New Zealand is moving forward with plans to regulate its online casino sector by calling on operators to formally register their interest in a new licensing system.
Spearheaded by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA), the initiative is part of the Online Gambling Implementation Programme and aims to create a transparent, consumer-oriented framework that brings offshore operations under domestic regulation.
Trina Lowry, Programme Director for the Online Gambling Implementation, mentioned:
For online casino operators interested in entering the New Zealand market, the most important thing you can do is register your interest at the official website.
She noted that early engagement with potential applicants will help develop a regulatory system that is “clear, efficient, and supportive for operators.”
The government has confirmed that licenses will be granted through a competitive selection process, with applicants required to meet strict regulatory and harm prevention standards.
Although many New Zealanders currently use offshore gambling sites, existing laws prohibit any local advertising of these services. Under the proposed changes, licensed operators would be allowed to advertise within New Zealand—a major departure from the current Gambling Act 2003, which bans all such promotion.
The government believes that licensing these services will provide safer and more transparent options for players, while also improving harm reduction efforts and financial monitoring.
