TLDR
- New Zealand plans to regulate online casinos starting in early 2026.
- A limited number of licenses will be auctioned off, each lasting 3 years.
- Only online casino games will be allowed, not sports betting or lottery products.
- Licensed operators will be able to advertise with strict limits, but sponsorships will remain illegal.
- The minimum gambling age will be set at 18.
New Zealand is set to join the ranks of countries regulating online gambling, with plans to license and regulate online casinos beginning in early 2026. This landmark decision, announced by Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden, aims to minimize harm, support tax collection, and provide consumer protections to New Zealand citizens.
Under the new regulatory framework, a limited number of licenses will be made available and allocated through an auction process. Each license will be valid for three years, contingent on the operator meeting all regulatory requirements. This approach is designed to create a controlled environment that balances consumer choice with responsible gambling practices.
“There will be a licensing system for online casinos, where operators will need to comply with a set of criteria before they will be able to offer services to New Zealanders,” van Velden stated. “It will be illegal for unlicensed operators to offer services to New Zealanders.”
The government’s decision to regulate online gambling is not intended to increase gambling activity among New Zealanders. Instead, it aims to ensure that operators meet stringent requirements for consumer protection and harm minimization, while also contributing to the country’s tax base.
Importantly, the new regulations will only apply to online casino games. Sports betting and lottery products will not be included in this licensing framework. The minimum age for online gambling will be set at 18, aligning with many other jurisdictions worldwide.
In a significant shift from previous policy, licensed operators will be allowed to advertise their services, albeit with strict limitations. However, sponsorships by online casinos will remain prohibited. This balanced approach seeks to allow operators to reach potential customers while maintaining safeguards against excessive gambling promotion.
The announcement has been welcomed by industry stakeholders, including SkyCity Entertainment Group, New Zealand’s only land-based casino operator. SkyCity CEO Jason Walbridge expressed support for the government’s approach, stating, “We are supportive of an online regulatory system that is designed to minimise harm, support tax collection, and provide consumer protections to New Zealanders.”
Walbridge also praised the decision to limit the number of operators, noting, “There have been adverse social outcomes in countries where there are no limitations on the number of providers, so the decision by the Government to limit the number of online casino operators, especially for a country the size of New Zealand, is a sensible one.”
The move to regulate online casinos comes after months of speculation and represents a significant shift in New Zealand’s gambling landscape. Currently, New Zealanders can access offshore online gambling sites, but these operations exist in a legal grey area and do not contribute to the country’s tax base or adhere to local consumer protection standards.
By bringing online gambling under regulatory control, the New Zealand government aims to create a safer, more transparent environment for those who choose to gamble online. The Department of Internal Affairs will serve as the regulator once the system is established.
While the broad strokes of the regulatory framework have been outlined, many details remain to be finalized. The government has promised to release further information later this year, and the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback during the Select Committee process.
