New game studios change the supply of titles, but in New Zealand the real gatekeepers are casino regulations. For players and operators alike, what gets offered — and how — is defined by law, licensing conditions, and oversight. That includes practical constraints like license fees and recurring compliance obligations.
According to Next.io, industry veterans from Relax Gaming, Kindred Group, and Evolution have launched a new game studio. For Kiwis, the immediate question is not hype about new titles but whether, and where, those games can be lawfully offered — onshore, offshore, and under which rules.
What did Next.io report, and why does it matter for NZ gambling laws?
A group of experienced executives from Relax Gaming, Kindred Group, and Evolution has launched a new game studio, Next.io reports. For NZ, the key takeaway is regulatory: any new content must navigate our gambling laws, whether aimed at land-based casinos or offshore sites that attract NZ players.
The headline is straightforward: veterans from three prominent B2B and operator groups are building a studio. That usually signals more proprietary mechanics and fresh distribution partnerships. For New Zealand, the implications are filtered through the Gambling Act 2003: onshore casinos are tightly regulated, and remote interactive gambling offered in or from NZ is generally prohibited unless expressly authorised. Offshore sites do not hold NZ licences and cannot legally advertise here, but many still target NZ players. A new studio’s commercial upside hinges on where its games can be supplied without breaching NZ rules or marketing restrictions.
Summary: new content is only part of the story — NZ law determines lawful access and promotion.
Definition: remote interactive gambling — gambling by a person at a distance by interaction through a communication device.
Follow-ups:
- Who enforces NZ gambling law? The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) oversees compliance and licensing.
- Are offshore casinos legal? They are not licensed in NZ; advertising to NZ residents is unlawful, but player access is not directly criminalised.
- Will new studio games appear in NZ casinos? Only if approved for use at licensed venues or available via offshore sites that accept NZ players.
- Does this affect sports betting? No; sports betting is separately authorised through TAB NZ, not casino suppliers.
How do NZ casino regulations shape new studio content offered to players?
NZ’s framework separates land-based casinos from offshore online gambling. Land-based casinos must have approved games, equipment, and rules; offshore sites are not licensed in NZ and cannot advertise to NZ residents. A new studio’s NZ reach depends on these boundaries.
For onshore casinos (SkyCity Auckland, Christchurch Casino, Dunedin Casino and others), the Secretary for Internal Affairs approves game rules and equipment before deployment on the floor. That covers pokie machines and table games, and extends to fairness, randomness, and host-responsibility integration. For online, the Act restricts remote casino-style gambling in or from New Zealand. Offshore operators sometimes distribute new titles into NZ from other jurisdictions, but that supply is outside NZ’s licensing perimeter and subject to NZ advertising prohibitions. Studios therefore weigh distribution deals, certification pathways, and reputational risks when targeting NZ.
Summary: onshore supply requires NZ approvals; offshore supply raises advertising and compliance sensitivities.
Definition: approval — formal sign-off by the DIA on game rules, equipment, and configurations used in licensed casinos.
Follow-ups:
- Which regulators matter? The DIA and the Gambling Commission (appeals and certain licensing decisions).
- Do games need NZ-specific testing? Land-based casino equipment and rules do. Offshore sites follow their own jurisdictional certifications.
- Are RTPs mandated? NZ focuses on approval and harm-minimisation rather than public RTP mandates for casinos; specifics depend on approval conditions.
- Can operators trial games? Trials are possible under controlled conditions, subject to regulatory approval.
What is the process for casino licensing in NZ, and where do license fees fit?
New casino venue licences are not being issued under current law; NZ’s casino footprint is capped at existing venues. Licensing focuses on renewals, variations, and strict conditions around harm minimisation, fairness, and audit. License fees are payable under prescribed schedules and cover applications and ongoing oversight.
