New Zealand’s gambling regulator has taken a firm stance on emerging betting formats by ruling that high-profile prediction market platforms such as Kalshi and Polymarket fall outside the scope of legal gambling and will not be permitted under the current regulatory framework.
At the same time, authorities have advanced the licence process for 15 casino operators, signalling ongoing developments in the country’s regulated gaming landscape.
Under the new interpretation, the Gambling Commission clarified that prediction market platforms — where users speculate on the outcome of real-world events such as political results or financial markets — do not meet the legal definition of gambling in New Zealand, and therefore cannot be operated lawfully. Officials have stated that such services must cease any activities that resemble betting under local law.
In parallel, the Department of Internal Affairs continues to progress the evaluation of casino licence applications, with 15 operators advancing through the regulatory process. This development reflects a dual regulatory approach: restricting unapproved betting formats while reinforcing oversight and compliance within the licensed casino sector.
Regulators emphasised that the objective is to maintain a coherent and enforceable framework that supports consumer protection while ensuring that only properly authorised gambling activities are permitted within New Zealand’s borders.
