The Online Casino Gambling Bill 2026 in New Zealand, which seeks to legalise online casinos within the country, passed the first reading in parliament. The bill introduced by Brooke van Velden, Minister of Internal Affairs, also seeks to outline measures that curb unlicensed gambling and advertising.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the New Zealand online casino gambling bill 2026 in detail to understand the new regulatory framework, the rules and regulations proposed in the bill, the licensing process to expect, and its future status. And to cap it all, we will point you to the best online casinos New Zealand has to offer. Read on.
1. Existing Regulatory Gap
To understand the new online casino gambling bill New Zealand, it’s important to get a picture of where the jurisdiction stood in regulation matters. Online casino gambling has long existed in New Zealand, with offshore operators providing such services within the jurisdiction. As such, Kiwis would join online casinos that lack local licensing and platforms that are not subject to taxation and consumer protection obligations.
Under the existing Gambling Act 2003 (NZ), such offshore operators have not been prohibited. However, the new iGaming bill New Zealand 2026 seeks to fill this regulatory gap by introducing a licensing regime that will see up to 15 online casinos authorised to operate in the jurisdiction. In addition, the bill seeks to put an end to unlicensed platforms’ operations and advertising within the NZ market. To achieve this, the bill outlines a raft of measures that will apply to licensed operators to ensure consumer protection and harm prevention.
2. Inside the Online Casino Gambling Bill 2026
Not everyone is interested in technical details and long-form information, so we will make it easier for you to understand. Here is everything you need to know about the new online gaming law reform 2026. Of the up to 15 companies to be licensed, they must meet a strict criterion, which involves:
- Pay a goods and services tax and a 12% offshore gambling duty
- Make a mandatory problem gambling levy contribution of 1.24% of profits
- Have a harm prevention strategy
- Provide compliance history information
- Have an age verification system to prevent underage gambling
- Abide by strict advertising limitations that include not advertising to children
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3. The Licensing Framework and Timing
As mentioned, the online gambling New Zealand law targets to license up to 15 online casinos, and the licensing process will be done through an auction. The following is what you need to know about the licenses:
- They will be valid for three years, with a renewal option available for up to five years.
- Domestic and international operators can apply for the license.
- Operators will only offer online casino games, such as slots, table & card games, poker, virtual sports, and racing betting.
- Advertisements of services will be permitted within New Zealand for licensed operators.
- Every license will be tied to a brand, platform, or website.
- All licensed operators are to ensure their platform is operating and available to NZ. Players within 90 days of the license start date, and for at least 270 days in a year.
- No single entity is to hold more than three licenses. Thus, the available 15 licenses can be shared between five entities or distributed across 15 different casinos.
- Licenses cannot be transferred.
The licensing process consists of three stages, as follows:
-
Expressions of interest (EOI): A public call to be issued by the Secretary of Internal Affairs, where interested parties provide background information on their entity. This is expected in March or April 2026.
-
Auction process: Those who progress from the first stage are subjected to an auction process, with the successful parties having the option to apply for the license. The only determinant for this stage will be the price paid in the auction.
-
License application: The final stage for the successful bidders. They will be invited to apply for a full-time license, with the Secretary of Internal Affairs assessing every application against the set eligibility criteria.
Unsuccessful applicants or those who do not wish to proceed will have the funds paid in stage 2 refunded. Companies already operating in NZ may continue while the application remains under review but must cease advertising before the issuance of the license.The summarised timeframe for the licensing framework is as follows:
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4. Fines and Enforcement
The Department of Internal Affairs in NZ will be responsible for overseeing the new system. As the mandated regulator, the task is to monitor compliance and enforce penalties, which may go as far as suspending or cancelling a license. Formal warnings, take-down notices, enforceable undertakings, and a fine of up to NZ$5 million are other enforcement tools in place.
5. Best Legal Casinos in New Zealand Today
Despite the changes to iGaming regulation in New Zealand, some legal casinos have been operating in the state and are likely to apply for a license when the time comes. These online casinos have stood out for several reasons, including generous bonus offers, quick payouts, and a massive selection of casino games. And the reprieve is that the new regulations for online gambling in New Zealand permit such online casinos to operate as their license application is being reviewed. The only exception laid out is that they should not advertise until the license is issued.
Our top choices for the best online casinos in New Zealand are as follows:
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6. Future of Online Casinos Legislation in New Zealand
Now that the bill has passed the first reading, what next for 2026 legislation for online casinos in New Zealand? That is only the beginning; more stages await. The Online Casino Gambling Bill 2026 goes before a select committee. This opens a door for the public to voice their opinions on the bill. A second reading will then occur, considering any changes, then a third reading before the bill is signed into law. It is projected that all this will happen before the end of the year. And how is the future looking? Great for the Kiwis, we presume.
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The impact of 2026 iGaming Bill in New Zealand will be heavy. It starts with the expected steady growth in gaming revenue compared to the period when unregulated operators were active. Additionally, there’s better consumer protection, with qualifying companies required to meet specific requirements, including systems to ensure age compliance, harm prevention, and responsible gambling. And with licenses issued on a competitive basis, we expect the successful brands to be the top and reputable names with credibility. You can get even more bonus codes for legit casinos operating legally in New Zealand by visiting our homepage, so do not delay!
7. New Zealand Online Casino Gambling Bill 2026 - FAQ
7.1 💰 Can I play for real money at online casinos in NZ?
You can play for real money at the top NZ online casinos. The requirement is to join, deposit, and play your preferred games.
