Companies considering entry into New Zealand’s future online casino market now have a clearer picture of the conditions they will face after the government released regulations supporting the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026.
Published on Friday, the measures will take effect on 3 July 2026, the same month the country is expected to begin a competitive licensing process for online casino operators. The regulations were issued through an Order in Council following recommendations from the minister of internal affairs.
New Framework Sets Conditions for Market Entry
The rules establish requirements covering player management, payments, reporting and advertising. Operators will also be subject to a quarterly levy equal to 3.5% of online gambling profits, with penalties applying for late payments.
Reporting obligations require quarterly and annual submissions detailing profits, player activity and platform usage. Operators must also notify the secretary of serious incidents within five working days.
The regulations follow legislation enacted last month that permits the allocation of up to 15 online casino licences. Businesses seeking approval must first submit an expression of interest and pay a $19,000 fee. A licensing auction will then take place before full applications are assessed.
During Entain’s FY25 earnings call, chief executive Stella David said the company was aiming to secure three licences.
Controls Extend Across Products and Payments
The framework places restrictions on how gambling products can operate. Autoplay features will not be allowed, and players cannot use more than one online slot game simultaneously. Network progressive jackpots may only operate across licensed platforms, except in poker games involving human participants exclusively.
Payment rules also tighten customer account management. Operators must verify a customer’s full name, date of birth and age before activating an account and confirm that the customer is at least 18 years old. They must also check for existing accounts and previous exclusions.
Customers will be limited to one account and one deposit method per operator. Any change to a deposit method will trigger a 24-hour lock period. Credit cards and certain payment methods connected to land-based gambling activities will be prohibited.
Advertising and Player Protection Requirements
Marketing activity will face significant restrictions. Advertisements cannot appear in several locations, including public transport settings and print publication front pages. Broadcast advertising will also be restricted during live programming and within 30 minutes before and after broadcasts.
The rules prohibit sponsorship arrangements, endorsement-style advertising, affiliate marketing and promotions encouraging impulsive gambling behaviour. Personalised advertising designed to increase spending is also banned. Operators must ensure advertisements do not appeal to people under 18 or reach audiences where more than 20% of viewers or readers are underage.
Consumer protection measures include tools allowing customers to set daily, weekly or monthly limits on spending, deposits and playing time. Any request to increase or remove a limit will be subject to a 24-hour waiting period.
The regulations also require“break-in-play” tools, including a minimum five-minute pause after 60 minutes of continuous gambling. Self-exclusion requests must be processed within 24 hours, while operators may exclude customers showing signs of gambling harm for up to two years.
Source:
“New Zealand introduces online gambling regulations ahead of licensing process”, igamingbusiness.com, Jun 8, 2026
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