Gaming

Why the New Zealand Gambling Laws are Outdated

Published

2 years ago

April 18, 2023

Nowadays, online gambling is more popular than ever before. However, New Zealand gambling laws are still severely outdated. The Gambling Act of 2003 is still in place and has remained unchanged for a good 20 years. This law states that one must be 18 years old to buy lottery tickets and participate in sports betting and 20 years old to enter a land-based casino in New Zealand.

The bill also prevents residents of New Zealand from gambling online, except for the online state lottery and Totalizer Agency BoFard or TAB. The major flaw, however, is that Kiwi players are free to sign up, deposit, and place real money bets at online casinos, sportsbooks, and online poker rooms hosted abroad.

History of Gambling in New Zealand

Betting, which consists of playing games of chance along with placing bets on racing and sports, has a long and incredibly diverse tradition in the country of New Zealand. With the very first gambling rules dating all the way back to the first half of the 20th century, Kiwis have been dealing with a highly regulated industry long before other countries.

In the 1830s, gambling was virtually banned in New Zealand territory. However, at the turn of the century, New Zealanders witnessed a different regulation. While the Gambling Act of 1908 was still restrictive, it did allow betting on the most popular sporting events, such as horse racing.

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Over the course of the 20th century, the country saw two extremes regarding the regulation of gambling practices. Before the end of the first half of the century, the rules for sports betting and horse racing had tightened to the point that only a few specific betting options, such as betting on track horse races, were allowed. However, in 1961, the government’s rules were revised, and this saw the legalization of slots, lotteries, and land-based casino establishments approved by the late 1990s.

Legal Online Gambling in New Zealand

Nowadays, as previously mentioned, Kiwi players have only two options to gamble online legally – through the New Zealand Lottery Commission and TAB. All other local gambling sites are illegal to use, and even if an online casino is hosted in New Zealand, it cannot offer casino games like slots, table games, or poker. Luckily, many offshore casinos cater to Kiwi players, and nothing holds players back from playing at these sites. So a casino may be called online casino New Zealand but they are regulated by Malta and hosted on a Maltese webserver.

A similar state-controlled gambling scene exists in other countries, and the reason for this is actually relatively easy. Having just two companies having a monopoly on gambling offerings makes things easy for the New Zealand government, and by heavily taxing these two companies, they give back to the community, partially restoring the potential harm they cause by offering games of chance.

Games of Chance Classifications in New Zealand

With current legislation in place, there are four different classes of gambling in New Zealand: casino gambling pokies and other table games, lotteries and sweepstakes, Class II and III gaming (games of chance run by charity organisations), and Class IV Gambling (private gambling like house poker games).

New Zealand Gambling Laws Affecting Casinos Rather Than Players

One thing to keep in mind regarding New Zealand gambling law is that it focuses mainly on casinos rather than players. Although formally speaking, players can be fined up to NZD$20,000 or imprisoned for up to two years, it is primarily the online casinos and sportsbooks that get fined when advertising gambling or operating without a license. Gambling winnings aren’t considered taxable income either, so there is little players could do ‘’wrong’’ as opposed to the casinos offering the games. This is turned around in a country like South Africa, if you gamble online there you can get a fine. In China you can even go to prison for it!

SkyCity Casino Operating From Malta

SkyCity is one of the most prominent gambling and entertainment companies in New Zealand. It manages five land-based casinos across the country, serving thousands of players and punters daily, generating nearly a billion dollars in turnover. However, as prominent as SkyCity is, it also has to adhere to the strict and outdated gambling laws in New Zealand.

As a result, SkyCity decided to launch its website through a Maltese subsidiary, with a gambling platform and front-end development provided by a Malta-based company – the Gaming Innovation Group. With that step they became one of the most popular online casino New Zealand.

Essentially, SkyCity is doing what most offshore casinos are doing by offering online gambling, including traditional casino games like pokies, Blackjack, and Roulette from abroad, with an evident focus on the New Zealand market and its players. This circumvents the current Gambling Act in place, with some calling it a ‘’legal loophole.’’

