New Zealand bans credit card casino deposits ahead of SkyCity Auckland’s online launch from Malta.
New Zealand‘s approach to online gambling regulation has been has been one of uncertainty. The island nation has been on the fence over the matter for years. They’re still hosting political debates in an attempt to determine how best to regulate the industry. One thing they know for certain is that they do not want unlicensed offshore companies – too many of which have defrauded NZ players in the past – infiltrating their market once the proper laws are in place
Those who obtain an NZ license would be required to abide by the strict rules of the jurisdiction. Of course, coming up with those rules, scripting legislation that will benefit the government while protecting the people, is what’s been holding them back all this time. And as that lengthy legislation isn’t expected to be passed anytime soon, they felt one measure needed their absolute immediate attention.
Credit Card Casino Deposits Banned Post-Haste
There’s a situation developing at this very moment that set the lawmakers of New Zealand into action this month. Their very own SkyCity Auckland casino, the largest of just 5 gambling establishment in the nation, is preparing to launch an online casino. And, they intend to only accept their fellow Kiwis at the virtual slots and tables.
SkyCity is well aware that operating an online casino on New Zealand soil, and accepting NZ players, is prohibit by national law. For that reason, they are operating the online casino on NZ soil. Instead, they’re launching the iGaming website from Malta, a European island nation that’s about 850x smaller than that of New Zealand.
For years, offshore casinos have opened their virtual doors to Kiwis, and while the government isn’t too happy about it, they were never so concerned as they are right now. SkyCity is a name recognized by all residents of the islands. It is a name they feel they can trust. No doubt, a significant portion of the country’s people will turn to SkyCity Online to do their iGaming – at least, until the government gets all its ducks in a row.
For the most part, the lawmakers of New Zealand trust SkyCity, as well. They aren’t afraid the online casino will go rogue and rip off the locals. Why would they? It would devastate the reputation of their own land-based casinos in Auckland and Queenstown. The only party New Zealand’s leaders don’t trust are the innumerable problem gamblers that suddenly have access to the offshore servers of SkyCity Online. And for that very reason, NZ officials decided this particular piece of legislation needs to happen sooner, rather than later.
DIA to Ban Credit Card Gambling
New Zealand’s gaming regulators with the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) first considered the idea in July. Open discussions were held over the next few months, followed by affirmative confirmation this week. Credit cards may no longer be used for gambling purposes. Not online – not on land – not at all.
The New Zealand Times reports the government’s determination that credit cards are a bane for gambling addicts, who don’t see credit as “real money”. By nature, every compulsive gambler’s worries little about losses because they truly believe they can pay it all back with the “next big score”. It is precisely this mindset that gets them into exponential debt to begin with. Therefore, by removing the option to gamble on credit, NZ is hoping to curb a huge potential problem, wherein Kiwis could see their gambling spend spiral out of control.
