New Zealand Opens EOI Process for 15 Online Casino Licences

New Zealand Opens Online Casino Licence Process – 15 Permits Available Ahead of 2027 Market Launch

Key Takeaways

• New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs has opened an expression of interest process for 15 online casino licences.
• Applicants must submit EOIs by 14 August 2026 and pay a non-refundable NZ$19,000 fee.
• Each operator must demonstrate access to at least NZ$7.5 million in capital and can hold a maximum of three licences.
• A licence auction is scheduled for September, with full applications due from October and final licences expected in early 2027.

Department of Internal Affairs Launches First Phase of Licensing

New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs has formally launched the first stage of its online casino licensing process, marking a key step in the country’s transition to a regulated iGaming market. On 16 July, the department published an invitation for companies to submit expressions of interest for one of 15 licences that will be issued under the new Online Casino Gambling Act.

This expression of interest phase represents the beginning of a three-part process. It will be followed by a licence auction in September and then a formal application stage beginning in October. Final licences are expected to be granted in early 2027, aligning with the planned launch of the regulated market.

For operators and service providers monitoring international regulatory developments, this timeline sets a clear framework for market entry into New Zealand’s newly legalised online casino sector.

Application Requirements and Financial Thresholds

Companies seeking to participate must submit their expression of interest through the government procurement portal GETS by 14 August 2026. Each submission must include a non-refundable application fee of NZ$19,000.

The framework limits the total number of licences to 15. In addition, no single operator may hold more than three licences. Applicants must demonstrate that they have access to at least NZ$7.5 million in capital. This financial threshold, combined with the licence cap, signals that participation will be limited to a defined group of well-capitalised operators.

The Department of Internal Affairs has also set detailed disclosure requirements. Applicants must provide full identification details for key officers and outline their ownership and management structures. They must also describe the gambling brand and platform they intend to operate under the licence.

Robust documentation is required to verify submitted information. This includes credit reports, certified identification documents, criminal record clearances or international equivalents, and documentation confirming available capital. Applicants must also disclose prior regulatory breaches, ongoing legal investigations, insolvency events such as liquidation or bankruptcy, and any adverse rulings by advertising regulators in New Zealand or abroad.

From Policy to Implementation Under the Online Casino Gambling Act

New Zealand’s parliament approved the Online Casino Gambling Act earlier this year. The legislation legalised online casino gambling and introduced a regulated licensing system.

The current process reflects the shift from legislative approval to practical implementation. According to the Department of Internal Affairs, the 2027 launch date provides the necessary lead time to complete licensing, compliance checks, and regulatory infrastructure in line with the Act’s requirements.

Legal experts have described the move as a transition from an unregulated offshore environment to a tightly controlled, licence-limited regime. The chosen model places emphasis on licensing scrutiny, harm minimisation, and consumer protection alongside market regulation.

For international operators and platform users, this means that future licensed operators in New Zealand will operate under defined compliance and reporting standards set out in domestic legislation.

Next Steps: Auction and Full Applications

Following the close of the expression of interest phase in mid-August, the next stage will be a licence auction scheduled for September. Successful bidders in the auction will then be invited to submit full licence applications from October.

Final licences are expected to be issued in early 2027. This structured, multi-stage process reflects what regulators have described as a deliberate and orderly transition rather than a rapid market opening.

Industry interest is already visible. During a results call in March, Entain CEO Stella David stated that the company intends to apply for three of the 15 available licences. She noted that Entain’s exclusive betting brand TAB in New Zealand would allow the company to cross-sell between sports betting and iGaming, positioning it uniquely among online operators in the country.

Implications for Operators and Market Participants

The capped number of licences and the financial and disclosure requirements create a controlled entry framework. For operators, this means that early preparation, capital allocation, and compliance readiness will be critical to participation.

For users and market observers, the development signals that New Zealand is moving toward a domestically regulated online casino market with a limited number of authorised providers. Once licences are issued, operators will have met specific capital, probity, and disclosure standards set by the Department of Internal Affairs.

The timeline also provides clarity. With the expression of interest deadline set for August 2026, an auction in September, and applications due from October, stakeholders have a defined sequence leading to a projected 2027 launch.

Our Assessment

New Zealand has initiated the formal licensing pathway for its newly legalised online casino market by opening an expression of interest process for 15 licences. The framework combines a licence cap, capital requirements, detailed disclosure obligations, and a staged approval process culminating in early 2027. For operators, the development defines the entry conditions and timeline. For users, it marks the transition toward a regulated online casino environment under the Online Casino Gambling Act.