New Zealand currently has some of the world’s most restrictive gambling laws, but this doesn’t deter Kiwis from playing real money games at online casinos.
According to official estimates, nearly 75% of New Zealanders gamble on a regular basis. The country’s most popular games are lotteries, followed by casino games and sports betting. Poker and bingo are not among New Zealand’s favourite games.
Land-based casinos in New Zealand are quite popular, but it’s nothing compared to the online game offering. Kiwis enjoy playing their favourite casino games on offshore sites, but these involve risks, as they are not regulated in the same way as domestic gambling. So it’s important to choose only reliable web platforms that guarantee access to reliable games.
Regulation in 2026
In New Zealand, it is not currently forbidden to play at online casinos, or to cash in winnings. If you live in New Zealand and you’re lucky enough to win a big jackpot on an online pokie, the law doesn’t prohibit you from cashing the winnings into your bank account, and you won’t be taxed on the winnings.
From 2026, Kiwi players will no longer have to worry about their rights when playing at online casinos. Indeed, moves are under way to implement the regulatory framework.
Growth of Online Gambling
This isn’t a major scoop! Online gambling is very common in New Zealand. According to estimates by industry experts, it represents a source of revenue that could reach nearly a billion NZ dollars in annual business volume. This figure includes all forms of gambling. Pokie machines are the most popular casino games, followed by table games such as blackjack and roulette.
Sports betting also represents a significant amount of business. As far as lotteries are concerned, they are mostly played locally, so they don’t represent a major source of online revenue.
Given the boom in online gambling since the 2000s, the NZ government has set the framework to regulate the online casino market from 2026. The move is aimed at providing a safe and responsible gambling environment. It will also be a good means of collecting taxes on the revenue generated by online casino operators.
The Current Law
New Zealand’s Gambling Act dates back to 2003. Its purpose was to impose regulations on land-based casinos, sports betting, and lotteries. However, the online casino sector has been largely ignored by NZ legislation. The promotion and advertising of remote gambling with New Zealand-based companies is prohibited, but the legislation does not cover operators based outside the country. As a result, many New Zealanders gamble at offshore casinos without any penalty and there is even a form of tolerance on the part of NZ authorities. Because of this legal grey area, there is a large market for New Zealand players.
Changes Taking Place
Considering the growth of the online gambling sector, a new regulatory system will soon be in place in New Zealand. In May 2024, a proposal was put forward to clarify the situation. If it goes through smoothly and eventually becomes law, it will mean that online casinos based overseas will be allowed to apply for licences to operate legally in the country. This will also require the establishment of an online gambling commission specific to New Zealand.
Its role will be to act as an independent body whose duties include granting licences to applicants, as well as regulating the iGaming industry in general. The commission will reserve the right to withdraw licences from operators who fail to comply with directives, with sanctions in the form of exemplary fines to deter illegal practices.
Advantages for New Zealand
The Ministry of Internal Affairs, headed by Brooke van Velden, is in charge of putting forward the new proposals to regulate the online casino market. The Ministry will also be responsible for issuing licences to private operators. Opening the market in 2026 will create additional employment opportunities in the country and generate tax revenue.
An offshore gambling duty of 12% will be applied to operators’ profits and part of the tax collected will be used to promote responsible gaming.
Unsurprisingly, gaming platforms will have to offer tools enabling players to set limits on their spending and time spent playing. It will also be possible to activate a self-exclusion tool, which is very useful for players experiencing gambling problems.
What’s Next for Online Casinos in New Zealand?
In 2026, online casino gaming will be regulated and legalised in New Zealand, guaranteeing players a controlled and trustworthy gaming environment. And as these are games of chance, effective tools will be put in place to limit the risk of losing large amounts of money. The aim is to help players understand that they should never gamble money they can’t afford to lose.
By implementing a gambling market open to competition, the NZ government has preferred to move towards a legal and controlled environment. Instead of banning gambling, which would have led to the proliferation of illegal online gaming, players will be able to enjoy fair and reliable games.
Leading Brands
Some of the big names in the iGaming industry will be part of NZ online casinos. Not surprisingly, the SkyCity group has already announced its application and we can expect to see it joined by other global industry players. High-profile operators including LeoVegas and Bet365 have already announced their intentions, as have companies operating legendary casino sites such as Luxury Casino and Jackpot City, which have been pioneering online casinos since the 2000s.
Last Updated on September 12, 2024