What it Takes to Get an Online Gambling License in New Zealand

There is presently no gambling regulator in operation in New Zealand

The number of people gambling at online casinos is growing faster than ever before. On the other hand, you will need to comply with several laws and regulations to launch an online casino affiliate business in New Zealand. All NZ online casinos must go through a licensing process. However, the government of New Zealand does not oversee the operation of sites that offer online gambling services.

The current laws for New Zealand

New Zealand’s Gambling Act 2003 prohibits any New Zealand-based gambling company from operating a virtual online casino gaming service. This implies that the New Zealand Gambling Commission does not license or regulate any internet casinos in New Zealand.

Only online lottery games, horse racing gambling, and sports betting are currently legal in New Zealand. Only the Lotto NZ and New Zealand Racing Board (TAB) sites and apps provide access to these. Currently, the Gambling Act does not allow New Zealand companies to open online casinos. As a result, residents of New Zealand are permitted to play at international online sites, and these casinos are not prohibited from operating in New Zealand.

What it takes for casinos to get Licensed by the significant regulatory bodies

All gaming in New Zealand is controlled by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) under the Gambling Act of 2003. It establishes four main categories based on reward size and turnover when it comes to gaming. The Gambling Commission of New Zealand requires a Class 3 license for all casinos in the country, and only six casinos have been granted such permits thus far.

Even though the New Zealand Gambling Commission does not provide licenses to offshore gambling operators, they are licensed and regulated by regulatory authorities in their home jurisdictions, such as the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) and the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA). This means that no matter whatever casino New Zealanders decide to play at, they will be bound by the rules set forth by the licensing authorities.

Procedure for licensing with the Malta Gaming authority

The Malta Gaming Authority’s online gambling licenses are highly sought after by operators, but obtaining one is much easier said than done. Even though an internationally recognized license provides online gambling platforms with a near-unrivaled level of legality, bureaucratic processes are never easy to navigate.

The MGA conducts a thorough background check on all license applicants who meet the requirements. The MGA’s word that an operator can be trusted is as good as gold when it comes to instilling faith in players worldwide.

An application goes through a few different steps, which are as follows:

1. Fit and proper check
2. Business planning check
3. Operational and statutory requirements check
4. System review
5. Compliance review

If obtaining a license in Malta has a drawback, it would have to be the cost. Compared to other nations, such as Curacao, licensing fees and tax rates are significantly higher. As a result, the MGA license is the most frequently selected option by more well-established businesses with substantial financial support.

Procedure for Licensing with Curacao Master Licensing bodies

Because of its low cost and easy conditions, the Curacao gaming license is frequently the first choice of operators. Despite Curacao’s licensing process is more accessible than many other jurisdictions, it is not foolproof. Even the most straightforward error could significantly lose time and effort, as many complex requirements must be met.

Curaçao’s licensing process is as follows:

1. Incorporate a business in Curacao
2. Gather the necessary paperwork
3. Submit your application and pay all fees
4. Wait approximately six weeks
5. Begin operating your online casino

The site will be inspected by the master license holder’s technical compliance team before the final approval of the license is granted. As a result, it is unnecessary to have the domain name, server, and platform ready to go at the time of application, but they must be ready to go before the license is awarded.

Summary of Licensing Requirements for Casinos operating in New Zealand

Online casinos are not allowed to have a license in New Zealand, but those that welcome Kiwis as customers should have a license from a reputable gaming agency. The following are a few examples of international gaming regulators that issue licenses to online casinos serving customers worldwide.

• Malta Gaming Authority
• Gibraltar Gambling Commissioner
• Isle of Man Gambling Supervision Commission
• Curaçao Gaming Control Board

The bulk of top NZ online casinos are regulated by the Malta Gaming Authority, even though there are other additional licensing agencies. If you do not recognize the authority of the casino you have chosen, it may be prudent to investigate its reputation.

The licensing information can be located in the footer of the casino’s homepage. It is a huge red signal if this information is difficult to find. If you have doubts about the legality of a casino’s license, you can contact the relevant gaming regulator or review its list of permitted license holders.