The way in which people perceive gambling has undergone various momentous changes of recent, and the main reason for that is the development of technologies. New Zealand is one of the geographies where gambling has always been a relished entertainment for a huge part of the nation.
Obviously, punters from New Zealand are keen not only on pokies as wagering on sports has also grown to become a drawcard for them. This is one of the nations, for which gambling is not simply a regular activity as instead, they see it as an integral part of their daily routine, and the huge amounts of money they spend on this form of entertainment come to show that.
Apparently, the number of Kiwi punters increases almost every day, which is not that surprising, especially when considering the vibrant gambling atmosphere in the country. For that reason, it makes sense that the country has come up with a set of regulations so as to ensure that all gambling-related activities will be heavily overseen.
Despite the fact that according to the Gambling Act from 2003, remote interactive gambling is considered illegal, the state has remained rather open-minded as for that type of sports betting. That way, sports bettors’ choice will not be limited exclusively to the Racing Board of the country as instead, they will be given a choice from a huge variety of overseas bookies.
Legalities of Online Sports Betting in New Zealand
Historical Betting Overview
Although Kiwis have never been strangers to gambling, the industry saw its greatest upsurge in the past few years. More specifically, the upswing in the market began after the introduction of the Gambling Act of 2003. Still, this should not leave gambling enthusiasts under the impression that prior to that time, the state has turned a blind eye to the gambling industry.
Interestingly enough, bookmaking was declared illegal back in 1920, meaning that wagering on racing was available solely on-course. Things changed in 1961 when the Totalizator Agency Board was ushered in.
Lotteries, on the other hand, have always been extremely popular among gamblers from New Zealand, and the very first national lotteries saw the light of the day back in 1933, while the New Zealand Lotteries Commission appeared back in 1961. The Totalisator Agency Board appeared in the same year, thus becoming a monopoly organization, which is governed by the New Zealand Racing Board.
The need for a coherent policy became apparent in the subsequent years, which led to the introduction of several regulations that determined the framework within which gambling extends.
Presently, the market is well-regulated as there are several entities that oversee the different forms of gambling, which take place in the country. These include the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Ministry of Health, and the Gambling Commission. Frankly speaking, things have changed to such an extent that currently, the gambling industry has significant social and economic impacts.
What You Need To Know About Sports Betting in New Zealand
Even though New Zealand neighbors Australia, there are certain differences in the legal landscape of the two countries when gambling is concerned. Kiwis are avid gambling fans, not only when it comes to slots or pokies as they are also known, but also when betting on sports is concerned.
Before they engage in any gambling activities, Kiwis should give particular attention to the legal and regulatory environment of the country. The gambling industry of the country is, to a large extent, determined by the Gambling Act of 2003, but online sports betting was left outside its scope. It is important to note that The Act only addressed remote gambling as illegal, but this only applied to interactive gambling in New Zealand and did not extend to overseas operators. The passage of the Racing Industry Act 2020 was greatly anticipated because it laid down the requirements operators need to abide by in order to accommodate Kiwis.
Part 5 of the Act addresses offshore gambling and states that overseas operators are allowed to offer their services on the territory of the country only after they have got permission to use the sporting and racing information to facilitate betting. Under the provisions of the Act, operators are required to pay charges in order to make use of the above-mentioned information.
The Racing Industry Act was amended earlier in 2020, and according to the introduced changes, Racing New Zealand was created. Its core duties are to act as a consulting forum for all three racing codes in the country that include Greyhound Racing New Zealand, Harness Racing New Zealand, and New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing.
Kiwis can legally bet on sports, provided that they are at least 18 years old. This is also the case with lotteries and instant win games. Yet, the restrictions that apply to the legal age differ based on the gambling activity, and some games are accessible by individuals who are under the age of 18. These regulations do not apply to brick-and-mortar casinos, as visiting such is possible if you are at least 20 years old.
