Guide To Regulations In Online Gambling In New Zealand

State-owned institutions run the majority of New Zealand’s gambling sector. These New Zealand online casino organizations are expected to return a part of their income to the community in some manner. The cornerstone of New Zealand’s gambling regulatory framework is the Gambling Act of 2003. This pivotal piece of legislation brought together all gambling-related rules and regulations under one roof for the very first time. The government intends to launch the new regulatory framework for online casino in New Zealand by 2026.

Distinction between land-based casinos and online casinos

So, while New Zealand law does not explicitly legalize it, there are certain statements and laws by the government that support offshore casino gaming. The harm prevention and minimisation regulations apply to game machines in pubs and clubs and casinos. The regulations apply to pub and club gaming machine, casino, New Zealand Racing Board and New Zealand Lotteries Commission profits. The levy reimburses the Crown for the cost of problem gambling services delivered by the Ministry of Health. The levy rates are payable for the period from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2022 https://plangames-nz.com/ (both dates inclusive). For professional poker players whose wins (which must be significant to qualify for this exemption) constitute their single or predominant source of income, an exception is provided to this general rule of thumb.

How does the new offshore gambling duty affect online casinos in NZ?

However, even if you are playing at an offshore casino, you need to make sure that the casino where you are playing is safe to invest your real money. It’s a bit unclear where New Zealand’s internet gaming market is at the moment. Many New Zealanders continue to play on offshore platforms despite the government issuing licenses for operators. A regulator controls the licensing of the hosting company to ensure the safety of online gamers when they play online casino games. The licensing regulator’s job is to look into any problems that may arise for online gamblers. Yes, as the Gambling Act of 2003 and its subsequent revisions control all New Zealand gambling.

However, in 2011, an attempt was made to build a legal casino in Damascus to generate new tax revenues. When the civil war broke out in 2012, the government decided to close it. These states differ not only on the types of online casinos and gambling. They also share common denominators, such as age verification, geolocation, and consumer protection. The Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act (UIGEA) did not stop online casinos and gambling. So, let’s get right into it and explore the often misunderstood legal landscape of online casinos in New Zealand, by shedding light on key legislation and regulations.

Criteria for Determining Legitimacy of Online Casinos in NZ

While the government’s plans are currently being developed Van Velden shared some details of the regulatory framework. Her department will be responsible for regulating New Zealand online casino operators. Gambling only really took off in New Zealand in the 1990’s and in 2003, the Gambling Act added several new caveats to the already full list of bylaws, regarding what was, and wasn’t allowed. "We don’t have a huge online gambling market, so I would expect that it’s mainly offshore providers." It said five to seven licences should be granted to New Zealand-based entities and was scathing about offshore operators not having to make community grants. SkyCity wrote to van Velden in March last year saying only five online casino licences should be issued and they should be restricted to entities with a domestic presence.

However, using these international casino websites is not a crime for players. So, while New Zealand-based online casinos are not allowed, Kiwi players can enjoy their favourite games on international sites without legal trouble. Online gambling all around the world is highly varied, with lots of different laws and regulations based on culture, religion, politics, and other factors. However, more and more nations continue to legalise online casinos and online gambling generally, which keeps moral questions surrounding gambling in sharp focus. New Zealand law does not allow domestic companies to operate online casinos within the country. The Gambling Act 2003 clearly prohibits local businesses or operators from offering online casino gaming to New Zealand residents.

Only these two companies are permitted to provide internet gaming to New Zealanders. Otherwise, New Zealand’s online gambling legal and laws prohibit the use of local online gambling platforms for remote interactive gambling purposes. If it’s only available online, it’s impossible to provide live sports betting, online casino games, mobile pokies, housie, or poker. However, no laws state that playing at offshore online casinos is illegal. Offshore casinos with recognized international licenses can legally offer services to NZ players, but they are not regulated by the New Zealand government. Some countries have embraced regulation and have created quite complex and stringent laws around online gambling.

• With the Gambling Act of 2003, all gambling laws and regulations were brought together in one place for the first time.
• They have the authority to allow different forms of online gambling or iGaming, including online casinos, online poker, online sports betting, and fantasy sports.
• The TAB told Peters there would be "severe implications for TAB NZ if this fast-growing online casinos market cannibalises our existing operations by being legitimised in NZ in an open market context".
• Because no regulation can protect gamers if they do not play online gambling games properly, gamers must always participate for enjoyment and play responsibly.
• These regulations amend the Gambling (Infringement Notices) Regulations 2004, to modernise the available methods of payment of infringement fees.
• Our reviews remain unbiased and based on research to help you make informed choices.

These machines can only be operated by licensed venues, including land-based casinos, hotels, and bars. Some points must be considered to ensure a safe gambling experience when regulating or checking whether these nt.gov.au online casinos are legal in New Zealand. DIA does not regulate any online casino that operates in New Zealand.

They are already driving sports betting across all their platforms. For example, you can join a digital marketing agency like Fortis Media. In turn, your online casino will see an organic increase in visibility on search engines. Moreover, we may also see governing bodies doubling down on consumer protection.

👀 But these kinds of policies do create challenges in enforcement. Locals often try to bend the law and gain access to legal gambling venues or even online platforms. At the same time, some countries, such as China and Japan, adhering to a strict attitude towards gambling, have recently eased the level of restrictions.

Whether it’s hitting the slots, having a flutter on the horses, scratching away at those lottery tickets, or stepping into the buzz of a land-based casino, age is more than just a number—it’s a legal requirement. Other recent developments before the change in government include major reforms within horse racing. In August 2020, TAB New Zealand took charge of the country’s horse racing industry.

We need to update our laws for today’s digital world and future proof them as much as possible. Work is underway to develop a safe, regulated online gambling system for New Zealand that keeps people safe, allows only trusted providers to participate in the market, and contributes to the community. You can place bets on casino games, sports, and lotteries all over the world from the comfort of your armchair, without the need to visit a physical casino premises. As you can imagine, this has created all sorts of challenges for governments trying to keep control over the industry and regulate it to protect their citizens and benefit from the taxation of online gaming. The rapid rise and popularity of online gambling platforms has caused a big headache for plenty of countries around the world. Whilst land-based casinos continue to operate and thrive, online gambling brings a whole new level of accessibility that has completely transformed the industry.