Online gambling
Traps to look out for, your legal rights, and tips on staying safe on online gambling sites and apps.
With constant access to mobile phones, tablets and laptops, gambling has never been so accessible. In the digital environment, gambling can quickly go from being fun to being out of control. This page outlines the traps and provides tips to help online gamblers stay safe.
Traps in online gambling
Gambling websites and apps are designed to lure people so we keep going back to them. Knowing the common techniques that are used can help you know when to stop.
The house always wins
If the payout rates seem too good to be true, they probably are.
Return to Player (RTP) is the percentage of money a game pays back to players over time. Different games have different RTPs. A lower RTP means the casino keeps more money overall.
RTP is based on millions of bets or spins and does not predict short-term results. While some people may win in the short term, over time players are expected to lose money overall.
The sooner someone stops online gambling, the more likely they are to avoid further lost time and money.
Dodgy websites ─ check they are real
Be extra careful gambling online because some sites are untrustworthy. How to know if an online gambling site is dodgy or trustworthy:
- Be careful if it is hard to withdraw your money. Red flags include delays, repeated identity checks, frozen accounts, or sudden rule changes after you win. Legitimate sites generally process withdrawals quickly, clearly and consistently.
- Check the rules before accepting bonuses. Some bonuses have hidden rules, high wagering requirements, or limits on how much you can withdraw. Trustworthy sites make their rules easy to find and understand.
- Look for clear information. Trustworthy sites make it easy to find game rules, payout rates, provider details, terms and conditions, and ways to contact customer support.
- Watch for signs of an unsafe or suspicious site. These include poor security (no padlock in the browser), multiple, ongoing pop-ups, unusual payment requests, withdrawal fees, gift cards, or crypto-only payments.
If the site or app doesn’t look trustworthy, don’t use it!
Avoid automatic top-ups
If you’ve provided bank card details to a site or app, it’s easy to keep topping up your credits while you are gambling. Because it is so convenient, you might top up more often than you intended. This can lead to losing money very quickly. Avoid saving your bank card details on the site or app.
Keep your banking details safe
Only use websites that offer a secure internet connection. Check for ‘https’ at the beginning of the address bar and a locked padlock icon in the browser. Use a debit card with limits to reduce your risk.
Avoid gambling with a credit card
Gambling with a credit card is likely to create unwanted debt. Once debt is established, it can be hard to get out of. To avoid the pressure of unwanted debt, refrain from using a credit card to gamble.
Be alert on social media sites
Social media sites provide links to play free online casino games. They can start as harmless fun but have been proven to lead people into gambling with real money over time. A study in the US showed that 1 in 4 people who play free simulated games on social media ended up playing real casino games within 6 months.
Keep yourself safe online
There are ways to keep yourself safe online whether you’re trying to gamble at certain levels or stop gambling altogether.
Use limit setting tools
Most online gambling sites allow you to set limits on the amount of money you can spend per bet, how frequently you can make deposits, and the amount of time you can gamble. Setting these limits before you start gambling helps you avoid spending more if you are making decisions when you’re ‘in the zone’.
Take a break
Some online gambling sites allow you to turn off your account for a period of time. It can be a helpful way to take a break from gambling if it’s getting too much.
Adjust your account settings
Choose to turn off the prompts or alerts the app or website can send you. Select ‘no notifications’ and remove yourself from mailing lists.
Block access
You can prevent yourself from being able to access online gambling sites and apps. Several tools can block access to online gambling websites and apps:
You can also use your device’s internet browser settings to block gambling sites.
Block payments
Some banks help customers take control of their online gambling and block payments to sites, for example:
If you can’t find a payment blocking option with your bank, contact the bank and ask if it offers a gambling transaction block.
Most banks in Aotearoa New Zealand have a “cool-down” period if a block is asked to be lifted.
Self-exclude
To exclude yourself online, you can choose the amount of time you’d like to block access to your account:
- TAB provides two options: take a break from your online account or self-exclude from online and in-person venues.
- Lotto NZ offers ways to block yourself from online games or exclude yourself from purchasing Lotto games in retail outlets.
- Most online casino accounts will offer a way to self-exclude. This blocks access to your accounts and should prevent you from getting their marketing material.
Your legal rights when gambling on overseas sites or apps
Racing and sports betting
Since June 2025, only New Zealand’s domestic provider TAB NZ can lawfully offer online racing and sports betting. This includes TAB’s other brands such as Betcha. If you place a bet with an overseas site or app, your rights won’t be protected by New Zealand law.
Online Casinos
In Aotearoa New Zealand, a law enacted in May 2026 has been introduced to regulate online casino gambling sites and ensure they comply with industry standards. The Online Casino Gambling Act (2026) aims to set up a licensing system for online casino gambling, prevent and minimise gambling harm, and provide stronger consumer protection.
Licences are expected to be in place early 2027. Until then, the laws that protect your rights in New Zealand may not apply if you gamble on overseas sites or apps. This is an extra risk.
Tips:
- Look out for overseas sites that add “New Zealand” or “NZ” to their name. This may suggest that they are safe for you as a consumer, but they are overseas sites that are not controlled by our laws.
- Lotto NZ, Class 3 gambling and TAB/Betcha are the only New Zealand sites to gamble online that are controlled under New Zealand law.
- No New Zealand-based companies are allowed to offer online casino gambling such as virtual poker or roulette. If you come across online casino gambling, be extra careful.
Related information
Check out these other pages for safer gambling support and guidance.