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As New Zealand moves closer to launching a regulated online casino market, attention is shifting from legislation to a more practical question: who is likely to apply for one of the limited licences on offer?

Under the proposed Online Casino Gambling Bill, up to 15 online casino licences will be issued through a competitive process expected to begin in 2026. While official applications remain confidential, a combination of public statements, market positioning, and regulatory experience gives a clearer picture of which companies may be preparing to enter the race.

A market dominated by offshore operators

Today, nearly all online casinos accessible to New Zealand players operate under offshore licences, with no domestic oversight. Once regulation comes into force, that reality will change significantly.

A locally issued licence would allow operators to legally offer online casino games under New Zealand law, subject to strict rules on advertising, harm minimisation, taxation, and consumer protection. For many companies, that creates both an opportunity and a challenge.

International operators watching New Zealand closely

Several well known global gaming companies are widely viewed as potential contenders for a New Zealand licence, even if none have formally confirmed applications.

Entain

Entain operates a wide portfolio of gaming brands across multiple regulated markets. Its experience navigating complex licensing regimes makes it a natural candidate. The company has previously explored expansion opportunities in the Pacific region and is often cited by analysts as a serious contender.

888 and Bet365

Both 888 and Bet365 are established global iGaming brands with strong compliance credentials. While neither operates physical casinos in New Zealand, their financial scale and experience in tightly regulated jurisdictions could support a credible licence application.

Betway

Betway has expanded steadily across regulated markets worldwide. Although it has not publicly stated intentions regarding New Zealand, its regulatory track record places it firmly on industry watchlists.

These international operators typically focus on markets with clear and enforceable regulatory frameworks, making New Zealand’s forthcoming system particularly attractive.

Domestic casino operators likely to apply

Local operators may also seek to secure licences, leveraging their long standing presence and understanding of the New Zealand gambling environment.

SkyCity

SkyCity remains the country’s dominant casino operator, with venues in Auckland, Hamilton, and Queenstown. While cautious publicly, the company has not ruled out further expansion and would be well positioned to apply if it chose to extend into regulated online gambling.

Christchurch Casino and Grand Casino Dunedin

Both South Island operators have decades of operational experience and established relationships with regulators. Their familiarity with local compliance expectations could strengthen potential applications, particularly if partnered with online specialists.

TAB NZ

Although focused on racing and sports betting, TAB NZ has significant regulatory experience and infrastructure. While its eligibility for an online casino licence remains a topic of debate, it is often described as a potential dark horse candidate.

Offshore applicants and partnership strategies

International operators applying for New Zealand licences will face intensive scrutiny from the Department of Internal Affairs. Background checks extend to corporate ownership, financial integrity, and compliance history.

One likely strategy is partnerships between offshore operators and local entities, combining global expertise with domestic market knowledge. This approach has been used successfully in other regulated markets and may become common in New Zealand.

A tightly controlled licensing framework

The Department of Internal Affairs has confirmed that:

• Only 15 licences will be issued
• Licences will be awarded through a competitive selection process
• Operators must demonstrate strong harm prevention systems, age verification, and compliance capability

Licensing is expected to open from December 2026, following passage of the bill and completion of regulatory groundwork.

This cap has already sparked debate, with critics warning it could limit competition, while supporters argue it allows regulators to control market size and reduce harm.

Editorial view from Legal Kiwi Casinos

In our view, the list of likely applicants highlights a broader reality: New Zealand’s regulated market will be shaped by a small number of large, well-resourced operators. That brings stability and oversight, but also raises questions about competition, innovation, and player choice.

As the licensing process becomes clearer, transparency around selection criteria and enforcement will be critical to building trust in the new system.

What happens next?

Companies considering entry are already preparing by:

• Reviewing compliance requirements
• Assessing payment and harm minimisation systems
• Monitoring regulatory signals from the Department of Internal Affairs

Once applications open, the market could shift quickly. Some familiar offshore brands may disappear, while new regulated platforms take their place.

Legal Kiwi Casinos will continue tracking which operators formally apply, who secures licences, and what that means for Kiwi players as regulation approaches.

New Zealand’s plan to regulate online casino gambling, including poker, has moved a major step forward after the Governance and Administration Committee released its report recommending the Online Casino Gambling Bill be passed. With the bill now through the select committee stage, the next stop is a second reading in Parliament, where MPs will debate and vote on the updated text.

