Laws and Regulations for Online Casinos in NZ

Lukas

Safe online gambling starts with finding a licensed online casino.

New Zealand players can safely enjoy gambling as plenty of regulated online casinos offer a world-class gambling range.

To find out more about current regulations for online casinos in New Zealand, keep reading this post.

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New Zealand Gambling Legislation Overview

The 2003 Gambling Act does not prohibit online casinos in New Zealand, provided the casino is based overseas.

The New Zealand Racing Board controls online sports betting and is the only sports and racing betting provider.

Online sports betting is legal, provided Kiwi players are accepted, and it is not run in New Zealand.

A company must also provide online poker outside of New Zealand.

The New Zealand government established online gambling legislation in 2003 through the Gambling Act.

Online casino operations are illegal in New Zealand.

New Zealand residents may participate in sports and online poker betting under the same regulations as online casinos.

Online casino winnings are excluded from yearly income tax reports.

History of Gambling in New Zealand

The first European settlers brought gambling to New Zealand, and gambling was widespread throughout the colonial period.

This changed in 1908 when the Gambling Act passed – the only gambling legalised in New Zealand was at the race tracks.

The popularity of gambling grew, and the laws became more liberal in 1951.

The Golden Kiwi Lottery went into effect, and in 1994 the first legal casino was established.

Bookmaking did not become legal until 1961 when TAB or the Totalizator Agency Board legalised betting on horse races.

The Gambling Act of 2003 regulates all gambling in New Zealand.

Is Gambling Legal in New Zealand?

Legal betting has four categories, and anything else is illegal.

Returning a set percentage of all proceeds to the community is required.

The regulations of the New Zealand government in 2003 are precise and straightforward.

Players may gamble online, provided the casino operators work outside of New Zealand.

Casinos can't set up their business on New Zealand soil since the government of New Zealand wants to protect itself from any online gambling liability.

Residents of New Zealand are protected from any issues resulting from online gambling.

Problems between the player and the casino are resolved through the licensing regulator.

The case is reviewed, and the decision is non-biased.

The regulators are extremely serious regarding protecting players from online casino operators that may be unfair or rogue.

If the determination is the online casino operator damaged the player, their license may be revoked and operations suspended with the possibility of legal action.

There is a good reason any unfavourable acts towards the players from the online casinos do not work.

Many casinos provide problem-free payments, instant withdrawals and high-quality customer service.

Rogue casinos are a thing of the past – the only way online casinos can earn profits is to offer the best possible services and attract many players.

Regulations, even though harsh, help to safeguard the gambling world.

If you'd like to gamble safely, find a licensed online casino that complies with all current laws.

Lukas

the author

Lukas

the author

Lukas

Head of Content

Head of Content

Lukas Mollberg, 41, is an industry veteran with over 20 years in the iGaming sector, currently leading as the Head of Content at BestBonus.co.nz. A stalwart since the early 2000s' Poker Boom, he specializes in affiliate marketing since 2016 and has authored around 300 comprehensive online casino reviews. Lukas's keen eye for detail ensures that no aspect—be it game selection, customer service, or bonuses—is overlooked. His work has become an authoritative resource for both new and seasoned online gamers, offering unbiased and reliable insights. Beyond professional achievements, Lukas brings a wealth of personal interests, like reading and travel, adding depth to his industry perspective.

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