5 June 2026

Kia ora,

Yesterday the Government released the Online Casino Gambling Regulations 2026.

Empowered by the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, these regulations form another piece of the regulatory landscape that will enable New Zealand’s licensed online casino market. The regulations set out the rules for licensed operators conducting online casino gambling, specifically covering: 

• harm prevention and minimisation
• consumer protection and record-keeping
• advertising and marketing 
• fees, levies, and charges

The regulations establish a robust and balanced framework to protect consumers, reduce gambling related harm, and ensure online casino gambling operates in a safe, fair and responsible way in New Zealand.

For those interested in pursuing a licence, I encourage you to read the regulations in full.

Next steps

Further regulatory settings and guidance to come

In the coming weeks, the last significant pieces of New Zealand’s regulatory landscape will be released. This will include:

• details of the expression of interest process, ahead of formal notification, including:
  • the date expressions of interest will open
  • the date expressions of interest will close
  • the minimum amount of capital that a person must have access to in order to conduct online casino gambling
• initial guidance for providers on requirements for the registration icon and registration audio mark
• minimum standards relating to online casino gambling technology
• a document supporting the minimum standards to be read in conjunction with the regulations
• a document summarising changes to the minimum standards implemented based on the consultation and feedback provided.

In early July we will issue further guidance to help understand the full regulatory landscape. We anticipate this will cover legislation, regulations, minimum standards, finalised testing and verification requirements, and other requirements which the Secretary is empowered to specify. Our intent is that this will give providers, who are interested in pursuing a licence, enough certainty to make informed decisions about participating in the licensing process. 

At the same time as this guidance is issued, we also aim to confirm high-level requirements that the Secretary for Internal Affairs is likely to specify regarding:

• the type of information or messages (for example, harm minimisation messages) that operators will need to display (as per regulation 7)
• the information relating to a customer’s online casino gambling an operator must collect to identify, assist, and monitor problem gamblers (regulation 9(1)(a)), and
• how information is to be used to identify, assist, and monitor problem gamblers (regulation 9(1)(b)).

Start of the licensing process

We anticipate the Secretary will formally open the expression of interest stage in the second half of July.

Webinar recap: expression of interest and auction guidance

On Wednesday evening (New Zealand time), we held a webinar for online casino gambling providers and their representatives interested in participating in the licensing process. In this online session, we walked through the expression of interest process and provided further information on the auction (including details on how the ascending clock format will work in action).

We have now published on our website:

• the slides from the webinar (PDF)
• a recording of the webinar
• detailed guidance on the auction process (PDF).

Next week we aim to release written answers to the questions asked, alongside a refresh of existing answers to questions that have already been publicly asked.

This content will support the guidance we have previously released on the expression of interest stage (PDF), as well as details on how to register for the Government Electronic Tender Service (GETS) (PDF).

Register for GETS

Regarding GETS, I encourage you to register now. Registering ahead of the expression of interest stage will ensure you have plenty of time to work through account creation, including signing up for a RealMe login if you don’t already have one.

Please remember that each expression of interest will need to be submitted by a unique individual on GETS. If you intend to submit 3 expressions of interest, then you will need at least 3 people registered on GETS.

Reminder: advertising remains prohibited

While the release of regulations confirm how licensed advertising will be permitted and restricted, it’s important to remember that advertising remains prohibited. This is because there are not yet any licensed operators to whom the regulations apply.

If you are an advertiser (which includes social media influencers, content creators, and affiliate marketers) you need to be aware of the advertising prohibition and how it impacts you. Stay up-to-date with the latest information for advertisers available on our website. 

I will be in touch with you again in the coming weeks. Until then, please continue to ask us questions through our Q&A form. Remember, we answer all questions publicly on our Question and Answer page.

Ngā mihi nui,

Trina Lowry
Programme Director - Online Gambling Implementation