Gambling law in New Zealand

The gambling and betting markets in New Zealand are growing rapidly, especially in the field of online gambling and betting. Many players, however, may wonder about the legal framework for gambling in New Zealand. If this is your case, this article is for you.

Gambling laws in New Zealand have an ancient history. It dates back to 1927 the first decree published, with a view to regulating gambling in New Zealand. Since then, the laws have been adapted and updated, keeping pace with the technical and technological innovations of the new gaming contexts.

Nowadays, New Zealand is a promising country for the development of gambling, both in land-based casinos like online. Lots of betting possibilities and casino games are allowed, being licensed and authorized by the state. The regulation and control of gambling is handled by Tourism New Zealand through the Gaming Regulation and Inspection Service (SRIJ).

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Laws applicable to land-based Casinos

The regulation of games of fortune and chance in land-based casinos was systematized in Decree-Law no 422/89. Despite the many changes and updates applied since then, the matrix of the law of 89 has remained to this day, as regards land-based casinos. Thus, this decree:

  • the division of the country into gaming zones;
  • the SRIJ as a regulatory body;
  • the special gambling tax (IEJ).

In addition, the right to exploit gambling is reserved to the state. It may, however, grant concessions to public limited companies for the operation of casinos, as well as concessions to individuals or legal entities for the operation of bingo halls. The selection of concessionaires is made through a public tender, in both cases. The Yei tax-levied on concessionaires-thus allows an indirect exploitation of gambling by the state.

Find out below the licensed casinos in each gambling zone, as well as the games allowed by law.

Licensed gambling areas and Casinos

New Zealand is divided into nine gaming zones, housing a total of twelve land-based casinos, one slot machine room and fourteen bingo halls. These figures refer to the date of writing of this article, and the list may be updated constantly. Now, the casinos and gaming rooms in New Zealand are distributed by the gaming zones as follows:

Game zones
Game Zone Casino / Lounge
Azores Casino de Sao Miguel
Terceira Island engine room
Algarve Tauranga Casino
Dunedin Casino
Porirua Casino
Napier Napier Casino
Christchurch from the mouth Casino da Foz Christchurch
Hibiscus Coast The Hibiscus Coast Casino
Wellington Casino
Hamilton de Varzim The Hamilton Casino
Trojan Troy Casino
Vidago-Pedras Salgadas Auckland Casino
Funchal Casino da Madeira

Games allowed in land-based Casinos

If you already know the casino closest to you, find out now which gambling games you can legally play in New Zealand, in authorized institutions:

Bench Games

Bench Games

Unbanked games

Games in slot machines

Baccarat point and bankroll baccarat́ chemin de fer
baccarat Punto e banca / Macau bingo
French banking poker Omaha
blackjack /21 poker Hold'em
craps synthetic poker
cussec
no discard poker
American roulette
French roulette

Laws applicable to Online gambling

You have probably played in one online casino , or that you have already been tempted to try. This is the great innovation in the world of betting and gambling, which attracts more and more fans. The good news is that it is completely legal and regularized in New Zealand to play your favorite casino games !

During the last decade, the development and proliferation of online casinos and bookmakers have forced the creation of laws specifically dedicated to this market. Thus, in 2015, Decree-Law No. 66/2015 was born, which dictates the legal Regime of online gaming and betting (RJO).

The new online marketplace is open to anyone wishing to explore and develop online gambling or betting in New Zealand. For this to happen, the entity must apply for a license. Once again, the body responsible for licensing, inspecting and controlling online casinos and bookmakers is the srij entity.

In addition to issuing permits, the SRIJ carries out periodic inspections of the platforms and data records of the operating entities. It is also up to the SRIJ to settle the taxes and compensations due by the entities, as well as any fines. In addition, the entities and the SRIJ share player identity information on a self-exclusion basis.

This is just the tip of the iceberg, of course, and there are many unanswered questions. After all, what are the requirements for the assignment of licenses, and what are the duties of enterprises from then on? What are the rights and duties of players? What games are allowed, and to whom?

The Licenses

The licenses are granted by the SRIJ for a period of three years, and may be extended every three years, whenever the conditions of the operating entity so permit. The granting of a license to an entity requires:

  • a regular contributory and tax situation in the state where your principal place of business is located (New Zealand or otherwise);
  • evidence of suitability, technical capacity and economic and financial capacity;
  • a project of the technical system of the certified and approved site.

A licensed entity owes the state of New Zealand the online gambling excise tax (IEJO). In addition, it must meet a number of standards and obligations, taking into account the terms of the RJO. These apply to fields such as the technical gaming system, data storage, User Registration and account, accounting, advertising code, among many others. But we will not get ahead of ourselves in such complicated explanations. Let's focus on the players first.

player

Every authorized online player has certain rights and carries certain duties - the basic and necessary for a safe and enjoyable gaming experience. On the other hand, keep in mind that certain players are also prevented by law from entering casino or online gambling sites. In this way, make sure you know your rights, duties and any prohibitions.

Right

In New Zealand, online gamblers and bettors are entitled to:

  • play freely and receive the prizes that are due to them;
  • have access to account balance information and amounts played;
  • be able to identify yourself safely and see your privacy and data protection guaranteed;
  • be able to identify and contact the operating entity whenever necessary, as well as make complaints;
  • have access to information about responsible gambling practices.

Should

On the other hand, online players and bettors have a duty to:

  • identify themselves to the operator and provide a copy of the document;
  • provide proof of ownership of the account, where they wish to receive payments due to them;
  • do not disrupt the normal operation of online gambling and betting.

Interdictions

Finally, remember that online gambling and betting are prohibited a:

  • holders of organs of sovereignty and organs of government, as well as representatives of the Republic in the archipelagos of Madeira and Azores;
  • Prosecutors, security forces and their agents, as well as the police authorities;
  • underage players;
  • who is legally declared incapable;
  • who is prevented from playing, by voluntary or judicial exclusion;
  • holders and employees of the operating entity, as well as any person who may have access to the computer systems of the online betting and gambling of the website in question;
  • any persons who, directly or indirectly, may have any influence on the outcome of the events or games on which the bet falls;
  • employees of SRIJ.

Gambling and betting allowed Online

Knowing the rules, all you have to do is play! We remind you what types of betting and online gambling are allowed in New Zealand:

  1. Horse betting, both mutual and quota;
  2. Sports betting odds;
  3. Games of chance, of which:
    • Slot Machines ;
    • Bingo;
    • French roulette;
    • American Roulette;
    • Blackjack/21;
    • No discard poker;
    • Unbanked poker (Omaha, hold'em and synthetic poker);
    • Poker in tournament mode;
    • French banking.

Choose your favorite, play on a licensed site and enjoy to the fullest the pleasure of a legal and safe game!

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