New Zealand’s iGaming Market: 1st Certification Stage Has Commenced

New Zealand’s government has entered the implementation stage of legalising the iGaming segment. Currently, the authorities are accepting requests (EOI) from potential market participants.

The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) intends to grant 15 certificates. The official opening of the legal online casino vertical is anticipated in 2027.

Application Process and Key Dates

The licensing procedure comprises 3 sequential phases. The initial stage commences with the official invitation to Expressions of Interest, effective from July 17th, 2026.

Key information about this phase:

• Requests from prospective operators are submitted via GETS, the government’s procurement platform.
• The deadline for providing preliminary papers is August 14th, 2026.
• Each application must be accompanied by a non-refundable fee of NZD 19,000 (around USD 11,000).

Following initial document review and compliance checks, the 2nd step, an auction, will be held in September. The 3rd stage, involving submission of full-licence applications, will launch in October 2026.

Standards for Potential Operators

The revised iGaming policy aims to ensure that only trustworthy and stable corporations can enter the market. The financial capacity of a brand will be a crucial criterion.

To achieve this, the authorities have introduced stringent selection standards:

1. Company budget. Potential industry participants must demonstrate access to capital amounting to at least NZD 7.5 million (approximately USD 4.3 million).
2. Transparency of operations. Prospective licensees are required to disclose information regarding their project, management and ownership structure, key executives, and software components.
3. Scaling limitations. Each entity can apply for no more than 3 certificates in total.

Stella David, Entain’s CEO, revealed her company's plan to secure the maximum allowable number of licences. As the brand is already managing a web bookmaker within the state (TAB), it will become the sole domestic operator, cross-selling between the iGaming and online wagering segments.

Due Diligence and Regulatory Compliance

During application processing, special attention will be given to security and risk mitigation. For this purpose, the regulatory body intends to request an additional package of supporting papers.

For example, entrepreneurs must submit documents to verify business reputation, such as ID cards, credit reports, and papers confirming the absence of a criminal record. Operators must also disclose a history of violations, if any, including details of past legal investigations, insolvency proceedings, or penalties imposed by advertising regulators in any country.

These new standards aim to strengthen customer protection. Given the scope of this reform, the authorities will need considerable time to review all requests.

Plan of Project Implementation

The shift to a lawful online casino market in New Zealand will occur in multiple phases. The 1st stage is the auction set for September 2026. Once the outcomes are revealed, successful bidders can apply for permits in October.

The issuance of licences and the official opening of the supervised sector are planned for early 2027. The authorities highlight that this schedule is essential for the careful preparation and proper implementation of the new regulatory system.

Specifics of iGaming Niche Oversight

The legal framework selected by New Zealand’s government is characterised by its complexity and meticulous attention to detail. Business owners are required to uphold high casino security standards to safeguard players, which remains a primary focus.

Essential criteria for operators and their software encompass:

• risk mitigation;
• strict control;
• client safety.

The Director of True Legal, an NZ-based agency specialising in gambling law consultancy, provided insights on the current situation. According to Jarrod True, the most notable development at present is the shift from a chaotic offshore environment to a tightly regulated framework with a limited number of permits. The new system has been crafted in complete accordance with the Online Casino Gambling Act, which was enacted earlier in 2026.

Mr True asserts that discussing potential implementation delays is inappropriate, as they are presumably intentional. The authorities focus on a smooth transition and the establishment of a strong legislative system rather than expedited market access. Numerous niche specialists anticipate that the emerging framework will be among the most rigorous across the newly overseen jurisdictions.