New Zealand and Australia are popular destinations for online casino and online gambling developers. These two countries present a market full of existing gambling fans, and online companies want to capitalize on the opportunity. Internet gambling has already become quite popular in New Zealand, but few facts are known this particular market, as the activity has yet to be fully regulated.
The Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand has delved into the issue, publishing a fact sheet which illustrates the popularity of online gambling in the country MEGAGAME. According to the report, 8% to 10% of New Zealand residents take part in some form of online gambling. This includes playing casino games on the internet or via mobile phones. Television gambling is also included in the category.
Very little is known about New Zealand’s online gambling market at the moment, but some studies have revealed a bit of insight. For example, it seems that Maori individuals are more likely to gamble online as 17% of all online gamblers in the country are of that particular descent. Other studies indicate that young males of Asian descent are also likely to participate in online gambling.
The country’s current online gambling laws state that the only companies which are able to offer internet gambling services to residents are those regulated by the government. As it stands, the only two operators allowed to do so are TAB Corp and the New Zealand Lotteries Commission. It is not illegal for residents to take part in online slots and other casino games offered by international operators, but those operators could face fines for offering their services in the country.
While New Zealand seems to have very strict guidelines about online gaming, things seem to be changing. For years, TAB Corp was the only company licensed for online gambling in the country, but the government has recently allowed the New Zealand Lotteries Commission to launch its own online gaming website. The New NZ Lotto website allows players to purchase tickets online and play other online casino games, a huge step forward for the New Zealand gambling market.
There is no word yet on whether or not the country will begin licensing foreign operators, but many residents continue to access offshore gambling websites. In an industry worth millions of dollars every year, it may be a wise choice for the New Zealand government to consider regulating all forms of online gambling activities.