TLDR New Zealand’s Online Casino Gambling Bill passed its third and final reading in parliament this week and now heads to Royal Assent, expected in May Up to 15 online casino operator licences will be issued through a competitive process, with applications opening in July and closing 1 December 2026 Licensed operators will face strict rules including penalties of up to NZ$5 million for serious breaches The law applies to offshore operators too — those who don’t apply for a licence by the deadline must stop serving New Zealand customers A portion of gross gaming revenue may fund local sports clubs and community groups, potentially bringing in NZ$10–20 million in the first year
New Zealand is moving ahead with plans to regulate online casino gambling after its landmark bill cleared the final hurdle in parliament this week.
The Online Casino Gambling Bill passed its third reading, bringing the country closer to a legal framework for iGaming. The bill now goes to Royal Assent and is expected to become law in May.
Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden has been the driving force behind the legislation. She said the bill closes a gambling tax loophole and requires licensed online casino operators to pay tax like any other business in New Zealand.
The Department of Internal Affairs will manage the licensing process. A revised timetable published in March 2026 outlines the key dates ahead.
Licensing Process and Key Dates
The government will issue up to 15 licences to qualified online casino operators. The application window is set to open in July 2026, with a deadline of 1 December 2026.
Entain has already signaled interest in the new market. The company said in March it was targeting three of the 15 available licences.
Entain CEO Stella David said during