Class 1, 2 & 3 Gambling

Gambling activities and fundraising

Lotteries, instant games, housie, games of chance and prize competitions (e.g. poker and calcutta’s) are gambling activities that are regulated in Aotearoa New Zealand. All activities whether large or small will have game rules you need to follow. However, not all activities will require a licence. To find out more about the different classes of gambling, whether you need a licence or the rules for running a successful and compliant activity visit our website by following the ‘view more’ link below.

Class 4 Gambling

Gambling in pubs and clubs (Class 4)

Gaming machines in venues such as pubs and clubs (excluding casinos) can only be operated by corporate societies whose purpose is to raise money for the community for non-commercial activities. Class 4 requires all venues and operators to be licenced. For further information follow the link ‘view more’ below.

Certificate of Approval

Casino Certificate of Approval (COA)

Casino employees involved with gambling operations (e.g. table games dealers, cashiers, gaming supervisors or those maintaining and repairing gambling equipment) will be required to hold a Certificate of Approval (COA). If you have been offered employment at a casino, please talk to one of their representatives about this certificate or follow the link ‘view more’ for general information.

FAQ’s

Why do I need a verified RealMe account?

Some of the information stored on Gambling Aotearoa is commercially sensitive and gambling licensing applications include personal information. A RealMe verified identity ensures that only those with permission can access the information stored within Gambling Aotearoa.

How long will it take?

Applications received from Gambling Aotearoa are processed and prioritised in a timely manner. Application types vary and this will be communicated with you throughout the process.

Need assistance?

For help logging in and setting up your RealMe verified identity, contact RealMe.
RealMe Help Desk 24/7 from New Zealand 0800 664 774
From overseas +64 4 462 0674 (charges apply)
Online help https://www.realme.govt.nz/how-apply
For gambling related queries, please contact gambling@dia.govt.nz

Application fees

A fees list can be found on our website at https://www.dia.govt.nz/Gambling-Fee-schedule.

Can I fill in paper forms offline?

You can print out the forms to fill out, scan, and send back to us however, this may mean your application takes longer to process. You can find more details around the application process here.