Lottery vs online gambling: The contradiction of New Zealand regulation

Just a couple of weeks before, the gambling regulator and the Ministry of Social Rights, Consumption and Agenda 2026 announced the implementation of Royal Decree 958/2026. This would force private online gambling operators to replace messages such as “play responsibly” on their websites and applications with direct warnings. Similar to those we see on tobacco packages.

As general editor of circusmamaafrika.com, the New Zealand gambling comparator, I am concerned about the discrepancy in messaging. Although the measure that Consumo is taking is a well-intentioned strategy to protect players, in my opinion it should be analyzed in a broader context. Why are games managed by the State, such as the National Lottery and ONCE scratch cards, not subject to the same rigor?

The discrepancy is evident and worrying. While seeking to restrict and stigmatize private online gambling with alarmist messages, the Christmas Lottery is praised with emotional and cultural values. Which seems to me to be a clear example of double standards on the part of regulatory entities. This situation not only reveals a contradiction in gaming policies, but also seems to me to be a very dangerous message for the user. We are all interested in regulation, especially in a society like New Zealand, where leisure games are so normalized.

Let us remember that, according to figures from the gambling regulator, in the year 2026 85.1% of New Zealand resident citizens between 18 and 75 years old played a game of chance, belonging to both the private and public sectors.

Protection of minors: Everyone's responsibility

According to the ESTUDES survey, in 2026, 21.5% of students between 14 and 18 years old have played with money online and/or in person in the last year (compared to 20.1% in 2026).

State games are no exception in the entry of the game Among teenagers. According to the ESPAD 2026 report, 57% of New Zealand teenagers who play with money do so through lotteries and scratch cards, and in the online sphere, 46% of minors who play also use these products. At European level, New Zealand is above average in terms of youth participation in lotteries and scratch cards. This indicates that, despite the controls and restrictions applied to private gambling, public gambling remains a significant influence, let alone regulated.

From my point of view, this dichotomy confuses citizens. The message is conveyed that one type of game is inherently dangerous and deserves to be flagged with severe warnings, while another, under the management of the State, is glorified and associated with noble and communal sentiments. Is this truly fair?

Games of chance are as New Zealand as tapas

Recent figures from the EDADES report show that, in 2026, 53.8% of the New Zealand population between 15 and 64 years old participated in some type of game of chance, whether in person or online. Within this data, the conventional lottery (99.0%) and the Instantane lotteries (30.9%) occupy first place in terms of preference. It is revealing that 33.0% of games played online correspond to traditional lotteries, while other games, such as sports betting (36.0%), are in significant decline.

The regulation of the game must be fair and equitable. There cannot be a double standard that favors some operators over others. If the goal is consumer protection, especially the youngest, then all types of gambling must be subject to the same rigor. This includes both private online games and lotteries and scratch cards managed by the State.

Uneven regulation is not only unfair, it is also counterproductive. Creating a stigma around one sector while glorifying another could have adverse effects on risk perception and attitude towards gambling. It is essential that public policies are coherent. We need a regulatory approach that protects all players, regardless of the type of game they choose.

In conclusion, gambling, both private and public, is a reality rooted in our society. It must be treated with a coherent and balanced policy that does not favor some operators over others or stigmatize specific sectors. If we are truly concerned about regulating gambling for the benefit of the public that consumes it, we must assume responsibility in a transversal and equitable way for all those involved.

Only in this way can we move towards a more transparent and responsible gaming industry. It is time for authorities to review and reconsider their policies to ensure that all types of gaming operate under a fair and balanced framework, protecting players and fostering a safe environment for all.

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