New Zealand will license online casinos under a landmark move designed to minimize harm, support tax collection and provide consumer protections to citizens, the government has announced.
According to information released by Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden, a regulatory framework is expected to be in place by early 2026 with a limited number of licensed to be made available and allocated by way of auction. Each license will last three years pending the operator meeting all regulatory requirements.
The government will also allow licensed operators to advertise, with strict limits, although they will not be allowed to provide sponsorship. The licenses will be fore online casino games only – not for sports betting or lottery products.
