24 September 2026
Kia ora,
Today we are releasing the draft Testing and Monitoring Requirements for New Zealand's online gambling regulatory system.
Under section 80 of the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 (the Act), the Secretary can require operators to regularly test and monitor their gambling technology and provide evidence that these systems are working as intended.
The Testing and Monitoring Requirements are designed to help ensure online casino gambling systems operate safely, reliably, and in accordance with the Act. They include requirements for operators to obtain certain external testing and certifications of their gambling technology from approved Independent Testing Laboratories (ITLs) against the Online Casino Gambling Regulations 2026 (the Regulations) and the Online Casino Gambling (Minimum Standards) 2026 (the Standards).
This email newsletter also contains an important reminder outlining what prospective operators need to know and how they can begin preparing should they be successful in securing the right to apply for a licence at auction.
Releasing the draft requirements
We are releasing these requirements in draft form to provide those who are invited to apply for a licence, and ITLs, with early visibility of the proposed requirements and sufficient time to prepare for implementation.
The requirements remain subject to finalisation and are expected to be confirmed shortly after the licence auction process closes.
Recognition of testing from other jurisdictions
While all online casino gambling technology will be required to comply with the Act, Regulations, and Standards from day one, we intend to support a practical and efficient transition to New Zealand's regulated online gambling market by recognising certain testing and certification undertaken in comparable jurisdictions.
Under the draft requirements:
- Games and Random Number Generators (RNGs) that are made available on an operator's platform on the first day of licensed operation will not need to be re-tested against the Regulations and Standards if they have already been tested and certified to applicable standards in the United Kingdom or Ontario, Canada.
- This approach is intended to reduce unnecessary duplication while maintaining confidence in the integrity and fairness of games offered in the New Zealand market.
- All other games and RNGs that are made available on the first day of licensed operation will need to be externally tested and certified against the applicable Regulations and Standards.
- Any new game or RNG introduced after the licence start date, or any update to an existing game or RNG that affects, or may affect, the fairness of the game or RNG, will also need to be externally tested against the applicable Regulations and Standards.
Next steps
We have already contacted organisations that are proposed to be approved ITLs and will provide opportunities for them to engage on the draft requirements.
The potential operators who are successful in the auction process and eligible to apply for an online casino licence will also have an opportunity to engage with us and seek clarification on the draft requirements. This engagement will take place in the first week post-auction, after the outcome has been announced. It is expected requirements will be finalised by 23 October 2026.
We encourage all stakeholders to review the draft requirements and begin considering any operational or technical implications for their organisations.
Successful at auction, here’s what you need to know:
Success at auction does not guarantee a licence will be granted; it means that a prospective operator has won the right to apply for a licence.
Once we have confirmed who may apply for a licence, eligible applicants will receive the application form. As per the Act, the application must be accompanied by a business plan and the following four strategies:
- an advertising and marketing strategy,
- a consumer protection strategy,
- a harm prevention and minimisation strategy, and
- a compliance strategy.
This information will be used to assess whether the applicant is willing and able to comply with the duties and requirements under the Act. To support applicants in submitting a robust application and to assist the regulator in undertaking its assessment, applicants will be required to complete a sign-posting template.
The template will identify where, within their strategies, plans, policies, systems, and processes, the applicant has demonstrated how they will comply with the Act, Regulations, Minimum Standards, and any other applicable requirements.
Thank you for your continued engagement with the Online Gambling Implementation Programme. We appreciate the time and expertise that industry stakeholders are contributing as we work towards establishing New Zealand's new regulated online gambling market.
Ngā mihi nui,
Trina Lowry
Programme Director - Online Gambling Implementation
