The popularity of online gambling has been rapidly growing throughout the world, reaching new heights never before seen. While the worldwide pandemic slightly pushed it forward, online gambling has been gaining momentum ever since the early 2000s, during the period that’s now known as the “Poker Boom.”
Playing online poker became so popular that it opened the door to all other casino games and thus created a new trend – iGaming. Today, hundreds of online betting sites are available in all corners of the world.
But what about New Zealand? Is online gambling legal in the country? Do New Zealanders like to gamble? Well, let’s find out.
Is Online Gambling Legal in New Zealand?
New Zealand’s Gambling Act was made in 2003, long before online gambling was what it is today. That is why the Department is currently reviewing the Gambling Act. So, is it legal to gamble online in New Zealand? The answer is both yes and no.
While it is legal for all New Zealanders over 18 to gamble online, there is a catch. New Zealanders can gamble, but they can do that only on offshore websites. Currently, it is illegal to run domestic online gambling websites unless it comes from authorized providers such as Lotto NZ and the TAB.
That’s why all quality casinos in New Zealand are based in foreign jurisdictions. These operators welcome Kiwis but work under the national laws that apply to them, like the ones in Malta or Curacao.
Why do Kiwis Enjoy Online Gambling?
There are plenty of reasons why more and more people prefer online gambling to land-based casinos, and New Zealanders aren’t much different. iGaming offers one of the best perks a person could ask for, and that’s gambling from the comforts of your cozy home. You don’t need a powerful machine to access most of these games. Often a smartphone will be more than enough.
You are just one click away from your favorite online pokies. And since most Kiwis adore their pokie machines, having a diverse choice makes it even more irresistible for them to choose an online casino over a land-based one. Moreover, many gambling sites offer an exceptional gameplay experience spiced up with generous bonuses and player perks.
Basically, gambling via the Internet gets Kiwis access to more games and more bonuses in a more convenient way. It seems that sometimes less isn’t more.
Quick Stats About Online Gambling in New Zealand
There is much to say about how the online gambling industry thrives in New Zealand. Since no national lottery stands in its way, the online casino market is blowing up in New Zealand. That is among the reasons this country is becoming one of the most popular places to invest in iGaming. Here are a few interesting stats about online gambling in New Zealand.
- About 13% (520,000) of Kiwis over 15 had at least one online gambling experience in 2018. Of those, only 2% were gambling on an overseas website.
- 39% of Kiwis over 18 gambled online during the COVID-19 lockdowns.
- Over 18% of people between 25 and 49 gambled more during the lockdowns, while almost everyone above 65 gambled less.
- 65% of the New Zealanders who gambled online in 2020 gambled on the official MyLotto online platform.
- In 2020, New Zealanders spent $631 million on Lotto tickets, 13% more than in 2019.
- Of all New Zealanders’ gambling activities, 20% were online, and 80% were at a land-based casino.
- The most popular form of online gambling is buying a Lotto NZ product.
New Trends and the Future of iGaming
There is no doubt that the iGaming industry has a bright future ahead. As we already mentioned, the worldwide pandemic helped the industry significantly grow, adding to the momentum it gained throughout the years. And with more people realizing how convenient it is to gamble online instead of visiting a land-based casino, it becomes a no-brainer for more Kiwis to join every day.
But that’s not all. A new trend is rising every now, and then that opens another door for the world of iGaming, making it more prominent than before. One of those trends is mobile gaming. The mobile gaming industry has also gained significant popularity in the past few years by offering accessible and convenient ways to gamble from anywhere and anytime.
How about the next trend? It’s only a matter of time until it appears, but VR casinos are expected to make waves anytime soon.
Summary
We discovered that nothing could stop the rise of the online gambling industry, and Kiwis who enjoy pokies cannot remain indifferent. With many online casino websites offering some of New Zealanders’ favorite games daily, more and more NZ consumers are jumping on the iGaming train.
Things right now are a bit confusing, at least when it comes to regulations. Yet, we believe that the country will soon update its iGaming legislation and adapt it to meet the needs of its residents. If that happens, it’s certain that leading iGaming brands will immediately enter this lucrative market.
