Guts NZ: Casino and Sportsbook Facts and Legal Status

Guts is an online gambling brand that runs a casino, a live casino and a sportsbook at guts.com. It has been marketed to players in many countries over the years, which is why New Zealanders still come across it. This guide explains, in plain English, what Guts actually is, who operates it and under which licence, and — most importantly for Kiwis — where it stands under New Zealand’s gambling laws as they apply in 2026. It is written as factual information, not a recommendation, and it does not encourage anyone to gamble.

What Guts Is

Guts is an online “casino plus sportsbook” site. The casino section offers slot machines (video slots), classic table games such as blackjack and roulette, video poker and a live-dealer casino where real croupiers are streamed on video. The sportsbook lets customers bet on football, tennis and other sports, with pre-match and in-play (live) markets. In the past the brand also ran a poker room. The exact games, markets and payment methods a visitor sees depend entirely on the licensed region they are in, so the line-up is not identical everywhere.

Guts was one of the better-known “challenger” brands of the 2010s. It originally ran on the iGaming platform built by Gaming Innovation Group (GiG). Ownership and technology have since changed hands, which is the main reason older reviews — including the previous version of this page — describe it inaccurately.

Who Operates Guts and Its Licence

Guts is operated by Zecure Gaming Limited, a Malta-registered company that is part of the Betsson Group, one of the larger listed online-gambling companies in Europe. Betsson took over the Guts brand from Gaming Innovation Group in 2020 and relaunched it through Zecure Gaming in 2022.

The brand holds a licence from the Malta Gaming Authority (MGA), the gambling regulator of Malta. An MGA licence sets rules on player-fund protection, fairness testing and complaint handling within Malta’s framework. Note that this is not the same as being licensed in New Zealand.

Older descriptions that list a UK Gambling Commission licence or licences in “some US states” are out of date. Betsson withdrew Guts (along with several sister brands) from the United Kingdom in 2020, and the brand does not hold a United States licence. Treat the Malta licence as the current, verifiable one and check the MGA public register for the live status before relying on any licensing claim.

Legal Status for New Zealand Players

This is the part that matters most for Kiwi readers, and it is where the old page was simply wrong. New Zealand draws a clear line between two kinds of online gambling.

Sports and racing betting. Since 28 June 2025, when amendments to the Racing Industry Act 2020 took effect, TAB NZ is the only operator that may lawfully offer online sports and racing betting to people located in New Zealand. It is unlawful for any offshore bookmaker to take or promote those bets to New Zealanders. Because Guts is an offshore operator with no New Zealand authorisation, its sportsbook falls on the wrong side of that rule. You can read more about how New Zealand regulates offshore sportsbooks and what the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) can do about it.

Online casino. Casino games are covered by a separate law, the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, which came into force on 1 May 2026. It creates a capped licensing system (up to 15 licences), with a licence auction held on 29 September 2026 and licensed sites expected to go live from 2027. Offshore casinos that do not hold one of these licences are required to stop serving New Zealand players, and advertising by unlicensed operators can draw penalties. At the time of writing, there is no confirmed New Zealand online-casino licence for Guts or Betsson.

One practical point: under current rules, playing on an offshore casino site is generally not treated as an offence committed by the individual player, but that does not make the operator licensed or the activity protected. If a dispute arises, a New Zealander has no local regulator to turn to — only Malta’s.

Bonuses and Promotions — Read the Terms

Like most online operators, Guts has historically advertised a welcome offer — typically a “matched deposit” bonus plus free spins on the casino side, and a matched offer on the sportsbook. The exact figures change often and vary by region, so any specific amount quoted in an old article (for example, a “100% up to $200” sports bonus) should not be taken as current.

What matters more than the headline number are the conditions attached. Bonus credits almost always carry a wagering requirement — you must bet the bonus a set number of times, often at minimum odds, within a time limit before any winnings can be withdrawn. A “6x at odds of 2.00 or higher within 30 days” style rule is common. Understanding how decimal odds and those wagering conditions work is the only way to judge whether an offer has real value. A bonus does not improve your chances of winning; it only changes the terms on which you play.

