In the direction of regulating internet casinos, the government of New Zealand has made a substantial move. The objectives of this new strategy are to reduce harm, improve tax collection, and guarantee strong consumer safeguards for players in New Zealand. As to Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden’s statement, unlicensed operators will be prohibited from targeting national players going forward.
Limited Licenses and Strict Regulations
Minister van Velden shared details about the upcoming regulatory framework. The Department of Internal Affairs will oversee the regulation of New Zealand online casino operators. A limited number of licenses will be available through an auction process, provided that the bidders meet stringent regulatory requirements. Players must be at least 18 years old to participate.
Advertising for licensed casinos will be “strictly limited,” and online casinos will be separate from other gambling products. Sports betting and lotteries will not be offered alongside iCasino, as per the New Zealand government. Van Velden emphasized, “This is not intended to increase the amount of gambling New Zealanders do but to ensure operators meet requirements for consumer protection and harm minimisation, as well as paying tax.”
The public will have the chance to provide feedback on the regulatory plans during the select committee process. The government aims to implement this new regulatory framework by 2026.
The market has already begun responding to these regulatory changes. SkyCity Entertainment Group, a major casino operator, has expressed its support for the new regulations. In a statement, the company said, “We remain supportive of the regulation of online casino gaming in New Zealand, with an emphasis on strong host responsibility and delivering community benefits in New Zealand.”
SkyCity’s CEO Jason Walbridge also voiced approval for the restricted number of licenses and limited advertising. In a LinkedIn post, he stated, “SkyCity has long supported regulating online play to minimize harm and protect Kiwis. Limiting advertising and the number of operators in New Zealand is a good way of doing this. Currently, there is a lot of money going offshore that should be staying in New Zealand as tax and community benefits. We hope this will be a key part of any future framework.”
This regulatory initiative represents a promising move towards creating a safer and more controlled online gambling environment in New Zealand, benefiting both players and the community.
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