New Zealand’s gambling laws are quite strict. They aim to regulate public gambling to protect residents and maintain fairness. The Gambling Act of 2003 and the Department of Internal Affairs help to ensure that all gambling is conducted responsibly and as harm-free as possible. All public gaming establishments must be licensed and adhere to certain rules. New Zealand has banned some types of gambling, such as online casinos and slots. However, Kiwis can still access offshore gambling websites through the loophole in regulation.
Even with strict regulation, gambling remains popular. The DIA reports that NewZealanders have spent $2.7 million on entertainment such as casino games, pokies and lottery games in 2022-2023. It is also worrying that 1% of adult gamblers are considered problem gambling, and 4% have moderate gambling risk.
After you have a basic understanding of how things work, let’s look at the New Zealand gambling regulation in detail.
A summary of the gambling regulation in New Zealand
- Online gambling is prohibited.
- The law does allow citizens to use offshore gambling sites.
- Local companies are not allowed to offer online sports betting, except the onl authorized provider TAB.
- New Zealand only has six land-based casinos that are licensed.
- The most popular gambling game is pokies. Machines can be found in pubs, bars, and clubs.
- The local community should receive a portion of the profits from gambling to fund social programs.
New Zealand is a country with legal gambling. It is estimated that New Zealanders spent $2.625 Billion on gambling on 2020. As we have already mentioned, the Department of Internal Affairs is responsible for regulating this industry. The increased number of users, revenues, and expenditures make this body a vital guide for gambling.
New Zealand Gambling Act 2003
New Zealand Gambling Act of 2003 is a comprehensive law that regulates all forms gambling. This act ensures fairness and the least harm possible to society. It encourages responsible gambling, and offers assistance to those who are addicted to gambling.
The gambling activities are divided into four distinct categories, based on their prize value and the type of game. These include:
- Class 1: These are low-stakes gambling, such as social games that have prizes of up to $500. No license is needed.
- Class 2: This is low-stakes gaming with prizes up to $5,000. Do not require licensing, but must follow certain rules.
- Class 3: This category includes larger-scale gambling facilities, such as casinos or gaming machines. Operators are required to obtain a license through the DIA.
- Class 4: Non-casino gambling machines (pokies) that are found in pubs, clubs and other public places. Operators are required to hold a licence; the proceeds must be used for community-approved purposes.
Overall, the New Zealand Gambling Act 2003 is the cornerstone of gambling regulation in New Zealand. It aims to achieve a balance between social responsibility and economic benefits.
Some of the most popular forms of gambling in NZ include:
- Slot machines (pokies);
- Lotteries;
- Instant games;
- Games of chance (poker, roulette, craps, etc.);
- Prize competitions;
- Betting on horse races/sports (online).
Keep reading to learn more about them in detail!
Forms of gambling under NZ regulation
Land-based casinos
Believe it or not, New Zealand has only six land-based casinos. SkyCity runs four notable casinos – in Auckland (the oldest), Hamilton, Adelaide and Queenstown. Two others are the Christchurch Casino, the oldest in New Zealand, and the Dunedin Casino, known for its Victorian-Edwardian architecture. All other casinos are illegal until they manage to get a license.
SkyCity in Aukland is the largest casino in the country. It has more than 2,100 slot machines and 150 table games. There are over ten different restaurants to choose from. This place has everything from traditional Kiwi cuisine to modern Japanese food. You could come here just to eat and then play later.
Each casino is required to hold a gambling license from the DIA. This department closely monitors all operations in order to ensure that they comply with gambling laws. These regulations encompass everything from the number and type of slot machines to staff training, and support for problem gamblers.
Slot machines
In New Zealand they are known as pokies and were introduced to New Zealand in 1987. They’re operated by foundations of corporate companies for the good of the community.
If you think about it, the owner of the pokies machine gets all of the money, right? In fact, the income from pokies is not given entirely to the machine owner. Lion share of this money goes to charity and comunity needs. The rest of the funds are used to cover various costs and levies.
According to PlayToday, New Zealand has 17,799 poker machines. 82% of the machines in New Zealand are found in bars and clubs. The remaining 18% can be found at casinos.
Pokies gambling falls under class 4 of gamblng acctivities, that means:
- Corporate societies, or pokie trusts and gaming machine societies as they are also called, are strictly non-commercial.
- These trusts must legally bound to direct money to the community.
- Community services are the recipients and these include art, education, health, and various charities.
- Winnings are also distributed to goods and services tax as well as duty fees.
- A small percentage is used to pay problem gambling levies.
Although you might lose money on a pokie machine, the money won’t be going to someone else for profit. Trusts contribute up to $300 million per year to the community.
Horse race betting
In New Zealand, horse race betting is only legal through the Totalisator Agency Board (TAB). After bookmaking became illegal in New Zealand in 1911, this is the only betting operator that’s legitimate in the country. In 1972, greyhound racing betting went through the exact same process. This was dubbed equalisator betting. 
