15 October 2026
The Department of Internal Affairs is implementing a framework to regulate online casino gambling in New Zealand, spurring debate on the impact of offshore operators, consumer protections, and harm minimisation.
Under the Online Casino Gambling Bill, introduced last year, the government is creating a licensing regime capped at 15 operators, to launch in early 2026. The bill, still to become law, would prohibit unlicensed operators from advertising or operating in New Zealand.
New Zealanders can currently gamble on offshore websites, circumventing domestic laws that restrict online gambling to state-sanctioned outfits Lotto NZ and the TAB. But many offshore operators lack basic protections and self-exclusion measures for problem gamblers.
Since 2019, the Department has held consultations to inform a tightened legislative approach, with an official discussion paper attracting 2,997 submissions. At present, however, DIA's consultations page says no reviews are open.
Licensing requirements
Those 15 licensed operators would face strict rules — from age and identity verification measures, to gambling harm prevention, excluding self-identified problem gamblers, and responding to consumer complaints within 40 days.
In a statement on the bill, the Department said its powers would include takedown notices, fines, and cancelling operator licences in response to noncompliance. The DIA could also seek penalties from offshore providers.
However, many protections, such as details on advertising, are still to be fleshed out in future regulations. Critics worry it may prove an incomplete regulatory picture.
The Department said people can report complaints to the DIA while the transitions are underway. An appeal process would also be established for operators aggrieved by a decision.
The broader online gambling review will continue in tandem with the licensing regime, as the long-delayed Gambling Act remains unchanged in the two decades since 2003.
It remains to be seen how robust the final legislative package will prove to be in providing the oversight some say is long overdue. In particular, self-exclusion measures and rules against consumer inducements are expected to determine the success or failure of the regulatory regime.