Despite efforts to launch the regulated iGaming market in New Zealand in mid-2026, the government has announced that the timeline will be pushed until early 2027.The...
New Zealand Minister rejects TAB’s online casino bid
New Zealand’s Internal Affairs Minister, Brooke van Velden, has firmly rejected a bid from TAB, the country’s main betting operator, to secure an online casino license for $87.3 million.
New Zealand is working on launching a regulated iGaming market by 2026, offering 15 casino licenses to selected operators. Right now, people in New Zealand can gamble online, but mostly on unregulated platforms. With new rules coming, local operators fear international giants will dominate the market.
TAB, which operates under government oversight, wanted official approval for an online casino. The company argued that without a license, it would struggle to compete with foreign operators. However, the reply was not favorable for the company.
Brooke van Velden stated:
“I don’t believe that the government should be involved in casino gambling. I look at the government trying to address the core services that people need in their lives, and providing an online service for casino games is not what I think the government should be involved in.”
Monopoly Concerns
TAB had hoped to secure a monopoly, limiting competition to just one or two providers. However, Racing Minister Winston Peters also dismissed the idea, saying he won’t change the law to accommodate TAB.
FAQs
Is gambling legal in New Zealand?
Online gambling, horse racing, and sports betting are legal in New Zealand.
What is the legal gambling age in New Zealand?
The legal gambling age in New Zealand is 20 years.
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