New Zealand sports groups oppose online casino bill over grant funding
More than 30 sports organisations in New Zealand oppose the proposed Online Casino Gambling Bill, saying it lacks provisions to direct online casino revenue to community sport, according to reports. Gaming machine grants currently provide approximately NZ$170m annually to community sport, the organisations said. The bill has passed its first parliamentary reading and moved to the select committee stage, where public submissions are open.
The bill could change the funding available to community sports if online operators take market share from gaming machines.