New Zealand Home Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden said the New Zealand government had "agreed a high-level approach to regulating online casinos designed to minimize harm, contribute tax revenue and provide consumer protection for New Zealanders" .
"This is not about increasing the number of New Zealanders gambling, but about ensuring operators meet consumer protection and harm reduction requirements, as well as paying taxes," affirmed Van Velden.
The number of licenses available will be limited and will be allocated through auctions. Each license will be valid for three years, subject to meeting regulatory requirements.
Under the regulations, licensed operators can only offer online casino games, not sports betting or lottery products; related advertising will be allowed but subject to strict restrictions; sponsorship will remain illegal for online casinos. The minimum age for online gambling is 18.
“I expect that the new regulatory regime will be implemented from early 2026 and the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback during the select committee process. Once established, the Department of Home Affairs (DIA) will be the regulatory authority,” Van Velden concluded.
New Zealand's DIA has always been very strict about any regulatory compliance issues in the gambling industry, as evidenced by the recent SkyCity case.
