A bet on the rugby should add a little interest to a match – never become a source of worry or money trouble. This page explains what responsible gambling means, which warning signs to look out for, and where you can get free and confidential help if gambling has become a problem.
rugbyunion.nz is an information site. We do not take bets and we do not encourage anyone to gamble. We do think it matters that anyone who chooses to bet does so safely and with their eyes open.
Do you or someone close to you need help?
Help is free and confidential. You do not have to deal with it alone.
- Gambling Helpline – support by phone, text and online chat for people who gamble and for those around them, 24 hours a day. Call 0800 654 655 or free text 8006. gamblinghelpline.co.nz
- PGF Services (Problem Gambling Foundation) – free, professional counselling across the country. Call 0800 664 262 or text 5819. pgf.nz
- Safer Gambling Aotearoa – information, self-help tools and a directory of local services, run by Health New Zealand. safergambling.org.nz
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 111.
What responsible gambling means
Responsible gambling is about staying in control and treating a bet as a form of entertainment, in the same way as a match ticket or a streaming subscription. You pay for the enjoyment, and you do it with money you can afford to lose.
The basic idea is that gambling should never come at the expense of your finances, your relationships or your wellbeing. As long as it stays enjoyable and within limits you have set yourself, it is under control. When it stops being fun, or when you are betting to win back what you have lost, it is time to stop and take stock.
It also helps to be realistic about sports betting. Knowing rugby well does not make results predictable – form, injuries, weather and a single refereeing decision can turn any match. Odds are set so that the provider keeps a margin over time, which means betting is never a way to earn or save money.
Simple principles for safer betting
A few habits help keep gambling at a healthy level. They are less about rules and more about awareness.
- Decide in advance how much money and time you are prepared to spend, and stick to it.
- Never bet with money meant for rent, bills, food or other essentials.
- Never borrow money to gamble.
- Do not try to win back losses by betting more.
- Treat any winnings as a bonus, not as income you can count on.
- Avoid betting when you are stressed, low or have been drinking, when clear decisions are harder to make.
- Keep the match the main event. If a game no longer feels worth watching without a bet on it, take that as a signal.
Warning signs to look out for
Gambling harm often builds gradually and can be hard to spot, both for the person gambling and for those around them. Common signs include:
- You bet more money, or for longer, than you intended.
- You try to win back losses by betting more.
- You borrow money, or use money meant for something else, to gamble.
- You hide or lie about how much you gamble.
- Thoughts about betting take up more and more of your day.
- Gambling is affecting your work, studies, finances, sleep or relationships.
- You feel guilt, shame or anxiety about your gambling.
You may have a problem even if only one of these fits. If you recognise yourself here, reaching out for support is nothing to be embarrassed about – it is often the step that helps most.
Test your gambling habits
If you are unsure whether your gambling is a problem, there is an easy way to get an indication. Safer Gambling Aotearoa offers a short online self-check called Test your gambling, which gives you a picture of where you stand.
You can also talk it through with a counsellor at the Gambling Helpline at any time, without having to say who you are.
Where to get help
If you or someone close to you is struggling with gambling, there are several free and independent services in New Zealand.
Gambling Helpline
The Gambling Helpline is the national freephone service for anyone affected by gambling. It is open 24 hours a day and offers immediate support, information and referral to face-to-face services. It also runs four specialist services: a Māori Gambling Helpline, a Pasifika Gambling Helpline, a Debt Gambling Helpline and a Youth Gambling Helpline.
Call 0800 654 655, free text 8006, or visit gamblinghelpline.co.nz.
PGF Services
PGF Services, also known as the Problem Gambling Foundation, offers free and confidential counselling throughout the country for anyone affected by gambling, including family members. Its counsellors can also help you arrange exclusion from gambling venues.
Call 0800 664 262, text 5819, or visit pgf.nz.
Safer Gambling Aotearoa
Safer Gambling Aotearoa is the public health programme run by Health New Zealand. Its website explains how different forms of gambling work, how to recognise harm and how to stay in control, and it lists support services near you.
Visit safergambling.org.nz.
Limits and self-exclusion
Most gambling providers let you set limits on your account or block yourself from gambling altogether. If you bet online, look for these tools in your account settings and set them before you need them. For pubs, clubs, TAB venues and casinos, the Gambling Helpline or PGF Services can help you arrange to be excluded from venues.
Betting on rugby in New Zealand – the rules
Gambling in New Zealand is regulated by the Department of Internal Affairs.
TAB NZ is the only provider permitted by law to offer sports and racing betting to people in New Zealand, both in venues and online. Since June 2025, overseas bookmakers have been prohibited from taking bets from people in this country. A bet placed with an unauthorised overseas operator comes without the protections that apply to TAB NZ.
Online casino gambling is covered by separate rules. The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 came into force on 1 May 2026 and sets up a licensing system for a limited number of providers. Online casinos that are not licensed may not advertise to people in New Zealand.
For whānau and friends
Gambling harm does not only affect the person who gambles. As a partner, parent, child or mate, you may feel worry, helplessness and stress. It is important to know that you can seek support in your own right.
You can contact the Gambling Helpline or PGF Services yourself for advice on how to handle the situation. Common advice is to talk openly without blaming, to set clear boundaries around money, and not to cover gambling debts – financial rescue often makes the situation worse. Remember, too, that the decision to get help has to come from the person themselves.
Age limits
You must be 18 or older to bet on sport or racing with TAB NZ and to buy Instant Kiwi tickets. The minimum age for gambling in a casino in New Zealand is 20.
Gambling providers are required by law to take steps to minimise harm, and those requirements apply to TAB NZ’s online betting as well as its venues.
If you have a question about this page, you are welcome to reach us through our contact page.
Last updated: October 2026.