New Zealand’s best mobile blackjack apps in April 2024
This popular game has travelled all the way from the casino floors of 18th century France to our modern-day lives, with mobile blackjack being one of the top games you’ll find at NZ online casinos.
Nowadays we can play real money blackjack right on our mobile apps, including all the new variants. On this page you’ll find all the information you need, from trending titles to free demo play options.
Let’s start you off with a look at our best real money blackjack sites.
Top recommended real money casinos for mobile blackjack
Try the latest free mobile blackjack games here
New to gambling and want to cover all the bases before jumping onto a real blackjack gambling app? Playing free mobile blackjack games couldn’t be easier, as most of our recommended NZ online casinos offer demo versions of the game for you to practise and get your best game on. Here are some great options to start you off.
Trending online mobile blackjack games
The best blackjack apps are loaded with all the latest, trending titles. There are many mobile blackjack variants to choose from, with casino software providers regularly releasing new updates to different blackjack games. In many cases, you’ll be able to first test them out for free from your Android or your iOS device. Let’s take a look at the most popular types.
European Blackjack
This mobile blackjack variant is considered one of the stricter ones as you can only split once during the game. It is played with two decks, and the dealer receives only one face-up card and doesn’t deal or check the second card until after you play your hand.
More about European blackjack online
Blackjack Switch
Here you’ll play mobile blackjack with two hands, and you also have the option to switch the second cards dealt to each hand, offering an extra layer of strategy. Blackjack Switch is popular for offering a unique tactical element, allowing you to optimize your hands.
More about Blackjack Switch
Perfect Pairs
This mobile blackjack type is played in the regular way, with eight decks, but the side bet allows you to wager on whether your first two cards will be a pair. Payouts vary depending on the type of pair, such as whether they’re mixed or coloured, or the highest paying perfect pair.
More about Perfect Pairs blackjack
Atlantic City Blackjack
You’ll find this variant on the best blackjack apps, offering you the option of a late surrender, while the dealer can stand on soft 17 and will check for a blackjack upon showing an Ace or a 10. You can split up to three times, but the Ace can only be split once.
More about Atlantic City blackjack
Live Dealer Blackjack
The most immersive mobile blackjack gametype you’ll find, with professional live dealers leading the action. Some of our recommended apps offer live dealer tables streamed straight from the casino floor, for that added ambience, with various variants available.
More about Live casino blackjack
Vegas Strip Blackjack
This blackjack mobile variant is known for more liberal rules , such as the ability to double down on any two cards and the dealer standing on soft 17. It’s typically preferred by casual players who don’t have much experience of the game.
Progressive Blackjack
In this variant, when you play mobile blackjack you also get a progressive jackpot that increases over time, with the chance of a large prize pool if you hit a specific hand, such as four Aces of the same suit. Casino Days offers a number of Pragmatic Play titles which come with the jackpot bet option.
Pontoon
Although it comes with different terminology, such as ‘twist’ instead of ‘hit and ‘stick’ instead of ‘stand, this is actually a mobile blackjack game. Its recent rise in popularity means that you’ll find it at many of the best blackjack apps.
Features of the best mobile blackjack casino
The best blackjack apps to win real money all share certain features, the presence of which helps our experts to finalise their scores. We expect to see a high app store rating, a solid RTP and the top blackjack mobile games available, for starters. Here is what you should look for when you’re looking to play mobile blackjack.
App store rating | 4.3 to 4.5 |
Device compatibility | Android, iOS, Tablets, iPads |
Popular mobile blackjack games | Classic Blackjack, Blackjack Switch, European Blackjack |
Average RTP | 99.29% - 99.6% |
Download speed | 300 - 500 mbps |
Blackjack app features | Side bets, bonuses, tournaments |
Best NZ blackjack app |
How we rate mobile blackjack sites in New Zealand
Our experts follow very specific criteria when rating the best blackjack apps. We take a long, hard look at the most important elements that will help you enjoy the game better, and we test each one of these thoroughly so as to ensure that the site reaches our exacting standards. Below, we delve into each one of these criteria so that you, too, can start making informed decisions about where to play blackjack mobile.
Range of mobile blackjack games & software providers
The range and diversity of mobile blackjack options on offer is one of our top priorities, as is the presence of leading software providers who are known for their strong blackjack offering. And because many players like to switch between table games and other casino games, we give higher scores to sites like LuckyWins casino, which not only offers 150+ online blackjack mobile games, but also has a section dedicated to new mobile slots.
Device compatibility & mobile responsiveness
We do expect the best blackjack apps to be compatible with all modern mobile devices. For this reason, the Jackpot City casino app scores higher than the BetandPlay app, which is only compatible with Android devices.
We also look for a smooth gaming experience whether on the app or on a mobile browser, as the last thing blackjack players want while enjoying their favourite game on the fly is the dreaded lag.
