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New Zealand is close to creating a regulated online casino market after parliament approved the Online Casino Gambling Bill at the third reading. Royal Assent comes next, with law expected in May.
Good to Know
New Zealand has taken the final parliamentary step toward online casino regulation. The Online Casino Gambling Bill now heads to Royal Assent, with the government expecting approval in May and a regulated launch in 2027.
The bill gives the Department of Internal Affairs control of a capped licensing system. Up to 15 operators can apply through a competitive process, with the current timetable pointing to a July opening and a 1 December 2026 deadline.
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden said the bill brings online casino operators into the tax system and closes an existing gap.
“The bill supports the coalition agreement by closing the gambling tax loophole and requiring licensed online casino operators to pay tax, just like any other business operating in New Zealand,” van Velden said in a government update on Thursday.
The DIA will also get stronger enforcement tools, including take-down notices, formal warnings, enforceable undertakings, and penalties of up to NZ$5 million.
Offshore operators also fall under the new rules. Any online casino serving New Zealand customers must either apply for a licence or stop offering services in the country after the deadline.
Entain has already shown interest. In March, CEO Stella David said Entain was eyeing three licences. She also said Entain, through TAB in New Zealand, could cross-sell between sports betting and iGaming in a way other online operators could not.
Community funding remains part of the wider discussion. Cabinet papers from November showed officials considered setting aside 4% of operator gross gaming revenue for sports clubs, community groups and grassroots organisations. That could raise between NZ$10 million and NZ$20 million in the first year if the regime starts on 1 January 2027.
Industry concerns have followed the bill from early stages. It passed the first reading by 83 votes to 39 in July 2025, but legal advisers and stakeholders warned that the fast timeline could leave too little room for detailed consultation.