a large game library sourced from many third-party studios.
Who operates BitStarz and is it licensed?
BitStarz is operated under a Curacao licence by a company registered in Curacao. The brand launched in 2014 under Direx N.V., and the operating company later became Dama N.V.; public records and third-party databases are not always consistent on the exact operator at any given date, so the Curacao licence register is the authoritative place to confirm the current holder. BitStarz does not hold a New Zealand gambling licence.
A Curacao licence is an offshore permit. It is a genuine licence, but historically it has had lighter player-protection and dispute-resolution requirements than tier-one regulators such as the UK Gambling Commission or the Malta Gaming Authority. For New Zealand players the practical point is that a Curacao licence is not a New Zealand licence, and it does not give you access to New Zealand’s own complaints or self-exclusion systems.
The Curacao licensing change you should know about
Older descriptions of BitStarz — including the previous version of this page — referred to a “Curacao eGaming” master licence. That system has changed. In January 2025 Curacao abolished its old master-licence/sub-licence structure (run through bodies such as Curacao eGaming and Antillephone) and moved to direct licensing under a single regulator, the Curacao Gaming Control Board. Any reference to the old master-licence framework is now out of date, which is why this guide does not link to the former licensing website.
Quick Facts
| Brand | BitStarz Casino |
|---|---|
| Launched | 2014 |
| Operator | Curacao-registered company (Direx N.V., later Dama N.V.) |
| Licence | Curacao — now direct licensing under the Curacao Gaming Control Board (old master-licence system abolished January 2025) |
| Game types | Pokies, live dealer, table games, BitStarz Originals |
| Software | Multiple third-party studios (e.g. BGaming, Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO) plus in-house titles |
| Currencies | Cryptocurrency and fiat; NZD support varies and is set by the operator |
| Typical wagering | Around 40x on bonuses (check current terms) |
| New Zealand licence | None |
| Minimum age | 18+ to gamble online in New Zealand |
What games does BitStarz offer?
BitStarz offers a large, multi-studio library covering pokies, live dealer games and traditional table games. Because the catalogue is drawn from dozens of software providers, the exact line-up changes over time and can differ from one country to another, so treat any specific game list as a snapshot rather than a fixed menu.
Pokies and BitStarz Originals
Pokies (online slot machines) make up the bulk of the library. Titles come from well-known studios such as BGaming, Pragmatic Play, Play’n GO and others, spanning classic three-reel games through to modern video slots with bonus rounds and feature buys. “BitStarz Originals” are games commissioned or branded for the site itself. If you are new to slots, it helps to understand how they work before playing — our guide on how to play pokies explains paylines, RTP (return to player) and volatility in plain terms.
Live and table games
BitStarz also carries a live casino section, where real dealers run blackjack, roulette, baccarat and game-show formats over a video stream, plus standard software-based (RNG) table games. RNG stands for random number generator, the system that decides each outcome in a non-live game. Live tables typically have higher minimum bets than their software equivalents.
How do BitStarz bonuses and wagering work?
BitStarz advertises a multi-part welcome package spread across a new player’s first few deposits, combining deposit-match bonuses with free spins. Public descriptions commonly cite a package worth up to around 5 BTC plus roughly 180 free spins across four deposits, but the exact amounts, any no-deposit spins, and the promo codes change regularly and differ by country. The earlier figure of “7 BTC + 280 free spins” that appeared on this page is no longer current, which is a good illustration of why you should always read the live terms rather than a third-party summary.
The single most important number in any casino bonus is the wagering requirement — how many times you must bet the bonus (and sometimes the deposit) before you can withdraw. BitStarz offers are generally listed at 40x the bonus. A 40x requirement on a NZ$100 bonus means NZ$4,000 of qualifying bets before withdrawal. Bonuses also carry maximum-bet limits, game-contribution rules (pokies usually count 100%, table games far less) and expiry dates. Our explainer on wagering requirements walks through the maths with worked examples. Note that bonus eligibility is also country-dependent, so a bonus advertised internationally may not be offered to, or claimable by, players in every location.
How do deposits and withdrawals work?
BitStarz supports both cryptocurrency and fiat banking. On the crypto side it has long accepted coins such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin and Tether, among others. On the fiat side it has historically listed currencies including euros, US dollars, Canadian and Australian dollars, Japanese yen and more. Crypto deposits are usually credited quickly once the network confirms the transaction; fiat methods depend on the card or e-wallet used.
Withdrawals follow the same split. Crypto cash-outs are typically fast once approved, while the operator’s own limits and any monthly caps are set in its terms and have changed over time — so the older claims of “10 BTC per transaction with no monthly limit” should be checked against the current terms rather than taken as fixed. Every reputable casino also runs identity checks (known as KYC, “know your customer”) before paying out, which can add time to a first withdrawal. For a general walkthrough that applies to any site, see our guide on how to withdraw money from an online casino.
Does BitStarz support New Zealand dollars?
BitStarz has at various times listed New Zealand dollars among its supported fiat currencies, and crypto deposits sidestep currency questions entirely because they are held in the coin itself. However, availability of specific currencies and payment methods is set by the operator and can change, and — as covered below — some restricted-country lists have shown New Zealand as blocked. Whether NZD is offered to you in practice depends on your account’s eligibility at the time, which only the live site can confirm.
Is BitStarz safe and secure?
