New Zealand to Cap Online Casino Licences and Ban Ads Targeting Children
New Zealand is taking a significant step toward regulating the online casino industry with a proposal to limit operator licences and implement stronger consumer protections, particularly for minors. The new regulations, expected to take effect by early 2026, will require all online casinos to adopt mandatory age verification systems and prohibit advertisements targeting children, with penalties for non-compliance of up to NZ$5 million ($2.96 million).
Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden emphasized that the goal is not to increase gambling but to ensure a safer environment for New Zealanders who wish to play online. With thousands of unregulated offshore gambling sites currently available to locals, the proposed changes aim to channel players toward up to 15 licensed operators, reducing exposure to unsafe platforms.
While the focus on protecting children is undoubtedly a positive move, one must question why gambling advertisements, in general, should be banned. Responsible advertising can play a role in educating consumers about risks and ensuring that only those of legal age engage with online gambling.
A blanket ban on all gambling ads might unintentionally hinder the ability to promote safer, regulated environments, and could overlook the need for responsible messaging. While restricting ads aimed at children is clearly necessary, a broader prohibition could potentially limit the broader conversation on safer gambling practices for adults as well.
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CunningHawk People have so much free time - to lose at the casino, watch streams and go to work to earn money for the casino. Amazing.
LisaTheTrustworthy Fallsview is total crap! I was there, queues everywhere, the staff is rude. And the prices in the restaurant are just outrageous! I don't recommend it to anyone.
CharlesThomas No surprise here—gambling keeps breaking records because it’s everywhere now. From online casinos to sports betting, it feels like everyone’s cashing in except the players!
dorothycarter4t It’s always the same story—big money talks, and everyone else suffers. Gambling ads flood every sporting event, and now the government can’t even agree on basic reforms? Disappointing but not surprising.
BettyTheBrilliant While the levy is a step in the right direction for tackling gambling harms, we need to make sure operators don’t just pass the cost onto players by lowering RTPs. It should be a win-win for both the industry and consumers.
AdamsJennifer Finally, a use for all those meme coins I bought on a whim! Turning them into USDT and hitting the slots at BitStarz sounds like a win-win to me.
HelenTheKindhearted 4Kasino and Betcoin seem to keep up the standards, but Sportaza and Dream.Bet in the blacklist? These scammers are at it again.
AllenBetty9 You look at everything so seriously. Well, streamers are streamers, what's there to worry about, there are thousands of them
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CharlesTheSpirited Wildz hosting an esports tournament feels like a sneaky way to market their casino to younger audiences. Reduced RTP rates and now targeting gamers? Hard pass for me. Thanks for the heads-up about this shady tactic!
CarolTheCunning I was so excited when I heard about The Walking Dead slot, but if the RTP isn’t fair, what’s the point? Fans deserve better than flashy branding with poor payouts.
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I’m all for the safety measures, but I think it’s crucial to keep a balance—advertising for responsible gambling could help too. What do you all think?
Kudos to New Zealand for stepping up. Hopefully, other countries will follow suit in protecting vulnerable players
Banning ads targeting children makes perfect sense, but I wonder how this will affect responsible gambling ads aimed at adults.
I support the age verification and limiting the licences. It’s time to put some real regulation in place for online casinos.
Great move by New Zealand! Protecting minors from online gambling ads is so important.