New Zealand is taking a significant step towards regulating its online casino business by inviting operators to publicly declare and register their interest in participating in a new licensing scheme.
The project, sponsored by the country's Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), intends to build a transparent, consumer-focused structure that puts existing offshore activities under local jurisdiction as part of its Online Gambling Implementation Program.
Trina Lowry, Programme Director for Online Gambling Implementation, stated, "For online casino operators interested in entering the New Zealand market, the most important thing you can do is register your interest at the official website."
She also stated that early engagement with potential applications will help develop a regulatory structure that is "clear, efficient, and supportive for operators." The government has announced that licenses would be issued through a competitive procedure, and applicants must meet a number of regulatory and damage minimisation criteria to be considered.
New Zealand has amended its gambling harm prevention plan to help safeguard vulnerable players.
While New Zealanders already gamble online, mostly on overseas platforms, existing legislation restricts local promotion of such services. The proposed legislation suggests that, once implemented, the new system will enable advertising by licensed platforms in the country, a substantial departure from the present Gambling Act of 2003, which bars such marketing completely.
The government believes that integrating these businesses into a licensed system will provide players with safer, more transparent platforms, as well as improved damage minimisation and financial oversight.
