New Zealand Moves Closer to Legalized iGaming by 2026

New Zealand is making significant progress toward establishing a regulated online casino market, with plans to introduce licensed iGaming as early as 2026.

Spearheaded by Internal Affairs Minister Brooke van Velden, lawmakers in New Zealand have been pushing for an online gambling framework to combat the prevalence of unregulated offshore gambling platforms. While online sports betting has been legal in the country since 2003, online casino games and poker have remained prohibited.

The lack of an iGaming regulatory structure has left New Zealanders vulnerable to offshore operators, some of which have restricted customer withdrawals and failed to enforce harm prevention measures. To address these issues, the government is now preparing to draft an Online Gambling Bill aimed at ensuring a safer and well-regulated digital gambling environment.

Introducing the upcoming legislation, van Velden emphasized, “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.”

A Limited Licensing System for iGaming Operators

The government’s plan includes issuing a restricted number of licenses to approved operators, ensuring that only authorized platforms can legally cater to New Zealand players. Highlighting this strategy, van Velden explained, “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,” she added.

The new regulatory framework will also impose strict rules on iGaming advertising, especially in cases where marketing materials are misleading or targeted toward minors.

Additionally, like Brazil’s approach to online gambling reform, New Zealand’s new legislation will require licensed iGaming operators to implement responsible gambling practices. Operators that fail to comply could face penalties as high as NZ$5 million ($2.5 million).

An Ambitious Yet Feasible Timeline

Despite the scale of the proposed changes, the government’s timeline appears to be realistic. The legislative framework is expected to be unveiled later this month, with the licensing auction projected to commence in February 2026. If everything proceeds as planned, approved operators could begin launching their platforms by April 2026, marking a significant shift in New Zealand’s online gambling landscape.

Beyond prioritizing player safety, the regulation of iGaming also makes economic sense. A licensed system will enable New Zealand to reclaim tax revenues currently being lost to offshore gambling operators—an approach that has proven effective in the U.S. iGaming market.

Addressing concerns about problem gambling, van Velden clarified, “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 the government focusing on both consumer protection and economic benefits, van Velden’s initiative is unlikely to face significant opposition. If approved, the legislation will reshape New Zealand’s digital gambling sector, creating a safer and more transparent iGaming environment for players across the country. 

By fLEXI tEAM