New Zealand has a strong relationship with gambling, and with casinos in the country constantly growing, gambling and casino tourism in the country is becoming increasingly popular each and every year.
There are several world-class casinos for players to visit in New Zealand but before you consider heading down under for your next big gambling trip, you should get acquainted with some of the New Zealand gambling laws.
The systems in place in NZ to control gambling can at first appear quite complex. This handy NZ gambling law guide will help clear up any of the potential issues you may encounter, as well as highlighting some of the benefits of gambling in New Zealand.
NZ Gambling Law Guide Introduction
Legalized commercial gambling did not take place in the country until the 1990s, with the country’s first real money casino NZ opening its door in 1994. The sector grew quickly in popularity from then, and now there are billions of dollars spent on gambling in New Zealand each and every year.
Despite the clear interest of New Zealanders in gambling, there is still a very limited number of casinos available in the country. This is because of the gambling act, which was passed by the government in 2003.
This act limited the number of gambling opportunities that could be created within the country, meaning that it is now very difficult from a bureaucratic standpoint to open a casino. That being said, the casinos that already exist within New Zealand are some of the highest quality institutes on the entire continent and attract tourists from all over the world.
What is the New Zealand Legal Gambling Age?
The New Zealand legal gambling age depends entirely on the type of gambling you are looking to do.
If you want to head down to a casino and attempt to win some cash, then you are going to have to be 20 years old or older.
If, however, you are wanting to place a sports bet, include one on horse racing, then the restrictions are not quite as tight. The gambing age NZ for sports betting is 18 or over. There are a wide range of excellent sports betting shops available throughout New Zealand.
These age limits in place regardless of which country you are from, and gambling laws in your country will have no control over your gambling when you are in New Zealand.
It is very common in New Zealand, despite how old you may look, to be asked to prove your age when you attempt to enter a bet or enter a casino, so do not be alarmed if you are asked for some form of identification. Typically, you will have to present a government-approved form of ID, so a passport or driving license from your country will suffice.
Online Gambling Laws in New Zealand
NZ online gambling law is a little different to the laws that you will find that control real-life casinos in the country.
The gambling act of 2003 all but prohibited online gambling within the country, but there are plenty of exceptions to this. The national lottery of New Zealand, as well as some sports betting and other activities, are all available online and are controlled and regulated by the state of New Zealand.
The totalizer Agency Board, along with the New Zealand Lotteries Commission, are the only bodies that are permitted by the government to offer online gambling services within New Zealand.
People who are based in New Zealand are also still allowed to play at international casinos that are not based within the country. These online casinos have become incredibly popular to play within New Zealand. The gambling age NZ of 20 still applies when you are using these sites. This also means that if you are visiting the country, you will probably still be able to play on your favorite online casinos from back home while you are there.
Why Casino is so popular for tourism in New Zealand
New Zealand is a beautiful country that is home to plenty of interesting cities and tons of fascinating culture and history.
Despite, in the eyes of some people, being fairly strict when it comes to gambling laws, the country has attracted a lot of tourists for gambling purposes and it continues to grow in popularity alongside its neighbor, Australia.
This leads to many people asking, why casino is so popular for tourism in New Zealand? One of the most obvious answers is the quality of the casinos that exist within the country. While there may not be many of them, the ones that exist are excellent.
The SkyCity casinos in Queenstown and Auckland are both world-class venues, while Christchurch Casino is another hugely popular tourist destination. The casinos in New Zealand not only boast a friendly atmosphere and some brilliant odds, but they also have a range of different pokie machines and excellent table games for their punters to play.
Casinos in New Zealand have also taken a leaf out of Las Vegas’s books, with many of the casinos in the country also offering an array of excellent entertainment for their visitors. Most of them will offer excellent restaurants and bars while some may even offer live entertainment for their paying customers.
On top of this, the country also has an excellent sporting culture which makes sports betting in the country an excellent experience. There are a range of different race tracks available within the country, as well as hundreds of excellent sports betting stores on the high streets.
Overall, visiting a casino or going for a gambling holiday in NZ is a hugely enjoyable experience. The casinos are top of the range and the sports betting within the country is also excellent.
