The government announced in July 2024, that they would be regulating online casinos. Minister for Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden, said that further details for the new regulatory system for New Zealand online gambling have been agreed upon by government and that his goal is to increase the amount of gambling happening online, but to also ensure that those who do partake can do so in a safe environment, which cannot be guaranteed at the present time.
He also stated that while there are thousands of online casinos for New Zealand, these are offshore and players can face problems withdrawing their funds, ensuring safety and security, and more. With the introduction of the new regulatory system, the intention is to offer Kiwis 15 licensed operators whilst also ensuring player protection.
The new online gambling bill for New Zealand will not only regulate online casino gambling but also ensure a safer and more compliant market for Kiwis. It will also prevent and minimize crime. Advertising that appeal to under age gamblers will be prohibited and an age verification system will be required by all operators.
The new regulatory system is set to be in place by early 2026 and is already attracting the attention of big brand operators such as 888, Betway, and Bet365.
888, Bet365, and Betway Interested in New Zealand Casino Licenses
After the announcement of a total of 15 licenses being made available for online casinos in New Zealand, it looks like a number of top brands are already interested in becoming the first legal online operators in the country. So far, 888 Casino, Betway, and Bet365 have expressed interest in securing licenses and we're sure many more will follow.
A new bill is set to be introduced in April of 2025 and enacted before the end of the year ensuring that legislation is passed in 2025 with a vetting and auction process for the 15 licenses commencing on the 2nd of February 2026. It is expected that licensed operators will be able to commence trading in April 2026.
Auction to Determine License Holders
According to papers filed in September, there is already a lot of interest in the licenses and present operators such as SkyCity, TAB NZ, Spin City, Grand Casino Dunedin, 888, Betway, SpinBet, Christchurch Casino, and more.
At present there are 36 online operators that pay Goods and Services Tax to the government of New Zealand. This includes Flutter, Bet365, Entain, and the land based SkyCity. The leading 15 operators account for 90% of the online gambling Goods and Services tax over the past 3 years. These figures suggest that maximum revenues can be achieved with a small number of regulators thus reducing regulatory costs as well.
Existing operators such as SkyCity and Christchurch will be able to apply for online casino licenses. Both already offer online sites through the offshore model. Tab NZ which is already regulated for betting have to wait for the Minister for Racing, Winston Peter to decide whether they can apply for an online casino license.
$5 Million Fines are Part of the New Zealand Gambling Bill
As well as offering 15 licenses, the new bill also includes fines of up to NZ$5 million for breach of player protection rules. These rules include operators to provide an age verification system for players as well as restrictions on advertising and a ban on adverts that appeal to minors.
Safety and protection of players is paramount and according to Van Velden, the existing Gambling Act will allow the government to adjust regulations where necessary but ensure that safety of all those who wish to play online casino games is top priority. Detailed rules have not yet been released.
The new regulatory system for New Zealand online gambling will be in place by early 2026 and as further details are released, we will be sure to update our readers. For now, there is only the official press release.
