Gambling and online casinos in New Zealand

New Zealand is one of the most responsible and technologically advanced countries in gambling.

Here, the gambling business is completely legalized, and a transparent regulatory system makes the market safe for both operators and players.

Casinos, lotteries, sports betting and even part of online gambling operate under official licenses, and all activities are controlled by the Gambling Commission and the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).

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Historical context

Gambling appeared in New Zealand in the XIX century -

in the form of horse races and lotteries used to raise funds for public needs.

In the 1990s, the government legalized casinos, and in 2003 the Gambling Act 2003 was adopted, which became the basis of the modern regulatory system.

The law clearly divided gambling into categories (Class 1-4)

and determined which species are allowed and which are restricted.

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Legislation and regulation

Main regulation:

• Gambling Act 2003 - regulates all forms of gambling, including online activities.

Regulators:

• Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) - supervision of licensing and enforcement of the law;
• Gambling Commission - issuance of licenses and consideration of appeals;
• New Zealand Lotteries Commission (NZLC) - control of lotteries;
• TAB NZ (Totalisator Agency Board) is a state monopoly on sports betting and horse racing.

Main provisions:

• the minimum age of the player is 20 years for casinos, 18 years for lotteries and bets;
• licenses are mandatory for all operators;
• gambling income tax (GGR) - 12-20% depending on the category;
• gambling advertising is limited, especially in the online realm.

New Zealand is known for its "Responsible Gambling Nation" model -

where gambling is permitted but strictly controlled for the protection of citizens.

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Legal forms of gambling

New Zealand allows:

• casinos and slot machines;
• sports and horse racing betting (via TAB NZ);
• national and charity lotteries;
• poker and bingo (at licensed clubs);
• limited online gambling.

Largest casinos:

• SkyCity Auckland is the country's largest casino and tourist destination;
• SkyCity Hamilton, SkyCity Queenstown, Christchurch Casino;
• Dunedin Casino is the oldest casino on the South Island.

Casinos in New Zealand are known for their high level of service and transparency, and profits from licensed games are directed to social programs and sports.

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Online gambling

Online gambling in New Zealand is partially allowed.

According to Gambling Act 2003, players can only use state or foreign platforms as long as they do not violate local law.

Permitted species:

• online betting and betting via TAB NZ;
• lotteries via MyLotto;
• participation in international online casinos (for example, LeoVegas, Betway, Spin Casino) is not prohibited.

The law restricts advertising of foreign sites, but does not punish players for participating on offshore platforms.

Popular operators:

• TAB NZ, MyLotto New Zealand, Bet365, LeoVegas, Royal Panda, BC. Game.

Payment systems:

• POLi, Visa/Mastercard, Skrill, Paysafe, PayPal, as well as cryptocurrencies (BTC, ETH, USDT) for international platforms.

According to the Asia-Pacific Gambling Report 2024, online gambling brings in about $400 million a year, and the number of active players exceeds 350,000.

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Economic role

Gambling brings significant income to the country's economy.

Key indicators (2024):

• the total turnover of the gambling market - $2.4 billion;
• tax revenues - $330 million;
• contribution to GDP - about 1%;
• more than 10,000 jobs in the industry.

Gambling profits are funnelled into community funds, sport and culture, making gambling part of a sustainable economy.

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Social and cultural context

Gambling in New Zealand is perceived as a form of leisure rather than risk.

Most players are responsible, and the government is actively promoting addiction prevention programs.

The state requires operators to:

• self-control and self-exclusion tools;
• clear restrictions on advertising;
• mandatory integrity certification (RNG and RTP).

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Prospects

New Zealand is considering expanding online gambling, including the introduction of a national eGaming license.

Key plans until 2030:

• creating a single regulated online gaming platform;
• integration of fintech and crypto payments;
• development of AR/VR casinos for tourism;
• strengthening measures to protect players.

Forecast: by 2030, the gambling market will grow to $3.2 billion, of which up to 50% will be in the online segment.

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New Zealand is an example of a balanced gambling regulation model, where legality is combined with social responsibility.

The gaming industry brings a stable income, develops tourism and at the same time maintains a high level of player protection.