What Does the Law Say About Online Gambling?
Online gambling in New Zealand is perfectly legal. Our country may have laws relating to illegal physical casinos, but according to the Gambling Act 2003, it’s not a crime to gamble online, provided the online casino servers are based overseas. This law is explicit. However, you can play at the online casinos we recommend with complete confidence, knowing that you won’t be breaking any laws. There are several important facts to consider about New Zealand gambling laws.
- Playing online poker is not illegal for New Zealand players so long as the site is hosted outside of the country.
- According to the Inland Revenue guidelines, there are no provisions related to winnings gained from online gambling. There is mention, though, of income made from gaming machines, such as land-based pokies. The guidelines affirm that income from gaming machines is exempt from income tax.
- The organization regards online gambling as a hobby and therefore does not consider any profits made from online gambling as taxable income. The same laws apply to online poker rooms.
When it comes to sports betting, online sports betting is controlled by the New Zealand Racing Board. The Board is the sole provider of sports and racing betting services in New Zealand via TAB. However, when it comes to online sportsbooks, international sportsbooks are placed in the same category as online casinos so those that are run outside the country can take bets from New Zealanders. The Gambling Act 2003 is very clear. It is neither illegal nor prohibited for New Zealanders to play at online casinos that are hosted overseas, and you will therefore not be prosecuted.
Play at a Legal Online Casino
All of the casinos we recommend are independently audited by a third-party agency. One particular organization that certifies our online casinos are eCogra. The player protection organization and testing agency are based in London. The agency certifies the casino regarding the security of operations, the fairness of games, and the transparency of financial transactions. They further verify that the online casinos comply with the relevant regulatory requirements and worldwide best industry standards. When you play at an international online casino, any instances of unfair practices, fraud, or any other issues that arise through the casino based in another country, you will be subject to that country’s legal system and not the laws in New Zealand. This doesn’t mean that you don’t have protection, though.
All the casinos that we review and recommend are accredited by the gaming authorities of their countries, and you can easily find and familiarize yourself with the relevant documentation on the casino’s sites. If you want to play at one of our recommended online casinos, you can rest assured that it is completely legal for New Zealanders and anything you win is exempt from tax. Every one of the sites we list has been independently audited by third-party agencies so you are assured a fair and safe gambling environment. Our list of casinos are licensed and regulated so you can play with complete peace of mind.