Gambling in New Zealand represents New Zealand Casinos and slot machine halls.
A relatively young nation on the islands in the Pacific Ocean, there is not the longest history of gambling, apart from the games that were practiced by the indigenous people.
At the moment, there are several casinos and tens of thousands of slot machines operating in the country. According to official figures, New Zealanders spent 572 million NZZ on casino gambling in 2017. dollars, for slot machines 870 million dollars.
Legislation and Regulators of New Zealand Casinos
The gambling industry in terms of casinos and gambling establishments in the country is controlled by several regulatory bodies – the Department of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Health, the Gambling Commission (www.gamblingcommission.govt.nz). They operate on the basis of the Gambling Act 2003 with various amendments and additions.
The gambling business in New Zealand has always been present to one degree or another. Already in the 19th century, local residents bet on horse races and boxing matches. As of 2016, there are 6 casinos and more than 1,300 gambling sites operating in New Zealand. The number of slot machines is over 16 thousand.
Horse racing It is the oldest form of gambling business in New Zealand. The first races were in 1835. However, horse betting was banned in 1920. Horse racing resumed again in 1961, and then, with great restrictions.
Lottery The first lotteries appeared in 1933. They were relatively small in size. The large Golden Kiwi Lottery appeared in 1961. Then Lotto appeared instead in 1987.
Slot machines Slot machines first appeared in New Zealand in 1991. The slang name is poker machines or pokies, just like in Australia. The government allowed the establishment of arcade clubs in 1989.
In the 90s, operators preferred to install slot machines in and around Wellington as it is a metropolitan area. Then in 2001, the government announced that it was going to free the capital from the gambling business. Seven city casinos closed because the authorities were afraid of too strong the development of dependence among the population.
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