New Zealand’s casino regime was designed to tightly control the number and location of venues. Today, six casinos operate under licences with detailed conditions: host responsibility, game approvals, surveillance, and reporting. Variations and renewals involve the Gambling Commission and the DIA, including public interest considerations and suitability checks. License fees and other charges apply to applications, approvals, and continued supervision — they are material commercial costs, but the exact amounts depend on licence type and regulatory schedules. For players, this translates to a cautious, stability-first market where changes are incremental and often publicly consulted.
Summary: no new venues expected; compliance is continuous and fee-bearing.
Definition: casino venue licence — permission to operate a casino at a specified site subject to conditions.
What license fees apply to NZ casinos today?
Fees are set by regulation and cover applications, approvals, and renewals. They can vary by activity and scope, and are designed to fund oversight rather than drive revenue. Operators should refer to DIA schedules or legal counsel for current figures and applicability.
Follow-ups:
- Who sets the fees? The DIA under empowering legislation and regulations.
- Are there separate fees for game approvals? Yes, approvals and variations typically attract separate charges.
- Do offshore sites pay NZ license fees? No — they are not licensed in NZ.
- Can fees change? Yes; updates occur via regulatory updates and public consultations.
What responsible gambling requirements should NZ players expect in casinos?
NZ casinos must operate robust host-responsibility programmes: trained staff, proactive interactions, signage, exclusion processes, and data-driven harm minimisation. Players should expect visible support, access to self-exclusion, and clear information about risks and help services.
The Gambling Act 2003 prioritises preventing and minimising gambling harm. Licensed casinos must implement policies and procedures to identify risky play, facilitate exclusions, and support safe gambling. This extends to pokie machines and table games, with floor-wide monitoring and compliance audits by the DIA. While offshore online gambling is outside the NZ licensing net, NZ law prohibits advertising such services domestically. Players choosing to engage offshore should still look for strong responsible gambling tools, even if not NZ-mandated.
Summary: onshore casinos must meet strict harm-minimisation standards; offshore sites vary by foreign rules.
Definition: exclusion — a process by which a player can be barred (self- or venue-initiated) from gambling areas.
Follow-ups:
- Where can I find the legal framework? See the Ministry of Justice and DIA resources.
- Are minors protected? Yes; strict age verification and access controls apply.
- Is marketing regulated? Yes; restrictions apply, and offshore advertising to NZ residents is prohibited.
- Are staff trained? Yes; training is a core licence condition.
How are pokie machines and table games checked for casino compliance?
Before deployment, games and equipment require approval by the DIA, with documented rules and configurations. Casinos undergo regular compliance audits, incident reporting, and surveillance checks to ensure ongoing integrity across pokie machines and table games.
Approval covers technical standards, randomness, meters, and game procedures. For table games, rule sets (payouts, side bets, dealer procedures) are codified and must be followed. For pokies, certified software and configurations are installed, with tamper-evident controls and audit trails. DIA inspectors can conduct spot checks, and casinos must report incidents and implement corrective actions swiftly.
Summary: approval is upfront; audits are ongoing.
Definition: compliance audit — a formal review of a casino’s adherence to licence conditions and law.
Follow-ups:
- Who owns approvals? The Secretary for Internal Affairs.
- Are RNGs tested? Yes, as part of equipment approval before floor use.
- Can rules change? Only via approved variations.
- What about sports betting? Sports betting sits outside casino licences and is authorised via TAB NZ.
Which casinos are licensed in New Zealand today?
NZ maintains a small, controlled casino sector. The table below lists the current venues and their focus. This helps players align expectations with legal availability and onshore oversight.
| Casino | City | Operator brand | Primary products | Onshore/Offshore | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SkyCity Auckland | Auckland | SkyCity | Pokie machines, table games | Onshore | Largest NZ casino | DIA |
| SkyCity Hamilton | Hamilton | SkyCity | Pokie machines, table games | Onshore | Regional casino | DIA |
| SkyCity Queenstown | Queenstown | SkyCity | Pokie machines, table games | Onshore | Tourism-focused | DIA |
| SkyCity Wharf Casino | Queenstown | SkyCity | Pokie machines, table games | Onshore | Second Queenstown site | DIA |
| Christchurch Casino | Christchurch | Christchurch Casino | Pokie machines, table games | Onshore | First NZ casino | DIA |
| Dunedin Casino | Dunedin | Dunedin Casino | Pokie machines, table games | Onshore | Boutique venue | DIA |
Follow-ups:
- How many licensed casinos are there? Six.
