The New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs published the Online Casino Gambling Regulations 2026 under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026. The Regulations enter force on 3 July 2026 and establish the detailed operational rules for licensed online casino operators ahead of a scheduled market launch on 1 December 2026. New Zealand is creating a licensed domestic online casino market for the first time, ending a regime under which all domestic online casino gambling was prohibited.
The Regulations cover four areas: harm prevention and minimisation, consumer protection and record-keeping, advertising and marketing, and fees, levies, and charges. Harm prevention requirements obligate operators to provide players with options to set play duration, deposit, and spending limits in daily, weekly, or monthly increments, and to offer breaks, time-outs, pop-up alerts, and self-exclusion including an indefinite exclusion period. A quarterly levy of 3.5% on online gambling profits applies to all licensed operators under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026.
Up to 15 online casino gambling licences will be auctioned. Expressions of interest are expected in the second half of July 2026, the auction is scheduled for September 2026, licence applications follow in October, and the market opens on 1 December 2026. From 1 June 2027, only operators holding a licence will be permitted to provide online casino gambling services to New Zealand players. Offshore operators currently serving New Zealand players without authorization must obtain a licence or exit the market by that date.
The Regulations do not guarantee a minimum number of licences. The Department of Internal Affairs retains discretion over auction design and eligibility criteria, and the 15-licence cap is a ceiling rather than a commitment. The treatment of currently unlicensed offshore operators between 3 July 2026 and 1 June 2027 remains subject to enforcement guidance from the Department. Any slippage in the auction timeline would affect the December 2026 market-opening date.
Licentium advises online gaming and betting operators on licensing strategy, regulatory compliance, and market entry in regulated jurisdictions. Our partner network includes New Zealand-qualified practitioners and international operators preparing for new licensing regimes. Please contact us to discuss eligibility and timing for the New Zealand online casino auction. Work we undertake includes: gaming licence applications and renewals, responsible gambling compliance programs, advertising and marketing regulatory review, and cross-border iGaming regulatory mapping.