The Department of Internal Affairs

Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs

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Services › Casino and Non-Casino Gaming › Fact Sheets (Gambling Act 2003)

Open, print out or download PDF* versions of the following gambling information Fact Sheets, which are only available electronically. Samoan translations of selected Fact Sheets are also available. Please note that some Fact Sheets are missing because they are currently under review or the content is no longer relevant.

Disclaimer: While reasonable measures have been taken to ensure the quality and accuracy of the information contained in these Fact Sheets, they do not replace information contained in the Gambling Act 2003 or the Racing Act 2003 or any provisions pursuant to these Acts. These Fact Sheets are for general information only and are not a substitute for independent, professional legal or financial advice.

For electronic versions of gambling licence applications and other gambling forms, please see our Forms page.

Fact Sheet 1: Gambling Regulation in New Zealand

This fact sheet contains information about the Gambling Act 2003, classes of gambling, and the regulatory roles of the Department of Internal Affairs, the Gambling Commission, the New Zealand Lotteries Commission and the Ministry of Health.

Fact Sheet 2: What Class of Gambling is Your Activity?

This fact sheet contains a useful flow chart that you can use to identify the type of gambling activity you wish to run and the relevant rules for that activity under the legislation.

Fact Sheet 3: Classes of Gambling

This fact sheet describes the different classes of gambling. Gambling is classified based on the amount of money spent and the risk of problem gambling associated with an activity.

Fact Sheet 4: The Department's Gambling Compliance Group

This fact sheet explains the role of the Gambling Compliance Group - the business group within the Department of Internal Affairs responsible for achieving compliance with New Zealand’s gambling laws.

Fact Sheet 5: Working Towards Voluntary Compliance

This fact sheet explains why gambling operators should voluntarily comply with gambling legislation, and take responsibility for continuous improvement in the quality of their services and maximising returns to the community.

Fact Sheet 6: Gambling Harm Prevention and Minimisation

This fact sheet explains about measures under the Gambling Act 2003 to minimise harm caused by gambling.

Fact Sheet 7: Problem Gambling

This fact sheet explains about the effects of problem gambling; what is being done to limit problem gambling; and who you can contact if you need help for problem gambling.

Fact Sheet 8: Schedule of Gambling Fees

This fact sheet has been replaced by information updated to new schedule of fees effective 1 July 2020.

Fact Sheet 9: Sales Promotion Schemes

This fact sheet contains information about running sales promotion schemes and the rules that must be adhered to.

Fact Sheet 10: Housie/Bingo

This fact sheet explains the main rules of housie (also known as bingo). Housie can be a Class 1, 2 or 3 gambling activity depending on the level of money involved.

Fact Sheet 11: Class 4 Licensing

This fact sheet explains the strict criteria for organisations wanting to run gaming machines and for the venues at which they operate.

Fact Sheet 12: Territorial Authorities and Class 4 Gaming Machine Numbers

This fact sheet contains information about the functions and powers of Territorial Authorities (TAs) under the Gambling Act 2003. TAs must have policies with regard to the social impact of gambling within each territorial district.

Fact Sheet 13: Poker

This fact sheet explains how poker is regulated under the Gambling Act 2003. Holding poker games, poker tournaments or poker evenings is legal in New Zealand, but depending on the nature of the event there are some restrictions on the way it is conducted.

Fact Sheet 14: Bookmaking/Racing & Sports Betting

This fact sheet describes how it is illegal to operate as a bookmaker in New Zealand (with three exceptions), and the laws governing racing and betting.

Fact Sheet 16: Class 3 Gambling Questions and Answers

This fact sheet contains helpful answers to questions about Class 3 gambling including lotteries, prize competitions and other gambling for community fundraising purposes where the prizes exceed $5000.

Fact Sheet 19: Class 3 and 4 Appeals and Complaints

This fact sheet contains information about appeals on licensing decisions, complaints about the conduct of gambling, and the other roles of the Gambling Commission.

Fact Sheet 22: Class 4 Financial Information

This fact sheet outlines how corporate societies must maximise returns to the community, and includes helpful information about standardised accounts and financial viability.

