Led by Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden, the push for regulation comes as the country continues to battle the negative impact of offshore gambling sites, which currently operate without oversight or consumer protections.
New Zealand has taken a major step forward in its efforts to introduce a regulated online casino market, with legislation potentially coming into force as early as 2026.
Led by Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden, the push for regulation comes as the country continues to battle the negative impact of offshore gambling sites, which currently operate without oversight or consumer protections.
While online sports betting has been legal in New Zealand since 2003, online casino and poker games remain unregulated. This legislative gap has left Kiwis vulnerable to unlicensed operators, some of whom have withheld customer withdrawals and failed to provide adequate harm minimisation measures.
Announcing the proposed changes, van Velden said:
“A new Online Gambling Bill will be drafted with the purpose to regulate online casino gambling to facilitate a safer and compliant regulated online gambling market.”
Under the proposed framework, a limited number of licences—up to 15—will be issued to approved operators, ensuring that only vetted platforms can legally offer services to players in New Zealand.
Van Velden added:
“Currently, New Zealanders can and do gamble on thousands of offshore gambling websites. By introducing a regulatory system, my intention is to channel customers towards up to 15 licensed operators.”
The reforms will also introduce tighter restrictions on iGaming advertising, particularly where promotions could be misleading or aimed at underage audiences.
Like Brazil’s recent gambling reforms, the proposed legislation will mandate the implementation of responsible gambling measures. Operators that fail to comply could face fines of up to NZ$5 million (approximately £2.5 million).
The government’s proposed timeline is ambitious but considered achievable. The draft legislative framework is expected to be published later this month, with licence auctions potentially beginning in February 2026. If all goes to plan, licensed online casinos could go live by April 2026, marking a transformative moment for New Zealand’s gambling landscape.
Beyond player protection, the move is also expected to boost government revenue, by redirecting tax flows away from unregulated offshore sites—a benefit already observed in the United States’ regulated iGaming markets.
Addressing concerns around problem gambling, van Velden was clear:
“My goal is not to increase the amount of gambling that is happening online, but to enable New Zealanders who wish to play casino games online to do so more safely than they can do today.”
With a strong focus on consumer safety alongside economic gain, van Velden’s proposal looks likely to gain support—ushering in a new era of legal, secure, and regulated online gambling for New Zealand.