On Friday, the New Zealand government released comprehensive regulations pertaining to the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, set to take effect on July 3, 2026. These regulations will impose strict operational and advertising standards on licensed online casino operators, alongside a new levy on online gambling profits.
The regulations were introduced through an Order in Council, following guidance from the Minister of Internal Affairs. They aim to prioritize consumer protection, requiring operators to implement strong measures to safeguard players and minimize potential harm.
Online casino operators will need to offer tools for customers to establish daily, weekly, or monthly limits on their playtime, deposits, and overall spending. Operators must encourage new players to set these limits during account creation, with reminders occurring monthly. Should customers wish to increase or remove their limits, they will face a mandatory 24-hour waiting period.
In addition, platforms must incorporate ‘break-in-play’ features, stipulating a minimum five-minute pause after 60 minutes of uninterrupted gameplay. They will also need to provide time-out options ranging from 24 hours to three months, alongside mandatory alerts for session reminders that temporarily halt play.
Players have the option to self-exclude for a fixed period or indefinitely, with operators required to process these requests within 24 hours. If operators suspect a player is experiencing gambling problems, they must issue warnings and provide support, with the authority to exclude the individual for up to two years.
The regulations also establish identification and payment safeguards. Customers must verify their full name, date of birth, and age (at least 18 years) before activating their accounts. Operators will need to check for any previous exclusions or existing accounts tied to the same individual. The use of credit products, such as credit cards, will be forbidden, along with certain payment methods associated with land-based gambling. Each player may register only one deposit method and account per platform, facing a 24-hour lock on any changes to these methods, though withdrawals may utilize a different method.
Additionally, operators must adhere to strict transparency protocols, providing customers with clear information about game rules and retaining compliance records for the duration of the business relationship, plus an additional seven years.
Advertising for online casinos will also be heavily regulated. Restrictions will prevent ads from appearing on front pages of print publications and within public transport settings. Broadcast advertising will be prohibited during and in the 30 minutes surrounding live broadcasts, banning sponsorship or endorsement-style promotions, affiliate marketing, impulsive play encouragement, and personalized ads aimed at increasing spending. Ads must not target audiences under 18 or where over 20% are underage. Direct marketing will require explicit consent and narrowly defined account-holder preferences.
New Zealand's updated regulations align with similar initiatives in Australia, where the Albanese government recently proposed reforms to limit gambling advertisements, including caps on television slots and a ban on celebrity sponsorships.
Product features will also face new restrictions; operators cannot allow players to engage with multiple online slots simultaneously or utilize autoplay functions. Network progressive jackpots will be restricted to licensed platforms, with exceptions only for poker games featuring solely human players. Any game design elements that may encourage excessive or reckless play will be outlawed.
Operators will be required to submit quarterly and annual reports detailing player metrics and profits, alongside notifying the secretary of serious incidents within five business days. Furthermore, they will incur a quarterly levy of 3.5% on their online gambling profits, subject to penalties for any late payments.
This announcement will likely draw attention from potential operators as they consider entering the licensing process. The recently passed Online Casino Gambling Bill allows for the issuance of up to 15 licenses through a competitive application process. Prospective operators will first submit a formal expression of interest that includes a $19,000 fee. Following this, a licensing auction will occur, leading to a detailed application review.
During Entain's FY25 earnings call, CEO Stella David remarked on the company’s ambition to secure three of the available licenses.