BitStarz uses standard security measures found at established casinos: SSL encryption to protect data in transit, account verification, and responsible-gambling tools such as deposit limits and self-exclusion. “SSL” is the technology that scrambles the connection between your browser and the site so that others cannot read it. The brand has also been recognised by industry bodies — for example it won CasinoMeister’s Best Customer Service award in 2020, its Best Casino award in 2021, and a Best Support award in 2022. (The previous version of this page described these as a “hat-trick of Best Support Awards”, which was inaccurate — they were three different categories.)
Industry awards and encryption are reassuring, but they are not the same as regulatory protection. If a dispute arises, a Curacao-licensed site is answerable to the Curacao Gaming Control Board, not to a New Zealand authority. If you want a framework for judging any gambling site, our guide on whether online casinos are safe sets out the checks that matter most.
Is BitStarz legal in New Zealand?
New Zealand’s online gambling rules changed in 2026, and this is the most important section for Kiwi readers. The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 commenced on 1 May 2026 and, for the first time, creates a licensed domestic online-casino market overseen by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Under the new regime, advertising and marketing of unlicensed offshore casinos to New Zealanders is prohibited, which is why factual guides like this one do not carry sign-up links or ranked bonus offers for offshore brands.
The licensed market is being phased in: an auction of up to 15 three-year licences runs through 2026, with the regulated market expected to go live around December 2026 and full enforcement following in 2027. BitStarz does not currently hold a New Zealand licence, and some third-party restricted-country lists have shown New Zealand among the territories BitStarz does not accept — a status that can change with the law. Before assuming you can play, you would need to check BitStarz’s own current terms and restricted-country list. For the wider legal picture, see our overview of the NZ Gambling Commission and how the 2026 rules affect players.
Common mistakes to avoid
Being aware of a few recurring errors saves money and frustration, whichever casino you are looking at.
- Trusting an old bonus figure. As the outdated “7 BTC” headline shows, promotions change constantly. Always open the live terms before depositing.
- Ignoring the wagering requirement. A large headline bonus with 40x wagering can be harder to clear than a smaller bonus with lower wagering. The playthrough number matters more than the headline.
- Assuming a Curacao licence equals local protection. It does not give New Zealand players access to NZ dispute resolution or self-exclusion schemes.
- Skipping identity verification early. Leaving KYC until your first withdrawal is the most common cause of delayed payouts.
- Overlooking restricted-country rules. Depositing from a location the site does not accept can lead to a closed account and withheld funds.
Who might BitStarz suit?
On paper, BitStarz is built for players who want to use cryptocurrency, value a large multi-studio game library, and are comfortable with an offshore Curacao licence rather than a local one. Its long track record since 2014 and its industry awards are points in its favour compared with brand-new, unproven sites.
For a New Zealand reader, the decisive factors are legal and practical rather than cosmetic: whether the site currently accepts New Zealand players at all, whether it is licensed in the new domestic market, and whether you are willing to forgo the protections a local licence will bring. Anyone comparing options should weigh those points against the regulated New Zealand market now taking shape, rather than against marketing claims.
Responsible Gambling and Disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is not gambling advice, financial advice or an endorsement of BitStarz or any operator, and it does not encourage you to gamble. Gambling involves real risk: outcomes are random, the house holds a mathematical edge, and no bonus, strategy or game selection changes the long-run odds. Only ever gamble with money you can afford to lose, and treat it as entertainment rather than a way to make money.
In New Zealand you must be 18 or older to gamble online. If gambling is affecting you or someone you know, free, confidential help is available: the Gambling Helpline New Zealand on 0800 654 655 (or text 8006), and Safer Gambling resources and self-exclusion tools at safergambling.org.nz. The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) regulates gambling in New Zealand. You can also read our responsible gambling page for more support options.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is BitStarz licensed in New Zealand?
No. BitStarz operates under a Curacao licence, not a New Zealand one. New Zealand launched its own licensed online-casino market under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, overseen by the Department of Internal Affairs, with licences being issued through 2026 ahead of the regulated market going live. BitStarz does not hold one of those licences, and some restricted-country lists have shown New Zealand as blocked, so you should check its current terms before assuming you can play.
What currencies and payment methods does BitStarz accept?
BitStarz accepts both cryptocurrency and fiat money. Crypto options have included Bitcoin, Litecoin, Ethereum, Bitcoin Cash, Dogecoin and Tether, among others, while fiat options have included several national currencies. The exact list of currencies and payment methods is set by the operator, can change, and may differ depending on your location, so confirm what is available on the live site.
What is the BitStarz welcome bonus?
BitStarz advertises a multi-deposit welcome package that combines deposit-match bonuses with free spins. The precise amounts, any no-deposit spins and the promo codes change regularly and vary by country, and bonuses typically carry a 40x wagering requirement plus maximum-bet and expiry rules. Any specific figure you see quoted should be verified against the current official terms, as older published figures are frequently out of date.
How long do BitStarz withdrawals take?
Cryptocurrency withdrawals are usually processed quickly once approved, often within hours, while fiat withdrawals depend on the method and can take longer. First withdrawals can be delayed by identity verification (KYC) checks, which every reputable casino runs. Processing speed also depends on the operator’s own review times and any limits in its terms.
Is BitStarz safe to use?
BitStarz uses standard safety measures such as SSL encryption, account verification and responsible-gambling tools, and it has received industry awards for service. However, it is regulated offshore in Curacao, so New Zealand players do not get the dispute-resolution or self-exclusion protections of a local licence. Safety also depends on your own habits, including setting deposit limits and verifying your account early.
