New Zealand has opened the first stage of its online casino licensing programme, inviting operators to submit expressions of interest (EOIs) for one of 15 licences under the country’s new regulated online casino framework.
The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) launched the EOI process as the first step in a three-stage programme. Operators have until 14 August to apply. Only accepted applicants will qualify for the licence auction planned for September, with successful bidders invited to submit full licence applications in October. Authorities expect to issue licences in early 2027.
The invitation, published on 16 July, moves the government’s online casino reforms from legislation to implementation ahead of the regulated market launch.
Entry Requirements For Operators
The DIA requires applications to be submitted through the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) portal with a non-refundable fee of NZ$19,000.
Applicants must demonstrate access to at least NZ$7.5 million in capital. They must also provide details of key officers, ownership and management structures, together with information about the gambling brand and platform they intend to operate. Each operator may hold a maximum of three licences.
The department also requires evidence supporting the information provided in each application. This includes credit reports, certified identification documents, criminal record clearances or equivalent international records, and proof of available capital.
Prospective operators must disclose previous regulatory breaches, ongoing legal investigations, insolvency events, and adverse decisions issued by advertising regulators in New Zealand or overseas.
Entain has already confirmed its intention to seek three licences. Chief executive Stella David previously said the company expects its exclusive partnership with TAB in New Zealand to allow it to cross-sell sports betting and online casino products if it secures licences.
Framework Continues To Develop
The Online Casino Gambling Regulations 2026 came into force on 3 July. Offshore operators serving New Zealand customers on 1 May may continue operating until 1 December.
Last month, the government revised its interpretation of existing legislation concerning TAB NZ and now considers there are no statutory barriers preventing it from joining the licensing process.
“The TAB NZ is a statutory entity with specific functions described in the Racing Industry Act, including to conduct betting, broadcasting, and gaming, and to make rules under Part 4 relating to betting,” the Department said. “We consider gaming has a broad meaning, encompassing online casino gambling.”
Parliament approved the Online Casino Gambling Act earlier this year. The legislation also requires the Minister for Internal Affairs to recommend regulations establishing a centralised exclusion register by 1 December 2027.
“The Department has started initial high-level policy work on the register,” the government said. “Further decisions on the design of the register, consultation approach, and delivery arrangements are still to be made, so we are not in a position to provide further detail at this stage.”
The government said the timetable allows time for licence assessments, compliance checks and harm minimisation measures before the regulated market opens in 2027.
Source:
“New Zealand opens online casino licensing process”, gamingintelligence.com, Jul 17, 2026
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