This week, New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has officially initiated the first stage of its iGaming licensing process, calling for companies to submit expressions of interest (EOIs) for one of the 15 new online casino licenses that will be made available following new legislation.
The announcement, made on 16 July and active from Friday, detailed the requirements that prospective operators must meet to operate in the country’s newly legalized and regulated online casino market. This marks a significant shift from policy development to actual procurement and licensing ahead of the market's anticipated launch in 2027.
Applicants must submit their EOIs through the procurement portal GETS by 14 August 2026. This timeline was originally established by the DIA in March of this year. Each application requires a non-refundable fee of NZ$19,000 (approximately $11,082).
The decision to limit the number of licenses to 15 and require applicants to show they have a minimum of NZ$7.5 million in capital indicates the government's desire to restrict market entry to well-capitalized, established operators.
Those vying for a license will be subject to disclosure requirements, including the full identity details of all key officials and a detailed breakdown of ownership and management structures. In addition, they will need to provide thorough descriptions of the gambling platform and brand they plan to use.
Each operator can hold a maximum of three licenses. Entain CEO Stella David stated during the operator's FY/25 earnings call in March that the company intends to apply for three of the available licenses. With its exclusive betting brand TAB in New Zealand, Entain would uniquely be able to cross-sell between sports and iGaming.
The DIA is seeking strong validation of the information provided by applicants, requiring materials such as credit reports, certified identification, criminal record clearances, and proof of available capital. Moreover, applicants must disclose any previous relevant regulatory breaches, ongoing legal investigations, insolvency events, and adverse rulings from advertising regulators in New Zealand or abroad.
Earlier this year, New Zealand's parliament approved the new Online Casino Gambling Act, which regulated online casino gambling in the country and established strict compliance standards. The next phase in this process is anticipated to be a license auction scheduled for September, with those who succeed invited to submit full license applications starting in October. The issuance of final iGaming licenses is expected in early 2027.
This timeline reflects the intricate nature of the implementation process. A spokesperson mentioned that "A 2027 launch provides the necessary lead time to complete this work in a robust and considered manner, consistent with the requirements of the Act."
Though some operators had hoped for a faster rollout, many experts believe that the extended timeline serves to facilitate a thoughtfully designed regulatory environment rather than indicate delays. Legal professionals and operators have observed that the 2027 schedule stems from New Zealand's chosen model, which emphasizes stringent licensing scrutiny, harm reduction, and consumer protection alongside comprehensive market regulation. This could result in one of the more restrictive online casino frameworks among recently regulated territories.
Jarrod True, director of True Legal, highlighted, "The most significant shift is the move from an unregulated offshore market to a tightly controlled, license-limited regime under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026." He added that the delay appears intentional, focusing on ensuring a smooth transition and a strong regulatory framework over rushing to market.