Odds Format in New Zealand
Kiwi punters are well aware that online wagering on sports is not all about having an enormous range of betting options to pick from. One of the most essential steps towards maximizing the profit gambling enthusiasts will snatch is to figure out what odds tell them. Since their value indicates how likely a specific event is, punters will be able to discern the advantageous wagers much easier as they will have the opportunity to estimate the profit they might potentially snatch.
For beginners, the value of the odds can be posted using the moneyline, fractional, or decimal format, and each of these formats is popular in specific geographies. As for New Zealand, gambling devotees from that region opt mainly for the decimal format as figuring out the way in which it functions is a five-finger exercise.
As the name of the format gives a hint, the value of the odds is posted through the medium of decimals. When utilizing this odds format, sports bettors will be able to work out the profit they will collect if their wager is a winning one by multiplying the amount they intend to wager by the value of the odds.
Hence, if the market, which has drawn their attention offers odds of 1.5 and they decide to lay a wager of $200, for example, they can collect $300, given that their prediction was correct.
Kiwis who plan on gambling at any of the off-shore sportsbooks should be conscious of the fact that in the majority of the cases, such gaming websites offer all the above-mentioned formats together.
New Zealand Betting Laws and Legislation
Although there are many gambling aficionados that plunge into wagering on sports over the Internet without much thought, a wiser approach would be to inform themselves about all laws and regulations, which have to do with gambling in advance. Luckily, New Zealand is one of the territories where the legislation is set out clearly, thus eliminating any possible ambiguity or uncertainty.
It is safe to say that presently, the most important piece of legislation, which operates in New Zealand is the Gambling Act from 2003. An important detail about it is that in practice, it repeals both the Lotteries Act 1977 and the Casino Control Act 1990 by merging them into a single legislative document. That way, the government has managed to provide the long-overdue legislative framework of the market.
Before the introduction of the Gambling Act, the Responsible Gambling Bill was poised to Parliament back in 2002. According to the act, gambling activities can be divided into four separate categories and all activities, which cannot be assigned to any of the classes are considered against law.
Some of the provisions gambling enthusiasts do not feel at with is that all forms of remote gambling are illicit. According to the act, all forms of gambling using a communication device the likes of computers, phones, or other similar devices are considered remote online gambling.
Despite the fact that online gambling is deemed unlawful in New Zealand, this does not refer to wagering at overseas sportsbooks or casinos. To put it in another away, it is not illegal for Kiwis to gamble using their touchscreen or desktop device as soon as the operator is based overseas. Still, Kiwis should not overlook the fact that since the bookie is based elsewhere, their legal protections will be determined exclusively by the legal system of that particular territory.
The Gambling Act also stipulates that punters who are found to take part in unauthorized gambling activities will be imposed a fine of $10,000. Those who are found to provide such services will face even heftier fines.
What residents of New Zealand should keep in mind is that racings continue to fall under the sway of the Racing Act 2003.
The Gambling Amendment Act of 2015 gives further provisions about the prohibition of advertising offshore gaming websites. Furthermore, it determines the status of racing clubs and the New Zealand Racing Board and provides the grounds for obtaining a license, depending on the type of gambling activities operators provide.
New Zealand Betting Restrictions
Gambling enthusiasts who want to ensure that they will abide by the legislation of New Zealand should bear in mind that there are several other restrictions they should be familiar with.
Perhaps, one of the most essential things, which have to do with gambling in New Zealand is that the minimum legal age there is 18. Yet, gambling enthusiasts should be in the know that this only refers to wagering on sports, lotteries, and scratch cards. Lovers of casino games, on the other hand, should be at least 20 years old so as to be permitted to play at brick-and-mortar casinos.
It is vital to remember that residents of New Zealand are not permitted to publish or arrange any advertisements, which refer to overseas operators. Those who are found to infringe this regulation will be imposed a fine, which can amount up to $10,000.
It is safe to say that the income tax is yet another talking point for gambling enthusiasts. On that score, sports bettors might be delighted to find out that the winnings they will accrue are not subject to an income tax.
What Kiwis should be abreast of is that the Gambling Act of 2003 also described several prizes, which are prohibited. For that reason, it is advised to go through the list of these prizes before one plunges into whatever gambling activities they prefer.
