The Department of Internal Affairs

Te Tari Taiwhenua | Department of Internal Affairs

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Services › Casino and Non-Casino Gaming › Gambling Technical Equipment

Under section 326(2)(a) of the Gambling Act 2003, it is a condition of every Class 4 venue licence and casino operator's licence, that all gambling equipment used for the purposes of the licence must comply with relevant minimum standards (view a full description of Classes of Gambling).

The Act allows for the making of minimum standards under section 327:

    Under section 327(1): The Secretary may prescribe minimum standards for the design, manufacture, and performance of any particular gambling equipment or class of gambling equipment and may at any time amend or revoke any minimum standard.

    Under section 327(2): Minimum standards may, without limitation, include requirements that gambling equipment - (a) has features designed to reduce the likelihood of problem gambling or other harm arising from its use; (b) is capable of being monitored and controlled electronically.
The following links are to PDF* versions of the New Zealand Gazette notices, summary cover sheets, the Gambling Act (Casino Gambling Equipment) Minimum Standard and the Gambling Act (Class 4 Gambling Equipment) Minimum Standard 2004.

Minimum Equipment Standard - Harm Prevention and Minimisation

The minimum equipment standards for game and player information displays on gaming machines as required by the Gambling (Harm Prevention and Minimisation) Regulations 2004 were notified in the New Zealand Gazette on 1 September 2005.

The minimum equipment standards for game and player information displays apply to all "new gaming machines" purchased on or after 1 October 2005 and to all gaming machines after 1 July 2009.

This memo is designed to explain the scope of the definition of a "new gaming machine" as contained in the Gambling (Harm Prevention and Minimisation) Regulations 2004: Explanation of a 'New Gaming Machine' (PDF, 9K)*

Updated and consolidated versions of these standards

The harm prevention and minimisation gaming machine standards have been incorporated into the New Zealand Casino and Class 4 gambling appendices to the Australian/New Zealand Gaming Machine National Standards Revision 10.0 (see below).


Cashless Gambling

Updated July 2017

Overview

The Department wrote a position paper in 2006 to discuss Cashless Gambling (PDF, 292K)* and on what basis, if any, it should be permitted. The purpose of the paper was to consider the most appropriate response to cashless and other technologies available in New Zealand at that time.

Cashless technology in the casino sector

The casino environment has changed significantly in recent years, including advances in technology for monitoring player behaviour. Casino operating systems are now capable of analysing patterns of gambling behaviour, and offer features such as pre-commitment to support gamblers to manage their play. Casinos continue to have strict obligations around host responsibility and monitoring player behaviour.

The Department recognises that New Zealand society has become increasingly digitised and we are committed to taking a stewardship approach to regulation, adapting to a changing environment and targeting resources where they will be most effective. For these reasons, the Department decided it was appropriate to reconsider its decision on the use of cashless technology in the casino environment.

On 30 June 2017 ‘Minimum Cashless Technical Requirements for Printed Ticket-In Ticket Out and Player Loyalty Account-Based Cashless Gambling Technology’ (Cashless Standard) came into effect. This allows for cashless technology to be operated at all casinos in New Zealand within certain limitations.

For SkyCity Auckland, Minimum Technical Requirements for Cashless Gambling as contained in Schedule 14 of the New Zealand International Convention Centre Project (NZICC) and Licensing Agreement is part of a package of Regulatory Concessions that come into force upon SkyCity contracting to build an International Convention Centre in Auckland. Legislation has been passed to give legal status to the Agreement.

The significant differences between the Agreement and Cashless Standard with respect to cashless technology functionality are:
    1. White card functionality as permitted under the Agreement is not permitted by the Cashless Standard; and
    2.Electronic Transfer Limits are no longer applicable only to Gambling conducted in Restricted Areas as defined in the Agreement.

Cashless Standard requirement 1.2.1 sections (b) and (c) reference commonality considerations between the Agreement and Cashless Standard and the status of gambling equipment approved under the provisions of the Agreement.

The Department would expect that future approvals of gambling equipment would be based on our Accredited Test Facilities (ATF) recommendations made under the provisions of the Cashless Standard and that these recommendations would be consistent with the Agreement. Where this is not possible then it should be made clear what recommendations are specific to provisions of the Agreement e.g. White Card functionality.

Approvals could continue to be made solely under the provisions of the Agreement, however, it should be noted that the Australian/NZ National Standard for Gaming Machine Equipment Revision 10.0 is no longer applicable and that such recommendations may not be consistent with Requirement 1.2.1 (b).

