New Zealand's Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden, recently proposed a licensing bill aimed at regulating online casino gambling in Parliament, marking the first step into formal regulation in this area.
The bill plans to issue up to 15 online casino licenses through an auction process, with applicants required to submit detailed business plans and operational proposals to the regulatory authority. Licensed operators will be allowed to advertise within certain limits, while unlicensed operators could face fines of up to 5 million New Zealand dollars (approximately 3 million US dollars).
The legislation focuses on reducing the social harm caused by gambling, strengthening consumer protection, and ensuring that operators pay taxes in accordance with the law. Accompanying regulations are also being developed, covering advertising standards and harm minimization measures, and specifying the obligations of licensed operators.
Minister van Velden emphasized that the purpose of the "Online Casino Gambling Act" is to establish a safe and transparent regulatory system, not to encourage more gambling. The bill is planned to be submitted to a special committee for review later this year, at which time the public will have the opportunity to participate in discussions and express their opinions.
This legislation will bring structural reforms to New Zealand's online gambling market, promote the standardized development of the industry, protect players' rights, and enhance regulatory efficiency.