Online Betting Regulatory Body in New Zealand
New Zealand is certainly one of the geographies where the state has ensured that all forms of gambling fall under stringent control. Interestingly enough, the legislation of the country has placed a heavy focus on responsible gambling and the minimization of all risks, which might potentially occur.
One of the main regulatory agencies in New Zealand is the Department of Internal Affairs, as its role is to administer the gambling legislation. Its role is also to guarantee compliance with all legislative measures, which have to do with the specific form of gambling. Finally, it ensures that residents of the country will be provided with education and information on the topic.
The Ministry of Health also plays a crucial role, especially when problem gambling is concerned due to the fact that it funds and coordinates diverse such services, which aim at dealing with such problems.
The other regulatory body, which operates in New Zealand is the Gambling Commission. It is not only accountable for issuing and renewing the licenses of gambling operators, as it also modifies the terms operators need to stick to so as to get permission to provide their services.
Popular Betting Markets in New Zealand
The legal forms of gambling Kiwis can engage in are by no means far and few between, and aside from casino games, lotteries, bingo, sports betting also generate lots of buzz. Figures go to show how keen gambling enthusiasts Kiwis are, and the gambling expenditure has seen a steady growth from 2011 onwards.
Considering the British colonial heritage of the nation, it is understandable why sports like cricket, horse racing, rugby, football, netball, and basketball are the most chosen ones. When it comes to the growing popularity of rugby, it can also be ascribed to the success of the nation in a number of competitions as they have won 10 out of the 16 Tri-Nations trophies and have lifted almost all trophies in the Rugby Championships. Besides, it is the sport, which enjoys the greatest viewership, which is hardly a coincidence, considering that Rugby union is New Zealand’s National sport.
In spite of the fact that cricket is not nearly as followed as rugby in New Zealand, international games are what fuel the continually growing interest. The national team has made it to the semi-finals and finals of the Cricket World Cup, which is the reason why events in which it vies are followed by such a large portion of the population.
Basketball is another crowd-pleaser in New Zealand, and currently, the only team, which has made it to the National Basketball League of Australia is New Zealand Breakers. Naturally, the NBA and EuroLeague are among the competitions Kiwis flock to watch, all the more so after several players from New Zealand started to play in the NBA.
Although football is a significant sport, it might come as a surprise that it is not the most well-liked sport by Kiwis. All Whites, which is how the national team of the country is often referred to, has made it to the FIFA World Cup two times, but their success was rather limited. Speaking of the World Cup, New Zealand has already hosted it multiple times and is about to do so again in 2023. Of course, internationally held football competitions also enjoy a massive following, and UEFA Champions League and The World Cup are only some of the best-liked competitions.
These are by no means all sports that earn acclaim in New Zealand as horse racing athletics, Aussie rules, baseball, boxing, and cycling are also on the agenda of the fans and punters.
Popular Betting Markets in New Zealand Summary | |
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Sport | Leagues |
Rugby Union | National Provincial Championship, Rugby Championship, Heartland Championship, and Super Rugby |
Football | New Zealand National League |
Basketball | National Basketball League |
Ice Hockey | New Zealand Ice Hockey League |
New Zealand Online Betting Bonuses
Most of the time, sports bettors get overly carried away by the long swathe of events bookies have covered or by the promotional offers they extend to their recruits and existing customers. Since new online sportsbooks sprout out nearly every day, it is not that surprising that operators give their utmost to retain the attention of punters using different tools such as free bets, reload bonuses, and deposit-match bonuses, among others.
Nearly every Kiwi-friendly bookie has on offer a welcome bonus of some kind. Some bookmakers endeavor to attract new users by offering them no-deposit bonuses, which means that they do not need to deposit a dime in order to take part in such special deals. Other gaming websites have assumed a slightly different approach as they grant sign-up bonuses, given that punters have cashed in a specific amount to their balance.
