New Zealand Plans New Online Gambling Legislation by 2026

The online gambling landscape in New Zealand is set to undergo a huge shift. The government revealed plans for a new framework, allowing up to 15 licensed operators to provide their services to Kiwis.

Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden announced the new gambling laws at a press conference. The new gambling laws will replace the current Gambling Act, which went into effect in 2003. At the moment, New Zealand players can gamble at international (offshore) casino sites. With the new bill, they can do so at licensed local operators, which will enable players to play their favourite games safely.

An Opportunity for Online Casinos and Poker Rooms

So far, only online sports betting has been legalized in New Zealand. With the new law, online casinos and poker will be fully legalized. This means that operators such as Royal Panda Casino can make a legal entrance on the market. This casino and others will be able to provide legal and safe gaming services to NZ players starting from next year.

The so-called Internet gaming legislation will issue licenses to up to 15 operators. With it, the market will benefit from trusted platforms, ensuring that Kiwis get safe gambling environments.

With the current gambling act, New Zealanders could only place bets at offshore casino sites. The government didn’t penalize Kiwis for doing so. However, it also didn’t offer any protection, as offshore sites lay outside of the gambling legislation. While there weren’t too many problems, playing in a safe gaming environment beats playing offshore, where many things can go wrong.

The ministers said that the goal is not to increase the number of sites where Kiwis can gamble online. The government’s goal was to enable New Zealanders to play their favourite games at safe sites with a proper licence. With the new law, New Zealand will fight illegal gaming sites and protect consumers from harm. It promotes responsible gambling practices and ensures that operators work within legal boundaries.

A Levy on Operators’ Profits

One of the main aspects of the newly proposed bill measures is the mandatory levy on operator profits. As expected, money from the levy will contribute toward funding for problem gambling services. Some of it will go toward NZ’s educational programs. With this move, the government will help anyone affected by problem gambling.

Problem gambling is spreading fast, and that’s why licensed operators introduce responsible gambling practices. A similar levy structure was implemented in the Northern Territory as part of the Racing and Wagering Act, which went into effect in the summer of 2024.

The accent of the new Internet gaming legislation is on responsible gambling and stricter age verification. All licensed operators that will receive licenses will need to have robust age verification systems. This will allow them to verify the identity of their customers and their age before they start playing.

Because of the stricter regulatory measures, newly licensed providers in New Zealand will be subject to regular audits. Any provider that doesn’t comply with the rules may be stripped of the licence. Violations of the regulations will result in financial penalties, too, setting an example for all future operators.

Work Awaits

While the new regulatory bill was recently announced, there’s still work before it goes live. The legislation development is underway. An implementation team formed by the government will work closely with international regulators to further expand on the bill and shape operational design.

Once all the elements are in place, the rollout will begin. The focus will be on:

• Designing the licence system: establishing the key processes for operators to apply and receive licenses.
• Building new regulatory infrastructure: developing key digital systems for compliance frameworks, which will enable the regulator to monitor all licensees.
• Launching the licensing process: opening applications and reviewing applicants.
• Enforcing customer protection: setting up new mechanisms designed to protect players from unfair terms and rules.
• Public awareness: sharing the data with the public and ensuring that it understands the risks associated with online gambling.

It’s certainly a comprehensive approach that befits a new online gambling regulatory framework. The NZ government has just enough time to make revisions for effective consumer protection and regulatory compliance.

What Are the Most Popular Casino Games for Kiwis Online?

So far, online slots and jackpots have proven Kiwis’ ‘weapon’ of choice. Most offshore casinos have thousands of these games from renowned providers. There’s no question that newly licensed sites will follow the same format, offering the latest pokies to New Zealand players.

Games of chance are a big hit with Kiwis overall. Besides slots, players also enjoy roulette, which comes in many variants. Skill-based games have their fans, although most NZ players prefer games of chance.

Live dealer games have grown popular in recent years. With cutting-edge content and technological advancements, these games will remain popular among Kiwis in the years to come.

What Does This Mean for the Future of Online Gambling in NZ?

Online gambling sites should have been legalized in New Zealand years ago. The liberal agenda has been pushing for such a move, citing money spent abroad as one of the main concerns. With the new law, interested parties can apply for licenses as early as February 2026. If everything goes well, they can launch by April next year, marking a major shift on the NZ gambling market.

With the newly proposed regulatory bill focusing on player safety, it’s also smart for the economics. Licensed operators will redirect tax revenues from unregulated sites. This has already been seen before. The US gaming sector underwent a similar transformation, and many states are fuelling their economies by launching licensed operators.

The new law is not likely to face any opposition. Everyone understands that it’s a good thing and comes at the right time. The combination of enforcing consumer protection while taking a juicy slice of the economic benefits makes it a great fit for NZ’s gambling system. It will surely have a massive positive impact on the economy, while satisfying the appetites of NZ players.