Payment Methods and Currencies

Across its licensed markets, Guts has supported common deposit and withdrawal options such as debit and credit cards, e-wallets (for example Skrill and Neteller) and bank transfers. Available methods, limits and processing times differ by region and are set by the operator’s banking and compliance rules.

The old claim that Guts “exclusively accepts New Zealand dollars” is not supported; accepted currencies depend on the licensed region, and an offshore site may process payments in euros or other currencies, which can add conversion costs. Because the brand is not licensed in New Zealand, none of this is backed by New Zealand consumer protections.

Security and Responsible-Gambling Tools

Guts states that it uses encryption to protect transactions and offers the responsible-gambling tools expected under a Malta licence: deposit limits, time or session limits, time-outs and self-exclusion. These are useful features, but they operate under Malta’s framework rather than New Zealand’s.

New Zealanders have their own, stronger options that work regardless of where a site is based. You can set limits and self-exclude with the licensed operator, use device- or bank-level blocking, and reach free local support. Our guide to responsible-gambling tools for New Zealand bettors explains each option in detail.

The Legal Alternative in New Zealand

If the goal is to bet on sport or racing legally from New Zealand, the only operator permitted to take those bets online is TAB NZ. It offers both tote (pooled) and fixed-odds wagering across racing and sport. If you are weighing options, our overview of how TAB NZ’s tote and fixed-odds wagering works sets out the markets and bet types without any sales pitch.

For online casino play, the sensible approach for now is to wait for the New Zealand licensing regime to produce authorised sites, rather than using an unlicensed offshore casino that has no local accountability. A licensed operator is answerable to the DIA, is bound by New Zealand harm-minimisation rules, and gives players a local avenue if something goes wrong.

Who This Information Suits

This page is for anyone researching the Guts brand — its owner, its licence and whether it is a legitimate choice for New Zealanders in 2026. The short answer is that Guts is a real, Malta-licensed international operator, but it is not licensed in New Zealand and its sportsbook may not lawfully take bets from people in the country. Readers wanting a legal, locally regulated option should look to TAB NZ for betting, and to future licensed sites for online casino play.

Responsible Gambling and Legal Notice

This article is factual information only. It is not gambling advice and it does not encourage anyone to gamble. Gambling involves risk, outcomes are determined by chance, and no bonus, system or “tip” improves your odds. You must be 18 or over to gamble in New Zealand.

If gambling is causing harm to you or someone you know, free and confidential help is available in New Zealand. You can call the Gambling Helpline Aotearoa on 0800 654 655 (or text 8006) any time, day or night, or find support services through Safer Gambling Aotearoa and the Gambling Helpline. The Department of Internal Affairs regulates gambling in New Zealand.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Guts legal for New Zealand players?

Guts is not licensed in New Zealand. Since 28 June 2025, TAB NZ has been the only operator allowed to offer online sports and racing betting to people in New Zealand, so Guts may not lawfully take those bets from Kiwis. For online casino, the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 requires offshore operators to hold a New Zealand licence; Guts does not currently hold one.

Who operates Guts and is it licensed?

Guts is operated by Zecure Gaming Limited, part of the Betsson Group, and holds a licence from the Malta Gaming Authority. It no longer operates under a UK Gambling Commission licence, and it does not hold a United States or New Zealand licence. The Malta licence applies to Malta’s regulatory framework, not New Zealand’s.

Does Guts have a mobile app?

Guts has generally not offered a dedicated downloadable app; instead it runs a mobile-friendly website that adjusts to phones and tablets. Availability still depends on the player’s region, and because the brand is not licensed in New Zealand, using it here is not covered by local consumer protections.

What is the Guts welcome bonus?

Guts has historically advertised a matched-deposit bonus with free spins, but the exact amount varies by region and changes often, so older figures should not be relied on. Any bonus carries conditions such as wagering requirements, minimum odds and time limits. A bonus changes the terms of play; it does not improve your chance of winning.

What are the legal alternatives in New Zealand?

For betting on sport and racing, TAB NZ is the only operator legally allowed to take online bets from people in New Zealand. For online casino games, the sensible option is to wait for operators licensed under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, which are expected from 2027, rather than using an unlicensed offshore site with no local accountability.