- Are online casinos licensed in NZ? No; remote casino-style gambling is not licensed in NZ.
- Where can I compare venues? See our NZ-focused catalogue on casinos.
- Do these venues publish RTPs? They operate under approvals rather than public RTP mandates; check house rules on-site.
What are the key risks and compliance considerations for NZ-facing online gambling?
For offshore operators and suppliers targeting NZ players, legal visibility is essential. Even without a NZ licence, activities can trigger NZ rules — notably on advertising and consumer harm. Players should assess safety signals; suppliers should assess legal exposure and reputational risk.
Key Risks and Compliance Considerations:
- Advertising restrictions: promoting offshore casinos to NZ residents is prohibited and enforced.
- Harm minimisation: lack of NZ licensing does not absolve operators from scrutiny; weak tools raise risk and reputational costs.
- Payment friction: banks may apply policies that affect deposits/withdrawals for offshore gambling.
- Dispute resolution: players lack NZ recourse with offshore sites; rely on foreign ADRs and regulators.
- Data protection: cross-border data handling should meet credible standards; transparency is a must.
- Compliance audits: onshore casinos face DIA audits; offshore operators risk takedowns of local marketing and partnerships.
A prudent approach blends conservative marketing, strong RG tooling, and rigorous certification. For players, favour well-regulated sites abroad and verify controls before playing.
Follow-ups:
- What counts as advertising? Any promotion directed at NZ residents, including affiliates and sponsorships.
- Are compliance fines possible? Yes, NZ law provides for significant penalties for prohibited conduct.
- Do studios need NZ approvals for offshore supply? Not for offshore sites, but NZ approvals are required for onshore casino deployment.
- Is a local entity needed? Not for offshore supply — but it does not confer NZ legality or advertising rights.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of new studios for NZ casino players?
New suppliers can improve choice and innovation. But novelty also tests compliance pathways, certification, and host-responsibility tools. For NZ players, the net effect depends on whether titles are approved onshore and how responsibly they are implemented offshore.
Pros of new studios:
- More variety: fresh mechanics and themes can improve engagement without increasing spend.
- Technical innovation: better performance, accessibility features, and clearer game logic.
- Competitive pressure: established suppliers respond with quality improvements.
- Potential for tailored RG tools: modern UIs can surface safer-play prompts more effectively.
Cons and risks:
- Unclear RTP and volatility disclosures: not all suppliers communicate risk clearly.
- Patchy jurisdictional certification: offshore-only releases may lack NZ-relevant approvals.
- Aggressive features: some mechanics can raise session intensity and harm risk.
- Support and dispute handling: younger studios may rely on operators for resolution pathways.
Innovation helps when paired with transparency and compliance. Players benefit most when new titles surface clear information and sit within strong harm-minimisation frameworks.
Follow-ups:
- Will I see these games at SkyCity or Christchurch? Only after NZ approvals and venue decisions.
- Are demo modes allowed? Onshore access is controlled; offshore sites vary by jurisdiction.
- Where can I learn about game mechanics? We break down RTP and volatility across NZ-relevant titles on 101RTP.
- Can I find similar games today? Yes; see our curated list of NZ-accessible venues on casinos and selected titles on pokies.
Verdict
Next.io’s report that Relax, Kindred and Evolution veterans have launched a new studio is notable, but NZ impact hinges on regulation. Onshore casinos require DIA approvals and strict host-responsibility controls; offshore sites remain outside NZ licensing and cannot advertise locally. For players, safety comes from regulated venues and transparent games. For suppliers, sustainable NZ access means certification first, marketing restraint, and demonstrable harm minimisation.
