Many casino players in New Zealand turn to offshore casinos to gamble, and this can be a substantial risk. Ensuring that a casino follows one of the international gaming licenses goes some way to rectifying that. As the CasinoAlpha CEO, I have seen the work these organizations do to ensure the best quality online casinos. The most important of these licenses are discussed below.
UK Gambling Commission
The UK Gambling Commission was set up in 2007. In many ways, it has been at the forefront of online casino legislation. The country’s states are not fragmented like the US, meaning it has been able to apply laws equally across its borders. It has also skirted the line between restriction, regulation, and a liberal approach to gambling.
It is responsible for covering betting, bingo, and lotteries, along with casinos and slot machines. They are constantly monitoring and adapting to the ever-changing online casino sphere. Even this month, they announced updated guidelines for withdrawal times for casinos and accounts.
At CasinoAlpha New Zealand, we understand the complexities of online casinos for New Zealand players. The legal framework for these has just been announced and will be out in 2026. Thus, players are navigating a grey area. We find casinos that comply with all of the current laws in New Zealand and fall within existing frameworks. As I mentioned on the website, we take pride in offering a transparent and lawful gaming experience. As these laws change, the UK Gambling Commission’s advice and research are a good barometer for success, and one the New Zealand government will likely reference in any changes they make.
Malta Gaming Authority
When you take a look at the registrations of many of the top online casinos, in Europe at least, they tend to be registered in Malta. This is down to the country’s attractive business rates. As the online casino industry grew, more operators came to Malta, and slowly the island nation became a hub for online casino innovation.
As well as the technology side, the regulations and laws related to casinos also came into play. Behind the scenes, it has also done a lot of work to keep money laundering and corruption out of casinos, ensuring fairness and transparency. Not only is the Malta Gaming Authority a national body, but it also provides business-to-business services. This advisory role has seen it become one of the most trusted bodies worldwide.
Curaçao Gaming Control Board
Curaçao has had a very similar path to Malta, though more for an audience based in the Americas than Europe. A Curaçao Gaming License allows companies to operate casinos, sportsbooks, and other gambling types online in countries where they are not blocked. This has been backed by the country’s strong economy and excellent legal services.
In a recent article about the next five years of casinos in New Zealand, I explained that “Casino brands need to follow trends discovered by analysts so they can have promotional materials ready and raise the retention numbers.” These licenses offer new casinos a guideline, so they can be sure that the trends they follow are legal and fair. For anyone in New Zealand thinking of using online casinos, stick to ones that have licenses from the organizations mentioned above.