See below for links to the Cashless Standard and the Agreement.

Cashless technology in the class 4 sector

Currently, the use of cashless technology in the class 4 sector remains limited.

The Department is aware that there is increasing interest in the use of cashless technology in the class 4 sector. Any consideration of the use of cashless technology in class 4 venues must take into account a number of factors that make the class 4 environment different from casinos. For example, casinos operate in closed environments with sophisticated monitoring systems in place to identify indicators of problem gambling. Casinos have dedicated host responsibility staff and strong harm minimisation policies that are monitored by the Gambling Commission. Casino operators also bear the cost of implementing cashless technology.

There is a review of class 4 gambling currently underway and the use of cashless technology in pubs and clubs is being considered as part of that review. The Department considers this to be the most appropriate first step in assessing the use of cashless technology in the class 4 environment.

Limited provision for cashless technology is permitted under the provisions of the Minimum Technical Requirements for Class 4 De-Centralised Off-Line Cash-In-Ticket-Out Systems of the Gambling Act (Class 4 Gambling Equipment) Minimum Standard 2004.

Gambling Act (Casino Gambling Equipment) Minimum Standard

Casino Gaming Machine Equipment Standards

The minimum standards for casino gaming machine equipment are the:

Other Casino Gambling Equipment Standards

The minimum standards for casino monitoring systems are the: The minimum standards for Cashless Technology are the: The minimum standards for casino jackpot systems are the: Equipment specifications are also contained in the Rules of Games notified in the New Zealand Gazette by the Casino Control Authority under Section 63 of the Casino Control Act 1990. These Rules of Games, as incorporated into the minimum equipment standards by the Secretary for Internal Affairs on 15 June 2004 and through subsequent amendments, appear on this site as a consolidated version.

The minimum standards for other casino gambling equipment are as follows:

Rules of Casino Keno, Racing Game and Gaming Machines

Rules of Casino Table Games

 View the Index of New Zealand Gazette references (PDF, 22K)* for the publication and subsequent amendment dates of the Rules of Games. This consolidated version does not replace the official version of the rules and gambling equipment standards as found in the New Zealand Gazette. The rules and gambling equipment standards as published in the New Zealand Gazette take precedence as the official version of these rules and gambling equipment standards.

Minimum Technical Requirements for Cashless Gambling as contained in Schedule 14 of the New Zealand International Convention Centre Project and Licensing Agreement

The above agreement is part of a package of Regulatory Concessions that come into force upon SkyCity contracting to build an International Convention Centre in Auckland. Legislation has been passed to give legal status to the Agreement.

The Regulatory Concessions apply solely to SkyCity at its casino in Auckland. These concessions do not and will not apply to any other casinos in New Zealand whether owned and operated by Sky or not.

Having regard to the Gambling Act 2003 and the relevant clauses and schedules in the NZICC Act/Agreement, we consider that there is no impediment for the Secretary giving conditional approvals for related cashless gambling equipment.

It is intended that where possible the Secretary will give such conditional approvals subject to the above Regulatory Concessions coming into effect.

It is important to recognise that some such gambling equipment could be installed and operating with limited functionality prior to the above Regulatory Concessions coming into effect and/or able to be operated in other casinos in full compliance with current standards. However, this gambling equipment must not be able to provide full functionality by Sky City prior to the Regulatory Concessions coming into effect because it is either unable to do so due to set-up configuration or because the hardware/firmware is incomplete (e.g. TITO because printer is not installed and/or TITO functionality is not enabled in EGM set-up mode and in CEMS).

The method and degree of restriction should be sufficient such that to enable unrestricted functionality and operation would require significant and deliberate re-configuration and or associated changes in firmware and hardware.

Accredited Test Facilities must test gambling equipment in accordance with the above Regulatory Concessions. ATFs must clearly state in any recommendation for approval the nature of restrictions that prevent full functionality from being enabled and managed.

With respect to any recommendations made by ATFs for equipment approval:

Please list those restrictions that may permit this equipment to be installed and operated in compliance with current standards at SkyCity Auckland Casino.

If relevant, please list those restrictions that may permit this equipment to be installed and operated in compliance with current standards at casinos other than SkyCity Auckland.

It is intended that any approval of gambling equipment by the Secretary for Internal Affairs with functionality that would be required under the Regulatory Concessions should be stated as conditional on:

This assessment has been completed against the Minimum Technical Requirements for Cashless Gambling (the Standards) as contained in Schedule 14 of the New Zealand International Convention Centre Project and Licensing Agreement (the Agreement). The Standards as authorised by the New Zealand International Convention Centre Act 2013 and clause 7.3 of the Agreement come into effect on the date clause 7.4 of the Agreement is satisfied.

