What changes
Until now, New Zealanders could play at offshore online casinos that no New Zealand authority licensed. The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, enacted on 28 April 2026 and in force since 1 May 2026, creates a licence for online casinos and makes it an offence to provide or advertise unlicensed online casino gambling to people in New Zealand.
The Act applies to operators outside New Zealand that target customers here, not only to companies based in the country.
How licences are allocated
The Department of Internal Affairs runs the process in stages. Operators first registered interest in July and August 2026, with a separate expression of interest for each brand. An ascending clock auction in September 2026 decides who may apply, and successful bidders file full licence applications from October 2026.
Up to 15 licences are available. Each covers a single brand, and reports on the regulations say no operator can hold more than three.
The 1 December 2026 cut-off
From 1 December 2026, providers that have not applied for a licence must stop offering online casino games in New Zealand. Operators whose application is still being assessed can keep running, but cannot advertise until a decision is made. The full licensed system is expected to be in place in 2027.
Advertising and penalties
The ban on advertising unlicensed online casino gambling already applies. The Department can issue take-down notices, and the pecuniary penalty for a company that provides or advertises unlicensed online casino gambling can reach NZ$5 million; for an individual, NZ$300,000.
What it means for players
- Offshore casinos that accept New Zealand today may close accounts or change their terms around the cut-off date. Withdraw balances you do not need.
- A New Zealand licence will bring local consumer protections. Until a casino holds one, its offshore regulator decides disputes.
- The minimum age for online casino play stays at 18.
- Our reviews state whether each casino accepts New Zealand and that it holds no New Zealand licence yet; see how we review.
Read more in our follow-up on the December licensing launch and on licensing and taxes.
Sources
The Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 (2026 No 14) and Department of Internal Affairs guidance, as summarised by Russell McVeagh (russellmcveagh.com) and trade press including gambling.com.