New Zealand Introduces New Licensing Rules for Online Casinos

New Zealand’s plan to regulate online casinos is moving into its next phase, with an auction scheduled for September 29 that will give up to 15 operators the right to apply for a licence. The change will determine which companies can continue serving customers as the country introduces a formal licensing system.

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) says successful bidders will be able to submit full applications from October. Winning at auction will not guarantee a licence: each operator must still satisfy the regulator that it is suitable and able to meet the required standards.

A New Route Into the New Zealand Market

The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 came into force on May 1, establishing a licensing framework for online casino gambling. The DIA is introducing the system in stages, with the full regime expected to be operational in 2027.

A maximum of 15 licences will be available. Each will cover one casino brand and the platforms associated with it. Licences can run for up to three years, with the possibility of a further five-year renewal, and no operator may receive more than three licences.

The first stage — expressions of interest — closed on August 14. The auction is the next step, followed by formal applications from successful bidders.

The December Deadline for Existing Operators

The transition also sets a clear deadline for businesses already serving New Zealand customers. From December 1, providers that have not applied for a licence must stop operating in the country.

Operators with an application under consideration may continue operating while they await a decision, but they cannot advertise during that period. If an application is declined, the provider must leave the market.

That makes the coming weeks important for existing businesses. They will need to decide whether to apply and prepare the information required for regulatory assessment.

What Applicants Will Need to Show

A formal application will require more than a description of the casino platform. The DIA says applicants must provide a business plan and detailed strategies covering advertising and marketing, consumer protection, harm prevention and compliance. The regulator will use this information, alongside details supplied during the expression-of-interest stage, to assess the applicant’s suitability.

The Act also establishes obligations around player protection, including age controls and measures to reduce gambling-related harm.

Advertising Will Remain Restricted

The licensing process does not mean operators can immediately promote their services without limits. New Zealand’s advertising restrictions remain in place, and licensed operators will be permitted to promote their services only within the limits set by the new regulations.The department also identifies affiliate marketing and paid endorsements among the prohibited practices.

For international casino brands, this means market entry will involve reviewing not only licensing plans but also how they reach and communicate with customers in New Zealand.

What Comes Next?

The September 29 auction will determine which operators can move forward to the application stage. The DIA expects applications to open in October, while the fully operational licensing system is anticipated in 2027.

The new framework gives operators a defined process for seeking approval, while setting out conditions intended to strengthen oversight and consumer protection. The outcome of the auction and subsequent assessments will show which businesses are able to meet those conditions.