New Zealand Prepares 15 Licences for Online Casino Operators

New Zealand is preparing to regulate online casino gambling through a new licensing system scheduled to begin during 2026. Government officials aim to bring a large offshore gambling market under domestic oversight through legislation currently moving through parliament.

Authorities say the new system will introduce formal licences for operators while adding consumer protection rules, tax obligations, and responsible gambling requirements.

Good to Know

• New Zealand plans to begin online casino licence applications in July 2026.
• Licences will be limited to 15 operators through a multi stage approval process.
• Offshore online casinos currently attract more than NZ$750 million each year from players in the country.

The regulatory structure will arrive through the Online Casino Gambling Bill. Lawmakers approved the first reading during July 2025. Parliament still needs to complete additional stages before final approval expected during May.

Officials want to bring online casino activity under national regulation because many players currently use offshore websites that operate outside local oversight.

Government estimates show players in New Zealand spend more than NZ$750 million each year on offshore online casino platforms.

Licensing System Will Limit Operators and Add Regulatory Checks

Authorities plan to restrict the number of online casino licences to 15 operators. Allocation will follow a three stage process designed to review applicants and ensure regulatory compliance.

First stage will invite operators to submit an expression of interest once the bill becomes law. Officials expect that window to remain open for roughly one to two months.

Next stage will include a licence auction held shortly after the expression of interest period closes. Bidding could last up to two months depending on demand.

Companies that secure licences during the auction must then submit full applications. Regulators will evaluate those applications based on consumer protection measures, financial stability and operational integrity.

Officials expect the final assessment stage to take between four and six months.

Successful applicants will receive licences valid for up to three years. Renewal will depend on ongoing compliance with regulatory standards.

Department of Internal Affairs confirmed that operators must apply for licences before December 1, 2026. Companies that fail to comply must stop offering online casino services to customers in New Zealand.

Regulators say companies that ignore the rule could face fines up to NZ$5 million and removal from the market.

Taxes and Community Funding Part of New Online Casino System

The government also plans to introduce taxes and funding commitments tied to the new market structure.

Licensed operators will pay a 12 percent gaming duty under the proposed framework. Authorities also plan to require a community funding contribution equal to 4 percent of gross gaming revenue.

Officials estimate the funding structure could generate between $10 million and $20 million during the first year.

Earlier versions of the proposal drew criticism from sports organizations. Some groups warned that online casino regulation might reduce community funding tied to gambling activity by more than $150 million.

Lawmakers later added funding guarantees intended to protect community contributions.

Data from the New Zealand Gambling Survey 2023 and 2024 also influenced the bill design. Research shows offshore online gambling appears more common among younger men and certain ethnic communities. Participation rates also increase in areas experiencing higher levels of social deprivation.

As a result, the legislation includes harm prevention measures such as mandatory age verification and advertising restrictions that prevent marketing aimed at children.

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