Kiwi online casino has become one of the most recognizable gaming sites New Zealand bettors over the years. First launched in 2000, Kiwi has been doing business with New Zealanders alongside the monopolistic betting giant TAB. However, since August of 2006, the Kiwi governmental Internal Affairs Department has ruled that Christchurch Casino's involvement in the online gambling industry is a direct breach of the Gambling Act, which was passed in 2003. Now, Christchurch has been given an ultimatum to exit the online gambling industry within seven months.

Christchurch is the parent company of Kiwi Casino and also manages a small network of other gaming sites, including online bingo and poker rooms. The company had originally told the Internal Affairs Department in 2006 that they intended to sell their online gaming operations. In March of this year, Christchurch Casino's informed the Department they had indeed sold their gaming operations.

Although Internal Affairs confirmed they did not send a letter to Christchurch requesting them to exit the online gambling market, the Department followed up with a prosecution because of the apparent intentional stalling and questionable practices being employed by Christchurch Casinos. After taking up legal counsel with Crown Law, Internal Affairs was confident in their decision to give Christchurch the ultimatum. Just as soon as it is confirmed that Christchurch's online gaming sites are not owned by a New Zealand business, the investigation will be closed.

The investigation, it seems, appeared to stem from allegations and charges that Kiwi Online Casino was in the practice of loan sharking and other questionable activities. It was ruled that Kiwi Casino was not being properly managed and the the Department of Internal Affairs was not a suitable regulator for the online gambling sector. Nonetheless, Kiwi Casino was given the benefit of the doubt and was left alone until the passing of the Gambling Act and a new investigation was taken up.