So, while New Zealand law does not explicitly legalize it, there are certain statements and laws by the government that support offshore casino gaming. The harm prevention and minimisation regulations apply to game machines in pubs and clubs and casinos. The regulations apply to pub and club gaming machine, casino, New Zealand Racing Board and New Zealand Lotteries Commission profits. The levy reimburses the Crown for the cost of problem gambling services delivered by the Ministry of Health. The levy rates are payable for the period from 1 July 2019 to 30 June 2022 (both dates inclusive). For professional poker players whose wins (which must be significant to qualify for this exemption) constitute their single or predominant source of income, an exception is provided to this general rule of thumb.
How does the new offshore gambling duty impact NZ players and casinos?
The first big casino opened in 1994, and because gambling became very big, they made the Gambling Act of 2003 to ensure everything was fair and safe. The Gambling Act of 2003 is the main law that controls gambling in New Zealand. Its main job is to ensure that communities get some good things from the money they make and that gambling doesn’t cause too many bad problems. Even though gambling is prevalent in New Zealand, the government watches over it very carefully. Separate regulations for prevention and minimisation of harm have been created for the New Zealand Racing Board.
For the rules and legislation which may affect you when gambling, keep reading below to find out. Unlike Lotto, the TAB, casinos or the pokies, the successful bidders for the online casino licenses will not be required to pay any money to community groups. The winners of the online casino licence auction will have to pay GST, a 12% gambling duty and the problem gambling levy but not community grants. The new law will ban operators who don’t have a licence from offering online casino gambling to New Zealanders, with fines of up to $5 million. The country is currently developing laws to legalise gambling and betting.
These laws didn’t necessarily shut down casinos and online gambling platforms. UIGEA forced states to implement their own legal online gambling regulations. Only the NZ lottery and TAB (for sports gambling and horse race betting) are available online. However, many overseas websites, such as – based in the UK – offer online betting in New Zealand. New Zealand law does not allow companies and residents here to offer in-play betting, casino games, pokies (slots), housie (bingo), and online poker.
A couple of negative reviews does not necessarily mean it’s a terrible service. However, an overwhelming number of bad reviews and on multiple review sites is www.qld.gov.au a definite red flag. Our website reviews online pokies and casinos, and we may earn a commission when you sign up through our links—at no extra cost to you. Our reviews remain unbiased and based on research to help you make informed choices. However, just having an offshore license does not mean the casino is officially recognized or regulated under New Zealand law.
Examples of online gambling include online casinos, daily fantasy sports, and lottery games. To make things easier for you, here’s a list of legal and reputable online casinos for Kiwi players. These platforms have been vetted and deemed legal for New Zealand residents, ensuring a safer and more enjoyable gambling experience for you. Bookmaking was illegal until 1920, and from then until 1961, betting on horse racing was only allowed on-course. Today, TAB NZ (Totalizator Agency Board) is the only licensed provider of sports and racing betting in the country. TAB operates both physical betting terminals across https://plangames-nz.com/ New Zealand and an official online platform.
New Jersey is one of the states in the US that has taken a more progressive approach to online gambling. This Act is the official rulebook for gambling activities in the country. The legalese in the Act can be tedious to read so we are going to break down the key aspects in simpler terms. Gambling in New Zealand is regulated and divided into four classes, each requiring a specific government license. Remember, knowing your rights and choosing a trusted casino when you play online in New Zealand is essential.
Gambling (Fees) Regulations 2015
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.
In 2003, the Gaming and Lotteries Act 1988 and the Casino Control Act 1990 were combined into one single law. Racing, which is still governed mainly by the Racing Act 2003 with certain exceptions, is the sole remaining portion. However, the rise of crypto online casinos has raised questions about cryptocurrency taxation. “We remain supportive of the regulation of online casino gaming in New Zealand, with an emphasis on strong host responsibility and delivering community benefits in New Zealand,” SkyCity said. While “strictly limited” advertising for licensees will be permitted, casino must be fenced off from other gambling products. Sports betting and lottery must not be offered alongside icasino, the New Zealand government said.
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.
Federal vs. State Jurisdiction in Online Gambling
- Locals often try to bend the law and gain access to legal gambling venues or even online platforms.
- 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 main headline here is that the law’s application depends on the nature of the casino.
- That means you can enjoy all the top casino games, such as keno, craps, poker, video poker, blackjack, baccarat, roulette, keno, and slots (pokies), any time you want.
The Gambling Commission is also in charge of dealing with any and all complaints made by non-casino gambling operators regarding the licensing decisions that are created by the Secretary of Internal Affairs. "It creates a perverse incentive where we want to see gambling in our communities increase, because more money then flows back into the community, and that was not something I felt comfortable with under this law." But van Velden said the Crown would not get a lot of revenue from the new regime – perhaps only about $13m extra a year in the first few years – and her main motivation was increasing the safety of online gambling. New Zealand is one of the last developed countries to regulate online gambling.
That said, familiarise yourself with the withdrawal rules of each online casino you use. Different platforms may have varying requirements and processes for withdrawing funds. Each platform may impose certain limitations, such as minimum withdrawal amounts, wagering requirements, or specific documentation requirements. Fortunately, these risks are surmountable as long as you look in the right places. Fraudsters are everywhere, not just online – exercise reasonable due diligence and you should be fine.