15 Online Casino Licenses Announced for New Zealand
Internal affair minister Brooke Van Velden announced that 15 licenses will be made available as per New Zealand's gambling regulation. He stated that the licenses would be awarded by auction and that each brand will be required to secure a license in order to operate in the country.
Cabinet papers that were filed in September listed a number of operators that have expressed interest in applying for an online license. These include SkyCity, TAB NZ, 888, Bet365, and SpinBet.
Regulated online gambling in New Zealand will have a high-level approach to online casino regulation with an aim to minimize harm, support tax collection, and provide consumer protections for New Zealand players.
Currently there are 36 operators who have registered with the New Zealand government including global operators Flutter, Super Group, Bet365, Entain, and the land-based casino SkyCity.
Registered operators will pay Goods and Services Tax (GST) to the government. The cabinet papers noted that limiting the number of licensed operators will reduce regulatory costs.
Testing and Monitoring Requirements for New Zealand Online Casino Licensees
The auction for online casino licenses is underway and successful bidders must submit business plans and marketing, consumer protection, harm minimization and compliance strategies in their applications.
Successful bidders in the auction will need to complete a separate application process before they can operate in New Zealand's regulated market.
The DIA has stated that winning an auction slot gives companies the right to apply for a license and successful bidders will still need to complete the application process to prove that they can operate safety and responsibly. They will be required to submit documentation showing how they plan to run their business.
New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has released details of its Testing and Monitoring Requirements for Online Casino Gambling Technology.
This document outlines the proposed testing, certification, and monitoring regime for operators under New Zealand's Online Casino Gambling Act 2026.
It lists three approved independent testing labs which are GLI Australia, Quality Assurance Laboratories, and BMM Australia.
All the new licensed online casinos will need to have their technology certified by independent testing laboratories. Games and RNGs that have already been tested to applicable standards in the UK or Ontario in Canada won't need to be re-tested, but any other existing games or new titles added after launch will have to undergo full external testing.
All brands will be required to have a separate license and no single operator can control or hold significant influence over more than three licenses. Licenses will initially last up to three years, with a single option to renew for up to five years.
Successful bidders are expected to have all requirements completed for their license applications by October 23, 2026.
Five Key Documents Required
According to the DIA, successful bidders will have to submit five documents that will show how they plan to run their business. They will also be required to provide a document showing how their internal policies match the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026. These documents are:
- A business plan
- An advertising and marketing strategy
- A consumer protection strategy
- A harm prevention and minimisation strategy
- A compliance strategy
Strict Gambling Advertising Rules
The new gambling advertising rules ban references to luck, fate, and superstition, and introduce protections for minors. The guidance was issued by the DIA and accompanies the Online Casino Gambling Bill.
There is a ban on advertising that suggests gambling outcomes are influenced by luck, fate, rituals, or superstition. Operators are also banned from claiming that gambling can lead to happiness, success, or a better life. They cannot use personal endorsement to promote their services.
Gambling advertisements will not be allowed near schools, youth events, or platforms where people under 18 are expected to make up more than 20 per cent of the audience.
Anything that appeals to minors cannot be used in advertising and this includes cartoons and mascots.
Advertising that is aimed at people under 25 can only be permitted if operators can demonstrate effective age-verification systems that prevent access by those under 18.
Other restrictions include:
- Customer data cannot be used to promote higher-value bets or encourage players to switch to different gambling products.
- Direct marketing by email or text requires clear customer consent.
- Advertisements cannot show gaming machines, poker chips, or slot jackpots.
- Bonuses and free spins must clearly display their terms and conditions.
- Gambling advertising is prohibited from 30 minutes before until 30 minutes after live events.
New Zealand Regulated Online Casinos Market Launch
The auction held in September was the next step of the regulated online casino launch in New Zealand and operators that were successful have been invited to submit full license applications by the 23rd October 2026. It is anticipated that final licenses will be issued in time for the regulated market launch on December 1.
From 2027, only licensed operators will be permitted to provide online casino platforms in New Zealand.