Future Gambling Laws in New Zealand

Obviously, the government of New Zealand and local politicians have gotten wind of this situation. As a result, the Department of Internal Affairs is now seeking submissions and is open for discussion regarding a new regulatory framework for online gambling. With a new regulatory framework in place, both domestic and overseas casinos and sportsbooks will be able to operate legally in New Zealand and offer gambling services to its residents.

Most likely, SkyCity will become the first licensed online casino in the newly regulated New Zealand online casino industry and be treated just like its land-based components.

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SPGA Announces Social Sweeps Game Sector Video Briefing

Published

2 months ago

October 9, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

The Social and Promotional Gaming Association (SPGA) has released a video briefing designed to provide insight and information on the social sweeps gaming model. This briefing is designed to address the growing attention and interest in how the social casino with sweepstakes prizing functions and why millions of players across America enjoy this safe and legal form of entertainment.

This inaugural SPGA briefing features insights from Matt Kaufman, Managing Director, Digital & Interactive Gaming at Eilers & Krejcik Gaming, and Jon Kaplowitz, CEO and Co-Founder of Clubs Poker. The discussion is moderated by prominent sports betting industry founder and investor Chris Grove.

eSports

CS2 Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2024 SuperComputer: NaVi to bounce back after Blast Fall Final loss

Published

2 months ago

October 7, 2024

Adrienn Sarkany

Final: Natus Vincere (36.5%) to beat Team Vitality (28.1%)

Semifinal 1: Natus Vincere (52.6%) to beat MOUZ (16.3%)

Semifinal 2: Team Vitality (47.7%) to beat G2 Esports (18.7%)

Quarterfinal 1: G2 Esports (39.8%) to beat FaZe Clan (32.8%)

Quarterfinal 2: MOUZ (35.9%) to beat Eternal Fire (24.7%)

Group stage:

Natus Vincere – 48.7% to finish 1st; 17.0% to finish 2nd; 84.1% to make playoffs
Team Vitality – 40.8% to finish 1st; 17.4% to finish 2nd; 77.7% to make playoffs
G2 Esports – 19.3% to finish 1st; 20.4% to finish 2nd; 56.7% to make playoffs
MOUZ – 14.5% to finish 1st; 21.8% to finish 2nd; 53.0% to make playoffs
FaZe Clan – 13.9% to finish 1st; 21.0% to finish 2nd; 50.2% to make playoffs
Eternal Flame – 40.7% to finish 1st; 16.2% to finish 2nd; 40.7% to make playoffs
Liquid – 16.3% to finish 7-8th; 35.7% to make playoffs
Virtus.pro – 15.4% to finish 7-8th; 29.9% to make playoffs
Astralis – 28.9% to finish 9-12th; 31.5% to make playoffs
The MongolZ – 32.7% to finish 9-12th; 25.4% to make playoffs
Complexity – 34.3% to finish 9-12th; 21.2% to make playoffs
Heroic – 26.8% to finish 9-12th; 23.5% to make playoffs
paiN – 36.5% to finish 13-16th; 21.0% to make playoffs
FURIA – 36.4% to finish 13-16th; 20.9% to make playoffs
9z – 44.7% to finish 13-16th; 14.6% to make playoffs
Imperial – 49.1% to finish 13-16th; 13.9% to make playoffs

It has been quite the run for NaVi despite their loss with back to back grand finals in recent weeks but CSDB.gg’s predictive model suggests there will be no let up for the Ukrainian esports organisation.

G2 will also be looking to build more momentum in preparation for Majors season with NiKo on a quest to finally get over the line this year to win his first major title. Hopefully Rio won’t have to see a repeat of his reaction in the semifinals at BLAST Premier Fall Final 2024 where he punched a hole in a table after losing out to Team Vitality in a key moment.

However, the hosts of Intel Extreme Masters Rio 2024 may want to lockdown any nearby furniture and reinforce their desks if G2 are set for disappointment at the semifinals stage as predicted by the CSDB.gg SuperComputer.

