Gambling re-regulation

The industry has been severely re-regulated from 1 July 2004.  A limit on casinos has been imposed (no new casinos).  Although no statutory limits have yet been placed on gaming machine numbers, territorial local authorities have been given the power to regulate numbers and locations in their areas.  As a result, many have introduced "sinking-lid" policies and others capped number policies.  

Clients and services

Our team has been involved in the past on applications for casino licences and is currently advising on gaming machine licensing.  We advised Pub Charity which was granted the first gaming machine licence in New Zealand in 1988.

We have also advised the Community First Foundation, Century Foundation, Millennium Trust, Whitehouse Tavern Trust, Counties-Manukau Sports Foundation, Heretaunga National Community and Sports Trust, Water Safety Education Foundation, Endeavour Foundation, Infinity Foundation, The Trusts Charitable Foundation, Clubs New Zealand, Royal New Zealand Returned Services Association, New Zealand Racing Industry Board, Petone Workingmen’s Club New Zealand and Literary Institute, Bowls New Zealand and Cuesports Foundation, all of which own and operate gaming machines.  We also advise venue operators where gaming machines are situated.  We have advised IGT (New Zealand), a leading worldwide manufacturers and distributor of gaming machines and have advised the Community Gaming Association which represents a number of class 4 operators.

Areas of expertise include:

  • Compliance advice
  • Amending licences
  • Applying for licences
  • Advising on legislative changes
  • Making submissions on new legislation
  • Liaising and negotiating with the Department of Internal Affairs
  • Challenging Department of Internal Affairs rulings in Court proceedings, and with the Office of the Ombudsmen
  • Appeals to the Gambling Commission
  • Submissions to territorial authorities.

Recent work

  • New Zealand Gambling Law Guide - peer reviewed by Alastair Sherriff
  • Official information requests
  • Representing gaming machine societies in challenges to Department of Internal Affairs proposals to suspend licences, cancel site approvals due to dual/multi-site location and/or due to “primary activity” issues and on other claimed legislative breaches
  • Obtaining a new gaming machine licence in place of two previous licences, to ensure compliance with the Gambling Act
  • Advising on “apply” as opposed to “distribute” trusts
  • Drafting under-age policies, problem gambling policies, venue agreements, donations criteria, authorised purpose definitions, donations processes, exclusion order notices, venue expenses schedules, venue personnel and legislative compliance guidelines documents for use under the Gambling Act 2003 and its myriad regulations
  • Assisting charitable societies convert to not-for-profit companies in order to make grants for non-charitable purposes
  • Advising class 4 operators and their staff on Department of Internal Affairs, Office of the Auditor-General and Audit New Zealand audits, investigations and inquiries
  • Regular contributions to the NZ Gaming magazine

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