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Is all online gambling illegal in New Zealand?
Operators also have appeal rights against the decision to suspend or cancel a licence. No licensing options are available if it fits into the definition of “private gambling”. Online casino gaming is contemplated by the Online Casino Bill (see question 2.1 above for more information). Sweepstakes are included in the definition of lotteries, and thus would be treated like a lottery (see above). For example, items cannot be sold for more than their usual value. If some element of chance, then it will be regulated by the DIA.
Once a licence is granted, advertising is allowed subject to restrictions set under the Act. You can bet on sports and racing online with TAB NZ and play lottery games with Lotto NZ. No online casino is licensed yet (licences are expected from early 2027), but it is not illegal for a player in New Zealand to use an overseas casino site.
The casino launched in 2022 and has thousands of slots, plus live dealer tables, crash games and jackpots. Players can pay with Visa, Mastercard, Skrill, Neteller, MuchBetter, Paysafecard and Jeton. After that, funds typically arrive within one to five working days, depending on the method. The gaming floor of every New Zealand casino is restricted to people aged 20 and over, with photo ID required, while the online casino age limit is 18.
- This guidance provides detailed information on the auction process, principles, and requirements for auction participation.
- The government wants to establish a balanced approach through careful regulation and oversight.
- Some casinos accept digital currency as a deposit method; this is where you can use cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dash, and more.
- This protects players while recognizing online gambling’s place in today’s digital world 7.
- Spin Rider is licensed by the SGA, the Malta Gaming Authority, and the UKGC, making this operator one of New Zealand players’ best possible options among New Zealand casino sites.
The evolution of New Zealand’s gambling laws
During 2026 and into 2027, expect some sites to claim New Zealand licensing before any licence exists. Until the DIA register is live and lists an operator, treat every claim of a New Zealand licence as unverified. Senet advises on competition and antitrust laws, particularly in relation to new product offerings, advertising campaigns and marketing policies. The firm ensures compliance with federal and state regulations by assisting clients in obtaining advertising approvals and reviewing content for compliance with advertising laws. Prior to commencing with Senet, Julian spent almost a decade in various General Counsel roles at Tabcorp, one of the world’s largest gambling entertainment companies. Providing guidance, online services, longer licensing, compliance cooperation agreements and collaborative initiatives.
Wagering requirements still apply to winnings, and withdrawal caps are usually low. Our NZ free spins guide compares current free spin promotions across NZ-facing sites. A typical welcome bonus combines a deposit match with free spins. Wagering requirements of 20x–40x on the bonus amount are standard in the NZ market.
Trust & Fair Play
If you love cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin, so you’ll probably like the casino BitStarz, one of the first crypto casinos ever and a popular choice among Kiwis. Our team conducts independent testing research to save Kiwis time, energy, and money. Casinos with security features, such as customer privacy, SSL encryption, and licensing under top authorities like the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), are all indicators of a safe casino. Every casino on this page is assessed across six areas before inclusion.
This requires both an operator’s licence and a venue licence. They can only be run by a corporate society (being a society that is incorporated or registered under New Zealand law) and otherwise designed to raise money for authorised charitable or community purposes. Given the “remote interactive gambling” prohibition, Class 4 gambling activities cannot be conducted online. Should the Online Casino Gambling Bill 2025 (NZ) (Online Casino Bill) become law, online casino games conducted by the newly licensed operators will also be exempt from the general prohibition. At the time of writing, the Online Casino Bill is anticipated to significantly reform the regulation of online casino gambling in New Zealand. Over time, the industry’s shift towards lower deposit limits has opened doors for budget-conscious players, allowing everyone to enjoy premium pokie games regardless of their initial investment.
What Is the Legal Gambling Age in New Zealand?
Finalised regulations and guidance on how to comply will be published in mid-2026. The Secretary must not grant a licence unless the provider has demonstrated this suitability. All stages of the licensing process will be run through the Government Electronic Tenders (GETS) website. Providers that have not applied for a licence must cease operating in New Zealand.
NBA signs MOU with CFTC and partners with prediction markets
Player safety is the primary justification for the reform, and licensed operators face real obligations rather than voluntary features. Guidance on how to submit a licence application will be provided before this stage of the licensing process begins. Autoplay and multi-slot play speed up losses and blur how much is being staked, while celebratory effects on losing spins train players to misread outcomes. Stripping them out slows the game down and keeps the real result visible, which is the whole point of the reform.
How many online casino licences will there be?
The licensed market itself is expected to open across 2027 as applications clear. New Zealand’s online casino market is shifting from a long-running offshore grey area to a regulated system for the first time. The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 came into force on 1 May 2026 and hands oversight to the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA).
Responsible gambling — play it safe, Kiwi
- Every casino offers self-exclusion under its host responsibility programme, and an exclusion can be arranged to cover several venues at once.
- A society is a group established and conducted entirely for non-commercial purposes.
- Trying free online slots is a great way to compile your own list of top online pokies and providers.
- For players it means fewer platforms — a capped set of licensed operators rather than thousands of offshore sites — but ones bound by enforceable standards on fairness, harm minimisation and financial conduct.
- The rules differ between the two formats in a couple of ways worth knowing.
Each casino has slightly different methods on depositing, however most players find it easy to navigate to the ‘Banking’ or ‘Deposit’ button on the home page. Once there, select ‘Deposit’ and then the preferred banking option. Input the amount to deposit and any authorization or verification requested. If this is your first deposit, you will need to add an account where the money comes out from, such as a bank account or credit card.
Land-based casinos are regulated under the Gambling Act 2003 with 24/7 in-person host-responsibility oversight, self-exclusion procedures at each venue, and a minimum entry Golisimo casino review age of 20. Pokie venues are also regulated under the Gambling Act 2003, with a minimum age of 18 and capped stakes. Online casinos (before and after the 2026 Act) operate entirely separately and are covered in detail on the casino vs pokies guide and the New Zealand gambling law explainer. The maximum penalty for such an overseas gambling advertisement is NZ$10,000.