Key points:
- The bill proposes up to 15 online casino licences to be awarded via auction, requiring detailed operator submissions
- Licensed operators will be allowed to advertise under restrictions; unlicensed operations face fines of up to NZ$5m
- The legislation prioritises harm minimisation, consumer protection and tax compliance
The New Zealand Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden, has introduced a bill to regulate online casino gambling in the House of Representatives.
Officials in New Zealand have agreed to move forward with legislation aimed at regulating online casino gambling, which remains unregulated.
The bill proposes a new licensing system for online casino gambling in New Zealand. Under the draft legislation, up to 15 licences will be made available through an auction process. Companies seeking to obtain a licence will be required to submit detailed information to the regulator, including their business plans for operations within the country.
In addition, licensed operators will be permitted to advertise their services, although subject to specific restrictions. In contrast, unlicensed gambling operations will be prohibited, and those found in breach of the law could face fines of up to NZ$5m ($3m).
Additional regulations are currently being developed to outline advertising guidelines and harm minimisation standards. These will establish the detailed obligations that licensed operators must follow once the system is in place.
Good to know: Last year, the Minister affirmed that the intention behind allowing casinos is not to increase the amount of gambling New Zealanders do, but to ensure operators meet requirements for consumer protection, harm minimization and tax payment
Van Velden said: “The Online Casino Gambling Bill will introduce a regulatory system for online gambling in New Zealand, which will prioritise harm minimization, consumer protection and tax collection.
“The Bill will proceed to the select committee later this year and New Zealanders will have the ability to have their say through the select committee process.”