This application has been conditionally approved subject to the satisfaction of clause 7.4 of the Agreement and applies only to gambling equipment that may be operated at SkyCity Auckland Casino. The gambling equipment functionality referenced in this application must not be operationalised until such time as clause 7.4 of the Agreement is satisfied.

It is important that if equipment is expected to be operated in some limited functionality by Sky City Auckland or used in other casinos that we be contacted for advice if you are not sure of possible future compliance or otherwise. This applies to both manufacturers and ATFs.

Any current ATF recommendations that have yet to be approved would need to be reviewed by the ATF as complying with the above.

You can find the concessions on pages 270 – 277 of the following document:

Gambling Act (Class 4 Gambling Equipment) Minimum Standard

Class 4 Gaming Machine Equipment Standards

The minimum standard for 'Class 4' gaming machine equipment is the:

Minimum Technical Requirements for EMS: Cabling and Site Controller

The minimum equipment standards for cabling Class 4 venues for connection to EMS were notified in the New Zealand Gazette on 8 September 2005. A successful cable install will require careful consideration of this minimum standard and the documents it incorporates.

Link here to the relevant documents: Link here to the incorporated specifications: A minor amendment has been made to this standard regarding the bend radius for cabling: A further amendment has been made to this standard and is reflected in the consolidated version above.

Minimum Technical Requirements for EMS: QCOM Protocol version 1.6.3

There has been an amendment to the Minimum Technical Requirements for EMS (QCOM Version 1.6.3) (PDF, 89K)*, as notified in the New Zealand Gazette on 16 December 2010.

The 'Minimum Technical Requirements for EMS: QCOM Protocol Version 1.6.3' as advised in the New Zealand Gazette on 29 October 2009, replaced those requirements previously specified for EMS ('QCOM Version 1.5.5'), where indicated. The standard (except the gaming machine requirements) applies to all Intralot provided systems and processes from 30 October 2009 and to the gaming machine requirements to all gaming machines from 1 April 2010. The amendment of 16 December 2010 amends the implementation date only and the previous version is unchanged in content. The gaming machine requirements will apply to all gaming machines from 1 July 2011.

Here are the incorporated specifications:

The use of EMS "Sniffer" Technology and Venue Management Systems

An advisory letter was sent to all Class 4 societies and gaming machine manufacturers explaining the Electronic Monitoring System (Cabling and Site Controller) Minimum Equipment Standards that came into force on 8 August 2008 to allow for "sniffer" technology.

EMS Gaming Machine QCOM Meters

The following table shows the differences in names and functionality between QCOM meters and the 'standard' gaming machine meters you have used prior to EMS. Note that while the full names have been shown, you may find that they have been abbreviated when displayed on gaming machine audit screens. QCOM meters can usually be readily identified because they are either displayed in separate 'groups' i.e. Group 0, 1 or 2 (as per the table), or they have a numerical 'ID' e.g. a single number ranging from 1-46 , or a hexadecimal reference like this: '0x14'.

Minimum Technical Requirements for Linked Jackpot Systems Version 2.0

As notified in the New Zealand Gazette on 1 December 2016:

Minimum Technical Requirements for Class 4 De-Centralised Off-Line Cash-In-Ticket-Out Systems of the Gambling Act (Class 4 Gambling Equipment) Minimum Standard 2004

The current standard:

Previous Standards and Amendments

Gambling Act (Casino Gambling Equipment) Minimum Standard

Gambling Act (Class 4 Gambling Equipment) Minimum Standard

 The minimum technical standards for linked jackpot systems were notified in the New Zealand Gazette on 5 November 2009:

Minimum Equipment Standard - Harm Prevention and Minimisation

 Updated and consolidated versions of these standards:
Note: These standards were amended in August 2008. However the harm minimisation requirements for National Standard 9.0 are, except for some minor changes to assist in implementation and testing, identical to those for National Standards 6.01 and 7.0.

Minimum Technical Requirements for EMS: QCOM Protocol version 1.5.5

The minimum equipment standards for the QCOM Protocol were notified in the New Zealand Gazette on 25 May 2006. The standard incorporates specifications produced by the Queensland Office of Gaming Regulation.
An amendment has been made to this standard. Please read in conjunction with the full standard above. Here are the incorporated specifications:
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