Canada
Why the New Zealand Gambling Laws are Outdated
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 However, New Zealand gambling laws are still severely outdated.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.
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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AGCO
AGCO Removes Cap on Seller Commission for Charitable Lottery Products

The Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO) has updated several lottery policies to remove the cap on seller commission for Paper Raffles and Media Bingo, along with removing the prohibition on Catch the Ace paper lotteries, to align with other charitable lottery products.
Licensed charities may now negotiate commissions directly with sellers and determine commissions, provided they are reasonable and tied to the cost of service provided by the seller.
These updates further the AGCO’s commitment to adopt an outcomes-based regulatory approach and reduce burden for the charitable gaming sector. Local charitable organizations will have greater flexibility to make decisions that best serve their fundraising objectives.
Important Reminders
• Charities must still receive approval for other expenses incurred under their licence and retain receipts for seller commission paid.
• Licensing authorities will not require documentation to be submitted as part of the application process, however, charities are still subject to audit to determine compliance.
• Charities are reminded of their legal requirement to meet their obligations under the Criminal Code and with respect to conducting and managing a charitable gaming scheme.
• As with all licensed charitable lottery events, charities must take the necessary steps to ensure that they are conducting and managing the lottery event within Ontario.
For charitable gaming-related inquiries, email an AGCO Eligibility Officer at [email protected] or call AGCO Customer Service at 1-800-522-2876, Monday to Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
The post AGCO Removes Cap on Seller Commission for Charitable Lottery Products appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
Alon Segev
Segev LLP Celebrates 10 Years of Business-Focused Legal Innovation

Leading business, technology, finance, and gaming law firm, Segev LLP, is proud to announce its 10th anniversary. Over the past decade, Segev has evolved from a bold idea into a multi-jurisdictional firm serving clients across Canada, the U.S., and beyond.
Built for innovation-driven industries, the firm is widely recognized for its work with companies at the forefront of gaming, crypto, technology, and emerging sectors. “Our 10-year anniversary is a defining moment,” said Founding Partner, Ron Segev. “It’s a testament to the strength of our team and our culture of teamwork, self-improvement, and growth – all of which is directed at scoring wins for our great clients.”
As industries like fintech, crypto, iGaming, and AI have matured, so has the firm, often in parallel with its clients. “We’ve all grown together with our clients from one success to the next, whether it be helping clients complete financings or helping them close business,” said Managing Partner Alon Segev. “I look forward to continued growth for us and our clients in the next 10 years!”
The firm’s client-first approach has consistently earned recognition from top legal ranking guides. Segev LLP is ranked by Chambers and Partners as a “Leading Firm” and “Band-1” in Canada for Gaming Law and are also recommended by The Legal 500 and Lexology. These rankings reflect the team’s ability to deliver strategic, high-quality legal solutions that align with their clients’ business goals.
Recognized for their unique ability to exceed expectations and deliver out-of-the-box solutions, Segev LLP’s clients have affirmed: “The firm demonstrates its capability not only to understand complex matters, but also to offer solutions that are practical, pragmatic, and value-adding.”
“Segev possesses outstanding resources and maintains global partnerships, enabling it to deliver precise and informed responses to any queries related to the iGaming industry.”
“Epic service, very good, I won the case!”
“Great service, friendly atmosphere, and support.”
Several Segev team members also reflected on the milestone: “There was a moment early in my time here when I realized I wasn’t just being brought in to help; I was expected to contribute, take initiative, and run with big ideas. That stuck with me,” said Negin Alavi.
“Together with our clients, [Segev] has experienced remarkable growth over the past decade. I’m honored to have contributed to this journey and to celebrate these shared successes,” said David McHugh.
“Segev has cultivated a thriving law practice on the principle that challenges are to be embraced as opportunities. The approach has enabled us to grow as lawyers, but more importantly, it has enabled us to ensure the success of our clients,” said Mark Balestra.
“Since joining through Segev’s Ontario expansion, I’ve had the chance to work alongside some of the sharpest and most collaborative lawyers in the gaming space,” added Manav Bhargava. “As a full-service firm and industry leader, Segev stands out for its ability to support innovative businesses with practical, forward-thinking legal advice.”
Segev LLP will commemorate the anniversary with a series of internal and external initiatives throughout the remainder of the year.
The post Segev LLP Celebrates 10 Years of Business-Focused Legal Innovation appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
AGCO
INCENTIVE GAMES SECURES ONTARIO GAMING LICENSE

Incentive Games, a leading B2B games provider, is proud to announce that it has been awarded an Ontario Gaming License by the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario (AGCO), effective today. This achievement enables the company to offer its portfolio of real-money games to licensed operators and players across the province.
The license underscores the Incentive Games’ commitment to meeting the highest standards of compliance, security, and operational excellence. The rigorous application process demands robust security protocols and comprehensive responsible gaming measures and affirms the company’s readiness to enter one of Canada’s most dynamic iGaming markets.
The North American market is a strategic focus for Incentive Games, and this milestone follows closely on the heels of the company receiving its Provisional Michigan gaming licence from the Michigan Gaming Control Board earlier this month.
Incentive Games will distribute its real-money gaming content in Ontario through Incentive Studios, the company’s dedicated Real-Money Gaming division, ensuring a focused and tailored approach to the market.
“Ontario represents a huge opportunity for us, and securing this license is a proud moment for the whole team,” said John Gordon, Chief Executive Officer at Incentive Games. “It reinforces our dedication to meeting the highest standards while delivering compelling real-money content. We’re looking forward to building strong relationships in the region and continuing our momentum across regulated markets worldwide.”
The post INCENTIVE GAMES SECURES ONTARIO GAMING LICENSE appeared first on Gaming and Gambling Industry in the Americas.
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