According to the Gambling Commission, New Zealand has $2 billion in annual revenue from online gambling and that number is only going up. Around $1.2 billion of that is from wagering on sports and $500 million is from casino-style gaming. Here are some things to know about this industry: There are about 250,000 slot machines in New Zealand. Online gaming is so popular that the government created an entire department to oversee it. The world market for online gambling is huge and will likely surpass $20 billion in 2021. 80 percent of small business owners are members of the online gaming community and 63 percent of internet users admit to using their computer as a way to gamble.
Some stats that you may find interesting include:
- In 2017, there were 25 pubs with over 100 pinballs and one in every five people played blackjack.
- Thirty-three percent of all bets were made online.
- 91 percent of people indicate they are willing to spend $30 to win $100 on an online game.
- 65 million people play at least one online game a month with an average payout of $243.90
- Around 9.6 percent of the population loses money playing a slot machine as statistics show that over 80 percent of all households had spent money at least once in the previous month on a casino game.
1. Why New Zealand is the best country to gamble online in
The country that has the highest number of online gamblers and the most gambling news is New Zealand. Not only do they have a high number of gambling sites, but they also have a higher number of online gamblers than any other country. Not only that, New Zealand is the only country in the region that has a regulated online gambling industry. As of October 2020, there were 766 licensed gambling sites in the world. Good thing there’s a lot of gambling news out in the world. It would appear that New Zealand’s online gaming industry is thriving. It is estimated that the industry generated $521.4 million in turnover in 2019. This amount of money is made up of over 200 million internet gamblers. New Zealand has a well-developed better example strategy. Similar to other countries with online gambling policies, the use of technology within the public market has allowed for a safe and fair space for online gambling. ‘The growth of gaming sites in the last several years has introduced challenges for the government, notably with the rise of unregulated marketplaces offering lower and lower prices.’ With an internationally agreed framework for regulating online gambling, governments should pay attention to what is happening in New Zealand. From New Zealand’s example, governments can learn about how to properly regulate online games.
2. Who can legally gamble online in NZ?
To be able to legally gamble online in New Zealand, you need to be aged 18 or older and meet all of the following criteria: You must be physically present in New Zealand. You must have a New Zealand bank account linked to your online gambling account. You must be able to provide identification documents (ie. passport, driver’s licence or New Zealand residency card). You may be asked to provide supporting documents if we ask to confirm that all these requirements are met. To start gambling, your first step is to apply for a virtual account. This is a digital account that plays games online that you can access and continue to play even if you have moved onto another platform. To apply for the virtual account, you can contact your bank or credit union and ask for a personal banking quote. You can find this on your bank statement, information from a recent tax return, or see if it is available online through your bank’s website. Make sure you ask if you need to link accounts in different names (one person, one bank account, etc).
If you are approved for the virtual option, we will send you a verification link to complete. Then, we will ask you to confirm your identity by providing any supporting documents you may have (ie. passport or another appropriate travel document). This is to verify you are the person we are talking to. We hope to process your request within three working days but it could be longer. If you receive an email that says you are approved, check your spam folder immediately. Once you are approved, you’ll receive a confirmation link. Click on the link to begin the registration process. You may need to provide information about your identity and any relevant circumstances. The next step is to create an account and enjoy your online gambling experience in a responsible and moderate fashion.
3. Do you need a license for gambling in NZ?
The gambling industry in New Zealand is regulated by the Gambling Commission. The main reason you will need a license to gamble in New Zealand is to protect the public from anti-social gambling. Anyone who wishes to gamble in New Zealand should check whether they need a license to gamble in NZ. New Zealand has strong consumer protection legislation if you play online or via other mobile devices. The main purpose of New Zealand’s special consumer protection laws is to let people know they can protect their money and their possessions when using gambling apps and many other video-based apps. The law allows everyone to play online, but some restrictions apply. Depending on where you play, you may have to abide by specific local laws and regulations. Always check with your local consumer protection authority if you have any questions. Have more questions?
Whether it’s slot machines, table games, bingo, online poker, online gambling, or any other form of gambling, it is best to visit the website of your local consumer protection authority to find the answers you need. In New Zealand, the main consumer protection authority is the Gambling Commission. They help you find out if you need a license to gamble, what you can and can’t do, how to report problems, and where to find more information. To fight against illegal online gambling organizations operating in NZ, the Government passed a law called the Prevention of Online gambling Act 2013. This law requires advertising and promotions of gambling, as well as the monitoring of gambling websites, to be subject to strict regulation in NZ.