Responsible Gambling in New Zealand – Guide for NZ Players

What is Considered Responsible Online Gambling in New Zealand?

The online gambling industry in New Zealand is booming, with online casinos offering a wide range of games and sports betting options. However, with the development of the industry, the NZ guidelines and regulations related to responsible online gambling are also improving. The responsible gambling definition for NZ casinos has become clearer, and in 2024, all operators must comply with the rules set by the local authority to operate legally.

The DIA is the main organisation tasked with licensing and regulating responsible gambling casinos in New Zealand. However, there are also non-profit support organisations , concerned with helping NZ players who are allowed to gamble yet struggle with negative gambling habits. So, keep reading to find out what they do to prevent problem gambling and what you can do to protect yourself.

Who Is Allowed to Gamble Online from New Zealand?

Online gambling can be a fun pastime for some New Zealanders and a harmful activity to others. Even when playing at responsible gambling casinos, some individuals are just more susceptible to the risks of gambling. Therefore, some people are legally prohibited from gambling by New Zealand gambling laws. Meanwhile, others should be strongly discouraged from doing so. We’ve highlighted both types below:

The groups of different individuals mentioned above are listed either because of how vulnerable they are to the harmful effects of gambling or because of potential conflict of interest. Therefore, if you recognise yourself as part of any of these groups, please refrain from gambling in New Zealand, even at safe and licensed casinos.

NZ Responsible Online Gambling: Best Practices

No matter what the regulations in New Zealand are, players should always follow a general set of responsible gambling guidelines. Everyone has a responsibility to protect themselves from potential harm. So, make sure to follow the proper practices we’ve highlighted below to maintain healthy gambling habits.

Of course, sticking to the most important responsible gambling practices doesn’t guarantee you won’t experience any negative effects from online gambling. However, following the rules outlined in this responsible gambling guide for New Zealanders could significantly decrease your chances of developing a gambling addiction.

Set a Budget & Stick to it

One of the most important responsible gambling practices you should follow is budget setting. This practice entails that each player should determine ahead of time how much they can afford to spend on online or land-based gambling in New Zealand and then stick to that budget throughout their gameplay.

It is essential for New Zealanders to be mindful of the fact that overspending on gambling can lead to serious financial and emotional problems, such as debt, stress, and relationship problems. By setting a responsible gambling budget and sticking to it, players can control their impulses and ensure that they do not surpass their financial limits.

Set a Limit on the Time You Spend Gambling

Another important responsible gambling practice Kiwis should follow is to set a limit on the time they are allowed to spend gambling. Losing track of time is one of the primary dangers of problem gambling, as it can lead to excessive gameplay. This prolonged gambling further increases the risk of developing a gambling addiction.

However, there is a way to prevent this from happening, and that is to set a limit on the time spent gambling. Keeping track of how much time you’ve spent at an NZ online casino is key, so make sure to set a timer and monitor the duration of your play sessions. You can also utilize the built in-clock many of the top software developers provide in their games.

Set Up a Self-Exclusion Option

If you feel like what you’re doing is not enough, and you are becoming addicted to gambling, you can also employ self-exclusion practices. These responsible gambling options can help place a barrier between New Zealand players and negative gambling habits. You can self-exclude in several different ways, which have been examined in more detail below:

Feel free to choose either of these options based on the severity of problem gambling issues you’re experiencing. All these options could help you practise self-control and keep those negative gambling habits at bay. However, if you’ve tried on your own and you were not satisfied with the results, don’t hessite to take the next step and ask for help. Make sure to examine all your options and find the best one for you.

Make a List of Self-Limiting Practices & Stick to It

Practising responsible gambling in New Zealand is strongly connected to giving players the needed resources for them to self-limit. This is done with the help of operators, so they are also highly accountable. The best online casinos in New Zealand comply with responsible gambling policies and provide self-limitation options. The most popular ones you could try have been listed below:

Sticking to these self-limiting practices is fundamental. Especially if you would like to build a routine that is in line with the responsible gambling definition in New Zealand. However, this is not an all-inclusive list, so feel free to look for more ways to prevent gambling addiction and share them with your local gambling community.

Don’t Be Reluctant to Seek Help if You Suffer from Gambling Addiction

Finally, if none of these practices worked, or if you believe you are suffering from gambling addiction, please seek help immediately. This is a condition that is more common among New Zealand players than you think, so you are not alone. Furthermore, ignoring the issue could lead to even more severe consequences, so looking for help from the main NZ responsible gambling organisations is strongly recommended.

NZ Responsible Gambling Organisations & Regulators

New Zealand has several organisations responsible for ensuring the safety and fairness of gambling activities. The Department of Internal Affairs is the primary regulatory body, overseeing all aspects of gambling, including licensing and enforcement. However, there are more parties that could help NZ players in case of problem gambling issues, so we’ve examined the most notable organisations below.

The Department of Internal Affairs

The Department of Internal Affairs is a New Zealand government agency responsible for a wide range of regulatory functions. The department is involved mainly in overseeing gambling activities within the country and ensuring that they are conducted in a fair and responsible manner. Furthermore, they also provide support for players struggling with gambling addiction and their families.

On the DIA official website, you can find more information about the support groups the organisation has for New Zealanders struggling with problem gambling. In addition, they hold meetings with online casino operators and other active influencing parties in the industry to advance research and promote a safe and fair gambling environment.

