Ban Vs Regulation of Online Gambling in New Zealand 2025

The government recently announced that it will regulate online casinos, marking a big change under the new National Party-led government. This includes paying taxes, getting licensed, and following responsible gambling practices. The new licensing system for online casinos will watch over casinos operating in New Zealand. It will protect people from risky, unfair practices while they enjoy gambling in www.legislation.gov.au NZ. 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.

Saturday, October 14 is election day and Christopher Luxon’s National Party will do everything in its power to win the majority over its rivals, the Labour Party. They’re running their election campaign on the wings of a massive tax package that would be funded by smart cuts and new taxes. As this is an increasingly lucrative area for sportsbook operators, no doubt many would relish the chance to have a licence to operate in NZ.

How Other Countries Dealt With Offshore Gambling Sites

SkyCity has suggested limiting the number of licenses to five in order to give preference to local companies. The next step is to work through the issues raised by submitters while the Department provides advice to the Minister of Internal Affairs on a new regulatory system for online gambling. The Minister of Internal Affairs recently announced the release of the summary of submissions report from public consultation on online gambling in New Zealand. While a welcome bonus is essential, it’s also great to see casinos that provide additional promotions for returning players. The first and most important factor to consider is licensing and regulation. If an online casino doesn’t mention a recognised regulator, it’s a major red flag—RUN and avoid it at all costs.

Although the goal of the measure is to encourage responsible gaming, local gaming enterprises are debating it. According to Brooke van Velden, minister of internal affairs, there will be an open bidding process for 15 internet casino licenses. For the first time, this represents a historic change that permits both domestic and foreign businesses to lawfully enter the market. 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. The ACT minister additionally asserted the legislation is to avoid dealing with sports wagering and online lotteries while setting the minimum gambling age at 18.

At its start, stakeholders like consumers, operators, and advocacy groups could provide feedback. Still, by 2025, the select committee will finalize the framework to continue with full implementation, predicted to be in 2026. Although the current regulatory talks are at an early stage, credible reports suggest that NZ will tax offshore gambling companies at a flat rate of 12% of the gross income. Let’s have a look at various instances of ineffective regulation within the online gambling industry in several countries.

The other big benefit for the country is the extra revenue that the changes could generate. This will be followed up by the tax generated once the casinos are up and running. The popularity of the activity is also being reflected in the size of the market, which analysts suggest will reach $600 million per annum by 2027. The bulk of this growth is set to be generated by the online casino sector which continues to expand.

The move will make it illegal for unlicensed entities to operate within New Zealand, marking a significant shift in the country’s approach to online gambling.
The Minister of Internal Affairs recently announced the release of the summary of submissions report from public consultation on online gambling in New Zealand.
While advertising will be possible once operators follow strict guidelines, they won’t be able to get involved in sponsorship.
A limited number of licences will be available through an auction, subject to the bidders meeting regulatory requirements.

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. For years, online gambling in New Zealand has mostly been unregulated, meaning that Kiwis who wanted to play pokies or table games online at a licensed and secure site could register at offshore casinos.

The government’s main goal is to increase its tax revenues by licensing every operator in the country. Online gambling has been a legal grey area in New Zealand for more than two decades. Earlier in March, the government suggested plans to regulate online gambling in the country.

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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. 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.

why are online casinos banned in New Zealand

The ban on gambling adverts targeted at children will remain in effect, and online casino sites will not be allowed to sponsor sports teams. The minimum age for playing online gambling is 18, and the license only covers online casino games and excludes sports betting and lottery offerings. The http://playfina.info/ new changes will ensure licensed operators follow all the rules that protect players. This decision comes at a time when it’s never been as important to have safer and more controlled gambling options. Unfortunately, the government can’t protect online casino players because it does not regulate the industry. The proposed laws will include plans to help fight problem gambling in the country.

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It wants to provide a level playfield for every gambling operator that targets Kiwis by taxing both local and offshore companies. Casinos in NZ might decide to offer fewer services to players if their profits go down. The government can use the money for important projects, like helping people with gambling problems.

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. Today, while it is illegal for online gambling to be provided domestically, except by authorised providers (Lotto NZ and the TAB), it is legal for New Zealanders to gamble on offshore websites. Offshore gambling websites may not be regulated at all and have no harm minimisation mechanisms in place to protect players. In addition, unlike domestic gambling, offshore online gambling provides little to no return to New Zealand communities. Because NZ does not regulate online gambling, most online casinos in the country are located overseas.

There are 15 licences available, allocated by auction in a two-stage process. Operators begin with the entry assessment stage and then move on to the bidding stage, where they must meet specific criteria before being allowed to compete in the auction. The Labour Party responded by saying it had collected a 15% GST tax (Goods and Services) on services and intangibles supplied remotely by offshore suppliers since October 2016.

“I expect the new regulatory system to be in place from early-2026 and the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback during the select committee process,” van Velden said. Since then it has complained about facing an “uneven playing field”, as it pays taxes and complies with laws concerning advertising, while competitors did not. The regime will commence with 15 online casino licences (of three years each) that will be auctioned off as a revenue-collecting exercise. Some experts have even created websites to provide recommendations, such as the case with Kiwi casinos at OCNZ. Here, you’ll find plenty of expert-approved options and in-depth reviews to ensure you have access to safe casinos. With the New Zealand online gambling market projected to reach a value of US$1.36 billion by the end of 2025, it’s safe to say thousands of Kiwis are indulging in this engaging activity.