Online casino licenses may reduce sports funding in Hawke's Bay

The New Zealand Government is auctioning 15 licences for online casinos. This will be the first time online gambling is regulated in the country. However, there are concerns that this move could reduce funding for community and sports programs. Minister Brooke van Velden highlighted that reliance on gambling revenue can create negative incentives for community groups. She stated that these groups should not depend on money from online gambling to operate. In Hawke's Bay, the costs of participating in community and club sports may rise. This is due to changes in the gambling market that come with the new online casino licences. Currently, New Zealanders can gamble on many unregulated websites based outside the country.