Casinos in New Zealand: Regulation and distinctions

1) Picture for 2025 - briefly

Online casinos within New Zealand are prohibited under the "remote interactive gambling" mode; legally - Lotto NZ lottery (MyLotto) and TAB NZ (betting/running) as exceptions. Advertising of offshore online casinos is prohibited.

From June 28, 2025, online sports and running betting is only allowed at TAB NZ; it is illegal to take such bets from other operators and make them from anyone other than TAB NZ.

Online casinos: a new course. In July-August 2025, the government introduced the Online Casino Gambling Bill, which opens the way to licensing local online casinos (the launch is expected from 2026 upon acceptance).

2) Legal framework: How NZ differs from neighbours

Gambling Act/" remote interactive gambling. " Basic rule: no online casino/poker/slots from New Zealand; exceptions are Lotteries Commission (Lotto NZ) and TAB NZ. The regulator (DIA) also bans advertising of offshore casinos targeting Kiwi audiences.

TAB NZ is the only online bookmaker. The 2025 changes cemented TAB NZ's exclusive on online sports/running; the goal is to protect the consumer and return the tax base from offshore.

Online casinos: Licensing project. The 2025 bill proposes to close the "gray zone" of iGaming: introduce licenses, a ban on unlicensed advertising and a set of harm reduction measures. The discussion has been going on since 2019; now a specific legislative framework has emerged.

3) What can already be "online" legally

Lottery: MyLotto official website/app (including Instant Kiwi Online) under the new Lotto Rules 2025 (effective September 29, 2025).

Betting/running: TAB NZ (web/mobile) only. Any other online betting sites and apps are outlawed with 28. 06. 2025.

4) What has been banned and what is going to be changed

Offshore online casinos: Advertising and marketing to Kiwi audiences are prohibited; both brands themselves and influencers/intermediaries are fined.

Fundamentally: until the adoption of the new law, local online casinos are not allowed; the regime under discussion should create a "white" market with licenses, taxes and strict RG/AML.

5) Offline casino and "who regulates"

Land-based casinos operate under licenses; supervision is conducted by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Advertising and RG requirements are high, access control and content auditing are in effect. (Based on the general array of DIA rules and industry practice; current releases - on the regulator's news page.)

6) Payments and compliance: What it looks like for a player

Lottery/TAB NZ: payments are made by bank methods and cards within their own rules and KYC. Confirmation of age, limits, risk messages are required.

Offshore - "red flag." Even if the site accepts kiwi cards/wallets, its advertising on NZ is illegal; delays and refusals in cashouts are frequent, there are no guaranteed remedies.

7) Advertising and responsibility: tougher to "gray" online

Prohibition of advertising of offshore casinos in any digital channels, including social networks and influencers; the regulator publishes cases with large fines.

Legal products (Lotto NZ, TAB NZ) are required to show warnings and keep Responsible Gambling tools (limits, timeout, self-exclusion). The new Lotto Rules 2025 will update the conditions for the lottery.

8) What changes by 2026: Roadmap (if the law is passed)

Online casino licenses: registry, taxes/GGR deductions, mandatory certification, KYC/AML, audit will appear.

TAB monopoly on online sports/running will continue; foreign bookmakers will not be able to legally accept kiwi bets online.

The lottery will continue to operate under the updated 2025 rules and its own T & C.

9) Memo to the player: how to understand that you are "in a white field"

1. Online betting - TAB NZ only; "any others. com" - past.

2. Lottery - MyLotto/Instant Kiwi Online (official rules 2025 in force).

3. Kiwi casino ads, bonuses, influencers are a no-go zone for the brand and a risk to the player.

10) Memo to Operator/Affiliate

Don't target NZ residents outside the legal perimeter: TAB monopoly on online sports/running and ban on advertising offshore iGaming - in effect.

Follow the passage of the Online Casino Gambling Bill: when accepted - prepare licensing, certification, RG/AML and local tax model.

The New Zealand model is tight control and narrow "white" channels: Lotto NZ and TAB NZ online, offline land casinos. Since 2025, the betting market has been "cleaned up" under TAB, and online casinos are moving towards licensing (subject to the adoption of the law) with a launch expected after 2025. Until then, offshore "kiwi casinos" remain outlawed with advertising bans and high risks to the player.

Condition of materials: October 2025.