23 February 2026

Kia ora,

As we advance further into the month of February 2026, we want to reaffirm that the Online Casino Gambling Bill is continuing to progress through the New Zealand parliamentary process.  

The Bill is currently at the Second Reading stage and we will provide further updates to you as it advances. You can also follow the Bill’s progress by visiting the New Zealand Parliament website.  

Commencement, licensing and the prohibition period

In our December 2025 update, we communicated that after the Online Casino Gambling Bill moves through the parliamentary process and passes into law, it is expected that the Act will commence from 1 May 2026. 

From this date, all online gambling providers currently operating in the New Zealand market may continue offering online casino gambling products until 1 December 2026. Thereafter, only those providers that have been successful in the auction process and have submitted a licence application may continue to operate (without advertising until the outcome of their application is determined) from 1 December 2026. 

After the Bill has passed, we will be able to start providing guidance on how the three-stage licensing process will be implemented, once the Bill has commenced this will include details of how the auction process will run.  

You can view the implementation timeline based on the current version of the Bill on our website.

More on the prohibition of advertising

Advertising online casino gambling is strictly prohibited under section 16 of the Gambling Act 2003. When the Online Casino Gambling Bill is enacted, advertising will only be permitted by licensed operators with restrictions.   

The Bill also proposes increased pecuniary penalties of up to $5 million for unlawful advertising.  

We want to emphasise that in determining the suitability of applicants for an online casino gambling licence, any breach or investigation for a breach of any relevant legislation, will be taken into account and could impact your licence application. 

Asking us questions

The question and answer form is back online now that the Select Committee process has concluded and the Bill has moved to the next stage of the parliamentary process. You can ask questions through this dedicated form and answers will be published publicly to ensure fairness and transparency.   

We will aim to batch publish answers to questions on a fortnightly basis depending on the volume received.  

Ngā mihi nui,
Trina Lowry
Programme Director - Online Gambling Implementation