Key points:
- Offshore sports and racing betting operators must exit the New Zealand market
- Tab NZ becomes the sole legal provider of online sports and racing betting
- Department of Internal Affairs to enforce compliance under amended Racing Industry Act
New Zealand has formally enacted legislation that prohibits all online racing and sports betting offered by overseas operators, granting Tab NZ exclusive rights to provide these services within the country.
The new measures took effect on 28 June as part of amendments to the Racing Industry Act 2020 and represent the most significant change to New Zealand’s sports betting laws in over two decades.
According to the updated law, it is now illegal for any person or entity – except Tab NZ – to promote or accept bets on racing or sports from individuals located in New Zealand.
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), New Zealand’s gambling regulator, confirmed it will oversee enforcement and has already notified unlicensed providers to withdraw from the market with immediate effect.
Vicki Scott, Director of Gambling at the DIA, said: “We expect that responsible gambling operators will respect and comply with this law change. They should close New Zealand accounts and pay outstanding money to customers promptly.”
She added that New Zealand-based bettors should be aware of the risks of using offshore providers, who may not meet local consumer protection standards or honour payouts.
Scott commented: “If an overseas company is offering you these bets, they are breaking the law here.”
Good to know: The prohibition does not apply to online casino gambling, which remains unregulated for now. However, a new licensing regime is currently in development under the Online Gambling Implementation Programme
Last week, the DIA invited operators to register interest in the upcoming online casino licensing process, signalling a formal regulatory shift.
Once implemented, the new system will legalise online casino advertising for approved operators, a significant change from the current ban under the Gambling Act 2003.
While online sports betting is now limited to Tab NZ, New Zealand’s broader regulatory overhaul aims to increase financial returns to domestic racing and sporting bodies while minimising gambling-related harm.
