Top-rated Online gambling sites in Cook Islands

The Cook Islands is an island nation in the South Pacific with close political and cultural ties to New Zealand. These islands are scattered across a vast area is known for its coral reefs and superb scuba diving.

The Cook Islands is a self-governing country that comprises 15 separate islands. It is a relatively small country with fewer than 18,000 people as of 2020. More than 13,000 people in the country reside in urban places.

Most Cook Islanders regularly gamble at online casinos despite the country's relatively low population.

Top-rated Online gambling sites in Cook Islands
Emily Thompson
Written byEmily ThompsonWriter
Researched byPriya PatelResearcher
Localised byAria MitchellLocaliser
Online casinos in the Cook Islands

Online casinos in the Cook Islands

There are no online casinos based in the Cook Islands despite gambling being legal. However, Cook Islanders can join and play in any offshore casinos that allow players from the country. That leaves them with hundreds of options. Choosing the right online casino requires several considerations, such as those highlighted below.

Another important factor that Cook Island online punters have to consider is the casino's security. A good casino should have all the relevant security features that guarantee the protection of the players' funds and private information.

Players should also look for certificates and gaming associations that casinos work with. Cook Islanders should limit their options to legitimate gambling sites licensed under reputable jurisdictions abroad.

The number and variety of games offered influence most punters' decisions. Cook Islands punter's gaming preferences are incredibly diverse, with slots and online lotteries ranked among the most played games. In light of this fact, the choice of a casino based on its gaming library is largely viewed as a matter of personal preferences.

Cook Island punters can also base their choice on the payment methods offered by an online casino. A good casino should offer the most convenient payment option for local punters. E-wallets such as PayPal, Neteller, and Skrill are considerably popular in the Cook Islands.

A suitable casino for Cook Islanders is one in which they can access customer service fast and conveniently. Punters should also ensure they can get assistance in the language they understand, preferably Cook Islands Māori or English.

Online casinos in the Cook Islands
History of gambling in the Cook Islands

History of gambling in the Cook Islands

Informal gambling in the Cook Islands started in the 1800s before the Islands became a country. Gambling was mostly on cultural games and was more for entertainment than financial purposes. In 1888, the Cook Islands joined the British dominion to prevent France from invading its territories.

There was a modest gambling culture influenced by the British during that time. However, that did not last long as New Zealand annexed the country in 1901.

The Cook Islands was ruled independently by local chiefs without federal statutory laws. Some Cook Islanders, especially those who traveled a lot, gambled on horse racing which was already very popular in New Zealand.

Modern gambling in the Cook Islands

Gambling in Cook Islands was legalized in the 1990s. However, that did not help much as no land-based casino was constructed. There is still no traditional casino in any of the 15 islands. The main reason is that the casinos can interrupt the peaceful and welcoming nature and ambiance that attracts most tourists.

What changed the gambling industry in the Cook Islands was online casinos. During the late 90s, several online casinos accepted punters from the Cook Islands to register and play legally. The punters took full advantage of that and began gambling online. The number of punters has been growing ever since.

The government has also supported online gambling, although with strict regulation. That is mainly because of the much-needed revenues gambling brings to the country.

The government issues licenses to any qualifying international gambling company that allows Cook Islanders to play. To qualify for a license, a gambling company must have a capital of at least 1 million. The Cook Islands government charges the licensed companies a fee of 5% of the profits made.

History of gambling in the Cook Islands
Future of online casinos in the Cook Islands

Future of online casinos in the Cook Islands

The popularity of online casinos in the Cook Islands has been growing consistently over time and will more than likely continue in the same trend. However, with the increasing popularity, the government will probably introduce more measures to control gambling in the islands to protect the citizens. Such may include higher tax rates and tighter qualifications for operating licenses. Below are some supporting reasons the online casino industry is likely to thrive in the Cook Islands.

As mentioned earlier, the Cook Islands has a relatively small population. That means it is much easier for online casino operators to market their online casinos in the islands and reach all the target customers. The marketing skills and strategies used by the casino operators are usually quite convincing that most adult Cook Islanders are likely to get into gambling in the future.

A lot more Cook Islanders often travel nowadays. By traveling to countries with rich gambling cultures, they are likely to become influenced by the online gambling cultures in the countries.

With the ever-improving technology, more potential punters will get reliable access to the internet. Computers and smart devices will also be cheaper and more available to more people. All that means Cook Islands residents will also easily access online casinos, contributing to the increased popularity.

Future of online casinos in the Cook Islands
About the author
Emily Thompson
Emily Thompson

Emily "VegasMuse" Thompson is a seasoned online casino enthusiast from down under. With a keen eye for details and an inherent knack for strategizing, she has turned her passion for the online casino world into a successful writing career.

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