The New Zealand government is planning to regulate online gambling, with a new system expected to be ready by early 2026. This plan aims to solve problems with the current unregulated market, protect players better, and reduce gambling-related harm. Let’s look at what’s planned and where it is currently safe to gamble online.
The Current Status
For years, online gambling in New Zealand has mostly been unregulated, with many people using offshore websites. Now, the government wants to regulate online casinos for the first time, marking a big change under the new National Party-led government.
The government has agreed to a plan to regulate online casinos that will help protect players, collect taxes, and reduce harm. Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden said that they will introduce a licensing system. Online casino operators will have to meet certain rules before they can offer services to New Zealanders. This plan is not intended to make people gamble more but to ensure licensed operators follow rules that protect players and pay taxes.
Key Features of the New Regulation
The New Zealand government will regulate online casinos through a licensing system run by the Department of Internal Affairs. Only a few licenses will be given out by auction, and each license will last three years. Operators must follow strict rules to protect players and reduce harm.
Key points of the plan include:
- Licenses through auction: A limited number of licenses will be given out through auctions. Operators must meet requirements before they can offer their services.
- Age limit: Only people aged 18 or older will be allowed to gamble online.
- Limited gambling options: Licensed operators will only be allowed to offer online casino games. Sports betting and lottery games will not be allowed. This is to keep online gambling limited and reduce risks.
- Advertising rules: Licensed operators will be allowed to advertise, but with strict limits. Currently, licensed operators cannot advertise at all. Sponsorships by online casinos will still be banned.
- Public input: The public will get a chance to give feedback during the Select Committee process. This will allow New Zealanders to help shape the final regulations.
- Player protections: The main goal of the regulation is not to increase gambling but to ensure licensed operators follow rules that protect players and reduce harm.
Minister van Velden said that the plan is to protect players and make it fair for licensed operators while making it illegal for unlicensed operators to target New Zealand players.
Industry Support and Market Response
The plans have been welcomed by many in the industry. SkyCity Entertainment Group, New Zealand’s only local casino operator, supports the government’s decision. SkyCity’s CEO, Jason Walbridge, said that regulating the number of licenses and advertising is important to reduce gambling harm and protect players. He also said that it will help keep money in New Zealand instead of going to offshore operators.
The government’s plan matches SkyCity’s belief that online gambling should be regulated to protect players and benefit the community through tax revenue. SkyCity believes that the new licensing system will give them a fair chance to compete with offshore operators, helping to bring gambling revenue back to New Zealand.
Challenges and Opportunities Ahead
Regulating online casinos is a big change, and it will take time to put the new rules in place. The Department of Internal Affairs will have to enforce the rules carefully, including the introduction of licenses and limits on advertising.
One of the challenges will be to balance the market so that it benefits everyone while keeping players safe. SkyCity hopes that the new rules will make things fairer because offshore operators have avoided rules and taxes, which has hurt the local industry.
Another issue that still needs to be addressed is the possibility of taxing offshore gambling. This was mentioned before the recent elections, and the idea is to make it fair for local operators while collecting tax money that has been lost to unregulated markets. Minister van Velden did not provide details about this yet, but it is expected to come up in the future.
Where is it Safe to Gamble Now?
Until the new system is ready, it is important for New Zealanders to be careful about where they gamble. While there will be licensed options in the future, most current options are offshore operators. It is generally safer to use well-known and reputable online casinos that are licensed in places like the United Kingdom or Malta, as they have strict rules to protect players. For More information about online casinos operating in New Zealand visit this extended guide.
Until New Zealand’s new regulations are in place, make sure to check if an online casino has a recognized license before using it. For example, SkyCity’s online casino is run through a Malta-based subsidiary, which provides some level of protection because Malta has strong gambling regulations.