The Racing Industry Act 2020 was amended so that, from 28 June 2025, only TAB NZ may promote or take racing and sports bets from customers located in New Zealand. The Department of Internal Affairs has been explicit that overseas sites offering these bets to New Zealanders are breaking New Zealand law, and it directs customers to TAB and to Betcha, the online brand operated under Entain's partnership with TAB NZ.
Why it surprised people
For years, the practical reality was that online casino and sports betting were treated loosely together by players. They are not the same under the law. Casino play at an offshore site is not prohibited for the individual, while sports and racing betting for New Zealand customers is restricted to the TAB.
So an offshore casino can legitimately run an international sportsbook without that product being something a New Zealand resident can lawfully use for New Zealand sport.
Where the money goes
TAB NZ is not a conventional commercial bookmaker. It returns a share of its profit to New Zealand sport and racing: NZ$28.5 million was distributed to sports organisations and Sport NZ in the year to July 2025. Racing also receives funding through the same structure.
That funding model is the reason for the rule. Every bet placed offshore on New Zealand sport removes turnover from a system that funds the sport itself.
What has changed for punters
- TAB and Betcha are the legal online destinations for New Zealand sports and racing markets.
- Offshore sportsbooks remain accessible as websites, but using them for NZ sport is outside the
licensed route and outside New Zealand law.
- Market coverage at TAB has broadened, with more in-play and same-game multi products than the
old product carried.
The rule in one sentence
Casino games and sports betting are legally separate activities in New Zealand. For casino play, an offshore account is legal for you but unregulated here. For sports and racing, there is one legal destination: TAB.