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Prospective operators have just over two weeks to secure their place in New Zealand’s new regulated online casino market, with the deadline for expressions of interest (EOIs) set for 14 August. Only applicants whose EOIs are accepted by the Department of Internal Affairs will be invited to participate in the September auction for one of 15 online casino licences.
The launch marks the first practical step in implementing the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, which came into force on 1 May and established New Zealand’s first regulated online casino licensing regime. Under the new framework, operators based anywhere in the world will be able to offer online casino gambling to New Zealand customers, provided they secure a licence through the new process.
The licensing process comprises three stages: an expression of interest, a multi-round ascending clock auction, and a full licence application. Up to 15 licences will be awarded, each covering a single brand and valid for an initial three-year term with the possibility of a five-year renewal. No operator will be permitted to hold more than three licences.
The EOI stage requires applicants to provide detailed information on ownership structures, key personnel, proposed brands, regulatory history and financial standing. Applicants must also demonstrate access to at least NZ$7.5m in capital and submit a non-refundable NZ$19,000 fee, excluding GST. The Department has confirmed that only complete applications meeting the threshold eligibility requirements will be accepted for the next stage.
Any individual or entity holding 20 per cent or more of an applicant is regarded as a key person and must disclose regulatory, financial and criminal history. The Secretary for Internal Affairs must also be satisfied that neither the applicant nor key executives have been convicted of dishonesty offences within the previous seven years, and that granting access to the licensing process would not prejudice New Zealand’s international reputation.
Successful EOI applicants will progress to an ascending clock auction expected to take place in September, with full licence applications opening in October. Operators that fail to secure a place in the process will be required to cease offering online casino gambling in New Zealand from 1 December 2026, while successful applicants may continue operating under an exemption until their licence applications are determined. The regulated market is expected to become fully operational during 2027.
Industry advisers have warned operators not to view the EOI as a simple registration exercise, noting that incomplete or rejected submissions cannot be remedied after the deadline. With criminal record checks, financial evidence and corporate documentation all required at the outset, prospective bidders are being encouraged to complete their due diligence well before the submission window closes.