The Problem Gambling Foundation

Unlike the DIA, the Problem Gambling Foundation is not associated with the New Zealand government, as it’s a non-profit active since 1989. The foundation is committed to reducing the harm caused by problem gambling and helping New Zealanders affected by it. The PGF also focuses on providing training, counselling, and educating the general population on the topic of responsible gambling in New Zealand.

Despite not being a government organisation, the Problem Gambling Foundation is still largely financed by the Ministry of Health and the New Zealand Lotteries Commission. They have offices around the country and provide their services free of charge to NZ players affected by problem gambling. Their efforts have had a positive impact on the development of responsible gambling policies and people’s lives.

The New Zealand Gambling Commission

Like the first organisation we examined, the New Zealand Gambling Commission is a government agency. Its primary role is to oversee the gambling industry in New Zealand, ensuring that gambling is conducted fairly and transparently and that the harm associated with gambling is minimised. Therefore, it works in collaboration with the DIA, yet it’s an independent Crown entity.

Unfortunately, on the New Zealand Gambling Commission online platform, you won’t find any information on support groups organised by them. This is because the organisation focuses mainly on legislation and regulation, rather than providing support for NZ players struggling with gambling addiction. Hence, the organisation is focused on preventing problem gambling.

The Salvation Army Oasis

The Salvation Army Oasis is a program in New Zealand that provides support and assistance to people who are struggling with different types of addiction, including gambling addiction. The program was established in the 1980s and has since then been committed to helping individuals overcome their addictions and rebuild their lives.

Details on the program can be found on the Salvation Army Oasis web page. Furthermore, you can learn about it in person at one of the many offices the organisation has across New Zealand. However, the program is not only focused on battling gambling addiction. It also aims to raise awareness on the topic and educate players and their families on the negative effects gambling can have.

The Ministry of Health

Finally, we have another New Zealand government agency. The Health Ministry’s role is a bit more general, as it aims to ensure that all New Zealanders have access to high-quality health care and to promote healthy living and disease prevention. However, gambling addiction still falls under their jurisdiction. So, they work closely with the other organisations mentioned to help people who are struggling with problem gambling.

In addition, this government agency can also provide access to training for responsible service of gambling online. As you might notice on the Ministry of Health website for NZ nationals, they also provide funding for research into problem gambling and its impacts, which helps to inform policy and practice.

Risks of Excessive Gambling in New Zealand

In case the severity of gambling addiction has not become clear, let’s once again reiterate the risks of problem gambling for New Zealanders. Firstly, it’s key to realise that excessive gambling can affect not only your finances but it can also ruin your relationships and reputation. NZ gamblers should be extremely careful when engaging in gambling activities.

In addition, you should also set limits – from restrictions on your gambling budget to time spent engaging in these activities, there are many ways you can protect yourself. Not following the best practices we’ve suggested in this responsible gambling guide can lead to severe consequences, which have been outlined below:

What risks do NZ players face when not gambling responsibly?

• Developing a gambling addiction
• Diminishing financial resources
• Accumulating considerable debt
• Losing a job or contact with family or friends
• Developing depression, anger and sadness
• Damaging the reputation and trust of people

Responsible gambling in New Zealand is a serious topic, so the local laws are also very strict. Online and land-based casinos in the country have to provide a safe gambling environment and adhere to many responsible gambling policies. Therefore, as long as you play at licensed casinos, the risk of being exposed to irresponsible gambling practices is minimised.

However, that doesn’t mean the risk of developing negative gambling habits doesn’t exist. The best way to protect yourself is to follow responsible gambling guidelines and take the issue seriously. This way, you should be prepared to avoid the consequences mentioned above. Nonetheless, if you already struggle with problem gambling, there is always help available.

NZ Players Whom Gambling May Not Be Suitable For

We’ve talked a lot about the risks of gambling and how you can protect yourself from developing an addiction. However, there are some players who can employ numerous protective measures and still be exposed to immense risk, as they are simply not suitable for engaging in any kind of gambling activity.

There might even be legal consequences if you fall within one of these groups, yet you still gamble online in New Zealand. Whether it’s an addictive personality or some sort of cognitive disability, there are many reasons why someone shouldn’t gamble. So, look at the list of NZ players whom gambling may not be suitable for and restrain from it if you recognise yourself:

NZ Gambling Sites Without Responsible Behaviour to Avoid

However, minimizing the effects of problem gambling is not the sole responsibility of the player. Casino operators must provide a responsible gambling environment. Therefore, when choosing an online gambling site in New Zealand, make sure to go for one that is licensed and collaborates with responsible gambling organisations.

If a gambling site doesn’t do that or promotes impulse gambling, it displays multiple red flags. However, that’s not the only negative sign you should look out for, so feel free to check out the list below. It outlines reasons why a website might be considered a bad example in terms of responsible gambling.

If you checked the casino website and everything was in order, then you could proceed with creating an account. However, you should still follow the responsible gambling practices we’ve outlined and take advantage of the self-limiting options the casino provides. If the operator follows the established guidelines by the NZ government, time and deposit limits should be available.

Frequently Asked Questions from NZ Gamblers

Responsible gambling in New Zealand is a well-researched issue. Therefore, there is a lot of information available on it, and with this guide, we tried to summarise the most important aspects. However, if you still have questions, keep reading. This section addresses the most frequent inquiries New Zealanders have on the topic.