The online gambling industry in New Zealand is growing just as fast as in other parts of the world. New Zealand casino lovers spend millions of dollars in the online industry every year.
The New Zealand gambling scene is primarily land-based. There are six fantastic land-based casinos all across the country. Still, online gambling, horse race betting, and sports betting are legal in the country. Here are a few essential things that you need to know about online gambling in New Zealand.
New Zealand Online Gambling Laws
Generally, New Zealand has one primary gambling law. It imposes strict regulations on the industry. Even though there has been a push to ease the regulations, not much has been done yet. Gambling enthusiasts still have a lot to expect.
Initial anti-gambling regulations were imposed in the 1920s. At that time, the New Zealand government put a ban on bookmaking except for horse race betting. In 1961, the law also prohibited horse race betting. The Racing Act of 2003 changed things. It allowed race and sports betting entertainment when it is offered via the NZ Racing Board.
The Racing Industry Act 2020 confirmed TAB New Zealand as the sole sports and racing bets provider. However, it allowed TAB NZ to create new betting products. This made the industry more liberal. Currently, there are six casinos in New Zealand. The first ones opened their doors in 1994.
The Gambling Act 2003 currently regulates the industry. It is strict and hasn’t been updated in a long time. No new casino venue licenses will be granted according to the current laws. There is no chance for betting sites to be licensed either.
Is Online Gambling Legal in New Zealand?
New Zealand allows you to bet online. The Gambling Act of 2003 controls all kinds of betting in the country. If you are 18 years or older, you can participate in the lottery, horse races, sports betting, or scratch card betting. You must be at least 20 years old to play at land-based casinos.
All gambling activities that go against the Gambling Act 2003 are still illegal. As a New Zealand player, you can wager at sportsbooks, online casinos, and gambling sites supported by foreign operators.
Some New Zealand players are banned from using domestic online betting providers except for TAB and the lottery. All of the country’s betting regulations seek to police and penalize businesses that operate illegal establishments.
They don’t pay much attention to those who place bets. Even though the laws are tight, they don’t really restrict end users.
What are the Legal Options for Online Gambling?
Since 2008, the New Zealand Lottery Commission has legally been permitted to perform online lottery sales. It is the only licensed provider of gambling and internet casinos. TAB also has permission to offer horse race betting on its site.
New Zealand players have limited online gambling providers. Other local online gambling platforms are prohibited, so they need to rely on international providers. It is illegal for local companies to offer online casino games, live sports betting, poker, or mobile pokies.
There are no laws to prohibit New Zealand citizens from accessing offshore online sites. However, there are no laws to permit it either. The lack of specific legislation can make things complicated, but generally, you can place bets online without breaking any laws.
Thanks to the government’s crackdown on offshore operators, it is now pretty difficult to advertise in the country. Those who do could potentially face fines of up to $10,000 for every infraction.
How to Choose the Best Online Gambling Sites in New Zealand
New Zealand online casinos are not licensed or regulated by state laws and most gambling fans resort to offshore services. This requires players to do some due diligence before joining a casino site. In case you want to avoid the hassle of checking an online casino yourself, check online-gambling.com’s list of reliable gambling sites in New Zealand. Otherwise, read the tips below on how to choose a top-notch online casino.
First, check for a gambling license. Reliable authorities grant license to the best online gambling sites. The licenses should be clearly displayed on their website. If you cannot see proof of licensing, you should probably explore other options.
It would also help if you checked online reviews. Find out what other casino lovers are saying about a casino. Are they pleased with the bonuses, terms and conditions, and the quality of games? If a casino has plenty of negative reviews, you should probably stay away from it.
A few negative reviews aren’t always a bad thing. No matter how good an online casino may be, it is almost impossible to please all players. Look for consistency.
The variety of games is an important consideration as well. Reliable online casinos have enough game options to entertain all types of players. They work with the best developers in the industry, including Microgaming, NetEnt, and Evolution Gaming.
Avoid sites that limit your options. Even though your main purpose may be to win, online gambling is also about having fun and exploring new options.
Other important considerations include the quality of customer support banking options, safety, and bonuses. Eventually, you want your experience to be as smooth as possible.
The Preferred Banking Methods in New Zealand
Since the law doesn’t specifically permit online gambling in New Zealand, it is easy to wonder if banks can block your transactions. While it is a valid concern, it isn’t true. The law doesn’t prohibit you from playing at licensed sites abroad. Therefore, banks cannot block your payments.
There are plenty of banking methods to suit different needs, so there is something for everyone. The most common banking options in the country include MasterCard, Visa, Skrill, and Neteller. Some sites accept crypto payments, with Bitcoin being the most popular one.
All of these payment methods are safe, speedy and reliable. Do some research and settle for an option that meets your needs. What works for one player won’t necessarily work for another.
