New Zealand to impose $5M fines on illegal iGaming operators

New Zealand, an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean where gambling is currently not regulated, announced new regulations for combating illegal gambling by imposing $5 million fines on illegal online casino operators.

With this move, the country aims to better control the iGaming market, with the government planning to issue only 15 licenses at any given time. A public register will be maintained, listing the approved operators.

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said:

“My goal is not to increase the amount of gambling that is happening online but to enable New Zealanders who wish to play casino games online to do so more safely than they can today. Currently, New Zealanders can and do gamble on thousands of offshore gambling websites. By introducing a regulatory system, my intention is to channel customers towards up to 15 licensed operators.”

All those operators who avoid the law will face take-down notices and be reported to regulators in other countries, potentially putting their international licenses at risk. The government is also requiring licensed operators to implement harm prevention strategies, including age verification systems, and bans them from advertising to children.

Providing a safer environment for players while tightening control over the industry will be beneficial for New Zealand.

FAQs

Is online 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.