New Zealand's Minister of Internal Affairs, Brooke van Velden, stated that the New Zealand government "agrees to adopt a high-level approach to regulate online casinos, aimed at minimizing harm, supporting tax collection, and providing consumer protection for New Zealanders."
"This is not about increasing the gambling activities of New Zealanders but ensuring that operators meet consumer protection standards, reduce harm, and fulfill tax obligations," van Velden affirmed.
The number of licenses will be limited and distributed via auction. Each license will be valid for three years, but must comply with regulatory requirements.
Under these regulations, licensed operators can only offer online casino games and are prohibited from offering sports betting or lottery products; they can advertise, but under strict restrictions; sponsorship of online casinos remains illegal. The minimum age for online gambling is 18 years.
"I expect the new regulatory system to start being implemented in early 2026, and the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback during the select committee process. Once established, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) will become the regulatory agency," van Velden concluded.
New Zealand's DIA has always been strict on any regulatory compliance issues with the gambling industry, with the recent SkyCity case being a prime example.
