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In a significant shift, the New Zealand government has announced plans to auction off licenses for online casinos. The country is introducing measures to regulate gambling activity, minimize gambling harm, and bolster tax revenues. While such a dynamic shift will be challenging, New Zealand remains confident that liberalizing its gambling market will bring significant positives.

The System Should Launch by 2026

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden outlined the new system for online casinos, which will feature limited licenses available for three-year terms. Operators must meet specific standards before they can offer services to New Zealanders. These requirements will ensure that companies remain accountable, ushering in a fair and equitable market that balances profitability with customer protection.

Velden was adamant that opening up the licensing process did not aim to increase the percentage of New Zealanders engaging in gambling. She highlighted some of the new legislation’s key player protection features. Gamblers must be at least 18 years old and will only engage in casino games. Sports betting, lotteries, and sponsorships remain prohibited.

This is not intended to increase the amount of gambling New Zealanders do but to ensure operators meet requirements for consumer protection and harm minimization.

Brooke van Velden, New Zealand Internal Affairs Minister

Licenses will be conditional on meeting regulatory requirements, with the system expected to be in force by 2026. Although the government provided no details regarding a new tax on offshore gambling — a commitment made before the elections — the move has been described as one that will start to ‘level the playing field’ within the market.

An Open Market Should Benefit All Stakeholders

SkyCity Entertainment, New Zealand’s only casino company, has always supported online gambling industry regulation. The operator, active in the country since 2019 via its  Malta-based subsidiary, previously spoke in favor of an offshore gambling duty to ensure fair taxation. Industry insiders believe the tax rate for online operators will be higher than for land-based casinos, bolstering SkyCity’s market share.

This update should also be instrumental in alleviating the country’s rising problem gambling issues. Mapu Maia, a Pasifika gambling support service, recently revealed that children as young as 11 were gambling online and accumulating significant debt. The new regulations hope to address these issues by enforcing stricter controls and protections.

The New Zealand government’s decision to regulate online casinos sets a new frontier for gambling in the country. Licensing auctions and rigorous regulation will protect consumers from ill effects and secure fairness in taxation while giving domestic providers, like SkyCity, a better opportunity to fight against unregulated overseas operators, channeling New Zealand bettors toward safe and secure offerings.

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Yaamava’ Resort & Casino, a tribal gambling property in San Manuel, announced that it has handed a $1.5 million jackpot to a lucky visitor. The historic jackpot was hit on July 4, presenting the player with an amazing Independence Day gift.

The guest, according to the casino, won $1,517,211 playing the Fortune Pai Gow game. A resident of Riverside, the player had placed a $25 bet alongside a $5 progressive wager, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino added. The winning hand saw the lucky casino visitor pull out a seven-card straight flush. His $5 progressive wager was responsible for the huge bonus payout, the tribal casino noted.

Kenji Hall, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino’s general manager, commented on the huge jackpot, praising the customer for their win. He said that Yaamava’ felt honored to turn another lucky Club Serrano player’s life around by making them a millionaire.

Hall emphasized the casino’s delight in being able to share such moments with its guests.  

It is truly amazing to be part of some of the most extraordinary moments with our guests. Yaamava’ is the place to be for one-of-a-kind entertainment and gaming experiences AND the chance to win BIG!

Kenji Hall, general manager, Yaamava’ Resort & Casino

Yaamava’, however, noted that this was not its only significant jackpot for 2024. The gambling property pointed out that, earlier this year, another Club Serrano member won a $1.3 million jackpot on Blazing Sevens Blackjack.

The significant payouts demonstrate the tribal casino’s potential to change people’s lives. Boasting a whopping 7,200 slot machines and some 150 table games to choose from, Yaamava’ offers guests multiple opportunities to enjoy their stay and win big.

More US Players Win Big

Speaking of huge payouts, an Encore Las Vegas gambler just scooped up a $1,935,806.31 prize. The player was enjoying Buffalo Power Pay, an American wildlife-themed title developed by Aristocrat Gaming.

The winner, who remained unidentified in the official press release, won the jackpot on a $60 wager, Wynn Resorts reported.

Earlier this year, another lucky player won a significant jackpot playing an American wildlife-themed game. That jackpot was secured by a Borgata Online player who won $417,404 on a $18 wager playing Bison Fury. This, however, was not the player’s first win as, a few months prior, he had won a $1 million jackpot playing the same game.