App store ratings
Players’ experiences matter to us, and this is why we take Apple and Google store ratings into account when we’re rating the best blackjack app. These ratings are based on the average score of hundreds of mobile casino players, so it makes sense to read about what they liked and disliked before committing.
We prefer to see blackjack mobile apps that score a minimum of four stars. The JackpotCity app’s three stars, for example, means our experts don’t score it as highly as those that receive five stars on Google Play.
Needless to say, we love apps that receive industry awards. The LeoVegas blackjack app, for example, scooped up the Mobile Operator of the Year Award at the Global Gaming Awards in 2023, which definitely gives it an edge.
Mobile blackjack bonuses
No bonus, no party, right? Real money blackjack casino players typically look for blackjack welcome offers, or general bonuses where playing mobile blackjack contributes to wagering requirements. Most sites will only allow you to use a sign-up offer on pokies, so those that extend the courtesy to table and live games get a higher score.
Although specific blackjack bonuses are not very common at NZ casinos, Casinoly offers a live cashback of up to 25% that can be used on mobile blackjack, which is why it scores so highly in this regard. We also take into account other kinds of bonuses that allow you to experience other games, such as no deposit free spins on pokies.
Overall mobile casino rating
Our review process goes well beyond the obvious, and our experts take a holistic approach when deciding whether a site deserves to be on our list of best blackjack apps. A super gambling experience depends on a lot of factors, starting with safety and customer support. All our recommended sites operate with a reputable licence, sometimes two as is the case for LeoVegas casino. And our highest scores are kept for those who guarantee 24/7 live chat.
It’s also important that the blackjack mobile site offers payment options that are convenient for Kiwi players, the more the better. LuckyWins casino is one of our best performers in this respect, with 19 banking options.
Popular devices for mobile phone blackjack
Wondering what mobile device offers the best casino app experience? The good news is that most modern devices are geared to offer an immersive experience when playing blackjack and other table games. The below are players’ most common choices when playing their favourite game on the go.
Blackjack apps – download vs web browsers
Do you absolutely need an app to play mobile blackjack? Not really. NZ’s new online casinos are built using HTML5 technology, so you can access your favourite games just as easily via a regular mobile browser. That said, there’s something very appealing and convenient about using the best blackjack apps, and some players prefer them.
Unsure where you stand? Let’s take a look at some pros and cons for each.
| No download mobile blackjack (on browser) | No need to take up space on your mobile device. | There is no set up process as you simply visit the site as usual. | You use up less battery than when using an app. | You will need to input your credentials every time you sign in. | Not all variants are necessarily optimised for mobile play. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Native blackjack casino apps | You can sign in faster using face or finger recognition. | You can opt to receive notifications about bonuses and new games. | You enjoy a seamless experience from one visit to the next. | You need to make sure your device has enough space. | The process to set them up the first time can take a bit longer. |
| No download mobile blackjack (on browser) | Native blackjack casino apps |
|---|---|
| No need to take up space on your mobile device. | You can sign in faster using face or finger recognition. |
| There is no set up process as you simply visit the site as usual. | You can opt to receive notifications about bonuses and new games. |
| You use up less battery than when using an app. | You enjoy a seamless experience from one visit to the next. |
| You will need to input your credentials every time you sign in. | You need to make sure your device has enough space. |
| Not all variants are necessarily optimised for mobile play. | The process to set them up the first time can take a bit longer. |
Learn more about mobile blackjack
Ready to start giving mobile blackjack a go but would like to learn more about the game and about the different blackjack strategies first? Our in-depth guides below will help you play your best game.
Mobile blackjack FAQs
Can you play blackjack with real money on your phone?
Absolutely. You will find the best real blackjack gambling apps recommended on this guide, with each having gone through a thorough review process by our experts. We also direct you to the best mobile browser blackjack experiences where you can start making real wagers without the need to download anything.
What is the best blackjack app for live dealers?
Our experts currently recommend Jackpot City Casino as offering the best overall experience when playing live dealer on a blackjack app. The app has been found to offer excellent security, an above-average game selection and a generally great gambling experience.
Can you win real money on blackjack apps?
Yes, you can certainly win real money, although bear in mind that this depends largely on luck. However, be aware that if you opt for free mobile blackjack game you won’t be able to cash out any winnings, so it’s best to play on real blackjack apps.
Written by Ramona Depares
Ramona Depares is an award-winning journalist focused on cultural and entertainment related content. Based in the Mediterranean gaming hub of Malta, she has taken a deep interest in gambling related news since the earliest days and has seen the global landscape evolve. Ramona specialises in the legal and regulatory aspects of gaming across multiple jurisdictions, with specific interest in NZ and US markets. She is also a best-selling author of fiction and non-fiction books.
