New Zealand Online Casino Gambling Bill: The Regulatory Guide
New Zealand Online Casino Gambling Bill: The Regulatory Guide
The Online Casino Gambling Bill (NZ) represents a transformative shift in New Zealand’s online gaming landscape by introducing a regulated licensing framework, a move which departs significantly from that in place in its close neighbour, Australia. This legislation aims to close the regulatory gap between onshore and offshore operators, ensuring that New Zealanders can gamble more safely within a locally taxed and monitored environment.
Author: Alexander Norrish, Senior Associate / Lorna Reid, Associate / Daniel Lovecek, Principal
Current Status and Legislative Journey
The Bill was introduced on 29 June 2025 and has now passed its third and final reading in Parliament, marking the completion of the parliamentary process. During the earlier Committee of the Whole House stage, Members of Parliament considered the Bill in detail and debated proposed amendments, with only one amendment made in relation to the administration of community returns funding. The Bill now awaits Royal assent by the Governor‑General, which will bring it into force as the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026. The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) expects Royal assent to occur imminently, after which the Act will commence on 1 May 2026
The Three-Stage Licensing Process
The DIA has structured a competitive process to award up to a maximum of 15 licences.
Expression of Interest (EOI) – expected July 2026:
Applicants will undergo a probity process assessing compliance history, criminal records (focussing on crimes involving dishonesty), as well as the applicant's access to capital.
Auction – expected September 2026:
Applicants successful in the EOI stage will participate in an auction. Licences will be awarded solely based on the highest bid price.
Licence Application – expected October 2026:
Auction winners will be invited to submit an application containing a comprehensive business plan, including detailed strategies for harm minimisation, advertising, and consumer protection.
Key Licensing Rules
Limit on licences held: A person cannot have ‘significant’ influence over more than 3 licences. A person has significant influence if they:
are the licence holder, or
control or hold 20% or more of the voting power (either directly or indirectly), or
hold 20% or more of the securities in the licence holder (either directly or indirectly).
Duration: Licences will be valid for three years, with a potential one-time renewal of up to five years.
Operations: Licensed platforms must be operational within 90 days of the licence start date, and for a minimum of 270 days in any 12-month period.
Eligibility: The market is open to both domestic and international operators.
Taxation, Levies, and Community Funding
The government significantly adjusted the financial framework to ensure local benefits flow back to the community:
Offshore (online) gambling duty: The existing offshore gambling duty will be renamed as the online gambling levy. This levy will be calculated as based on turnover less prizes paid and payable (Gross Gambling Revenue or GGR) at a rate of 16% (earlier in the parliamentary process it was listed as 12%)..
Problem gambling levy: Online casino operators will be required to pay a levy of 1.24% on profits to fund support services and education.
Compliance: Operators must pay GST and become reporting entities under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering Financing of Terrorism Act 2009 (NZ).
Harm Minimisation and Consumer Protection
The legislation introduces robust safeguards to modernise the industry:
Age Verification: Strict mandatory systems to ensure all players are 18 or older.
Self-Exclusion: The formulation of regulations establishing a national self-exclusion register by no later than 1 December 2027.
Advertising Restrictions: Only licensed operators may advertise. Unlicensed operators face civil penalties of up to NZD $5 million for corporations and $300,000 for individuals.
Transitional Arrangements and Deadlines
Operators currently servicing the New Zealand market must navigate a strict timeline:
1 May 2026: The legislation is expected to commence on this date; advertising by unlicensed operators becomes illegal.
June 2026: expected date that regulations will be published.
1 December 2026: Unlicensed operators without a pending application must exit the New Zealand market.
1 July 2027: The final backstop for operators with pending applications must either receive a licence or cease operations.
About Senet
Senet is a multidisciplinary Australian firm specialising in gambling and gaming law, regulatory compliance, and business advisory services. We are the largest specialist team in Australia and based in Victoria. Recognised globally as experts in our field, we understand Australia’s complex gaming legal and regulatory landscape, enabling us to guide clients through their compliance requirements across each state and territory. Our clients range from start-ups to publicly listed global operators, both nationally and internationally. Our team is deeply immersed in the industry, often sharing insights at public speaking events, and our principals have held executive roles in a global ASX-listed entity and a 'Big Four' advisory firm, giving us a unique perspective on the challenges our clients face.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss the topics covered in this article, please contact the team at Senet.
