New Zealand kicks off licensing race with EOI call for 15 online casino permits

New Zealand has initiated the formal process to establish its regulated online casino market, releasing an invitation for operators to submit expressions of interest (EOIs) for one of 15 available licences. The notice, published by Secretary for Internal Affairs Paul David James, takes effect on 17 July and represents the first operational step under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, which became law in May.

Interested parties have until 14 August to lodge an EOI via the Government Electronic Tenders Service, accompanied by a non-refundable fee of NZ$19,000 (US$11,092). The Act introduces a domestic licensing framework for online casino gambling, shifting from a landscape where Kiwi players largely turned to offshore sites and domestic oversight was confined to land-based casinos, lotteries, and other betting products.

To advance past this initial screening stage, applicants must demonstrate access to at least NZ$7.5m in capital and supply detailed documentation covering ownership structures, management arrangements, funding sources, and compliance history. The notice further mandates disclosures regarding criminal investigations, regulatory breaches, insolvency events, prior gambling licences, and any matters that could harm New Zealand’s international standing.

Auction and licensing timeline

Following the EOI phase, shortlisted candidates will compete in an auction scheduled for September. Successful bidders will then be invited to submit full licence applications starting in October. Each licence applies to a single brand, with no operator permitted to hold more than three licences and a total market cap of 15 licences. Initial permits will run for up to three years, renewable for a further five years.

Enforcement and transitional arrangements

The Act also tightens restrictions on unlicensed operators. From 1 December 2026, any provider not yet engaged in the licensing process must cease offering online casino gambling to New Zealand customers. Licensed operations are expected to be fully operational during 2027. Operators that served New Zealanders before the Act took effect may continue under transitional arrangements, but subject to advertising restrictions.

Broader regulatory context

The launch of the licensing process follows wider gambling reforms earlier this year, including legislation that closed a loophole allowing minors to purchase certain lottery products. These changes form part of a broader package of regulatory updates administered by the Department of Internal Affairs, which also oversees the new online casino framework’s advertising restrictions and player protection requirements.