TAB NZ and the sports betting rules: 2026 guide

Reviewed 25 September 2026. The Racing Industry Amendment Act 2025 changed who may offer racing and sports betting to people located in New Zealand. Since 28 June 2025, TAB NZ is the only betting operator permitted to provide these products to New Zealand customers, according to the Department of Internal Affairs.

What is prohibited?

The Act inserted section 74AAA into the Racing Industry Act 2020. DIA says it is illegal for another person or operator to promote or take bets on racing or sporting events from a person in New Zealand. This is an obligation on those offering or promoting bets; do not infer from it that every consumer who previously used an offshore service has committed an offence. Read the DIA announcement and our Act explainer.

Online casino gambling is different

The TAB NZ restriction concerns racing and sports betting. The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 establishes a separate, staged licensing system for online casino games. DIA expects to start issuing the first casino licences in early 2027. The cap of up to 15 casino licences does not authorise those operators to offer sports or racing betting, and it does not mean 15 licences have already been issued.

Tax and consumer checks

Online gambling duty for qualifying casino operators is separate from the TAB NZ sports betting rules. See our duty guide for the current 12% rate and its enacted 2027 increase. Before betting, check the operator’s identity and terms, set a limit, and remember that odds are not a guarantee of a return.

If gambling is causing harm, visit Safer Gambling NZ or call 0800 654 655.