A small island country situated on the Pacific Ocean New Zealand is home to over five million people. Thanks to its picturesque landscape, the island country is a popular tourist attraction and each year, millions of tourists come here to visit Milford Sound within the Fiordland National Park, the Champagne Pool hot spring situated in the Waiotapu area, the Blue Pools located between the Wanaka and West Coat, and numerous other magnificent places.
Land of the Long White Cloud is also home to enthusiastic offline and online casino gamers and sports bettors. The main piece of legislation which regulates online and offline gambling activities and services in the country is the Gambling Act 2003. In addition, several other amendments and regulations were enacted in the past several years and these support the main objectives of the Gambling Act 2003. The main piece of legislation integrated the Lotteries Act enacted in 1977 and the Casino Control Act enacted in 1990.
New Zealand Gambling Regulations
In New Zealand, sports betting and racing is administered under a different piece of legislation, the Racing Act from2003. The Gambling Act 2003 has many different purposes including controlling the growth of the gambling industry in the country, preventing and minimizing the problem gambling harms, authorizing and prohibiting certain forms of gambling activities, facilitating various responsible gaming practices, ensuring the integrity and fairness of games offered, limiting opportunities for fraudulent activities, and ensuring funds coming from gambling activities benefit the public among others.
If you want to know more about offline and online gambling in New Zealand, check out this report from www.online-gambling.com. Here, you will find everything about the top online gambling sites in New Zealand, guides on different types of gambling available in the country, all about online casino gaming and sports betting, the best bonus offers, accepted banking options, and all about the best mobile gambling apps and services.
Gambling Laws in New Zealand
Gambling activities in New Zealand are considered illegal unless they are authorized and regulated by the main piece of legislation, the Gambling Act enacted in 2003. The legislation has been amended several times since 2003 but the primary statutes are still enforced. Under the regulations of the Gambling Act 2003, New Zealand residents are not allowed to place real money wagers at iGaming sites that are based in the country.
“While currently online gambling is under scrutiny in the country, it is likely that the legal changes in the next years will be positive for the casino and betting industries. Should the government ease its restrictions, the industry is set to flourish.”
Todd Winkler, international gambling expert
Nonetheless, Kiwi players can place real money bets at online casinos and online sports betting sites that are based outside of the country. In other words, Kiwi players can enjoy iGaming activities legally at offshore iGaming sites while at the same time, these sites are prohibited from advertising their products and services to New Zealand customers. Over the years, the Gambling Act 2003 has expanded to cover all sorts of iGaming activities in order to ensure that Kiwi players are well protected.
All gambling activities, services, and products are administered by the DIA (Department of Internal Affairs). The Gambling Act 2003 classifies all sorts of gambling activities into four different classes and these specify maximum turnover and prizes. The act also specifies who is legally allowed to offer gambling activities, in which circumstances, and whether permits and licenses are required. According to these laws, gambling in New Zealand is prohibited:
- Unless authorized under or by the Gambling Act 2003 following the strict regulations regarding game rules, relevant licenses, and minimum standards
- Unless authorized under or by the Racing Act 2003 complying with all the strict regulations of the act
- Private gambling
- Remote interactive gambling (except gambling activities allowed by the Lotteries Commission, activities authorized by the Racing Act 2003, and gambling activities conducted by offshore operators or operators situated outside of the country)
- Bookmaking
Online Gambling Sites Accepting Kiwi Players
Fortunately, there are many great international, offshore online casinos and online sports betting sites. Since it is completely legal to engage in iGaming activities at such sites, Kiwi players can rest assured that they get the very best treatment when gaming at reliable, trustworthy, renowned iGaming sites, helping them save money in the long run and make greater profits.
Many of these offshore, international iGaming operators that accept New Zealand players are licensed by the Malta Gaming Authority and by the United Kingdom Gambling Commission. Many of these offshore sites are also regularly checked by renowned testing agencies such as GLI and eCogra and this ensures the fairness of all iGaming activities, services, and products offered. Following the latest industry trends, the best online gambling sites for Kiwi players also employ a wide range of responsible gaming tools to prevent gambling-related harms.
All of the top sports betting sites that accept New Zealand players cover all sorts of sports markets and offer a whole range of betting types and competitive odds. The best online casinos for Kiwi players are no different with hundreds of different games offered including pokies, table games, and more. A whole range of popular, widely used banking options is also offered such as credit and debit cards, e-wallets, prepaid cards, and bank transfers. Besides being able to enjoy all sorts of iGaming activities at renowned offshore sites, New Zealand players can pay a visit to land-based casinos and retail sportsbooks that are scattered all over the country.
