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TAB becomes the only legal online sports betting operator in New Zealand
New Zealand granted TAB NZ exclusive rights to provide online racing and sports betting, banning offshore operators from accepting bets from the country.
The revised Racing Industry Act 2020 took effect on June 28, after its approval by Royal Assent and Parliament. The national gambling regulator, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), has already notified unlicensed operators to withdraw from the market.
Vicki Scott, Director of Gambling, 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 bettors should be aware of the risks of offshore operators, which may lack player protection.
The new law makes TAB NZ the sole legal operator of online betting, beyond its monopoly of land-based venues.
Winston Peters, Racing Minister, shared in a statement:
“TAB NZ is the core funding source for New Zealand’s racing industry and contributes vital funding to a variety of sports codes. This legislation redirects New Zealand punters’ dollars for the benefit of the racing industry and sports here, rather than overseas commercial operators.”
TAB NZ is also required to provide performance data and take harm minimization measures from retail venues to online platforms. The DIA will regulate TAB NZ’s online operations temporarily until a new regulator is established for an open iGaming market planned for 2026.
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