It is no surprise that horse racing betting has become so popular in New Zealand that the first totalisator boards (tote boards) in the world were installed at Ellerslie Racecourse in Auckland. This racecourse hosted its first race in the year 1874. Recently, it was renovated and reopened with the 2024 TAB Karaka Millions race.
Sports betting
Sports betting is also regulated by TAB within the country.
Kiwis are passionate about sports, particularly those who follow major international and local sporting events. Betting increases around major events like the Rugby World Cup and Melbourne Cup. Some of the most popular sports for betting include:
- Rugby Union and Rugby League;
- Cricket, both local and International matches;
- Basketball, NBA and New Zealand NBL games;
- Soccer (football) The EPL, Champions League and FIFA events;
- Tennis & Netball.
Today, most betting is done via the TAB App. However, TAB retail outlets and self-service machines are still available in all parts of the country.
Other forms of betting
- Lotteries – typically run by Lotto NZ, a state-owned enterprise, or by not-for-profit societies. Proceeds must go toward authorized charitable or community purposes.
- Instant games, including Instant Kiwi scratch cards and similar games are the part of lottery-based gambling. Only Lotto NZ is authorized to run these.
- Games of chance (poker, roulette, craps etc) only allowed in licensed land-based casinos.
- Prize competitions, includes raffles, sweepstakes, or promotional competitions are usually operated by non-commercial or charitable organizations. They fall ubder class 1–3 gambling, depending on scale and prize value. Commercial promotions with prize elements must follow both Fair Trading Act and DIA promotional guidelines.
Online gambling in New Zealand
We have talked a lot about how online gambling is illegal in New Zealand. There is, however, a legal loophole that allows Kiwis access to and play in online casinos, even though they are technically not supposed to. Follow my logic here.
Is online sports betting legal?
In New Zealand, online sports betting is legal as long as the sportsbook is run by TAB. Under the Racing Industry Act 2020, TAB NZ – now runs all betting operations, including sports betting and horse racing. It is popular to bet on local and foreign sports events. Online sports betting is a major contributor to the economy of New Zealand. The TAB uses a portion its revenues for funding sporting events and local projects. Kiwis have access to international betting sites but they are not protected by local laws and regulations.
Are online casinos legal in New Zealand?
Online casinos are not legal in New Zealand. The Gambling Act 2003 forbids “remote interactivity gambling” in the country. Local entities are not allowed to offer online casino games like poker, blackjack and roulette over the Internet.
There are no restrictions on international providers, though. Gambling on foreign sites is not illegal, so long as they don’t actively advertise to New Zealanders. The law does not prohibit residents from playing at offshore online casinos. You can bet if you feel confident.
A legal grey zone allows for offshore sites to provide their services. As it is an unregulated market it does not guarantee fair play, responsible gambling, or consumer protection. The government loses out on $140 million in tax revenue annually that could have been generated by licensing and regulating domestic online gambling operators.
On the other hand, Kiwis have an access to top-quality online casinos. As offshore gambling is not directly banned by online casino regulations, your bank does not have a basis to block your payments. All you need is to choose well-established facilities which have good ratings and are licensed by respected gambling agencies. Also make sure their websites equipped with secure encryption software to protect your financial transactions and personal data.
Try New Zealand Bitcoin casino for a safe and memorable gambling experience.
New Zealand’s strict gambling regulation does not stop online gambling from being popular. According to estimates, the huge market could be worth up to $600 million per year. This is impressive as offshore companies cannot advertise in the country. Otherwise, they could be fined for $10,000.
It has been a while since the Gambling Act of 2003 was updated. The act covers most gambling forms, except for additional land-based casino and online gambling services.
What is the legal age for NZ casino?
The legal gambling age in New Zealand is 20 years. If you are eligible, you’d have access to all forms of gambling within licensed casino premises, , including:
- Slot machines (pokies)
- Table games (blackjack, roulette, poker, and baccarat)
- Electronic gaming machines
- premier VIP gaming.
Casinos have a legal obligation to verify a patron’s age prior to allowing them to participate in gambling. This is typically accomplished by checking a government-issued document, such a driver’s license, passport, national ID, etc.
The NZ casino legal age is a part of a regulatory framework which aims to promote gambling responsibly and protect children from the possible harms associated with gambling. New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs oversees enforcement of these regulations in order to maintain a safe gaming environment.
To sum it up
As we learn, the New Zealand Gambling Act, 2003 governs gambling in the country. It’s responsible for maintaining growth in gambling, ensuring integrity of operations, and encouraging community benefits through funding. Kiwis may legally use offshore platforms even though they cannot operate online casinos in New Zealand. Online sports betting and online casinos are therefore illegal unless TAB has authorized them. Pokies, Instant Games, Lotteries and Horse Racing are also popular gambling activities.
As the government considers whether to regulate online casinos, a critical decision is imminent. New Zealand is weighing up whether to maintain the current status quo or take a more controlled route, creating a framework which protects consumers while ensuring a share of revenue goes back into the community. We will keep our readers informed about the latest gambling legislation in New Zealand.
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