Christchurch Casino intends to subvert local regulations by launching an online gambling platform out of Malta. The casino’s new offshore subsidiary would be known as Christchurchcasino.com Limited and would be partnered with a licensed international gaming organization.
New Zealand’s laws currently make it legal to operate any online gambling in the country. The exceptions to this rule are Lotto NZ and TAB, who currently hold the only local licenses. Offshore websites are, however, legal, and Christchurch Casino has moved to exploit this loophole.
Current legislation would bar the online subsidiary from advertising in New Zealand and the operator will have to be ready to adapt to updates to the country’s gambling laws which are expected later this year.
Christchurch Casino would be the second New Zealand company to establish an offshore gambling site, following in the footsteps of SkyCity, which set up its Malta-based online casino in 2019.
The casino’s company chairperson, Bruce Robertson described this development as a defensive strategy, considering the growth of the online casino market, at the expense of land-based casinos.
A Te Tari Taiwhenua, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) spokesperson, explained that the company had informed the government of its intention and that it would not be breaking any laws in the process.
Safety First
Robertson emphasized that the new online platform would employ a vigorous responsible gambling approach and place necessary safeguards in place. He added that the platform would also pay Goods and Services Tax on any gambling by New Zealanders, as well as contributing to the casino’s charitable trust.
The company has spoken in support of a government-established regulatory framework for online gambling and has expressed the hope that appropriate legislation will be created soon.
While he would not reveal exactly to what extent online gambling had harmed the casino’s bottom line, Robertson did say the recorded loss had been “significant.”
