Gambling in New Zealand has gone online. When you visit major cities and hotels, you will realize that there are hardly any brick and mortar casinos. This is because the government banned physical casinos in 2003 by enacting the Gambling Act. The government intervened after reports emerged of many people that had lost a lot of money on gambling and decided to shut down the physical gambling halls.
Despite this, there are still many people that gamble on the internet. While it’s only a few people that get lucky, most gamblers imagine that they will one day win the jackpot. If you are a fan of online casino, there are a few things that you should know. This is because you might get yourself into trouble by going against the laws that regulate the gambling industry in New Zealand. Here are a few facts that are worth noting.
1. Gambling is Regulated by the Government
If you are visiting New Zealand for the first time, you might think that the locals don’t gamble at all. The truth is that Kiwis gamble just like the rest of the world. It’s just that they are not allowed to gamble offline. As a matter of fact, there are not more than 6 brick and mortar casinos in New Zealand. The government has made it mandatory for all offline casinos to donate a fraction of their profits to charity and fund community based initiatives such as construction of hospitals and schools. If you want to operate an offline casino, you are required by law to obtain a license from Gambling commission.
However, there are still casinos that operate within the island without a license. Such casinos can be found in most back streets. The owners of these illegal casinos tend to avoid main streets because they know they can be arrested and charged in a court of law. You should therefore avoid frequenting such offline casinos because you can also be arrested for associating yourself with illegal business.
2. Local Online Casino Banned
Although all citizens of New Zealand are allowed to gamble on the internet, they can only play in overseas portals. It’s therefore against the law to place your bets in local based sites. To avoid being on the wrong side of the law, it’s recommended that you check the domain name of the site that you want to gamble on.
But this law comes with tons of hidden benefits. For a start, online casinos are cheaper than offline casinos. With online gambling, you can place multiple bets using a small amount of money. On the other hand, offline casinos are a preserve of the rich. This is due to the fact that you require a lot of money to play at a casino inside a fancy hotel or bar. The other advantage is that you don’t have to leave your home. All you need is access to the internet.
3. Tax Free
When you gamble on the web, all the money you win is yours. The government won’t even smell it. This is because the laws that regulate gambling in New Zealand clearly state that the money you win by gambling online can’t be taxed. This really makes sense because the government should not tax you for the money that was made outside the country.
4. Persons Under 20 not Allowed
For you to be allowed to bet in New Zealand, you must not be below the age of 20 years. But most sites will allow you to gamble as long as you are 18 years and above. This law encourages responsible gambling among the youth. Moreover, online casinos that are based in foreign countries are not allowed to run marketing campaigns in New Zealand. For more details on online gambling, please visit casinoguide.nz.
