For immediate release
27 June 2025
LEGISLATIVE CHANGE SET TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR RACING AND SPORT
A new era for New Zealand racing and sports begins tomorrow, with legislation that grants TAB New Zealand the exclusive rights for racing and sports betting coming into force.
Changes to the Racing Industry Act means that only the TAB and betcha brands will be permitted to offer racing and sports betting in New Zealand, restoring the traditional exclusivity of the Totalisator Agency Board (TAB) since its inception in 1950.
“This change to betting laws will bring up to $200 million of customer losses back into the New Zealand regulatory system, providing a safer betting environment for Kiwis and increasing funding to domestic racing and sport”, said TAB New Zealand CEO Nick Roberts.
In June 2023, TAB NZ commenced a 25-year strategic partnering arrangement with sports-betting and gaming group Entain for the delivery of TAB NZ’s betting, retail and broadcasting operations.
As part of the arrangement, TAB NZ will receive a further one-off payment of $100 million from Entain on top of increased revenue share and other payments over the remainder of the 25-year strategic partnership.
“The legislative net will materially boost TAB NZ’s funding outcomes from the strategic partnership, providing a major boost to the racing industry as well as sporting bodies.”
"Racing is on the up and this is a critical step in ensuring this valuable industry can deliver sustainable growth to the economy."
Sport NZ will benefit immediately with a $20 million one-off payment from TAB NZ.
“We are very grateful for the opportunity to impact the sports and recreation sector in NZ with this $20million payment from TAB NZ, thanks to the Government's amendments,” said Sport NZ Group CEO Raelene Castle.
“Sport NZ will invest this money for the betterment of our communities and we are currently following a process to decide where this money will be allocated.”
The TAB’s position as the country’s sole betting operator had been eroded by online activity since the turn of this century.
“It’s excellent timing for the “legislative net” as Entain is now delivering a world-class betting product to local punters. This aligns with TAB NZ’s focus of giving Kiwi punters a world-class experience, in the safest environment, while maximising returns to our local communities nationwide,” added Roberts.
“The policy settings behind the new law are well balanced as evidenced by the legislation having unanimous support throughout the parliamentary process.
“I am proud of the strategic partnership’s commitment to harm minimisation and the new regulatory settings will deliver the best outcome for New Zealand through the benefits of a single operator market.”
In a 2022/23 report, prior to the strategic partnership, IER determined the New Zealand Racing Industry generated $1.9 billion of value-added contribution to the New Zealand economy, and sustained over 13,500 jobs.
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ABOUT TAB NZ
TAB NZ is a statutory body established under the Racing Industry Act 2020. Its objectives are to facilitate and promote betting for the benefit of New Zealand racing and sport while minimising the risks of problem and underage gambling. In the 2023/24 financial year it provided funding of over $225m to the New Zealand racing industry and $26.5m to New Zealand sporting bodies, as well as $11.1m to Government in levies and taxes. TAB NZ’s betting operations are delivered by sports-betting and gaming group Entain under a 25-year strategic partnering arrangement that began in June 2023.
For more information please contact:
Kaylea Nightingale
Executive Assistant Manager
kaylea.nightingale@tabnz.org