Fact Sheet 23: Class 4 Key Persons and Suitability

This fact sheet explains the strict suitability requirements on key persons involved in the operation of gaming machines and the distribution of funds generated by gaming machines.

Fact Sheet 24: Class 4 Signage and Publication Requirements

This fact sheet outlines the information that must be displayed by societies at Class 4 venues. It also includes publishing requirements (i.e. availability of funds and how to apply for grants), jackpot advertising and branding, and casino branding.

Fact Sheet 25: Class 4 Net Proceeds

This fact sheet explains the requirements for the holders of Class 4 operator's licences ('licence holders') in relation to the net proceeds generated from gaming machines.

Fact Sheet 26: Venue Costs

This fact sheet explains more about the limits and exclusions on Class 4 venue costs, and the dates from which they are to be enforced.

Fact Sheet 27: Remote Interactive Gambling/Advertising Overseas Gambling

This fact sheet explains the prohibition on remote interactive gambling and advertising overseas gambling.

Fact Sheet 28: Casinos

This fact sheet explains why existing casinos will not be able to expand their gambling activities and no new casino venue licences will be issued.

Fact Sheet 29: Associated Persons: Casinos

This fact sheet contains information about significant influence and assessments of suitability in relation to casinos.

Note: Fees changed effective 1 February 2016.

Fact Sheet 30: Significant Influence in Casinos

This fact sheet provides advice for casino operators to seek the assistance of a chartered accountant or similar when considering significant influence guidelines and assessing circumstances that may confer significant influence in relation to their casino licence.

Fact Sheet 31: Casino Gambling Inspectors

This fact sheet outlines the role of a casino inspector (i.e. handling complaints and ensuring casino gambling complies with the Gambling Act 2003) and provides contact information.

Fact Sheet 32: Problem Gambling Awareness Training

This fact sheet contains information for licence holders who must provide problem gambling awareness training for venue staff. It includes useful answers to questions about training, problem gambling issues and information resources.

Fact Sheet 35: Recordkeeping Requirements under the Electronic Monitoring System (EMS)

This fact sheet contains technical information about recordkeeping requirements under EMS - a system that tracks and monitors gaming machine operations. It includes information about venue cabling diagrams, jackpots, meters, and standard accounting reports.

Fact Sheet 36: Jackpot Systems and the EMS

This fact sheet contains information about jackpot systems (gambling devices linking a number of gaming machines). For the purposes of the EMS, jackpots can be categorised as either 'downloadable' or 'non-downloadable' systems.

Fact Sheet 37: Gaming Machine Profits Determination and Banking under the EMS

This fact sheet contains information about gaming machine profits and the rules for banking profits. It includes helpful answers to questions about the kind of reports provided by EMS, the differences between reports and much more.

Fact Sheet 38: EMS Reconciliations and Adjustments

This fact sheet explains about reconciling banking with EMS reports and adjustments to recorded data. It includes more information about Electronic Meter Access and using EMS pre-generated reports.

Fact Sheet 39: Changes to Gaming Machine Metering under the EMS

This fact sheet explains the technical side of the EMS. All gaming machines are connected to EMS, and they use the QCOM Protocol to communicate with EMS via the site controller.

Fact Sheet 40: Spot Prize Competitions

This fact sheet explains about spot prize competitions, which are commonly offered at community events like home shows, fishing events and fun runs.

Fact Sheet 41: Gambling on Cruise Ships in New Zealand Waters

This fact sheet explains about gambling on ships in New Zealand territorial waters.

Fact Sheet 42: Licensing Forms and Payments

This fact sheet explains how to complete the fillable PDF licensing forms and provides information about the payment process.

Fact Sheet 43: Guidance for emailing licensing applications

This fact sheet provides guidance for submitting licensing applications via email and additional information about emailing document attachments.

Fact Sheet 44: Russia Sanctions Act 2022

This fact sheet provides information about what the Russia Sanctions Act and Regulations mean for the gambling sector.
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