How the application process works
Expressions of interest were lodged through the Government Electronic Tenders Service. Applicants that pass this stage take part in an auction in September 2026; winning bidders then submit a full application covering their business plan, advertising and harm-minimisation measures.
The process runs under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, which came into force on 1 May 2026.
The rules licensed sites will follow
- No credit card deposits, and no payment methods funded by credit.
- Clear game rules and bonus terms.
- Advertising limits, including no advertising aimed at under-18s and limits around live sport.
- Age and identity checks at sign-up, limit tools and self-exclusion.
What happens to offshore casinos
New Zealand is not naming individual offshore sites, but the Act applies to any operator that lets New Zealanders gamble online. Offshore casinos that have not applied for a licence must stop serving New Zealanders from 1 December 2026, and the DIA can issue takedown notices and seek penalties of up to NZ$5 million.
More on the new rules
Our longer report covers the auction, the tax and the deadlines in detail.