5036 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Internal Affairs

5036 (2025). Hon Dr Ayesha Verrall to the Minister of Internal Affairs: What progress, if any, has been made in the quarter July to September 2024 on the action area ‘Identify improvements to the legislative and regulatory framework to reduce gambling-related harm’ under ‘Objective 3: Strengthen leadership and accountability to achieve equity’ within the Ministry of Health’s Strategy to Prevent and Minimise Gambling Harm 2022/23 to 2024/25?

Hon Brooke van Velden: In July 2024, Cabinet agreed to the high-level design of a new regulatory system for online casino gambling in order to support tax collection, minimise harm, and provide consumer protections to New Zealanders. Cabinet agreed to a range of restrictions and requirements to prevent and minimise gambling harm. These included limits on the number of online platforms (15), age limits (18+), age verification and harm minimisation requirements as licence conditions, advertising controls, and a requirement for licence holders to contribute to the Problem Gambling Levy. In November 2024, Cabinet agreed on the detailed online casino regulatory design and regulation making powers and gave authorisation to proceed to drafting instructions. I am advised by the Department of Internal Affairs (the Department) that, in the quarter July to September 2024, the Department undertook public consultation on a draft technical standard for Casino Mandatory Account Based Play. When implemented by casinos, Account Based Play will make it easier for casinos to comply with their host responsibility requirements, particularly the requirement that gamblers take a half hour break after five hours of continuous gambling.