A victory in Rio could be even more consequential for how the end of the year shapes up for the leading teams on the circuit. The Valve Global rankings have both teams close at the very top (NaVi at 1988 and G2 at 1953) meaning a win for either team could hand them a key advantage when it comes to who enters the Majors as top seed.

Back-to-back wins in T1 events for G2, should they prosper in Rio, would set the Berlin-based team on an incredible trajectory going into the winter months.

Meanwhile, Brazilian hopes for glory look slight according to the CSDB.gg SuperComputer with FURIA, the team co-owned by Neymar, having only been given a 20.9% chance of even making the playoffs.

They are the leading contenders to make an impact for the home crowd but there are other teams flying the flag for Brazil with paiN and Imperial also set to give it their best to give local fans something to cheer on.

In terms of forecasted matchups of note, G2 and FaZe Clan could offer up a fascinating encounter in the quarterfinals should both teams qualify, with each organisation rated as having a strong chance of making the semis with little to separate them should they meet.

How was the CSDB.gg CS2 Tournament SuperComputer created?

The CSDB.gg CS2 Tournament SuperComputer is a predictive model created using world ranking points, team quality ratings and performance trends. An element of randomness is also included in the model to avoid the best teams and players always winning, to reflect the fact that upsets can happen.

Every tournament is simulated 1,000 times with the results aggregated into a percentage rating of the chances teams or players have to achieve the predicted result.

Gaming

NASCAR launches persistent world on Roblox where players can become racing tycoons

Published

4 months ago

July 18, 2024

Peter Tolan

NASCAR is once again taking the virtual racing world by storm, this time with the launch of “NASCAR Tycoon” on Roblox created by Dubit.

Building on the success of its previous “NASCAR Speed Hub,” this new experience promises to deliver an even more immersive and interactive NASCAR world.

Developed in partnership with the renowned metaverse studio Dubit, “NASCAR Tycoon” allows players to dive deep into the management and racing aspects of NASCAR, offering a unique blend of strategy and high-speed thrills in a distinctly Roblox-native way.

Players will have the opportunity to jump in the driver’s seat of cars styled after NASCAR’s Next Gen Cup Series vehicles, competing against each other and managing teams in thrilling races. Earning fame and fortune as they build their virtual tycoon, players can make passive income while they play. As players progress in “NASCAR Tycoon,” they will unlock exclusive perks such as building their own NASCAR racing teams, expanding their garages, collecting new cars, accessing customizations and attracting sponsors.

The launch comes hot on the heels of recent Fortnite activations and follows the debut of NASCAR in Jailbreak and NASCAR Speed Hub last year – a virtual environment built by Dubit, for players to race around tracks linked to real-world races.

“We’re thrilled to launch ‘NASCAR Tycoon’ on Roblox, developed in partnership with Dubit, marking a key milestone in our ongoing efforts to authentically engage with the Roblox community,” said Nick Rend, VP of Interactive and Emerging Platforms at NASCAR. “This initiative is about more than reaching new audiences; it’s about deepening our connection on a platform where we see tremendous potential. By blending the excitement of NASCAR with the interactive and dynamic environment of Roblox, we’re enhancing traditional fandom in ways that are engaging, fun, and distinctly forward-looking.”

With over 300 million monthly active users, Roblox is ripe with opportunities for sporting organisations like NASCAR and offers a chance to engage with audiences in an immersive and interactive environment.

Andrew Douthwaite, Chief Commercial Officer at Dubit, shares his excitement: “We’re thrilled to bring the next phase of NASCAR to life on Roblox, building on the success of previous activations. NASCAR Tycoon allows Roblox players to experience the excitement of NASCAR racing like never before, blending the strategic elements of team management with the adrenaline-pumping action on the track. It has been a true joy working with such a forward-thinking, iconic sports brand in NASCAR, and we look forward to continuing to push the boundaries together”

Dubit has created Roblox activations, virtual merchandise ranges and experiences for global brands including Unilever, Samsung, Reckitt, Kraft, H&M and adidas.

“NASCAR Tycoon” is now available on Roblox.