Gambling Act 2003

Gambling - Licensing of casino gambling - General provisions

125: Gambling Commission must investigate application concerning casino licences

You could also call this:

"The Gambling Commission checks people who want a casino licence to make sure they are trustworthy."

When you apply for a casino licence, the Gambling Commission has to look into your application. They investigate you and the people who will be involved with the casino. The Commission can ask for more information and even for your photograph and fingerprints. They send the information they get to the Police and other government agencies to check on you and the people involved with the casino. The Police and these agencies then report back to the Gambling Commission about what they find out.

If you do not give the Commission the information they ask for, or if you refuse to have your fingerprints or photograph taken, they can refuse your application. The Commission must destroy your fingerprints and photographs as soon as they make a decision about your application. The Police or other agencies must return your fingerprints and photographs to the Commission so they can be destroyed.

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This page was last updated on 29 June 2025

View the original legislation for this page at https://legislation.govt.nz/act/public/1986/0120/latest/link.aspx?id=DLM208694.

Topics:

Money and consumer rights > GamblingCrime and justice > Criminal lawCrime and justice > Police and safety

124: Suitability requirements, or

"Who can run a casino: Checking if you're honest, responsible, and good with money"

126: Mortgage or assignment of casino licence, or

"Using your casino licence as security for a loan needs Gambling Commission approval"

Part 2Gambling
Licensing of casino gambling: General provisions

125Gambling Commission must investigate application concerning casino licences

On receiving an application for a casino operator’s licence or for renewal of a casino venue licence, or for approval of a proposed transferee or alienee of a casino licence, the Gambling Commission must investigate the applicant, the proposed transferee or alienee, and persons with a significant influence.
Without limiting subsection (1), the Gambling Commission—
may require the applicant, the proposed transferee or alienee, and persons with a significant influence to consent to having their photograph and fingerprints taken; and
may require the applicant, the proposed transferee or alienee, and persons with a significant influence to provide further information; and
must refer a copy of the application, and any photographs, fingerprints, or other information obtained in the investigation, to the Police and any government agency (not including the Inland Revenue Department) that the Gambling Commission considers relevant.

The Police and any government agency to whom the application is referred must inquire into, and report to the Gambling Commission on, the applicant, the proposed transferee or alienee, and persons with a significant influence.
The Gambling Commission may refuse to grant a casino operator’s licence or renew a casino venue licence or approve a proposed transferee or alienee of a casino licence if the applicant, transferee or alienee, or persons with a significant influence fail to provide information requested by the Gambling Commission or refuse to have fingerprints or a photograph taken.
Fingerprints and photographs provided by the Gambling Commission to the Police or other government agency must be returned to the Gambling Commission for destruction under subsection (6).
Fingerprints and photographs required by the Gambling Commission must be destroyed immediately after the Gambling Commission has made a decision as to whether or not to grant a casino operator’s licence or renew a casino venue licence or approve a proposed transferee or alienee of a casino licence.

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1990 No 62 s 24