Dated legal summary: checked 4 October 2026. This is general information, not legal advice.
Who does what
The Gambling Commission is an independent statutory decision-maker. DIA administers gambling regulation and compliance. Their roles overlap in the system but are not interchangeable.
Venue and operator licences
A casino venue licence relates to the place. A casino operator’s licence relates to the operator. Decision references are not automatically licence numbers.
What this guide excludes
Class 4 pokie venues, racecourses, lotteries, sports betting and online casinos are separate entity types and do not belong in the five-casino count.
Sources and checking
Material claims use primary New Zealand sources and carry a factual check date. See Sources and updates and Corrections.
