Pokies Rules in New Zealand

New Zealand’s pokies rules depend on where you play. Pub and club machines (Class 4) are open to people aged 18 and over, and have hard limits on stakes and prizes. Casinos are 20+ and set their own entry conditions. Online casino gambling is moving to a licensing regime in 2026–27. Below is a plain-English rundown of each rule, who enforces it, and what it means for you as a player.

Rule 1: Age limits

Under-age play is not just against venue policy. Section 302 of the Gambling Act restricts Class 4 gaming machines to people aged 18 and over, which is why staff may ask for ID.

Rule 2: ID and entry checks

Expect to show ID at a casino. SkyCity Auckland, for example, accepts:

• a current passport
• a current New Zealand or Australian driver licence
• a current New Zealand firearms licence
• a current overseas national identity card with a signature or biometric data.

Casinos can also enforce a dress code. At SkyCity, neat and tidy dress is required, and gang patches or insignia, hi-vis vests, sleeveless tops on men and torn or dirty clothing are not allowed. Class 4 venues don’t usually check everyone at the door, but staff can ask for ID at any time and refuse access to the gaming area.

Rule 3: Class 4 machine limits

Pokies in pubs and clubs are built to tighter limits than casino machines. Under current Class 4 rules:

• Maximum stake per play: $2.50
• Maximum prize from a single play: $500
• Maximum linked jackpot: $1,000

These caps are one of the clearest differences between a pub pokie and a casino pokie. Casino machines are not subject to Class 4 limits, which is why higher-denomination machines and larger jackpots are only found in casinos. Our guide to gaming machines in New Zealand compares the two in more detail.

Rule 4: Who can run pokies

Only corporate societies (often called gaming trusts) can operate Class 4 machines. The pub or club hosts them under a venue agreement, and the society holds the operator licence issued by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). Net proceeds must go to authorised purposes: charitable, community or racing.

Councils also have a say. Each territorial authority must have a Class 4 venue policy, and that policy can restrict where venues open and how many machines they hold. Auckland Council, for example, uses a sinking lid approach, explained in our Auckland pokies guide.

Rule 5: Exclusion orders

Every gambling venue must offer exclusion if you ask. According to DIA guidelines:

• Two types: self-exclusion (you ask) and venue-initiated exclusion (the venue identifies a problem).
• Length: up to two years.
• Scope: issued per venue. There is no automatic blanket ban across all venues, so you need to arrange it with each venue you use.
• How to request: in person, in writing or by phone.
• If you breach it: a fine of $500, and police can remove you. You cannot collect winnings while excluded.

SkyCity handles self-exclusion and third-party exclusion requests through 09 363 6000. Free support services can talk you through exclusion options if you use several venues; see gambling help in New Zealand.

Rule 6: Host responsibility

Venues must take steps to minimise harm. In practice, that means trained staff, information about where to get help, and approaching players who show signs of harm. SkyCity runs a “SkyCare Breaks” programme as part of its host responsibility approach.

These obligations have teeth. In July 2024, SkyCity agreed to close its Auckland casino gaming areas for five consecutive days under a settlement with DIA, after host responsibility failures involving one customer who gambled between 2017 and 2021. DIA identified 23 incidents of continuous play that went undetected.

Rule 7: Online casino rules (2026 onwards)

The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 came into force on 1 May 2026. The main points for players:

• Up to 15 licences will be allocated through a DIA process, with applications from October 2026.
• From 1 December 2026, unlicensed operators must stop offering online casino gambling to New Zealand customers.
• DIA says the regime will not be fully operational until 2027.
• Licensed operators must let customers set spending limits.
• Autoplay is not allowed.
• Credit cards and buy-now-pay-later cannot be used.
• Affiliate marketing and paid endorsements are prohibited for licensed operators, and bonuses can only be offered through direct marketing or the operator’s own platform.

This site does not claim any specific online site is licensed. Check DIA’s website for updates as licences are issued. Our online pokies New Zealand page explains what to look for.

What the rules don’t cover: how the game works

No rule guarantees a win. Every pokie has a theoretical return to player (RTP), a long-run average measured over a very large number of plays. Over time, the machine keeps a share of everything played. Rules on stakes and prizes limit how fast money can move, but they don’t change the underlying maths. See how to play pokies for more on RTP and volatility.

Quick reference

If pokies are causing problems for you or someone close to you, Gambling Helpline Aotearoa is free on 0800 654 655, 24/7, or free text 8006.