20 May 2026
Kia ora,
Thank you all for your engagement and continued interest in New Zealand’s Online Casino Gambling Implementation programme. As you are aware, the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 has commenced, which means one of the key elements we can talk about in more detail is the three-stage licensing process.
Initial guidance outlining the Expression of Interest (EOI) process has been made available, the format of the auction has been confirmed by the Secretary, and we have advised that the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) will be the platform used to manage the process.
There have been a few questions submitted through our dedicated online form about the auction which will be answered soon. I recommend that you regularly check for updates on the question and answers webpage.
New Zealand market insights
As part of our programme of work, we have been gathering insights across New Zealand’s online gambling environment – including online casino gambling, online sports and race betting, and overseas lotteries.
Now that the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 has passed, we are pleased to release the reports we commissioned and share some of the key insights captured that cover a two-year period from October 2023 to September 2025.
Access to New Zealand market insights was one of the most requested resources by online casino gambling providers interested in entering the New Zealand market early in the programme. It is also very important to us as a government organisation to make these reports available to the public, in a way that is accessible and easy to understand to support transparency.
There are a few important things to note about the methodology used for these reports. The insights:
- are based on consumer card transactions from one bank and upweighted to estimate total market size
- measure spend on deposits (not necessarily amounts wagered) and do not take any winnings into account, and
- exclude New Zealand statutory providers (Lotto NZ and the TAB).
The insights tell us that online casino gambling is already here in New Zealand. It is estimated that the size of New Zealand’s online gambling market is $1.36 billion per year.
The data tells us the market is expanding both in breadth (more people gambling) and depth (more transactions per person gambling and higher spend per transaction). Regulating this sector will increase protection for those who choose to gamble on licensed online casino gambling platforms in New Zealand. It will ensure harm minimisation standards are met, preventing crime and dishonesty and making sure that those operating in New Zealand follow our rules.
AML/CFT Online Gambling Sector Risk Assessment
The Department of Internal Affairs supervises businesses with obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Act 2009 in New Zealand. This will include those who become licensed to operate online casino gambling in New Zealand.
The Department is responsible for assessing the level of money laundering and terrorism financing risk across the sectors it supervises. With the establishment of the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, and in preparation for a licensed market being established, our colleagues in the AML/CFT team have developed the Online Gambling Sector Risk Assessment.
This report highlights how online gambling services could be misused for illicit purposes and the types of risks future licensed operators in New Zealand may need to manage.
As part of the three-stage licensing process, applicants will be required to demonstrate how they will comply with the AML/CFT Act 2009. We will also help those who become licensed understand how to register with the Department of Internal Affairs AML/CFT group as a reporting entity.
Reg Talk NZ Podcast – Listen to the latest episode
The Department of Internal Affairs recently launched its own podcast Reg Talk NZ.
In the latest episode, Vicki Scott (Director Gambling) and I were invited along to talk about the work underway to implement the online casino gambling system, what it means now that the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 is in force, and what to expect in the coming months.
Reg Talk NZ is available online and on platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts.
Ngā mihi nui,
Trina Lowry
Programme Director - Online Gambling Implementation
