Online Gambling in New Zealand

Last Updated on 19 Sep 2023 | by Amanda Wilson

All the online gambling activities in New Zealand are regulated with the Gambling Act 2003. With this act, local New Zealand gambling sites are prohibited, except for authorized providers such as Lotto NZ and TAB. However, online gambling for NZ players is allowed on foreign websites.

The Gambling Act has many rules and regulations on how online casinos and betting sites are allowed to operate. It also tasks various agencies with different responsibilities when it comes to online betting. In this review, we would like to explain the basics of what the Act covers, as well as answer some common questions you might have.

Types of NZ Online Gambling

Most online casinos offer hundreds or even thousands of different titles and these often have unique themes and features. The wide variety of games may seem overwhelming to newer players. Luckily, the games that gambling clubs host can be categorised into a few different categories. Each of these groups shares the same basics and are similar to each other. Here is a list of the most common types of games that punters play on the Internet today:

NZ Gambling Regulatory Bodies

There are several different agencies that deal with various aspects of the legislation of gambling in New Zealand. Some create the law surrounding gambling, while others regulate specific types of gambling and their licences. Others may provide gambling services and fund them as well. Here we want to list the different bodies that deal with gambling and explain what role they play in regulating betting and online gaming:

This is the agency responsible for creating all the laws regarding gambling. The department of Internal affairs is also in charge of setting the rules of what gambling activities are permitted and how they are allowed to be operated. Finally, they make sure that these laws and regulations are enforced.

The New Zealand Gambling Commission (NZGC) was established with the Gambling Act 2003. This is the agency responsible for reviewing gambling licensing applications. It also hears appeals on licencing decisions made by the Department of Internal Affairs in regards to gambling activities.

The New Zealand Lotteries Commission promotes, organises and conducts all lotteries in the country. They also make the rules on how these lotteries are conducted. Finally, they work with the Minister of Internal Affairs by advising them on matters regarding lotteries.

This regulatory body provides New Zealanders with various betting services, such as sports betting and horse racing betting. Additionally, it offers information, advice and services to help with problem gambling, including self-exclusion programmes and awareness workshops. TAB New Zealand was established under the Racing Act 2003.

Lastly, we have the Ministry of Health. This government body has the task of funding and coordinating services that deal with problem gambling. These services were introduced with the Gambling Act 2003, and the ministry has been funding them since 1 July 2004.

NZ Online Gambling: FAQs

Who can gamble online in New Zealand?

Kiwis that have reached a certain age are allowed to gamble online, and this age depends on the type of gambling. For sports betting and the lotto, the legal gambling age is 18. However, for gambling in a casino the individual has to be at least 20 years old.
Do Kiwis have to pay taxes on their online gambling winnings?

No, New Zealanders are not required to pay any taxes for their earnings from online gambling. According to the Income Tax Act, these winnings are exempt from paying any taxes, so the punter gets to keep everything they win in online casinos.
What licensing jurisdictions are the most reliable for remote gambling?

The most trustworthy regulators for online casinos are the Malta Gaming Authority and the UK Gambling Commission. These two licensing operators create the industry standard when it comes to remote betting. Therefore, gamers can trust the betting sites that are certified by the MGA or the UKGC.

Authors & Contributors

Amanda Wilson is an NZ-based gambling expert at CasinoDeps.co.nz. She has written 100+ casino reviews, tips and guides to help Kiwis make the right choice. Amy also writes and proofreads articles on topics related to online gambling in New Zealand.

Online Gambling in New Zealand

Types of NZ Online Gambling

NZ Gambling Regulatory Bodies

Department of Internal Affairs

NZ Gambling Commission

NZ Lotteries Commission

TAB New Zealand

Ministry of Health

NZ Online Gambling: FAQs

Authors & Contributors

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