Assessing Responsible Gambling and Addiction Prevention in New Zealand

The topic of responsible gambling has long felt like a thorn in the side of both societal perspectives and the functioning of the online casino sphere. From a social point of view, it may seem like an insufficient effort to tackle the very real possibility of gambling addiction. From the casino industry’s point of view, it’s a series of mandatory regulations that can obstruct further profitability.

However, a collective effort of staving off the effects of gambling is still a necessity that keeps all actors involved at least partially satisfied. Given that all kinds of countries and subdivisional jurisdictions have their own standards, the level of satisfaction is still a bit relative if we are to look at things globally.

For the purpose of this article, we will be discussing the situation of New Zealand. 

Given that we’re dealing with a market that is in the middle of revolutionising its own regulatory landscape, this article will be looking at the current landscape, what it means from a responsible gambling standpoint, and what to expect going forward.

Changes are sure to come, but the results remain in the air. Since we’re surely going to get more data, follow-up conclusions will be something to look forward to in the not-so-distant future!

The Regulatory Landscape Will Change — What is it Now, What Will It Be?

It certainly feels like 2026 is going to be a turning point for New Zealand’s entertainment industry, especially with how consequential the upcoming changes are going to be. Given that the regulatory setting is certainly very undeveloped when compared to other markets in both the former Commonwealth and the civilised world, this measure feels long overdue.

The purpose is clear: an amendment to the 2003 Gambling Act that will ratify a series of shifts in the direction of Kiwi gambling when it comes to digital games of luck. With such an update of the current legislation, we will see a controlled environment when it comes to taxation, legitimacy, control, but also more verifiable data regarding expenditures.

There are a few key pieces that we need you to know when it comes to the objectives of this new legislative idea:

• The creation and distribution of 15 licences for operators who will win the privilege to do so. Quite importantly, the operators don’t have to be from New Zealand. The only requirement is that they obtain their licence from the Kiwi government. 
• The process of choosing the operators that obtain these 15 licences will not be preferential in any way. Instead, it will be a meritocratic process, as articulated by Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden: ‘I think it’s fair just to allow anybody to bid for one of the licenses, rather than try and say, just because you’re here and you’ve been established for years in New Zealand, you’re necessarily a better operator.’
• There will be a $5 million penalty for any unlicenced offshore operator that infringes this law and provides access to Kiwis.
• Gambling advertisements will become legal, as long as it is under the confines of the regulatory language that authorities accept.

This is a far cry from the current situation. Nowadays, offshore casinos can accept players from New Zealand as long as they do not advertise their product in any capacity within Kiwi airwaves. As a result, there is hardly any regulatory protection that would impose any responsible gambling demands in the interest of consumers.

What happens is that responsible gambling legislation and operational demands are up to the offshore regulator that licences these online casinos. 

For example, Malta Gaming Authority has noticeably higher standards and requirements than other regulators, even if its ability to oversee operators under it is not that high due to sheer numbers. BetBrain NZ has already seen hundreds of casinos active on this market, and the new regulations will show how the new licensees must respect entirely new standards.

Account Limitations Set The Stage

For the sake of clarity and a bit of guidance regarding an online gambling Kiwi’s options at hand, we will talk about some methods and principles of responsible gaming that you can see nowadays at plenty of casinos that actually need to implement them.

Since they’re market-standard options, you can be sure that they will become mandatory once the new regulations for 2026 come into force.

As such, we will begin with some limiters that you can set in your account:

• Expenditures—a limiter with you can set in order to keep how much you spend over a certain period of time, such as daily, weekly or monthly
• Losses—if you’re on a bad streak, you can use this setting to stop your account from further gambling possibilities once you reach a threshold of total losses
• Winnings—the same situation as with losses, only in reverse
• Time spent gaming—if you use this setting, it will give you the possibility to have a forced stop on gambling activities after reaching a certain amount of time

Self-Exclusions Lead the Charge

You should also expect a level of country-wide self-exclusion service akin to those in other regulated jurisdictions. We say that it’s to be expected not because it follows the example of other countries, but because there is a precedent in place.

The Multi-Venue Exclusion, a part that encompasses the ability to self-exclude from all the physical venues of New Zealand, is a relatively new system that is currently in place. Once there is central control over the digital gambling situation, you can expect this kind of system to apply to online casinos as well.

If you’re unfamiliar with how self-exclusion works, it’s a voluntary choice that will lead to a certain establishment (or a network of them) banning you at your own request. It usually applies for at least 6 months, but can also be permanent, essentially driving you away from gambling by self-inflicted force.

The important part to remember is that such decisions are usually irreversible. As such, it’s extremely essential to be certain that you want to take this step. However, if you’re fighting your own urges to gamble, the decision should be a no-brainer.

Relief Methods Sweep the Field

This is as clear a method as it gets: relief and help from organisations that can actually provide you with the assistance you need! If you find it hard to resist the compulsive need to gamble, it would be better to just ask for help from the following sources:

• Gambling Helpline NZ—a service in Aotearoa that will be able to give you counselling online or over the phone
• Maori Gambling Helpline—this service is the best option for Maori ethnics who need help in their native tongue, and according to their own cultural sensibilities
• Asian Family Services Gambling Helpline—an option for expats or ethnically-Asian people who require help tailored for their community

Conclusion

The most important part is to remember that responsible gambling is neither a choice nor a lifestyle. It’s a vital requirement that must be part of your attitude, regardless of where you play, how much you play, or how in control you feel. Please play responsibly and remember to protect yourself from possible harm!