Luckily, bookies have various other ongoing promotional offers, which are likely to retain the attention of their regular customers. One such are the enhanced odds bookies tend to offer on certain markets. As their name implies, bookmakers will supply higher prices on certain markets than they would typically do. Another special offer Kiwis might be intrigued by is the reduced juice. For beginners, when there is such an offer, they will be required to pay the bookie a smaller vigorish on the stakes they will make.
A good deal of the New Zealand-friendly betting sites has in store cashback bonuses. Such exclusive deals aim at returning punters a small percentage of the losses they have experienced throughout a specific period.
Those who are on the lookout for larger bonuses and better perks should check out if the bookie they have set up an account with has a Loyalty Program. That way, gambling enthusiasts who frequent the gaming website and who show the biggest allegiance should expect to get various boons in return.
Needless to say, bookies will go out of their way to make the bonuses they boast as appealing as possible. Still, punters should always be on the alert for the terms and conditions of the special deals as that way, they will be able to determine if the bonus is worthwhile. Some of the most essential things to keep your eyes wide open for are the rollover requirements, the maximum on the winnings they can retrieve, the minimum/maximum odds at which they can make their wagers, or whether there are any restrictions in terms of the banking solutions they can utilize. Finally, it might be wise to check out the markets on which the promotion is valid.
Mobile Betting in New Zealand
A good deal of the New Zealand-friendly betting sites recognizes the demands of punters that they are seeking to gamble anytime and anywhere, without being constrained to do so only through their computer. In fact, most bookies have responded accordingly due to the fact that they have either released downloadable apps for devices running on OS such as Android or iOS or they offer browser-based apps, which only require a stable Internet connection.
Good mobile sportsbooks have numerous lineaments, which make them easily recognizable for Kiwi punters. One of the key features, which make decent sportsbooks stood into relief is their user-friendliness. Thanks to it, punters from that geography can navigate through the different sections and find the lowdown on their payments, wagers, and special deals on offer in a worry-free fashion.
Another front on which proper bookies do particularly well is providing gambling enthusiasts with an adequate variety of betting options. Thus, if punters figure out that the gambling operator has not fixed only on some of the most popular markets, this can serve as a proof that the operator might be worth giving credit to.
While looking at the gaming websites, which provide odds on the events they prefer, Kiwi punters should also explore the special features they will have at their fingertips. Tools the likes of live-betting and live-streaming will not only make punters’ experience rather enjoyable but can also assist in snatching better payouts.
Typically, such gaming websites will process deposits and withdrawals without any do, thus allowing sports bettors to get down to punting on their favorite sport on the spot or to get hold of the winnings they have collected in a prompt fashion. For that reason, it is always wise to check out the processing time for cash-ins and withdrawals so that you could have the full peace of mind that you will not end up waiting forever to have your transactions handled. Speaking of payments, a decent New Zealand-friendly bookie will also provide sports bettors with a satisfying variety of banking methods in an effort to meet their demands.
Popular Betting Banking Methods in New Zealand
Kiwi punters who would like to remain on the ball when it comes to their sports betting adventures will be able to do so, provided that they have at their disposal an ample range of payment solutions. Since punters from the region are exceptionally enthusiastic about sports betting, this makes it self-evident why gambling operators greet punters from New Zealand eagerly and give their utmost to live up to their expectations.
Deciding on the payment method you will employ when performing your gambling-related transactions is not less important than settling on a web-based bookie. It appears that one of the banking solutions Kiwi punters tend to set a great store by is POLi. Thanks to it, sports bettors will have the opportunity to utilize their online banking so that they could make transactions to bookies securely and promptly. Perhaps, one of the main reasons behind the popularity of the method is that using it will not cost punters a dime.
Cryptocurrencies are positively one of the most touted ways of payment of recent, especially among gambling enthusiasts. The most obvious explanation why Kiwi punters do not frown upon depositing or withdrawing via Bitcoin, Ripple, Litecoin, or any of the other digital currencies available out there is mainly due to their promptness, security, ease of use, and the anonymity they ensure.
