Govt's Online Casino Gambling Bill omits 'community benefit' principle

The Online Casino Gambling Bill omits the principle of “community benefit” that has been enshrined in legislation. (Image: Getty)

Martin Snedden

Thu, 18 Sep 2025

This Government is at risk of looking like it is cosying up to international-based online gambling operators who are significantly increasing the total pool of money gambled in New Zealand, stripping their massive profits offshore, and contributing nothing to NZ society.At the same time, Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden, responsible for this Online Casino Gambling (OCG) legislation, labels “dependent” the thousands of not-for-profit community organisations and their one million-plus volunteer workers, whose collective...

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