Online gambling in New Zealand
Background
New Zealand’s gambling market is regulated under the Gambling Act 2003 (the Act). The Act was introduced to regulate all forms of gambling and established the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) as the primary regulatory body.
In 2015, the government reinforced its stance on preventing offshore gambling operators from targeting New Zealand residents by tightening advertising restrictions. This move aimed to protect local consumers from unregulated gambling environments and ensure that gambling activity remained within the bounds of New Zealand’s regulatory framework.
However, while not permitted to advertise locally, offshore operators have been free to offer their online services to New Zealand residents without being prosecuted. This has given rise to a pseudo open market with all global gambling brands offering their full suite of services to players in New Zealand.
Plans to change this situation and move to a completely regulated online casino market were announced July 2024. The new regulations were slated to be in place by 2026 with a high level summary of what they will look like given by government minister Brooke van Velden.
“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. It will be illegal for unlicensed operators to offer services to New Zealanders”
Path to New Regulations
In Cabinet papers dated September 2024 an indicative timeline to establishment of the new regime governing online casinos was provided as follows:
| Milestone | Target dates |
| Cabinet agreement to high-level design | July 2024 |
| Cabinet policy agreement and drafting approval | October 2024 |
| Bill introduced | April 2025 |
| Bill enacted & regulator established | By end 2025 |
| Begin licensing process with auction completed in 2 months | 2 February 2026 |
| First licences issued. Operations start. Legislative ban on unlicensed operators begins. |
April 2026 |
| Monitoring system operational | June 2026 |
Licensing would involve a 2-stage process. Stage 1 will see hopeful applicants screened to ensure they meet entry criteria. Stage 2 will see those who passed the first stage bid for one of the 15 available licences in an auction.
Licenses will be awarded on a ‘platform’ basis, with platform defined as ‘the brand or website customers access for gambling purposes’. Operators will not be able to run several brands/websites under a single license.
Online Casino Gambling Act 2026
New Zealand’s Online Casino Gambling Act (OCG Act) came into effect May 1 2026 ushering in a new era of regulated online casino gambling in New Zealand. The path to full implementation of the new regulated market is now set as follows:
- 1 May 2026: Commencement after Royal Assent
- June 2026: Detailed regulations released
- July 2026: Licensing process begins with EOI stage
- Sept–Oct 2026: Competitive auction and licence applications
- 1 December 2026: Unlicensed operators must exit market
- From December 2026 licenses to be issued
- 1 Jan 2027 : Full regulated market operational
Current Regulations
New Zealand’s gambling framework will now operate through two complementary laws: the existing Gambling Act 2003 and the newer OCG Act 2026. Together they create a dual system regulating both traditional and digital gambling activities.
The Gambling Act 2003 remains the overarching legislation governing land-based casinos, lotteries, gaming machines and sports betting activities in New Zealand with the DIA responsible for general oversight.
Online casino operators are now covered by the OCG Act, containing the following key provisions.
- Regulated licensing system
15 licenses to be awarded, valid for 3 years initially then renewable for 5 years. No single operator will be allowed to control more than 3 licenses. - Ban on unlicensed operators
It is now illegal for unlicensed operators to advertise online casino services to New Zealanders. By December 2026 unlicensed operators will be required to exit the market altogether. - Tax
Licensed operators subject to a 16% tax on GGR as well as a problem gambling levy of 1.25% of GGR. - Compliance and enforcement
The DIA is responsible for regulation with powers to issue fines and take down notices.
Major Operators
New Zealand has 2 locally regulated operators, although this number will grow once licences are awarded under the OCG Act.
- Lotto NZ: Offers a range of lottery games, including Lotto, Keno, Bullseye, and Instant Kiwi scratch cards through its online platform.
- TAB NZ: Provides online betting services for horse racing, sports betting, and other racing events, maintaining a monopoly on domestic sports betting.
Brands expressing an interest in taking part in the OCG licensing process included: SkyCity, TAB NZ, 888, Bet365, Betway, SpinBet, Spin City, Grand Casino Dunedin, Christchurch Casino, and Super Group. Most of these operators already accept NZ players at their online casinos during this transition period to a fully regulated market.
Best Live Casinos for New Zealanders
Players in New Zealand have unrestricted access to the leading live casino operators and the full range of live games that they offer. Our favourites are:
