Posted on: April 30, 2021 Posted by: Aaron_George Comments: 0

Depending on what part of the world you are in, the gambling rules and regulations are going to be a lot different. Each jurisdiction will have its own view on how gambling should be dealt with. Some countries prefer to take a step back and not take much direct involvement, while others like to be right in the middle of controlling every aspect of the gambling sector.

One of the most important topics these days is responsible gambling. With has never been easier to engage in gambling. This level of access has meant that there has been a rise in the levels of problem gambling.

The UK deals with the issue by putting in place significant restrictions through the UK Gambling Commission (UKGC). This means that players have much fewer options when it comes to playing casino games. The authorities in New Zealand take a much different approach to the sector, which will be explored within this article.

How does Gambling in New Zealand Work?

The New Zealand Gambling Act of 2003 was created with the goal of making sure that players were always going to be protected. The creation of an independent body to look after the sector was a key part of the rollout of this legislation at a time when online casinos were starting to take off in popularity.

The laws can be a bit confusing in New Zealand. Residents are not able to gamble online through platforms that are operated from within the country. Players can only use overseas online casinos. While the New Zealand authorities don’t have much influence over these overseas casino sites, it does stop them from advertising their services to people in New Zealand.

A number of problem gambling services are found across the nation. The Department of Internal Affairs provides a lot of information on the topic as it is the chief administrator of gambling legislation. It outlines the different aspects of the Gambling (Harm Prevention and Minimisation) Regulations that were amended back in 2015.

The various problem gambling services in the country also receive funding through a gambling levy on licensed gambling operators in the region. There are many support services available to problem gamblers in the region, as well as self-exclusion programs.

How does GamStop Work?

In the UK, GamStop is the main overarching self-exclusion scheme. This is a non-profit organization that allows gamblers to block themselves from accessing any UKGC-licensed gambling site for six months, one year, or five years. It is a requirement for all UKGC license holders to be a part of GamStop. The main benefit of this service is that people can block themselves from all UK casinos in just a few clicks.

The UKGC also has other measures in place to protect gamblers. These include a ban on using credit cards, not allowing certain game features, and curtailing bet sizes. While this is done with problem gamblers in mind, it also affects those people who can gamble responsibly.

This is why more and more people are now looking at the likes of casinos not on GamStop in order to play their favourite casino games. They can access bigger game libraries with fewer restrictions on making payments, bet sizes, and game features.

How are Overseas Casinos Regulated?

Just because an online casino is not licensed by the UKGC, it does not necessarily mean that it is not going to be holding a license elsewhere. There are a number of respectable gambling regulators throughout the world today, such as the Malta Gaming Authority.

The reputable casinos not on GamStop are going to have a license with one of these other authorities. This means that their operations will be closely watched to make sure that nothing nefarious is afoot. The casinos themselves also know that protecting players is very important in order to gain the trust of people. This is why they often go above and beyond in providing enhanced security measures to account holders.

This will include the close protection of sensitive data through the deployment of encryption technology. They will also usually have self-exclusion programs and responsible gambling tools like deposit limits and cool-off periods available to people who want to put limits on their gambling activity.

The main attraction of these platforms will be the level of freedom that gamblers will get. Bonuses are often bigger, you can place bigger bets, and often have access to innovative games that will not be found elsewhere.

GamStop Sites vs Casinos Not on GamStop

If you are on the fence about what types of casinos you should go with, here is a breakdown of the pros and cons of both casinos not on GamStop and their UKGC counterparts. This should give you an insight into what you can expect if you sign up for an account with one of these types of casinos.

UKGC Casino Sites

Pros

·          One of the best gambling regulators globally

·          Plenty of support for problem gamblers

·          Safe options for those with security concerns

·          Big-name game studios provide games

Cons

·          No credit card transactions

·          Limits on bet sizes

·          Bans on certain game features

Non-UKGC Casinos

Pros

·          Large and diverse game libraries

·          Wide range of payment options

·          Big bonuses available

·          Broader betting limits

Cons

·          Allow people to avoid GamStop self-exclusion

·          Not as much consumer protection

Heading in the Right Direction

There is a much more laissez-faire attitude in New Zealand when it comes to online casinos. Once these platforms are not based in the country, residents are pretty much free to use them. However, the New Zealand authorities have taken many steps to make sure that gamblers can be protected as much as possible. It also provides extensive treatment to people who are having issues with their gambling.

The UK is a leading example for many countries when it comes to protecting players. The likes of New Zeeland will likely pay close attention to the latest measures that the UKGC is implementing in this regard. 

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