Why New Zealand’s new gambling bill should include esports

New Zealand’s Online Casino Gambling Bill 2025 aims to tackle gambling harm in the digital age. But by ignoring esports betting, it risks ignoring a fast-growing and vulnerable audience.

The bill passed its first reading in parliament this month, and it is designed to bring offshore online casino gambling under local control. The bill requires licence applicants to submit harm-minimisation strategies. After that, it gives the Secretary the power to impose regulations, including self‑exclusion, spending limits, and other tools to regulate its usage.