7.2 ⚖️ Which are the best legal online casinos in New Zealand today?
Our recommended online casinos to play in New Zealand today include 1XBET, 1xSlots, bet365, and Reef Spins.
7.3 ✅ Is online casino gambling allowed in New Zealand?
Online casino gambling has been unregulated in New Zealand. However, the new Online Casino Gambling Bill 2026 seeks to impose a new regulatory system with licenses available for up to 15 online casinos.
Online Casino Gambling Bill 2026
The Online Casino Gambling Bill 2026 in New Zealand, which seeks to legalise online casinos within the country, passed the first reading in parliament. The bill introduced by Brooke van Velden, Minister of Internal Affairs, also seeks to outline measures that curb unlicensed gambling and advertising.
In this guide, we’ll take you through the New Zealand online casino gambling bill 2026 in detail to understand the new regulatory framework, the rules and regulations proposed in the bill, the licensing process to expect, and its future status. And to cap it all, we will point you to the best online casinos New Zealand has to offer. Read on.
Contents
1. Existing Regulatory Gap
To understand the new online casino gambling bill New Zealand, it’s important to get a picture of where the jurisdiction stood in regulation matters. Online casino gambling has long existed in New Zealand, with offshore operators providing such services within the jurisdiction. As such, Kiwis would join online casinos that lack local licensing and platforms that are not subject to taxation and consumer protection obligations.
Under the existing Gambling Act 2003 (NZ), such offshore operators have not been prohibited. However, the new iGaming bill New Zealand 2026 seeks to fill this regulatory gap by introducing a licensing regime that will see up to 15 online casinos authorised to operate in the jurisdiction. In addition, the bill seeks to put an end to unlicensed platforms’ operations and advertising within the NZ market. To achieve this, the bill outlines a raft of measures that will apply to licensed operators to ensure consumer protection and harm prevention.
2. Inside the Online Casino Gambling Bill 2026
Not everyone is interested in technical details and long-form information, so we will make it easier for you to understand. Here is everything you need to know about the new online gaming law reform 2026. Of the up to 15 companies to be licensed, they must meet a strict criterion, which involves:
Register at 1XBET New Zealand!
Be sure to see more picks of the best legal betting sites and New Zealand bonus codes from our team of experts after reading this article. Simply use the links to check out more guides and reviews for NZ players.
3. The Licensing Framework and Timing
As mentioned, the online gambling New Zealand law targets to license up to 15 online casinos, and the licensing process will be done through an auction. The following is what you need to know about the licenses:
The licensing process consists of three stages, as follows:
Unsuccessful applicants or those who do not wish to proceed will have the funds paid in stage 2 refunded. Companies already operating in NZ may continue while the application remains under review but must cease advertising before the issuance of the license.The summarised timeframe for the licensing framework is as follows:
Before we continue, we invite you to check out our legal online casino reviews, such as the 1xSlots promo code for 2025. Our team of experts have secured the best deals for players from New Zealand, so do not delay in picking up a casino bonus today.
4. Fines and Enforcement
The Department of Internal Affairs in NZ will be responsible for overseeing the new system. As the mandated regulator, the task is to monitor compliance and enforce penalties, which may go as far as suspending or cancelling a license. Formal warnings, take-down notices, enforceable undertakings, and a fine of up to NZ$5 million are other enforcement tools in place.
5. Best Legal Casinos in New Zealand Today
Despite the changes to iGaming regulation in New Zealand, some legal casinos have been operating in the state and are likely to apply for a license when the time comes. These online casinos have stood out for several reasons, including generous bonus offers, quick payouts, and a massive selection of casino games. And the reprieve is that the new regulations for online gambling in New Zealand permit such online casinos to operate as their license application is being reviewed. The only exception laid out is that they should not advertise until the license is issued.
Our top choices for the best online casinos in New Zealand are as follows:
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6. Future of Online Casinos Legislation in New Zealand
Now that the bill has passed the first reading, what next for 2026 legislation for online casinos in New Zealand? That is only the beginning; more stages await. The Online Casino Gambling Bill 2026 goes before a select committee. This opens a door for the public to voice their opinions on the bill. A second reading will then occur, considering any changes, then a third reading before the bill is signed into law. It is projected that all this will happen before the end of the year. And how is the future looking? Great for the Kiwis, we presume.
Join bet365 New Zealand today!
The impact of 2026 iGaming Bill in New Zealand will be heavy. It starts with the expected steady growth in gaming revenue compared to the period when unregulated operators were active. Additionally, there’s better consumer protection, with qualifying companies required to meet specific requirements, including systems to ensure age compliance, harm prevention, and responsible gambling. And with licenses issued on a competitive basis, we expect the successful brands to be the top and reputable names with credibility. You can get even more bonus codes for legit casinos operating legally in New Zealand by visiting our homepage, so do not delay!
7. New Zealand Online Casino Gambling Bill 2026 - FAQ
7.1 💰 Can I play for real money at online casinos in NZ?
You can play for real money at the top NZ online casinos. The requirement is to join, deposit, and play your preferred games.
7.2 ⚖️ Which are the best legal online casinos in New Zealand today?
Our recommended online casinos to play in New Zealand today include 1XBET, 1xSlots, bet365, and Reef Spins.
7.3 ✅ Is online casino gambling allowed in New Zealand?
Online casino gambling has been unregulated in New Zealand. However, the new Online Casino Gambling Bill 2026 seeks to impose a new regulatory system with licenses available for up to 15 online casinos.