Currently, card payments are synonymous with swiftness and reliability, which comes to make it clear why an ever-growing number of punters prefer utilizing them. Debit and credit cards issued by Mastercard and Visa are better known also for their great availability as nearly every online sportsbook accepts payments through them. What is more, this is one of the fully-functional payment methods as most of the time, it is available for deposits and cashouts.
Options the likes of PayPal, paysafecard, and bank transfers also list among the ways of payment, which are likely to cater to the needs of gambling enthusiasts from New Zealand.
Popular Banking Methods in New Zealand | |||||
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Payment Method | Fees | Deposit Limits | Deposit Times | Withdrawal Limits | Withdrawal Times |
Visa | Depends on the betting site | Min $10-Max $10,000 | Instant | Min $10-Max $100,00 | Between one and three days |
Mastercard | Depends on the betting site | Min $10- Max $10,000 | Instant | Min $10-Max $100,000 | Between one and three days |
Neteller | Depends on the betting site | Min $10- Max $15,000 | Instant | Min $10-Max $10,000 | A couple of minutes |
Skrill | Depends on the betting site | Min $10- Max $10,000 | Instant | Min $10-Max $10,000 | A couple of minutes |
Paysafecard | Depends on the betting site | Min $100- Max $1,000 | Instant | N/A | N/A |
POLi | Depends on the betting site | Min $10-Max $10,000 | Instant | N/A | N/A |
PayPal | Depends on the betting site | Min $10- Max $15,000 | Instant | Min $10- Max $10,000 | A couple of minutes |
Neosurf | Depends on the betting site | Min $10- Max $5,000 | Instant | N/A | N/A |
Apple Pay | Depends on the betting site | Min $10- Max $10,000 | Instant | N/A | N/A |
Bank transfer | Depends on the betting site | Min $10- Max $50,000 | Instant | Min $50- Max $100,000 | Up to five days |
What To Watch for When Choosing a New Zealand Betting Site
Even though the criteria for picking the best New Zealand-friendly sportsbook might differ depending on the preferences of gambling enthusiasts, there are several crucial features they should always look for.
To begin with, a sure-fire way to find a trustworthy operator is to check which authority has issued its seal of approval. Of course, verifying the validity period of the license is also of crucial importance. The clear-cut and unambiguous terms and conditions, along with the impeccable ,also list among the distinctive traits of proper New Zealand-facing bookies.
The covered events and markets might also turn out to be deal-breakers for gambling enthusiasts, and, for this reason, it is advisable to check what sports the operator has covered before they fill in the registration form. Checking the sports the bookie offers action on is a must, especially if gambling enthusiasts are not only interested in major sports, but in niche ones as well, as the second-mentioned are not that widely available. The variety of markets is also of high significance and is yet another thing to watch for while picking a sportsbook.
The user-friendliness of the sportsbook should not be overlooked, and the things punters should consider here is how easy it is to register for an account, add and remove bets from their betslip, and find their way around the different categories, among others.
To continue discussing the convenience punters are offered, they should also make sure that the bookie has introduced standalone apps for play on the go, or, instead, they can kick off their betting session on the go using the mobile version of the sportsbook.
One more way to ensure that the chosen betting platform is not behind the times is to check the offered betting features. There are a lot of features that can add up to the excitement betting on sports brings, and some of these include the bet-building and cash-out features. In-game betting has also grown to become an inseparable element of interactive sportsbooks these days.
The available banking options, processing times, and fees are features that are necessary to check. To ensure that they will have no qualms with their payments, Kiwis are advised to look for bookies that provide them with payment solutions to fund their account with cash and get paid that work best for their country.
The available bonuses and rewards also make the good sportsbooks instantly recognizable, and punters should not get carried away by the bountiful perks they might be offered as they should always give the fine print due attention to ensure that they are worthwhile.
Punters should take the safety of their funds and personal details seriously, and they should make sure that the chosen operator does so as well. If the operator has taken the needed measures to safeguard punters’ sensitive information, then they should consider giving it a try. The last things gambling enthusiasts should evaluate are the quality of the customer support, the available contact venues, and whether assistance is available around the clock.