A big move

Regulated online casinos are coming to New Zealand for the first time, with platforms expected to launch in early 2026. Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden released information about the new framework on Tuesday and explained that the goal behind the move is to boost tax revenue and properly protect its citizens.

Unregulated offshore gambling platforms have targeted people in New Zealand for many years without facing any retribution and the authorities have generally turned a blind eye to these operators. This will change under the new framework, as these gambling sites will become illegal.

Details of the new framework

The new licenses that will be up for grabs will be capped and awarded through an auction process, with each permit remaining valid for three years before renewal is necessary. The Department of Internal Affairs will become the de facto regulator of the industry.

While advertising will be possible once operators follow strict guidelines, they won’t be able to get involved in sponsorship. Online casino games also will need to be kept separate from other popular gambling products like sports betting and the lottery.

As the regulatory framework develops, the public will get a chance to give their feedback on the process.

Welcoming the news

New Zealand’s biggest land-based casino operator SkyCity Entertainment Group welcomed the news on Tuesday after it pushed for online expansion for many years.

In a statement, SkyCity said it supports the current plan and the “emphasis on strong host responsibility and delivering community benefits in New Zealand.” The company’s CEO Jason Walbridge praised the plan to highly restrict advertising and cap the number of available licenses.

The move will also be a boon for the government’s coffers. The National Party formed a new government last year and before the election, it claimed that it could get NZ$179m (US$105m) annually from offshore gambling operators by forcing them to register and report earnings. It said it would use IP geoblocking to blacklist any uncooperative platforms.