New Zealand changed its online sports betting laws on 28 June 2025, giving TAB NZ exclusive rights to operate online racing and sports betting. The Department of Internal Affairs now enforces strict rules against offshore operators taking bets from Kiwis.
Who Is Allowed to Offer Online Sports Betting?
Only TAB NZ and its Betcha brand can legally offer online sports and racing betting to people in New Zealand. The Racing Industry Act 2020 amendments created this monopoly to keep gambling money in the country.
TAB NZ operates through a 25-year partnership with Entain, a global gambling company. This means TAB NZ is the sole legal provider for all online and land-based sports and racing wagers.
Any other company offering these services breaks New Zealand law. This includes overseas companies that used to accept bets from Kiwis before June 2025.
The prohibition covers sports and racing betting specifically. Online casino gambling falls under different rules that the government plans to regulate through future legislation.
Offshore Betting Sites and Legal Restrictions
It is now unlawful for offshore bookmakers to accept bets from New Zealand residents for sports and racing. The law makes it illegal for any person or organisation except TAB NZ to promote or take bets on these events from someone in New Zealand.
Many offshore operators stopped offering sports betting to New Zealand players after the law changed. However, some sites may still try to operate illegally in the country.
Bettors should know the risks of using unauthorised sites. These operators might be based in places with weak consumer protections. They may not have proper safeguards to address gambling harm.
Illegal sites might not return unspent credits or pay out large wins. Players have no legal protections when dealing with prohibited gambling providers.
Role of the Department of Internal Affairs
The Department of Internal Affairs regulates gambling in New Zealand and enforces the new sports betting prohibition. The agency monitors compliance and takes action against operators breaking the law.
Director Vicki Scott says the department expects responsible gambling operators to respect and comply with the law changes. The agency encourages people to report illegal sites.
Anyone who finds sites trading in New Zealand illegally can contact the department at [email protected]. The regulator uses these reports to identify and address remote interactive gambling operators acting outside the law.
The department also has powers to make additional regulations if needed. These could focus on reducing gambling harm and protecting customers in the future.
Penalties for Illegal Online Sports Betting
The law makes it illegal for operators to offer prohibited gambling services to New Zealanders. Companies that previously offered online racing and sports betting received notices to withdraw immediately when the law took effect.
The Department of Internal Affairs actively monitors and enforces compliance. Operators who ignore the law face legal consequences under New Zealand gambling regulations.
Bettors themselves also break the law if they place sports or racing bets with anyone other than TAB NZ or Betcha. The focus of enforcement appears to be on operators rather than individual punters, but the legal risk exists for both parties.
Key Laws and Organisations Governing Online Sports Betting
New Zealand’s online sports betting framework rests on two major pieces of legislation that determine what is lawful and who can operate. The Department of Internal Affairs oversees compliance and enforces restrictions on unauthorised providers.
Gambling Act 2003: Authorised and Prohibited Activities
The Gambling Act 2003 establishes the core principle that all gambling in New Zealand is illegal unless specifically authorised by law. This legislation originally prohibited remote interactive gambling but contained loopholes that allowed offshore betting sites to operate in a grey area for years.
The Act defines which activities require licences and sets out consumer protections. Only licensed operators can legally accept wagers from New Zealand residents. The legislation also establishes minimum age requirements and mandates harm minimisation measures for all authorised gambling providers.
Penalties for breaching the Act can be severe. Companies found advertising unauthorised gambling services face fines up to $5 million, reflecting the government’s commitment to protecting the domestic market.
Racing Industry Act 2020 and Amendments
The Racing Industry Act 2020 governs sports and racing betting specifically. Parliament passed amendments in 2025 that fundamentally reshaped the market by granting TAB NZ exclusive rights to offer online sports and racing betting.
These amendments came into force on 28 June 2025, making it unlawful for offshore bookmakers to accept bets from Kiwis. The legislation closed previous loopholes and created a domestic monopoly designed to keep gambling revenue within New Zealand.
The Act also established a 25-year partnership between TAB NZ and global operator Entain. This arrangement provides funding for local racing clubs and sporting codes while delivering modern betting technology to New Zealand punters.
New Zealand Gambling Commission: Oversight and Enforcement
The Department of Internal Affairs acts as the primary regulatory body for all online gambling activities. The DIA monitors licensed operators, investigates complaints, and enforces the ban on unauthorised offshore providers.
In 2026, the DIA’s powers expanded significantly. The agency can now issue take-down notices for illegal advertising and coordinate with internet service providers to block unauthorised sites. The department also manages the licensing process for the new online casino framework, which is separate from sports betting.
The DIA works alongside the Racing Integrity Board, which oversees the integrity of racing events and investigates suspicious betting patterns. Together, these organisations ensure that gambling remains safe and transparent for New Zealand residents.
Regulation of Other Gambling Activities in NZ
Beyond sports betting, New Zealand regulates several other forms of gambling through strict licensing and oversight systems. Gaming machines operate under specific rules at licensed venues, while the Lotteries Commission runs official lottery games.
Gaming Machines and Licensed Venues
Gaming machines, commonly called pokies, operate throughout New Zealand under tight restrictions. These machines can only be placed in licensed venues like pubs and clubs.
The non-casino gaming machine sector operates through non-profit entities that return all profits to the community. In 2024, this sector distributed over NZ$366 million through 26,696 grants to community organisations.
Key regulations include:
- Maximum bet of NZ$2.50 per game
- Jackpot cap of NZ$1,000
- Limited advertising restrictions
- Active player monitoring requirements
Land-based gaming venues must comply with the Gambling Act and its strict regulatory framework. Operators face regular audits to ensure they meet harm minimisation standards and properly distribute community funding.
Lotteries and the Lotteries Commission
The Lotteries Commission oversees all official lottery games in New Zealand. These include popular draws like Lotto, Powerball, and instant scratch tickets.
Players can purchase lottery tickets from authorised retailers across the country or through approved online platforms. The Commission ensures all games operate fairly and that prize money is distributed correctly to winners.
All lottery profits support community projects and charitable causes throughout New Zealand. The government tightly controls who can run lottery games to prevent unauthorised operators from entering the market.