Gambling has always been popular around New Zealand – be it betting on sports or playing casino games. As with any other nation though, there are certain gambling laws that bettors in the country should know about.
This is key for betting in a responsible way and helps bettors avoid straying onto the wrong side of the law by mistake. But what are the major rules and regulations to take onboard when gambling in NZ?
Key online casino gambling laws in New Zealand
For people in New Zealand, betting in general was illegal until the 1908 Gambling Act legislated for placing horse racing wagers. Since then, the 2003 Gambling Act has come into force and is the major piece of iGaming legislation to be aware of. This act officially prohibits Kiwi players from setting up their own online casino sites or gambling at online casinos within New Zealand but is not as draconian as it sounds.
As we see in some other countries with similar regulations, internet-based gambling around NZ exists in something of a grey area and regulations that govern it leave enough wiggle room for people to gamble digitally.
But how does this work out for residents? The current 2003 Gambling Act is aimed more at operators themselves and applies only to companies who might try to set up in New Zealand’s borders. It’s also designed to stop people in the country from registering at illegal NZ-based gambling platforms.
Due to this, people around the country cannot bet at rogue online gambling platforms based in in New Zealand – but can sign up with the most popular offshore-based sites, as shown at AskGamblers NZ.
Do the authorities target NZ gamblers who use offshore casinos?
Whilst it’s true to say online casino play is officially illegal in New Zealand, the authorities tend not to punish people who gamble at offshore sites. Even the briefest glances at the latest NZ gambling news shows no reports of this happening to date.
This is because the 2003 Gambling Act does not specifically mention anything about gambling at offshore casinos. The crucial thing to remember therefore is that you must stick to gambling at casinos based outside of the country. If you do this, you should be fine.
What laws are there for land-based casino gambling in New Zealand?
Although playing casino games online is the preferred choice for many NZ gamblers today, heading out to land-based sites is still popular. Betting at land-based casinos is 100% legal in the country and allowed under the 2003 Gambling Act. There are currently five brick-and-mortar casinos to play at nationwide.
One interesting aspect of the land-based casino scene here is that gambling laws ensure the community benefits from this activity. This even extends to games of chance outside officially licensed casinos, where any profits made must go to charity.
Lotteries in New Zealand
Playing lottery games is perfectly legal in New Zealand and this makes it a popular choice with gamblers in the country. The very first national lotteries were created in 1933, although the modern NZ lottery we now recognise came to the fore in 1987.
In addition to the official lotto, Kiwi’s are also able to play daily Keno, the Big Wednesday lottery and instant Kiwi scratch cards. Playing the lottery online in the country became possible in 2008 and this is how most people do it now.
Sports betting in NZ: What laws should you know about?
Although playing the best casino games is something Kiwi’s love to do, betting on sports is also big around the country. But what laws exist around sports betting in New Zealand? The main thing to know is that sports betting is totally legal in NZ and is also covered by the 2003 Gambling Act.
In addition, the 2020 Racing Industry Act is applicable to betting on sports in the country specifically. This act regulates the sports betting sector nationally and TAB NZ, who are the only company based in the country sanctioned to offer land-based or online sports betting. As with playing casino games online though, betting via offshore sportsbooks is something New Zealanders love to do and is not officially outlawed.
Who regulates gambling in New Zealand?
Land-based casinos in the country are regulated by the New Zealand Gambling Commission and they ensure licensed sites nationwide treat players fairly. As no online casinos based in NZ are allowed under current regulations, there is no body set up to specifically look after this part of the sector nationwide.
Platforms which enable Kiwi gamblers to play the lottery are controlled by the New Zealand Lottery Commission. When it comes to sports betting, it’s the New Zealand Racing Board who regulate this niche with NZ gambling. This is similar to the UK, where the UK Gambling Commission exists to regulate sportsbooks who operate there.
Which are the best gambling platforms in New Zealand?
If you fancy trying out online casino games in New Zealand, there are lots of top-class offshore operators to sign up with. Casumo is one name that springs to mind and has a vast collection of games to try. They also offer excellent support to customers and a range of trusted payment options.
bet365 is another fabulous casino to sign up with for Kiwi gamblers and has games from the best software developers. As a well-established and licensed online casino, it provides a secure place to play online.
When it comes to betting on sports in NZ, many of the best offshore casino operators have sportsbooks to dive into. bet365 stands out here, as does BetVictor. Platforms like this offer a fun place to bet on sports and use the latest online security features to look after players.
Gambling laws in New Zealand: An overview
The main pieces of gambling regulation to know about in New Zealand currently are the 2003 Gambling Act and the 2020 Racing Industry Act. Both of these pieces of legislation dictate how the gambling sector in the country works and protects Kiwi-based gamblers. Although online casino play is not specifically covered in New Zealand law yet, this is something which may well change in future.
