New Zealand may become a fully legalized online gambling market by 2026. According to multiple sources, NZ lawmakers are developing new legislation that may come into effect in the next two years.
This initiative, led by Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden, aims to tackle the growing influence of offshore gambling operators that have long operated in the country without oversight.
Shifting the iGaming Policy – and Landscape
In New Zealand, sports betting is legal. In fact, it has been allowed since 2003, thanks to the Gambling Act of 2003.
Unfortunately, online casino gaming and poker have not had the same fate, and have thus remained outside the realm of regulation.
As a consequence, Kiwi players have been very vulnerable to various threats, such as unlicensed, rogue operators, who scammed and cheated players out of their money on numerous occasions. The new legislation will focus on that by creating a safe environment and implementing various measures for preventing harm.
To address these concerns, van Velden has introduced a new Online Gambling Bill.
In the words of van Velden, “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.”
The Proposed Licensing and Regulation Framework
The proposal outlines a structured licensing system, where up to 15 online casino operators will be granted approval to legally provide services to New Zealanders. A small yet hand-selected selection of operators, indeed.
When only vetted platforms can operate, the country can have a better overview of the whole market.
“Currently, New Zealanders can and do gamble on thousands of offshore gambling websites,” van Velden explained. “By introducing a regulatory system, my intention is to channel customers towards up to 15 licensed operators.”
Not only that, but the bill will also introduce tighter regulations on gambling advertisements. Misleading promotions and advertisements targeting minors are one of the main dangers that players face, and the new legislation will aim to completely ban them.
Additionally, operators will be required to implement strong responsible gambling measures. Failure to comply with these regulations could result in fines of up to NZ$5 million ($2.5 million), reinforcing the government's commitment to player protection.
Economic and Social Implications
Beyond player safety and responsible gaming, having a regulated market could also generate considerable tax revenue. Right now, that revenue is lost to unregulated offshore sites.
However, van Velden emphasized that the initiative is not designed to encourage more gambling, which were some of the rising concerns prior to the announcement.
“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,” she confirmed.
The framework is expected to be finalized later this month. The licensing auction is potentially beginning as early as February 2026. If everything proceeds according to plan, licensed operators could launch by April 2026, marking a new era for New Zealand’s online gaming industry.
