Licensing Requirements and Processes Of NZ Casino
New Zealand’s casino licensing landscape has changed more in 2026 so far than it has in the last two decades. That’s because until recently, there was only one kind of casino licence that could be issued in New Zealand: the very limited and tightly capped land-based licence. Now there are two, because the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 has created a regulated online casino market for the first time. On this page, I’m going to cover how both land-based licensing and the new online regime work, and what it all means for you when you’re choosing a site to play at.
New Zealand’s 2 Types of Casino License
Thanks to the 2026 licensing update, there are now two different casino licenses that can be awarded to gambling companies in New Zealand:
- Land-Based Casinos: These are governed by the Gambling Act 2003, and this put a hard-freeze on the number of new casino venue licenses that could be issued. As of now, no new land-based casinos can open: the country is limited to just six: SkyCity Auckland, Hamilton and Queenstown, plus Christchurch and Dunedin.
- Online Casinos: Until 2026, online casinos licensed in New Zealand were prohibited. Kiwis could still play at offshore sites, but there was no domestic licensing framework available. The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 changes that, and for the first time, a licensed domestic market will open this year.
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) is the regulator for both types of license, and they’re responsible for enforcing the law, setting and approving license conditions, running the new online licensed process, and issuing fines and penalties to operators found to be breaching any of the terms of their license.
The New Online Licensing Regime
The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 came into force on the 1st May 2026, and the licensed market is set to launch officially on the 1st December 2026. A limited number of licenses will be issued, with the DIA awarding up to 15 online casino licenses in total. Each covers a single brand; no operator may hold more than three, and each licence runs for up to three years, with a renewal available for up to five years. Operators who receive a license will be able to offer RNG games – online pokies, casino table games, and live games – as well as computer-simulated sports betting.
A three-stage competitive process will be run through the government’s GETS tender system), and this is as follows:
- Expression of Interest: This takes place in July 2026, and is a probity review of the applicant and all key people involved. It’s focused on compliance history, criminal history, access to capital, and whether granting a license would harm New Zealand’s reputation.
- Auction: This happens in September 2026, and applicants to clear the EoI stage will be able to place bids for the right to officially apply for a license.
- Full Application: In October 2026, winning bidders will need to submit a comprehensive application, which must include a business plan and detailed strategies for advertising, consumer protection, harm minimisation, and compliance.
From the 1st December 2026, any operator that hasn’t applied for a license must stop offering online casino gambling to New Zealanders. Operators who applied can keep running until their application is decided or until the 1st June 2027 – whichever comes first.
Key Licence Requirements
Whether land-based or online, a NZ licence comes with some pretty strict obligations, including:-
- Operator and personnel vetting. Directors and senior members of staff need to be properly vetted – and this include disclosure of beneficial ownership, source-of-funds checks, and regular reporting.
- Game fairness and technical security. Licences depend on tested RNGs, approved game rules, change logs, tamper-evident systems, secure data storage, independent audits, and incident reporting. Online licensees must also meet the DIA’s Minimum Standards for Online Casino Gambling Technology, which basically set out how the platform is tested and monitored.
- Anti-money-laundering and tax. Online operators must register as reporting entities under the AML/CFT Act 2009 and pay GST in New Zealand.
Other things include harm minimisation, advertising controls, renewal and ongoing compliance – and more.
Gambling should only ever be viewed as a form of fun; entertainment, and never a way to make money, or for financial gain. If you find yourself chasing losses, unable to stop, or expecting to win, you may be exhibiting signs of problem gambling. If, at any point, you feel that you have a gambling problem, stop immediately, check out our Responsible Gambling page, and reach out to organisations and charities like New Zealand’s Problem Gambling Foundation. Help and support is available.
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