Plain language law

New Zealand law explained for everyone

Gambling Act 2003

Gambling - Prohibitions and authorisations

17: Regulations may restrict or prohibit prizes

You could also call this:

"Rules can limit or stop prizes for gambling to keep it fair and safe."

The Governor-General can make rules that stop or limit prizes for gambling. You might not be able to win certain things, like a house or a car, when you gamble. The rules can say what prizes are allowed and which ones are not. The rules can also say when certain prizes are not allowed, like if they are too expensive. If someone offers a prize that breaks these rules, it is considered illegal gambling.

When we talk about prizes, we mean things like money, cars, or holidays, but also things like vouchers or tickets to events. The government has to follow certain steps when making these rules, which are explained in the Legislation Act 2019. These rules are important because they help keep gambling fair and safe for everyone.

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This page was last updated on

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM208241.

Topics:
Money and consumer rights > GamblingCrime and justice > Criminal law
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"No advertising of overseas gambling allowed in New Zealand"

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17A: Retail value of non-cash prize must be stated, or

"You must be told the value of non-cash prizes when you buy gambling tickets."

Part 2Gambling
Prohibitions and authorisations

17Regulations may restrict or prohibit prizes

  1. The Governor-General may, by Order in Council, make regulations that, consistent with the purpose of this Act, restrict or prohibit any property (whether real or personal) or services being offered or used as a prize for gambling.

  2. Regulations made under subsection (1) may—

  3. specify a quantity or dollar value of any property or services that may not be offered or used as a prize for gambling:
    1. specify circumstances in which—
      1. any property or services may not be offered or used as a prize for gambling:
        1. a quantity or dollar value of any property or services may not be offered or used as a prize for gambling:
        2. apply to all gambling or to particular games, or categories, classes, or forms of gambling.

          1. Gambling that offers or uses any property or services as a prize in breach of regulations made under subsection (1) is illegal gambling.

          2. In this section, property or services includes an entitlement to property or services.

          3. Regulations under this section are secondary legislation (see Part 3 of the Legislation Act 2019 for publication requirements).

          Notes
          • Section 17: replaced, on , by section 10 of the Gambling Amendment Act 2015 (2015 No 3).
          • Section 17(5): inserted, on , by section 3 of the Secondary Legislation Act 2021 (2021 No 7).