NZ sports leaders claim online gambling bill could cost them at least NZ$150m
Published: Mon, 04 Aug 2025 17:30:27 +0000
Summary
More than 50 New Zealand sporting bodies – including organisations representing rugby, football and cricket – have united to oppose the government’s Online Casino Gambling Bill, warning it could divert at least NZ$150 million away from community sport. The groups say the proposed licensing regime for up to 15 online casino operators does not require those operators to contribute to grassroots sport, unlike the current pokies-derived grants that send roughly NZ$170m a year to amateur sport.
The bill, introduced by Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden, passed its first reading 83-39 and would impose GST, a 12% offshore gambling duty and a 1.24% mandatory levy on profits for gambling-harm services. Licensed operators are expected to be live by July 2026, with licences awarded by auction; advertising and age-verification limits would apply. Sports leaders are calling for consultation and for online operators to be required to contribute to community sport funding.
Source
Key Points
- • Over 50 sporting bodies (rugby, football, cricket and more) oppose the Online Casino Gambling Bill.
- • They warn the change could cost community sport at least NZ$150m, by removing funds currently channelled from pokies trusts (around NZ$170m pa).
- • The bill would create licences for up to 15 online casino operators, awarded by auction.
- • Operators would face GST, a 12% offshore gambling duty and a 1.24% mandatory levy for gambling-harm services, but no requirement to fund grassroots sport has been set.
- • The bill passed its first reading (83-39) and is due to advance through committee stages with a target to have licencees operating by July 2026.
- • Major operators (SkyCity, 888, Bet365, Super Group, TAB NZ) have shown interest in licences.
- • Sports leaders call for more consultation and for a condition that international operators contribute to community sport if they operate in New Zealand.
Why should I read this?
If you care about grassroots sport in New Zealand (or follow gambling regulation), this is a big deal — community clubs could lose serious cash. The piece explains who’s worried, why the funding risk exists, and the legislative timeline to watch. We skimmed the detail so you don’t have to — but you should know how this could hit local clubs and where to keep an eye on the bill.
Author style
Punchy: This isn’t just policy wonkery — it could hollow out community sport funding. If you work in sport, government or gambling regulation, the stakes are high and the finer points matter.