New Zealand online casinos are set to be regulated by the year 2026, according to plans laid out by the country’s government. Online gambling in New Zealand has existed in something of a grey area for some time, with vague laws in place and the only online casinos available to players based overseas. This all looks set to change.
Online gambling laws around the world are constantly being reviewed and updated, with this revelation about New Zealand online casinos coming as the latest development for the industry. Let’s take a closer look at how online casinos will be regulated in the country and what this means for the sector as we move forward.
Online Gambling in New Zealand
Gambling laws in New Zealand haven’t been updated since 2003, meaning they are considerably underequipped to deal with the changing face of gambling, namely the massive shift we’ve seen towards online platforms and services. While legislation exists to regulate land-based casinos and sports betting, no such laws are in place for online casinos and iGaming.
As we mentioned earlier, online gambling is in a state of limbo in New Zealand, with no real laws in place to regulate it one way or the other. What this means is that, while players in New Zealand can access online casinos, all platforms are owned by overseas operators.
This situation is far from ideal. It gives the authorities in New Zealand less control and means they don’t receive any financial benefits from operators targeting citizens in the country. It’s for these reasons that the government now plans to regulate New Zealand online casinos and establish a framework for online gambling in the country. Let’s find out more.
Planned Legislation
New Zealand Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden recently disclosed government plans to regulate online casinos.
According to van Velden, a limited number of licenses will be issued to operators in the country. These will be distributed through an auction-style format, with all bidders required to meet established regulatory standards before being eligible for a licence.
By establishing a framework for New Zealand online casinos, the government hopes to minimise the risk of gambling-related harm in the country and generate tax benefits through the licensing of online casinos and gambling platforms.
These plans are still in the early stages, with the new framework expected to roll out sometime in 2026.
A Shift in Attitude
In recent years, we’ve seen significant shifts in attitudes towards gambling across the world. From the US to Asia, more and more countries are regulating the industry to protect players, stamp out illegal activity and reap the financial rewards.
Plans to regulate New Zealand online casinos are a clear indication that the country’s attitude towards gambling is changing. The news comes shortly after New Zealand authorities overhauled the country’s horse racing industry, with these new plans promising to take the country one step further forward to a fully regulated gambling sector.
Conclusion
The online gambling industry is going through boom times, driven by the proliferation of digital platforms and continued regulation around the world. New Zealand online casinos will no doubt enjoy a similar boom with the introduction of a new legislative framework, a move that will benefit operators and players alike and make games like live blackjack available to players in New Zealand.
