True Legal

Welcome to True Legal, a specialist law firm located in Hamilton, New Zealand. We are dedicated to providing expert advice on New Zealand's gambling law and policy.

At True Legal, our Director Jarrod True is a renowned gambling law specialist and the author of the New Zealand Gambling Law Guide, available at gamblinglaw.co.nz. With his extensive knowledge and experience, Jarrod provides valuable advice on all aspects of New Zealand's gambling laws, including online gambling, gaming machines, racing, lotteries, poker, and sales promotion schemes.

We are proud to serve as trusted advisors to over three quarters of New Zealand's gaming machine trusts, offering national guidance and support. In 2022 alone, these trusts made an impressive 21,469 community grants, totaling $328 million, benefiting 13,791 recipients.

Jarrod also provides advice to offshore-based developers of gambling-related apps, ensuring compliance with New Zealand's online gambling laws. Additionally, he assists clients with the format and operation of sales promotion schemes, which are regulated by the Gambling Act.

With his unparalleled expertise, Jarrod has successfully argued more class 4 (gaming machine) Gambling Commission appeals than any other lawyer in New Zealand. He is well-versed in the Commission's prior decisions, as well as High Court and Court of Appeal rulings on gambling-related matters.

Furthermore, Jarrod represents the Gaming Machine Association of New Zealand at territorial authority gambling venue policy hearings across the country. His advocacy ensures that the interests of the gaming machine industry are effectively represented.

Recognized as New Zealand's leading gaming/gambling lawyer by Who's Who Legal, Jarrod's expertise is highly regarded both locally and internationally. His inclusion in the list of the top 134 gaming/gambling lawyers worldwide highlights his exceptional skills and knowledge in this specialized field.

Jarrod graduated with first-class honors in 1995, further demonstrating his commitment to excellence in the legal profession.

If you require assistance with New Zealand's gambling law compliance, True Legal is here to help. We are happy to assist with all dealings with the Department of Internal Affairs, the New Zealand gambling regulator, as well as local councils.

Located at the Portland Park Business Centre, First Floor, TVC Building, 697B Wairere Drive, Chartwell, Hamilton, our office provides a convenient and accessible location for our clients. For private meetings, we also have available meeting rooms in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch.

For societies and clubs holding a class 4 operator's license, our New Zealand Gambling Law Guide is an essential tool. This comprehensive guide offers practical aid and in-depth information on the law and policy surrounding class 4 gambling. It covers various topics, including venue license backdating, calculation of machine number limits, Covid-19 relief for applying societies, and the ability to retain working capital reserves.

We also provide clarity on venue license surrender requirements, backdating, and the possibility of having two gaming venues within the same large building. In addition, we ensure that gaming machine venues can relocate under the Waikiwi Tavern precedent, and we confirm the Gambling Commission's ability to consider new and additional material.

Moreover, we have successfully challenged gaming machine license suspensions and financial viability concerns, protecting the interests of our clients. Additionally, we have confirmed the ability for ten-pin bowling centers to host gaming machines, expanding opportunities in the industry.

At True Legal, we are dedicated to providing expert advice and guidance in New Zealand's gambling law landscape. Contact us today to benefit from our specialized knowledge and experience in this field.