On 16 July 2026, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) published a public notice opening the Expressions of Interest (EOI) stage for online casino gambling licences under the Online Casino Gambling Act (New Zealand). This is the first formal step in a three-stage licensing process (EOI, competitive selection, and licence application) to establish a regulated domestic online casino market. Prospective applicants must submit their EOI within 20 working days of the public notice or any longer period determined by the Secretary.
The Online Casino Gambling Act provides the statutory basis for the licensing regime and caps the number of licences at 15, with no single applicant permitted to hold more than three licences from this round. Each licence is valid for up to three years, with renewal available for a further five years. The EOI stage requires applicants to demonstrate suitability against DIA-published criteria, including technical capability, financial standing, and AML/CFT compliance capacity, before advancing to the competitive selection stage.
Offshore gaming operators currently providing online casino services to New Zealand residents without a domestic licence face a transition decision: enter the EOI process to obtain a domestic licence, or prepare to exit the New Zealand market once the licensed regime is fully operational in 2027. Domestic licence holders will be required to meet ongoing technical standards, responsible gambling obligations, and DIA reporting requirements throughout the licence term.
The Act does not immediately criminalise unlicensed offshore access to New Zealand users; the full enforcement regime against unlicensed operators is expected to activate once the licensed market is operational, likely in 2027. Open questions remain on technical operating standards, banking and payment obligations for licensed operators, and the treatment of promotional bonusing and advertising under forthcoming DIA regulations.
Licentium advises gaming operators on market entry strategy, licence applications, and regulatory compliance across Asia-Pacific gaming jurisdictions. For questions about the New Zealand online casino EOI process or market entry strategy, contact us. Work we undertake includes gaming licence applications, AML/CFT compliance design for gaming operators, responsible gambling advisory, market entry strategy, and regulatory representation.
Source: New Zealand Department of Internal Affairs, Online Gambling for Providers, DIA.govt.nz, July 2026