The government discourages Kiwis from gambling in casinos which have not been licensed. There are clear cut guidelines in the law to provide for honest and fair gambling in New Zealand. The NZ Gaming Authority enforces these gambling regulations. They oversee and review the conduct of gaming operators. They ensure that operators meet the requirements to set up casinos in NZ. Their regulatory framework aims at protecting the rights of players.
Pros of New Zealand Gambling Licence
The New Zealand gambling license is one of the most sought after licenses. Operators who get this license are privy to some of the benefits that it comes with. This license inadvertently benefits players as well. Proper legalisation and management of the industry attract more players. Operators who hold this license can operate in New Zealand. More benefits of this license are:
Affordable Licence Fees
If fees are a concern, there is no need to worry. The commission charges affordable licence fees. To get a license, applicants need to pay a predetermined amount to the government. The current fees charged were set in 2015. The fees are set at appropriate levels. This helps to minimise application costs.
Straightforward Rules and Policies
The current rules and policies related to gambling are easy to understand. This makes it simpler for all stakeholders to understand what is expected of them. Thus, operations are run smoothly. Creating awareness in the industry helps the commission to better enforce rules and policies. The appropriate standards, best practices and specific methods are outlined for all stakeholders.
Lack of Changes
The laws governing gambling in NZ do not change. They also do not vary from one region to another, in the country. This lack of change provides stability to businesses. It helps operators to grow and thrive in the industry due to the predictable nature of the business. Consequently, leading to NZ having a billion-dollar gaming industry.
Cons of New Zealand Gambling Licence
Over the years, the gambling regulator has worked hard to promote a positive gambling environment for Kiwis. Most stakeholders are aware that one of the main things they need to check for in a casino, is whether it is licensed. Though the commission has made a lot of progress in the gaming industry, there are still various areas for improvement. Some of the drawbacks include:
Not User-Friendly Website
The Commission’s website has a poor design. Even though the website is easy to navigate, it is too generic and not intuitively laid out. This is likely to turn off visitors to the site. Users like comfort in details, even in online browsing. Unfortunately, the bad website layout gives the site an outdated look.
Doesn’t Regulate Online Gambling Operators
The NZ online casino market is thriving, even though there is no legislation for online casinos based in New Zealand. This means that no local NZ casinos can legally operate in the country. As a result, Kiwis are using internationally-based casinos. Although they are not regulated by the NZ Gambling Commission, this provision of services is allowed. International casinos are technically legal in NZ.
Outdated Laws
The New Zealand Gambling Commission was established under the Gambling Act of 2003. According to this Act, the only legal forms of online gambling are online lottery games. Moreover, sports betting and online racehorse wagering are available. These can only be accessed through the NZ Racing Board and Lotto NZ websites and apps. At the moment, no plans exist to amend the Gambling Act to legalize online casinos.
