Dozens of New Zealand sporting bodies are joining hands against the country’s proposed Online Casino Gambling Bill, warning it could hurt local sport across the nation.
The primary concern is that future operators would not support sport via community funding grants. Some groups argue that there has been no consultation with the community sports sector, one which is already struggling to attract sponsorship.
The hopes are that by joining together, the groups can better raise their concerns with top officials and mitigate potential losses in funding before it can affect the youth.
The Online Casino Gambling Bill passed its first reading by the nation’s parliament in mid-July, with 83 votes in favor versus 39 against.
When introducing the bill, Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden highlighted that it was “protecting New Zealanders who enjoy gambling online by introducing robust safety measures for licensed operators”.
In its current form, the bill would grant up to 15 online licenses via auction, each subject to a three-year period.
The auction period is expected to commence next year.
