New Zealand Launches Regulated Online Casino Market with New Act

Key Takeaways

• New Zealand has launched a regulated online casino market through the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026.
• A competitive three-stage process, including an auction, will allocate 15 online casino licenses.
• The new framework establishes strict consumer protection measures, advertising restrictions, and taxation for licensed operators.

New Zealand has entered a new era in online gambling regulation with the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, which came into force on 1 May 2026. This reform represents a fundamental shift towards a structured licensing regime, moving away from a largely unregulated offshore market. The legislation aims to enhance consumer protection, ensure tax compliance, and promote responsible gambling within the country.

Structured Licensing and Market Transition

As of 1 May 2026, new offshore entrants are prohibited from offering online casino services to new casinos in New Zealand customers. Existing offshore providers may continue operations under transitional arrangements until 1 December 2026, after which only licensed operators will be permitted to serve the market. The Act applies extraterritorially, subjecting operators targeting New Zealand customers to its laws regardless of their physical location. A total of 15 online casino licenses will be allocated through a three-stage competitive process via the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS). This process includes Expressions of Interest (1 June to 30 June 2026), an invitation-only ascending clock auction (10 July to 17 July 2026), and full license applications (1 August to 30 August 2026). Each license is issued per platform or brand, with operators limited to holding a maximum of three licenses, each valid for three years with a single renewal of up to five years.

Regulatory Scope and Consumer Protection Measures

Licensed operators are restricted to offering online casino games, including slot machines, table games such as blackjack, poker, and baccarat, and virtual sports and racing. Synthetic lotteries are explicitly prohibited. The new framework introduces a comprehensive fiscal regime, including a 4% duty on gross gaming revenue and a 1% problem gambling levy, with an additional 4% duty increase from 2027 ringfenced for community purposes. Advertising is permitted within a highly regulated environment, featuring restrictions such as no targeting of individuals under 25, prohibition of influencer and affiliate marketing, a ban on jackpot advertising, and bonus offer caps at NZ$100 or 200% of deposit, which shapes the landscape for New Zealand casinos. Mandatory age verification (minimum age 18), self-exclusion options, player-controlled limits, real-time alerts, enforced play breaks, and the prohibition of credit card and buy-now-pay-later deposits are central to harm minimization efforts. The regulator is equipped with extensive enforcement tools, including license suspension or cancellation and financial penalties up to NZ$5 million.

New Zealand casino market declared a revenue of NZ$520.8 million (US$304 million) for the year ending 30 June 2025, with the actual market size estimated between NZ$700 million and NZ$800 million (US$408 million and US$466 million). This positions New Zealand as a high-value, tightly regulated market, expected to attract strong competition for the limited licenses available.

Sources: Asgam