Online Gambling Trends & Regulations

A Comparison Of Northern Ireland And New Zealand

The gambling sector is booming worldwide, so more and more countries are accepting appropriate legislation to control it. Some completely ban this risky entertainment, but this is not the case with Northern Ireland and New Zealand, where the industry is fully regulated.

Locals can explore multiple casino opportunities, and iGaming is especially in demand. More and more users prefer playing online, so let's explore the impact of this trend on Northern Ireland in New Zealand and compare customers' preferences and statistics.

New Zealand's Gambling Industry
New Zealand is a popular gambling hub, providing locals and visitors with many entertainment options. Hundreds of online gaming platforms and several majestic brick-and-mortar casinos await players. The industry continues evolving there: no one has a chance to get bored, but compliance with regulations and promoting responsible gaming remain the top priorities!

• Regulation and Statistics
The New Zealand gambling regulations are pretty specific compared to other countries. Land-based casinos are legal in the country, and every individual over 20 years of age can visit them. On the other hand, in-state gaming sites are prohibited.

However, reports indicate that up to 80% of Kiwis are engaged in gambling. The thing is, only locally registered platforms are banned, while no law prohibits New Zealanders from joining the overseas operators and services in the state. Many players actively use this opportunity to explore iGaming, which has numerous benefits.

• Online Gambling Trends & Free Bonuses
Online casinos are at the peak of their popularity in the country, and the demand for this entertainment continues to grow. No deposit promotions offered by gambling operators are the first timeless trend adored by Kiwis. The possibility of claiming various no deposit offers at CasinoDeps sites is attractive for New Zealand players, as they can boost their initial stake and try out new games at the casino's expense.

Mobile gambling is not the newest implementation, but it doesn't seem to lose its relevance soon. Users choose to play on the move, and online casinos actively adapt their platforms for the smallest screens. Of course, it couldn't get around software providers who work on making their games speedier and more attractive for mobile gamblers.

Gambling Advertising Code
Many countries have already implemented specific rules to promote gambling activities, and New Zealand is among them. Casino ads are now everywhere, which can create significant harm to vulnerable individuals. Therefore, regulatory authorities launched appropriate requirements for promotional campaigns that must encourage safer gaming behaviours and inform users of potential threats.

The Gambling Advertising Code obliges operators to stick to numerous rules when promoting their services, especially targeting the younger generation, who is more prone to addictions and other related disorders. Moreover, companies that violated these regulations faced substantial fines and other penalties to ensure compliance and protect vulnerable audiences.

Gambling Market in Northern Ireland

Irish residents are among the biggest gamblers globally – a huge part of the country's population engages in this risky activity. The sector is legal and regulated in the region, which offers numerous opportunities but creates dangers at the same time. What are the trends and threats the sector brings to the population?

• Regulatory Frameworks & Market Size
Like in New Zealand, the gambling industry has been evolving in Northern Ireland in recent years. For instance, the market revenue reached £2 million in 2022 and has continued growing until now. It's worth noting that both in-country casinos and overseas companies are allowed to operate in the region if they hold appropriate licences.

• Trends & Statistics
Reports indicate that up to 67% of the Northern Ireland population prefers gambling in one form or another. At the same time, the state has a high number of gambling-addicted individuals: the 2023 statistics indicated that approximately 2.3% of locals suffer from compulsive problems.

This percentage is really huge compared to that around the UK, so regulatory bodies implement additional measures for player protection in online and offline casinos. Considering the high prevalence of problem gaming in Northern Ireland, promoting a responsible approach to this risky entertainment is on the agenda.

This trend is embodied through appropriate regulations from controlling bodies and operators themselves. Online casinos and sportsbooks use varied measures to increase user awareness on this point. These include launching specific campaigns and educational sessions and setting limits for customers in online and offline casinos.

The Gambling Regulatory Authority of Ireland (GRAI) is the newest statutory body in the state that provides more detailed industry regulations and controls compliance with safer gaming standards.

• Gambling Advertising and Its Regulation
Casinos and sportsbooks face stiff competition and use all the available means to promote themselves. However, limitless gambling ads are among the main industry challenges globally, as they can target vulnerable users. Operators in Northern Ireland must comply with the generally accepted UK advertisement standards, implying minimum harm to individuals.

According to ASA, casino ads must only provide relevant information about the promoted service or product and never mislead customers. Moreover, including information on responsible gambling and giving access to helplines and support resources is mandatory.

Final Thoughts

The NZ and Northern Ireland gambling markets have several differences regarding legislation, but in general, the two countries' casino scenes are pretty similar. Promoting safer gaming practices is the latest trend that aims to decrease the number of individuals negatively affected by this risky entertainment.

Therefore, New Zealand and Northern Ireland concentrate on increasing customer awareness and preventing disorder growth. At the same time, operators and game developers pay special attention to high-quality content and mobile adaptations for enhanced player engagement.