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(AsiaGameHub) – As the long process of regulating online casinos in New Zealand nears completion, a completion date now appears to be set.
The Online Casino Gambling Bill has entered its final stages after passing its third and final parliamentary reading.
According to an email update from Trina Lowry, Programme Director for Online Gambling Implementation at the Department of Internal Affairs, the bill will be enacted into law on 1 May, after it receives Royal Assent following signing by the Governor-General.
As part of the three-stage licensing process, up to 15 online casino gambling licences will be put up for auction in New Zealand, and the regulated market is scheduled to launch on 1 December later this year.
The following year, on 1 June 2027, only licensed operators will be permitted to offer online casino services in New Zealand’s market.
Brooke van Velden, Minister of Internal Affairs, noted: “The Department of Internal Affairs will regulate the sector using strengthened enforcement tools, including take-down notices, formal warnings, enforceable undertakings and penalties of up to $5m for serious or repeated breaches.
“These tools will ensure that New Zealand law applies to all online casino gambling available in the country, no matter where operators are based. This closes off loopholes for non-compliance and strengthens the regulator’s ability to monitor and enforce compliance from international operators.
“Submissions on this bill made it clear that New Zealanders want the profits from online casino gambling to flow back to local sports clubs, community groups and grassroots organisations. This bill meets that expectation.”
Next steps
Lowry stated that online casino licences are expected to be issued starting from early 2027, but there are currently no changes for online casino customers in New Zealand. Online casinos operating in New Zealand before 1 May 2026 are permitted to continue running until 1 December 2026, but are banned from advertising to New Zealand residents.
Further process guidance for online casinos seeking a licence will be published on 1 May. The bill will ban any new providers from entering New Zealand’s iGaming market without a valid licence.
Unlicensed online casino advertising will remain prohibited, but the new bill raises maximum penalty for breaches to up to NZD$5m. Once an online casino receives its licence, it will be allowed to advertise under specific restrictions.
Supporting regulations covering advertising, harm minimisation and prevention, consumer protection, and cost recovery fees and levies are expected to be finalised later this year.
Two operators have already confirmed their interest in entering the regulated online casino market – Entain Australia & New Zealand and SkyCity Entertainment Group.
Stella David, Chief Executive Officer of Entain, stated during the group’s 2025 full-year earnings presentation that the company will apply for three licences in New Zealand’s online casino market.
However, news of the regulated market timeline comes as a small number of operators face coordinated legal action in New Zealand, with claims filed at the Auckland High Court against bet365, SkyCity Entertainment and Super Group over historical gambling activities.
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