New Zealand’s authorities have moved into the practical phase of legalising the online casino vertical. Now, the government is accepting applications (EOI) from potential operators.
The country’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) plans to issue 15 permits. The full launch of the regulated market is scheduled for 2027.
Application Procedure and Key Dates
The certification roadmap is divided into 3 sequential stages. The 1st step is the official invitation to Expressions of Interest effective from July 17th, 2026.
Central notions about the phase:
- Applications from potential market participants are accepted through GETS, the government’s procurement portal.
- The deadline for submitting initial documents is set for August 14th, 2026.
- Each request must be complemented by a non-refundable fee of NZD 19,000 (approximately USD 11,000).
After preliminary processing and verification of papers for compliance, the 2nd stage will take place in September: an auction. The submission of full-licence applications, the 3rd phase, will start in October 2026.
Requirements for Market Participants
The updated gambling policy is aimed at allowing only reliable and stable companies to enter the country. Company budgets will play a significant role.
To this end, the government has established strict selection criteria:
- Business capitalisation. Prospective licensees are required to confirm access to financial assets of at least NZD 7.5 million (about USD 4.3 million).
- Operational transparency. Applicants must provide details on their management and ownership structure, key executives, platform software components, and brand.
- Scaling restrictions. One company can apply for no more than 3 permits in total.
Stella David, Entain’s CEO, announced her firm’s intention to obtain the maximum number of allowed permits (3). As the corporation is already running an online sportsbook in the country (TAB), it will become the only local operator, cross-selling between the web casino and betting verticals.
Due Diligence and Legal Compliance
Special attention will be paid to security and risk mitigation when processing applications. To this end, the regulator plans to request an expanded set of supporting documents.
For instance, operators must provide certificates to check business reputation, such as credit reports, ID cards, and extracts about the absence of a criminal record. Brands are also required to mention a history of violations, if any, with full disclosure of past legal investigations, insolvency issues, or sanctions from advertising regulators in any jurisdiction.
The new demands are intended to ensure enhanced consumer protection. Due to the scale of this reform, authorities will need significant time for reviewing applications.
Schedule of Initiative Implementation
The transition to a regulated gambling market in New Zealand will take place in several stages. The 1st one is the auction in September 2026. After the results are announced, winners will be able to submit full applications in October.
The issuance of permits and the official launch of the supervised segment are scheduled for early 2027. Representatives of the relevant agencies note that this timeframe is necessary for the thorough preparation and implementation of the new legal framework.
Features of Digital Market Regulation
The oversight model chosen by New Zealand’s authorities is distinguished by complexity and attention to detail. Operators must ensure a high level of casino security to protect the audience, and this aspect remains a top priority.
Key requirements for potential market participants and their software include:
- risk mitigation;
- rigorous control;
- customer safety.
The Director of True Legal, a New Zealand-based firm that provides gambling law advice, commented on the situation. In Jarrod True's opinion, the most significant change now is the transition from a chaotic offshore hub to a strictly regulated system with a limited number of licences. The new structure has been developed in full compliance with the Online Casino Gambling Act, adopted earlier in 2026.
The executive believes that discussing implementation delays is inappropriate, as they are likely a deliberate decision. The government prioritises a consistent transition and the creation of a robust regulatory framework over speed of market entry. According to many industry experts, the emerging system will be one of the strictest across the newly overseen jurisdictions.
Navigating the legal landscape in real time globally may be a challenging task for operators. Therefore, Casino Market's team offers professional assistance in licensing, debuting in business-favourable regions, and expanding to more destinations.
Feel free to contact us for ongoing software and service support at any stage of developing, launching, and scaling your gambling project.
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