What Does the Bill Do?

If enacted, the bill will:

• Replace today’s offshore online casino reality with a domestic licensing regime
• Cap the market at up to 15 licensed online casino operators
• Introduce tougher enforcement for unlicensed sites targeting NZ players
• Bring in new rules around harm minimisation, advertising, and consumer protection

The goal is a safer, transparent market with clearer oversight and defined benefits for both players and communities.

Key Select Committee Changes

The committee, after reviewing nearly 5,000 public submissions, recommended several important amendments:

• Longer transition period: Key dates have been pushed back, allowing more time for both operators to apply and for regulators to establish the new system.
• Community funding model: To address concerns about reduced proceeds for local causes, a portion of online casino revenue (about 4% of gross gaming revenue) will be earmarked for community groups. The Lottery Grants Board is likely to administer these funds, ensuring continuity in community support even as gambling shifts online.

What About Online Poker?

Online poker is set to be included within the new definition of online casino gambling. This creates opportunity for regulated poker offerings, but also uncertainty – with only 15 licences available, only a handful of platforms will ultimately be able to legally serve NZ players once the new regime is in effect.

What’s Next?

• Second Reading: The bill now heads to Parliament for further debate and a crucial vote.
• Step-by-step launch: If passed, final legislation is expected in early 2026, followed by a gradual rollout as operators apply, systems are set up, and enforcement begins. The full market launch is not expected until late 2026 or beyond.
• Offshore clampdown: Once the licensing window closes, unlicensed sites will face much tighter restrictions.

Why Does This Matter?

This legislation marks the biggest change to New Zealand’s gambling framework in two decades. It promises:

• A safer, locally regulated space for players
• Legal poker options for the first time
• Continued support for Kiwi communities from gambling revenue
• Stronger consumer protections and rules for fair play

Our View at Legal Kiwi Casinos

We see the select committee’s recommendations as positive for both players and community groups. The longer transition should help ensure the new market launches smoothly, and the commitment to community funding addresses a key social concern.

The hard cap of 15 licences remains controversial and may feel restrictive for such a tech-savvy market. We hope Parliament will consider feedback about maintaining genuine competition and choice.

Stay tuned as we continue to track the bill’s progress and what it means for you.

As the New Zealand government advances its plans to regulate online casinos, one measure is drawing particular attention: a ban on credit card payments for online gambling.

The restriction, confirmed by Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden, will be built into the Online Casino Bill, the legislation currently working its way through Parliament. If passed, the bill will establish a licensed and tightly regulated online casino market by late 2026, with the credit card ban positioned as a core safeguard against gambling-related debt.

A decisive move to prevent harm

Van Velden framed the restriction as a direct response to concerns around personal debt and the risk of financial harm linked to online casino play.

“The reason behind this is because I did not want to end up with people who were using online gambling making their way into further debt and getting themselves into a bit of a cycle,” she said.

The credit card ban, now being drafted into supporting regulations, would prohibit licensed online casinos from accepting credit cards as a funding method. This includes indirect usage, such as topping up e-wallets via credit.

A key compromise in the legislative process

Although the government had not initially announced the policy publicly, it has since been described as one of the most significant concessions offered to secure broader political support for the bill. The Online Casino Bill is set to proceed through Parliament with a conscience vote, giving Members of Parliament the freedom to vote individually rather than along party lines.

Cabinet ministers have also confirmed that the restriction will apply from the moment the new licensing regime takes effect, expected in the second half of 2026.

Industry reaction: balancing safety and practicality

While consumer protection advocates have broadly welcomed the credit card ban, some industry figures and stakeholders have raised concerns about its effectiveness — and whether it could undermine the commercial viability of the regulated market.

Martin Cheer, managing director of Pub Charity and an outspoken critic of the bill, questioned both the practicality of enforcement and the appeal of the new system to potential operators.

“Nobody does bank transfers,” he said, suggesting the ban could lead players to seek out alternative (or unregulated) options.

Others in the industry warn that payment flexibility plays a major role in player retention and acquisition — especially during market entry phases.

Financial and market implications

The government expects the licensing process to generate up to NZ$44 million in upfront revenue. But that estimate may face pressure if major operators view the payment restrictions as a barrier to entering the market.

