Gaming Machines

In New Zealand, gaming machines have been permitted to operate outside casinos since 1988. During that time, their number and popularity have grown considerably. There are now more than 20,000 such machines operating in this country.  These are all owned and operated by trusts that are bound by statute to direct funds to benefit the community. Accordingly, gaming trusts do not derive 'profits' in the commercial sense. Instead, funds are used to benefit the community through a system of grants. Gaming trusts currently grant more than $300 million per year to a mix of sporting, educational, health, arts and other charitable purposes. A similar amount is contributed to the Government in GST and duty.

Below are a series of links that you may find useful if your club operates gaming machines.

• Gambling Act 2003 on the New Zealand Legislation website
• Regulations made under the Gambling Act
• Guide to Club Mergers section 95 Gambling Act (PDF, 83 KB), that is, clubs who wish to merge and can apply to the Minister of Internal Affairs to operate up to 30 machines at the merged club venue
• Gambling Act Fact Sheets
• Forms including Personal Information Form and Licence application
• Electronic Monitoring System (EMS) 
• Gambits the Department of Internal Affairs' periodical
• Problem Gambling information
• Class 1, 2, and 3 gambling - Housie, raffles, sweepstakes and other gambling activities
• Funding for Community Groups

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