SkyCity and TAB request to limit NZ online gambling licences
SkyCity Entertainment Group and Totalisator Agency Board (TAB) New Zealand have written to government ministers to express their concerns about the government’s proposal to open up the online gambling market to 15 operators. The fear is that this move could lead to greater tax avoidance, undermine local businesses, and create an unfair playing field for domestic operators.
According to reports, SkyCity has requested that only five online gaming licenses should be issued. The company argues that allowing more operators, especially those without a domestic presence, could result in significant challenges for New Zealand’s tax system and create an unfair market for local businesses.
Local media has reported that Internal Affairs Minister Brooke Van Velden has rejected the appeal. “I’m here to ensure that we have a fair marketplace and a fair, regulated market.” She furthered “I think it’s fair just to allow anybody to bid for one of the licences, rather than try and say, just because you’re here and you’ve been established for years in New Zealand, you’re necessarily a better operator.”
Over 10 licences would result in open market: TAB
TAB, another major player in New Zealand’s gambling market, wrote to the racing minister, arguing that issuing more than 10 licences would result in an open market. Chief Executive Nick Roberts said that this “threatens the viability of all domestic gambling operators for the benefit of offshore multinational organizations.” The operator said this could put “at risk” the “funding streams for racing and sport.” The company has requested between five to seven licences to be granted, arguing that otherwise there would be “multinational domination over NZ’s existing operators.”
Recently, a new bill was being scrutinised in New Zealand that aims to amend the Racing Industry Act of 2020. The amendments proposed that TAB New Zealand become the sole operator for online racing and sports betting in the country.
Tightening online 바카라 gambling regulations
The requests come amid ongoing debate about expanding New Zealand’s online gambling market. New Zealand has proposed new measures to regulate online 바카라 gambling, including limiting the number of licences issued to operators, introducing age verification systems, and banning ads targeting children. The government aims to rein in the rapidly expanding sector, which has seen increasing numbers of New Zealanders gambling on offshore websites.
Currently, New Zealand does not regulate online 바카라 gambling, leaving consumers exposed to unregulated offshore platforms. Van Velden stressed that the new regulatory system would channel local customers toward up to 15 licenced operators, ensuring a safer and more controlled environment for online gambling.