The credit card ban is also just one part of a broader package of financial requirements and community contributions, including:

• A 16% gambling duty (recently increased from 12%)
• A 1.24% Problem Gambling Levy
• A requirement for operators to return 4% of gross gambling revenue to community causes
• Allocation of 25% of online gambling duty to the Lottery Grants Board

Together, these measures reflect the government’s intent to balance market liberalisation with public benefit and harm reduction.

In line with international trends

New Zealand’s credit card ban mirrors similar moves overseas — most notably in Australia, where the government banned credit card payments for online gambling in 2024. That change aligned online gambling rules with land-based restrictions, backed by banking associations and public health advocates.

As in Australia, New Zealand’s approach is grounded in the belief that credit-based gambling increases risk and should not be permitted in a regulated environment.

What remains unclear

Despite the policy direction, important details remain under development:

• Which alternative payment methods will be allowed (e.g. debit cards, bank transfers, e-wallets)?
• How will enforcement work — especially regarding workarounds, like topping up third-party wallets with credit cards?
• What penalties will apply to licensed operators who fail to comply?
• Will unlicensed offshore sites become more attractive if licensed sites face stricter rules?

Government officials have said that enforcement tools will be paired with other regulatory measures, including targeting illegal offshore operators, but full details have not yet been released.

Editorial note from Legal Kiwi Casinos

In our view, the credit card ban sends the right signal about the kind of market New Zealand wants to build: one that prioritises player safety over convenience. But its success will depend on realistic enforcement, payment alternatives that players will actually use, and ongoing oversight to prevent circumvention.

We also believe this restriction should be paired with clear operator guidance and consumer education, so the transition to a regulated market doesn’t drive players elsewhere.

What’s next?

The Online Casino Bill is expected to return to Parliament for further debate before the end of the year. Until then, the final wording of the regulations — including payment rules — will continue to take shape.

Licensed operators are likely to begin rolling out services from mid-to-late 2026, assuming the legislation is passed in its current or amended form.

We’ll continue tracking every development. Stay tuned to Legal Kiwi Casinos for updates as this key legislation evolves — and how it may reshape the online gambling experience for New Zealanders.

The long-awaited regulation of online casino gambling in New Zealand has taken a major step forward. On June 30, 2025, the Online Casino Gambling Bill was formally introduced to Parliament by Minister of Internal Affairs Brooke van Velden, officially launching the legislative process that will shape the future of online gambling in Aotearoa.

This marks the first time New Zealand has moved to directly regulate offshore casino operators – setting the stage for a fully licensed and monitored iGaming market by early 2026.

What the Bill Proposes

The bill outlines a licensing system for offshore online casino operators, allowing them to legally offer games to New Zealanders under strict conditions. Here are the key points:

• Up to 15 licenses will be available, issued via a competitive auction process
• Applicants must present detailed business plans and robust harm minimisation strategies
• Compliance with AML and privacy laws will be mandatory
• Licensed operators will be permitted to advertise – but under regulated conditions
• Unlicensed operators targeting Kiwi players could face fines of up to NZ$5 million

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) will oversee implementation, monitoring, and enforcement of the new framework.

A Milestone for Safer Gambling

The goal of the bill is clear: to protect players and bring offshore gambling activity under New Zealand’s legal and ethical standards. According to Minister van Velden, this reform will help minimise harm, improve transparency, and ensure that only responsible operators can access the NZ market.

“This legislation will give us the tools to properly oversee and control online casino activity, which is currently happening outside our jurisdiction,” she said during the announcement.

What’s Next?

The bill will now move to a Select Committee later this year, where public submissions will be invited. This stage will allow individuals, advocacy groups, and industry stakeholders to provide feedback before the bill progresses toward a final vote.

If passed, the first licenses could be issued as soon as Q1 2026, marking the beginning of a new era for legal online gambling in New Zealand.

What This Means for Players

Until the law comes into effect, New Zealanders can still legally access offshore casino sites – though those sites remain unregulated by local authorities. Once the new regime is in place, players will benefit from:

• A clear list of licensed and legal operators
• Improved consumer protections and safer gameplay environments
• Responsible gambling tools required by law
• Local oversight for dispute resolution and fairness

We’ll continue to monitor the bill as it progresses through Parliament. You can expect updates right here on Legal Kiwi Casinos whenever there’s something new worth noting.

👉 Curious about the current state of online casinos in NZ? Read our guide to what’s legal now.