Racing Industry Amendment Act 2025: NZ online betting rules
Updated 24 September 2026. The law enacted on 27 June 2025 is the Racing Industry Amendment Act 2025. It was introduced as a bill in 2024, which explains the older year in this page’s URL. The Act amended the Racing Industry Act 2020 and extended TAB NZ’s exclusive position to online racing and sports betting offered to people in New Zealand.
What changed for online betting?
The main prohibition took effect on 28 June 2025. DIA says online racing and sports betting is prohibited unless operated by New Zealand’s domestic provider TAB NZ. DIA identifies TAB NZ’s brands, including Betcha, in its guidance for players. The Racing Industry Amendment Act 2025 is the primary source for the legal text and commencement provisions.
How this differs from online casino gambling
The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 establishes a separate licensing process for casino games. DIA expects to begin issuing casino licences in early 2027. A casino licence does not itself permit ordinary racing or sports betting, and an overseas casino licence is not an NZ casino licence. See our current casino licensing guide and DIA’s official timetable.
Checking claims about a betting site
- Check whether a page concerns sports or racing betting, or casino games; different rules apply.
- Verify a site’s current status and terms with the relevant official source rather than relying on a dated list.
- Read the market and settlement rules before placing a bet, and set a spending limit.
This page is a general summary, not legal advice. For gambling harm support, visit Safer Gambling NZ or call 0800 654 655.
