New Zealand - DIA and Gambling Act
Overview
New Zealand regulates gambling according to the principle "what is expressly stipulated by law is allowed." The basic act is the Gambling Act 2003, administered by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). It defines classes of gambling (Class 1-4), special modes for casinos and lotteries (Lotto NZ), prohibits advertising of overseas gambling in New Zealand and does not allow the issuance of new casino licenses. From June 28, 2025, online betting on sports and horse racing is allowed only at TAB NZ (exclusivity is enshrined in the amendments to the Racing Industry Act 2020). Separately, a bill on licensing online casinos (Online Casino Gambling Bill) has been submitted, which is under consideration.
Regulators and Legal Architecture
DIA (Department of Internal Affairs) - administers Gambling Act 2003, issues manuals/facts, oversees gambling classes, Class 4 (pubs/clubs) and compliance.
Gambling Commission is an independent body for casino issues (licenses/conditions, decisions, appeals). The terms of the licenses of SkyCity, Christchurch, Dunedin and others are published on the Commission's showcase.
The Ministry of Health is a government strategy for preventing and minimizing gambling harm.
TAB NZ - betting operator (off-/online) for Racing Industry Act 2020; since 2025, the only legitimate online sports/horse racing betting provider in the country.
Gambling Act 2003: Key Points
Classes of gambling (Class 1-4): Turnover/risk scale (from small lotteries to Class 4 with slot machines in pubs/clubs). Casinos and lotteries are separated.
Ban on new casinos: no new licenses for casino sites are issued under the act; only historical ones are valid.
Age restrictions: 20 + for casino participation/casino entry; other age rules depend on the type of product (lotteries/rates - general. practice 18 +, with Lotto NZ historically having no lower bound, but tightening was discussed).
Foreign gambling advertising ban (s. 16): any advertising/induction to the game at a foreign operator is an offense.
Illegal transactions: contracts related to illegal gambling are invalidated.
Online mode: what changes from 2025
Sports/horse racing (online): from 28. 06. 2025 NZ has banned any online racing & sports betting outside TAB NZ. This also applies to offshore sites (extraterritorial ban on accepting bets and the participation of residents).
Online casinos: before reforms - no national licence; advertising of offshore casinos within NZ is prohibited (s. 16). Since June 2025, the government has introduced the Online Casino Gambling Bill (up to 15 licenses; consumer protection requirements; share allocation to community funding is discussed). At the time of preparation of the page - the bill is in the process of parliamentary consideration (Select Committee).
Informing players: DIA emphasizes: online casinos based in NZ are illegal, playing offshore is unregulated; advertising offshore in NZ is prohibited. (Until a future law is passed, observe this status quo.)
Offline segment: casino, Class 4, Lotto
Casinos: Licensed venues (SkyCity Auckland/Hamilton/Queenstown, Christchurch, Dunedin) operate under the terms of the Commission; enhanced host responsibility programs and the transition to mandatory account-based/card-based play (standards by July 2025).
Class 4 (pubs/clubs, "poker"): a high proportion of funds go to community grants; local authorities can use "sinking lid" and other tools. DIA maintains the Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) and codes of conduct.
Lotteries (Lotto NZ): individual Lottery Game Rules; draws/sweepstakes are permissible subject to the rules. (The product age settings are determined separately from the casino.)
Advertising, promo and "inducements"
Offshore advertising: prohibited (s. 16), including any communications that stimulate the game from a foreign operator. Fines are valid for individuals/legal entities.
Grey areas (F2P): offshore brands tried to bypass § 16 through "free-to-play" content; DIA and the media recorded such cases - the position of the regulator is tough.
Betting/sports: Following the 2025 reforms, any online communications leading to betting outside TAB NZ are in breach of the new Racing Industry Act.
Harm minimisation and healthcare
The state implements Strategy to Prevent and Minimize Gambling Harm (MZ NZ): focus on digital assistance tools, risk messages, support for territorial policies (including Class 4). For casinos, there are special requirements for host commands, monitoring and (according to the decisions of the Commission) - the transition to mandatory identification/playing on the card.
What is/is not allowed (high-level)
Allowed
Online sports/horse racing betting - TAB NZ only (from 28. 06. 2025).
Casino games - only in existing licensed casinos; there will be no new site licenses.
Class 1-3 lotteries/draws - according to the rules of the Gambling Act (corresponding thresholds/requirements).
Class 4 ("poker" in pubs/clubs) - subject to permits and EMS/codes.
Prohibited/Restricted
Advertising foreign gambling in NZ (s. 16 Gambling Act).
Online sports/horse racing betting at any organisation other than TAB NZ (from 28. 06. 2025).
New casino sites are not issued.
Violation of age rules (casino - 20 +).
Compliance checklist (for operators/affiliates)
1. Online betting: route NZ traffic to TAB NZ only; block/withdraw offshore bookmakers' offers for NZ.
2. Online casinos: before the coming law, do not advertise or offer offshore casinos in NZ channels; observe § 16. Follow Online Casino Gambling Bill.
3. Casino/offline: consider mode without new licenses, host responsibility requirements and transition to card-based play.
4. Class 4: comply with EMS/fundraising for communities, local policies (sinking lid) and reporting.
5. Marketing: Do not use "gray" F2P funnels to promote offshore gambling; risks of claims under § 16.
Perspective (2025-2027)
Sports/horse racing: consolidation of TAB NZ monopoly online, increased supervision and requirements for harm-minimization in digital channels.
Online casino: parliamentary revision of Online Casino Gambling Bill is expected (licensing up to 15 operators, consumer protection, discussion of the share in the community funding).
Casino-halls: expansion of account/card-based play and technologies for monitoring player behavior according to the requirements of the Commission.
Terms
DIA - Department of Internal Affairs, administrator of Gambling Act 2003.
Gambling Act 2003 - basic law on gambling (classes, prohibitions, advertising, age, casino).
The Gambling Commission is an independent body for casino matters (licences/appeals).
TAB NZ is the only legitimate provider of online sports/horse racing betting (from 28. 06. 2025) по Racing Industry Amendment Act 2025.
Online Casino Gambling Bill (2025) - online casino licensing bill (pending).