New Zealand DIA Seeks Feedback on Updated Pokies Machine Standards for Casinos and Class 4 Venues

New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) is asking for public feedback on updated technical rules for gaming machines used in casinos and Class 4 pokie venues. The update would bring New Zealand’s minimum standards in line with the latest Australian/New Zealand gaming machine standard (ANZ GMNS revision 12.1), refresh the NZ-specific add-on sections, and rewrite parts of the document so it’s easier to follow. Feedback is due by 5pm on Monday 23 March 2026, and submissions can be emailed to DIA.

What’s being consulted on

DIA’s consultation covers three connected changes:

Incorporating ANZ GMNS rev 12.1 into the minimum standards for casino and Class 4 gaming machine equipment.

• Making consequential updates to the New Zealand appendices that sit alongside the ANZ standard (separate appendices are proposed for casino and Class 4).
• A proposal to redraft the minimum standards “to assist with clarity of the provisions,” while still incorporating the same underlying documents.
• DIA has published a consultation document plus supporting PDFs (including marked-up changes from rev 11.0 to 12.1 and draft NZ appendices) for stakeholders to review.

Why minimum standards matter for pokies

Under the Gambling Act framework, minimum standards are effectively the technical baseline for what gaming machines are allowed to do and how they must perform. DIA notes that compliance with the relevant minimum standards is a condition of both Class 4 venue licences and casino operator licences, and the Secretary for Internal Affairs can prescribe and amend minimum standards for gambling equipment.

For venues and societies, updates like these can affect procurement, testing, upgrades, and how quickly new machine configurations can be certified and rolled out, especially when the ANZ standard is referenced directly by the minimum standards.

What operators and venues should do next

DIA is asking for submissions by email to gambling@dia.govt.nz, with “Minimum standards – ANZ GMNS” in the subject line, by 5pm Monday, 23 March 2026.

Key details at a glance

(All details above come from DIA’s consultation notice.)

Where this sits in the DIA’s wider gambling work programme

The minimum standards consultation sits alongside other current  DIA gambling consultations listed on its gambling consultation page, as the regulator continues updating settings around casino and non-casino gaming.