On 16 July 2026, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) published its public notice inviting Expressions of Interest (EOI) for online casino gambling licences under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026. This is stage one of a three-stage process to establish New Zealand's first regulated online casino market - the most significant shift in NZ gambling law in more than two decades.

The Online Casino Gambling Regulations 2026 (NZ) (Regulations), which come into effect on 3 July 2026, represent a significant step in the implementation of New Zealand's new online casino licensing regime.

In particular, the Regulations confirm a tightly controlled model characterised by limited advertising channels, strict controls on inducements and game design, and a multi-layered fees, levies and duties.

We have highlighted below some of the key provisions and their practical implications for prospective operators.

The rapid integration of artificial intelligence (AI), particularly generative AI, into Australia’s online gambling sector has prompted closer examination of how existing regulatory, legal and governance frameworks operate when applied to these new technologies.

The Australian Communications and Media Authority’s (ACMA) 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.