New Zealand Opens Online Casino Licence Process

New Zealand Opens Online Casino Licence Process – 15 Permits Available Under New Regulatory Framework

Key Takeaways

• New Zealand has launched the first stage of a three-stage process to award 15 online casino licences.
• Operators must submit an expression of interest by 14 August to participate in the auction stage.
• Licences are expected to be issued in early 2027 following an auction and application phase.
• The Online Casino Gambling Regulations 2026 entered into force on 3 July.
• Offshore providers active on 1 May may continue operating until 1 December under transitional arrangements.

Expression of Interest Marks First Step in Three-Stage Licensing Process

New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs has formally opened the licensing process for online casino operators, initiating the first stage of a newly established regulatory framework. The government plans to issue 15 online casino licences as part of the country’s re-regulation of the iGaming market.

The current phase requires operators to register their interest through an expression of interest process. The deadline for submissions is 14 August. Only those applicants whose expressions of interest are accepted will be invited to move to the second stage, which consists of an auction process.

Successful bidders in the auction will then proceed to the third stage, where they may formally apply for a licence. The Department expects licences to be issued in early 2027, completing the three-step procedure.

All relevant documentation, guidance, and submission requirements are available through the Government Electronic Tenders Service portal, which manages the application intake.

Online Casino Gambling Regulations 2026 Now in Force

The licensing process follows the entry into force of the Online Casino Gambling Regulations 2026 on 3 July. The new regulations provide the legal basis for the controlled issuance of online casino licences and establish the framework under which operators may legally provide services in the country.

As part of the transition to the new system, the government has introduced temporary arrangements for certain offshore providers. Companies that were based offshore and were offering online casino services to customers in New Zealand on 1 May may continue to do so until 1 December. This transitional period allows existing operators time to assess participation in the new licensing regime.

For international operators and platform users, the timeline is relevant. The transitional window defines how long currently active offshore brands may legally continue operations before the new licensing requirements take full effect.

TAB NZ May Participate Following Legislative Reassessment

The Department of Internal Affairs has also clarified the position of TAB NZ, a statutory entity whose functions are defined in the Racing Industry Act 2020.

Previously, the Department considered that TAB NZ would be unable to apply for an online casino licence without amendments to the Racing Industry Act. However, the government has now reassessed its interpretation of the legislation. It concluded that there are no statutory barriers preventing TAB NZ from submitting an expression of interest and, if successful in both the expression of interest and auction stages, applying for a licence.

According to the Department, TAB NZ is mandated to conduct betting, broadcasting, and gaming, and to make rules relating to betting under Part 4 of the Racing Industry Act. The Department stated that it considers gaming to have a broad meaning that encompasses online casino gambling.

This clarification allows TAB NZ to compete for one of the 15 available licences under the same staged process as other applicants.

Centralised Exclusion Register Planned by December 2027

The new legislative framework also includes provisions for the establishment of a centralised exclusion register. Under the Act, the Minister for Internal Affairs must recommend regulations establishing this register by 1 December 2027.

The Department has begun initial high-level policy work on the register. However, it has stated that further decisions on the design, consultation process, and delivery arrangements are still pending. No additional operational details have been released at this stage.

The future register is intended to form part of the broader regulatory structure governing online casino gambling in the country. Its inclusion in the legislation indicates that player exclusion mechanisms will be addressed within the regulated market model.

Implications for Operators and Market Access

The launch of the expression of interest process provides the first formal opportunity for operators to secure a place in New Zealand’s regulated online casino market. With a fixed number of 15 licences available, participation will depend on successfully passing through all three stages of the process.

For offshore providers currently serving New Zealand customers under the transitional arrangement, the 1 December deadline represents a key milestone. Continued market access beyond that date will depend on compliance with the new licensing system.

The structured auction component also signals that market entry will be selective rather than open-ended. Operators must first meet the requirements of the expression of interest stage before being permitted to bid.

Our Assessment

New Zealand has formally initiated a controlled licensing regime for online casino operators, limiting the market to 15 licences and introducing a structured three-stage approval process. The framework is supported by the Online Casino Gambling Regulations 2026, which are now in force, and includes transitional provisions for certain offshore providers until 1 December. The clarification regarding TAB NZ’s eligibility and the planned establishment of a centralised exclusion register indicate further implementation steps within the regulatory rollout.