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Are poker rooms allowed in New Zealand?
Quote from jackpot_jane on June 6, 2025, 7:57 amConsidered having a wee card room that simply spreads poker games. No pokies, no roulette, nothing like that. Quick Google search didn’t appear to produce a clear answer, nor can I find any standalone card rooms throughout the country, so I reckon it’s a fair bet that the answer is "nah bro" – has anybody actually looked into it, or even done it?
Considered having a wee card room that simply spreads poker games. No pokies, no roulette, nothing like that. Quick Google search didn’t appear to produce a clear answer, nor can I find any standalone card rooms throughout the country, so I reckon it’s a fair bet that the answer is "nah bro" – has anybody actually looked into it, or even done it?
Quote from card_counter on June 9, 2025, 4:14 amThe only places where you can do it with rake currently are where it is legal, i.e., in the big casinos – Skycity, Chch, Dunedin, Queenstown. Everything else is charity tourneys or underground – period. And it’s pretty well spelled out in the Gambling Act of 2003 – if you make any money in the house, you need a casino license, of which there are only six in New Zealand in total. So, if you don’t have millions of bucks to buy one of them, forget it.
The only places where you can do it with rake currently are where it is legal, i.e., in the big casinos – Skycity, Chch, Dunedin, Queenstown. Everything else is charity tourneys or underground – period. And it’s pretty well spelled out in the Gambling Act of 2003 – if you make any money in the house, you need a casino license, of which there are only six in New Zealand in total. So, if you don’t have millions of bucks to buy one of them, forget it.
Quote from spinmaster on June 10, 2025, 4:15 amIf it’s in Welly, I'll come play lol. But anyway, essentially, you cannot take any rake if it’s not in a casino. It’s cool if it’s home games as long as nobody is skimming the pot. As soon as you take any money for "seat fees" or anything called "rake," you can get in trouble with the DIA for illegal gambling.
If it’s in Welly, I'll come play lol. But anyway, essentially, you cannot take any rake if it’s not in a casino. It’s cool if it’s home games as long as nobody is skimming the pot. As soon as you take any money for "seat fees" or anything called "rake," you can get in trouble with the DIA for illegal gambling.
Quote from luckyduck on June 11, 2025, 4:32 amAnd there is definitely still "underground" rooms. Mate of mine plays at one on the North Shore, it is a $1/$3 game with an uncapped rake (total rip off). They are open until the cops or the landlord get itchy. NZ Herald did an article stating that the games are clearing 30k per week so it is no wonder why people take the risks.
And there is definitely still "underground" rooms. Mate of mine plays at one on the North Shore, it is a $1/$3 game with an uncapped rake (total rip off). They are open until the cops or the landlord get itchy. NZ Herald did an article stating that the games are clearing 30k per week so it is no wonder why people take the risks.
Quote from randomguy on June 12, 2025, 6:24 amIn fact, I inquired with the DIA regarding this when we wanted to have a pub league with monthly freeze-outs and they said it's "Class 3 gambling" when the prize pool or turnover exceeds $5k in one go. You need a short-term licence and all profits have to be made for an "authorised purpose" such as a sports club or charity. Well, useless in that case when you want to run a business and need profit!
In fact, I inquired with the DIA regarding this when we wanted to have a pub league with monthly freeze-outs and they said it's "Class 3 gambling" when the prize pool or turnover exceeds $5k in one go. You need a short-term licence and all profits have to be made for an "authorised purpose" such as a sports club or charity. Well, useless in that case when you want to run a business and need profit!
Quote from kai_love on June 13, 2025, 4:29 amThe only “loophole” that people rely on is “social gaming.” It’s invitation only, it’s a private property, there’s no entrance fee, there’s no rake. It’s a home game at that point, and DIA leaves you alone. The moment you start to advertise or rake, it’s illegal.
The only “loophole” that people rely on is “social gaming.” It’s invitation only, it’s a private property, there’s no entrance fee, there’s no rake. It’s a home game at that point, and DIA leaves you alone. The moment you start to advertise or rake, it’s illegal.
Quote from spinmaster on June 16, 2025, 4:27 amNot a lawyer, of course, but the short answer is: you need a casino license if you ever want to turn a profit. The Act effectively froze the number of licenses in 2003, which means you literally can't get one.
You can run charity tournaments, but you can't keep the proceeds in your own pockets. So, unless you're doing this out of the goodness of your heart, running a card room is effectively impossible until such a time as the legislature decides to rewrite this act. Right now, they seem more interested in regulating online sites in 2026 than helping out brick-and-mortar rooms.
Not a lawyer, of course, but the short answer is: you need a casino license if you ever want to turn a profit. The Act effectively froze the number of licenses in 2003, which means you literally can't get one.
You can run charity tournaments, but you can't keep the proceeds in your own pockets. So, unless you're doing this out of the goodness of your heart, running a card room is effectively impossible until such a time as the legislature decides to rewrite this act. Right now, they seem more interested in regulating online sites in 2026 than helping out brick-and-mortar rooms.
Quote from jackpot_jane on June 17, 2025, 3:39 amSweet as, good knowledge bombs guys. Sounds like I’m going to leave the business plan for another lifetime and just stick to the home game Wednesday.
Sweet as, good knowledge bombs guys. Sounds like I’m going to leave the business plan for another lifetime and just stick to the home game Wednesday.