Cinemas To Re Open in New Zealand | Are NZ Casinos Next in Line?

All cinemas in New Zealand are set to re open this week much to the joy of Kiwis sitting at home. The lockdown posed by COVID-19 has dealt a severe blow to several industries including film, gambling and sports.

The reopening of cinemas is a sign that there is indeed light at the end of the tunnel. In a surprising turn of events, Bollywood film Golmaal Again will become the first Hindi film to be screened in New Zealand after the pandemic.

What is unusual about this move is that it will be screened in New Zealand but not in India. Golmaal Again is directed by Rohit Shetty and stars prominent Bollywood actor Ajay Devgan. Devgan is also joined by Arshad Warsi, Parineeti Chopra and Tabu in a movie that has done very well financially in India.

Rohit Shetty posted on social media, “New Zealand decides to re-release Golmaal Again in theatres making it the First Hindi Film to get a relaunch post Covid. New Zealand is now covid free and is opening its theatres on 25th June with Golmaal Again. As it is rightly said – ‘THE SHOW MUST GO ON…’ (sic).”

Punjabi film Ardaas Karaan will also follow in Golmaal’s footsteps and will will also be re-released in New Zealand in June.

Where does this leave the casinos in New Zealand? Gambling both offline and online has grown tremendously in New Zealand. Several new online casinos have made their way into NZ offering thousands of games including online pokies, table games and live casino.

It will be interesting to see whether the government lifts the lockdown restrictions on the gambling industry as well.