Will New Zealand Regulate Online Gambling?

Online casinos in New Zealand are quickly becoming the biggest attraction for gambling enthusiasts in the country. While land-based casinos are increasingly commonplace, there remain cases in which individual gambling needs cannot be met, and online gambling is a welcome alternative. This explains why numerous casinos develop online gambling solutions to ensure player satisfaction and retention.

There are plenty of choices available to gambling enthusiasts in New Zealand. The government's decision to introduce laws to protect players further expands the availability of safe and secure play. Join us at Top10Casinos.kiwi as we discuss the various actions the government of New Zealand has taken to ensure players can find safety and comfort in online gambling.

Written by Bonnie Gjurovska 4 minute read
will new zealand regulate online gambling

The Current State and Law in NZ

Like everywhere else, New Zealand allows you to enter casinos and select your chips if you are at least twenty. There are several physical casinos across the country, including the well-known SkyCity Auckland. But, with the rise of offshore online casino sites available to Kiwis, there is a significant shift towards having fun when and wherever. The Gaming Act of 2003 in New Zealand is straightforward. Gambling activities include various betting activities on horse racing, slots, and lottery. New Zealand maintains gambling data records to remain on top of changes. The question is, does it work?

To keep a shred of normality during the COVID-19 outbreak, many New Zealanders focussed their attention and financial resources on online gambling as curfews prevented them from going to gambling tables. The average annual gambling expenditure is $650 for New Zealanders. TAB and Lotto were the only two companies in the country licensed to provide gambling services at the time. As players shifted online, the government and these two businesses worked to preserve a secure atmosphere for everyone. As a result, restrictions and limits came into place to guide New Zealanders to wager at regulated casinos.

Why this Approach is Used by the Government

The New Zealand government keeps developing new policies and procedures to ensure online casinos' operations are monitored to protect those who wish to win some cash while playing the games they enjoy. Here are a few explanations for why the government of New Zealand employs this approach if you find yourself puzzled by their strategy.

  • Land casinos and online casino gambling winnings are not taxed, even if the winnings are accumulated at operators based outside of New Zealand. They must, however, be collected via legal channels. Additionally, winnings paid in bitcoin are subject to taxation, although this may change soon.
  • To prevent money laundering and guarantee that the correct individual receives winnings. New Zealanders must follow a claims process to claim winnings above $1,000. Winnings that are less than $1,000 are claimable at local lottery venues.
  • The two companies in charge of online gambling must contribute to society by teaching the public about responsible gaming and associated events. As a condition of their agreement with the New Zealand government, they must also support beneficial initiatives.

Together with the Ministry of Health and the Department of Internal Affairs, all these are in place to assist the government in effectively monitoring the gambling statics and adjusting limits and regulations accordingly. By empowering and monitoring the two businesses, New Zealanders are spared from wagering at websites unapproved by the government. Even though the websites not supported by the government offer more services, games, and promotions than Lotto NZ and TAB NZ, players are aware of the risks involved and, therefore, often avoid them.

It makes it easier for the country to recuperate a sizable portion of the gambling earnings into its coffers. It was, therefore, no surprise to learn that, based on data, a pitiful 0.2% of the populace suffers from gambling addiction. Instead of using gambling to boost income, New Zealanders view it as a hobby. This is an excellent model that other nations and areas can adopt to regulate gambling and establish a secure environment for online players.

Top New Zealand Online Casinos in 2024

The best New Zealand online casino puts in much effort to ensure players enjoy an amazing online experience. Our evaluations of the top New Zealand online casinos rank mobile compatibility, safe and secure banking options, pokies, and other games. The three NZ casino sites recommended below will cater to your every entertainment preference and need.

  • Zodiac Casino - A solid favorite for online players who prefer a variety of payment options, excellent customer support, big jackpots, and Casino Rewards Group benefits. Zodiac Casino welcomes new players to a licensed and eCOGRA-approved environment with 80 free spins for only $1 along with $480 in welcome bonuses on the next 4 deposits.
  • Jackpot City Casino - Combining the best of Games Global and Evolution, Jackpot City Casino NZ uses the latest encryption, is audited for fairness, and offers a wide range of secure payment options. A new player can look forward to $1,600 in sign-up bonuses that will be spread across the first 4 deposits to significantly boost their bankroll and prolong their gaming sessions.
  • Luxury Casino - As part of the Casino Rewards Group, newly registered players can claim up to $1,000 in welcome bonuses across 5 deposits to get started. The popular NZ online casino also comes equipped with 24/7 customer support, a multitude of trusted payment methods, over 850 games from Games Global and Evolution, and excellent ongoing promotions to ensure you keep coming back for more.

Each of our recommendations will allow you to play in NZ Dollar and feature some of the best casino games in the industry. You can play on your desktop or mobile device, and claim generous welcome packages and ongoing promotions that are unmatched at any government-run gambling establishment in the country. You'll also find a wider selection of games and reasonable terms and conditions that can lead to more frequent wins in 2024.

 Bonnie Gjurovska
Written by
Bonnie Gjurovska Managing Editor

With a master's degree in business law, Bonnie ventured into the world of online gambling in 2015. Starting out as content writer, she rose through the ranks to eventually manage her own team of writers while planning and structuring content for readers. Visit Bonnie's author page to find out more.

Visit my profile for more
Best NZ Casino Bonus Offer & Expert Reviews

Signup to be an insider and play with the best exclusive casino promotions.

Subscribe to Our Newsletter