Pick reputable platforms that have a solid track record and have no incentive to run away with your hard-earned cash. Choose a casino that is licensed by a reputable gambling authority. The consequences for violating the Gambling Act can be severe for local operators. These measures serve as deterrents, ensuring compliance with the law and safeguarding the interests of both operators and players.

Many online casino options are still available in the black market. We recommend staying updated on these regulations to ensure you’re on the safe side. Make sure the casino has a good reputation for player safety and fairness.

Responsible Gambling Notice

Because no regulation can protect gamers if they do not play online gambling games properly, gamers must always participate for enjoyment and play responsibly. The industry is controlled by the Department of Internal Affairs, which monitors the casino and gambling activities throughout the country as well as keeps track of the regulation of it. A November 2024 Cabinet paper on the new gambling market says forcing online casino operators to pay community grants might put them off bidding for a license.

However, using these international casino websites is not a crime for players. So, while New Zealand-based online casinos are not allowed, Kiwi players can enjoy their favourite games on international sites without legal trouble. Online gambling all around the world is highly varied, with lots of different laws and regulations based on culture, religion, politics, and other factors. However, more and more nations continue to legalise online casinos and online gambling generally, which keeps moral questions surrounding gambling in sharp focus. New Zealand law does not allow domestic companies to operate online casinos within the country. The Gambling Act 2003 clearly prohibits local businesses or operators from offering online casino gaming to New Zealand residents.

How the government plans to protect players

While the government’s plans are currently being developed Van Velden shared some details of the regulatory framework. Her department will be responsible for regulating New Zealand online casino operators. Gambling only really took off in New Zealand in the 1990’s and in 2003, the Gambling Act added several new caveats to the already full list of bylaws, regarding what was, and wasn’t allowed. "We don’t have a huge online gambling market, so I would expect that it’s mainly offshore providers." It said five to seven licences should be granted to New Zealand-based entities and was scathing about offshore operators not having to make community grants. SkyCity wrote to van Velden in March last year saying only five online casino licences should be issued and they should be restricted to entities with a domestic presence.

• The TAB told Peters there would be "severe implications for TAB NZ if this fast-growing online casinos market cannibalises our existing operations by being legitimised in NZ in an open market context".
• Our reviews remain unbiased and based on research to help you make informed choices.
• Undoubtedly, the US iGaming market is positioned for monumental growth.
• 👀 But these kinds of policies do create challenges in enforcement.
• With the Gambling Act of 2003, all gambling laws and regulations were brought together in one place for the first time.

What About Online Casinos?

There’s a chance the casino may not be under the supervision of any government body and not be subject to the same consumer protection laws as casinos that are based in New Zealand. That’s largely because the Gambling Act of 2003 bars local companies from offering online casino games to Kiwis. The implication is that any New Zealand-based online casinos cannot legally provide gambling services to residents.

New Zealand has collected GST at a rate of 15% on services and intangibles supplied remotely by an offshore supplier since October 2016. There will be an opportunity for the public to provide feedback on the regulatory plans during the select committee nt.gov.au process.

This piece of legislation lays down the law, stating that you’ve got to be at least 20 years old to https://plangames-nz.com/ be eligible for gambling. "This will send money offshore and out of the hands of the hands of community groups, and that’s not how you grow an economy." But she said that could change over time as the licenses weren’t forever. When you do eventually settle on and first join a platform, start with small bets and increase them as you become more comfortable with the game. Perhaps it’s just one of those legislations that failed to evolve with the dynamics of the Internet Age.

The winners of the online casino license auction will have to pay GST, a 12 percent gambling duty and the problem gambling levy but not community grants. The new law will ban operators who don’t have a license from offering online casino gambling to New Zealanders, with fines up to $5 million. The online casino licenses will be issued for three years under the new regime, due to start in February 2026, which will regulate online gambling in New Zealand for the first time. Documents obtained by RNZ show local operators fear the large offshore firms will eat up their market share – and siphon money away from the community grants they distribute from gambling profits. Unlike with Lotto, TAB, casinos or pokies, successful bidders for the online casino licences will not be required to pay any money to community groups. Documents obtained by RNZ show local operators fear the large offshore firms will eat up their market share – and siphon money away from the community grants they distribute from gambling profits.

Read my recommendation of the top online casinos in NZ where you can play legally and withdraw with no issues. The new offshore gambling duty allows NZ players to continue playing legally. However, some casinos may adjust fees, reduce bonuses, or exit the market. Operators might pass tax costs onto players through lower payouts, higher fees, or stricter deposit/withdrawal conditions. The 12% offshore gambling duty applies to foreign casinos but doesn’t change their legality. They remain unregulated by NZ authorities, so players should choose licensed, reputable sites.

It won’t come as a surprise if more states in the US allow online betting. It is illegal for persons and businesses to process payments that are unlawful in the place where the gambler or the website is located. You can’t use any electronic payment system (like credit cards or bank transfers), too. To check if an online casino is legit in New Zealand, look for its license info at the bottom of its website or app. The key thing to know is that advertising these overseas casinos within New Zealand is not allowed, and there’s a penalty of $5,000 for each offence.

So, big names like Bet365 and PokerStars can’t advertise on TV, in newspapers, or elsewhere in New Zealand. Community interests include groups for whom gambling activities raise funds, gamblers, and organizations that provide services and research on the social effects of gambling. The regulations set out requirements for the retention of certain records and management of gambling equipment and for the application and distribution of net proceeds. These regulations stipulate the fees that apply for licences and approvals under the Act. The fees also contribute to the Department of Internal Affairs’ compliance activity and the Gambling Commission.

We need to update our laws for today’s digital world and future proof them as much as possible. Work is underway to develop a safe, regulated online gambling system for New Zealand that keeps people safe, allows only trusted providers to participate in the market, and contributes to the community. You can place bets on casino games, sports, and lotteries all over the world from the comfort of your armchair, without the need to visit a physical casino premises. As you can imagine, this has created all sorts of challenges for governments trying to keep control over the industry and regulate it to protect their citizens and benefit from the taxation of online gaming. The rapid rise and popularity of online gambling platforms has caused a big headache for plenty of countries around the world. Whilst land-based casinos continue to operate and thrive, online gambling brings a whole new level of accessibility that has completely transformed the industry.