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<\/div>\nThe sports sector in New Zealand is fighting back against the proposed Online Casino Gambling Bill, which was first introduced back in June.<\/p>\n
A targeted consultation is currently underway on the advertising, harm minimization, and consumer protection regulations relating to the proposed bill. It aims to regulate offshore online casino gambling<\/a>, and 15 licenses will be available, allocated by auction in a three-stage process.<\/p>\n The consultation process began in July and will run until October of this year, with the next step in the expected timeframe is for the bill to be enacted in January 2026.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n Expressions of interest for a license are anticipated to take place in March and April, with the license auction to take place in June. This comes as gambling reform<\/a> is a prominent topic within New Zealand at the moment.<\/p>\n According to the New Zealand Herald<\/a>, more than 50 sporting organizations have united in opposition of the bill as they warn it could deliver a devastating blow to community sport in the country.<\/p>\n The publisher states that \u201csporting leaders say the bill\u2019s failure to require operators to return a share of their profits to the community is a glaring and dangerous omission.\u201d Currently, $170 million a year in pokie grants is distributed by gaming trusts to community sport programs.<\/p>\n The Cycling New Zealand chair, Martin Snedden, told Newstalk ZB it represents a \u201cmassive risk\u201d to grassroots sports.<\/p>\n \u201cThis is a crazy move by the Government,\u201d Snedden said. \u201cSport has thrived for decades off the back of community gambling grants. It all goes to clubs, not professional sport.<\/p>\n \u201cThere had been no consultation with the sport sector, no warning that this was coming. As soon as I saw it, I recognised the extent of the risk to community funding.\u201d<\/p>\n Snedden continued to suggest the timing couldn\u2019t be worse, with clubs already dealing with rising costs and reduced support.<\/p>\n Featured Image: AI-generated via Ideogram<\/i><\/i><\/b><\/p>\n The post Sporting leaders in New Zealand speak out against Online Casino Gambling Bill<\/a> appeared first on ReadWrite<\/a>.<\/p>\nOnline Casino Gambling Bill in New Zealand faces opposition<\/span><\/h2>\n