New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has officially initiated the first phase of its iGaming licensing process, inviting companies to submit expressions of interest (EOIs) for one of 15 new online casino licenses made available under recently enacted legislation. The call for EOIs was published on July 16 and became active on July 21.
This initiative marks a pivotal step for the government as it transitions from policy formation to the practical aspects of procurement and licensing, ahead of the anticipated launch of the market in 2027.
The government has set clear requirements for applicants planning to engage in the newly legalized and regulated online casino arena. Submissions for EOIs must be made through the procurement portal, GETS, by August 14, 2026. The DIA revealed the initial licensing timeline in March, coinciding with the passing of the new Online Casino Gambling Act earlier this year.
As part of the application process, prospective operators are required to pay a non-refundable fee of NZ$19,000 (approximately $11,082). This limit of 15 licenses, along with the requirement that operators demonstrate access to at least NZ$7.5 million in capital, indicates the government’s strategy to ensure that only well-resourced, established operators can compete in the market.
License applicants must fulfill specific disclosure requirements, including providing personal information about all key officers along with a detailed ownership and management structure. They are also expected to offer extensive descriptions of the gambling platform and brand they intend to operate.
Each operator will be limited to a maximum of three licenses. Entain's CEO, Stella David, communicated during the operator's FY/25 results call that the company aims to apply for three of the 15 licenses. David emphasized that, with the exclusive betting brand TAB in New Zealand, Entain would uniquely position itself as the only online operator able to cross-sell between sports betting and iGaming.
The department has stressed the necessity for operators to provide substantial evidence to support their applications, including credit reports, verified identification documents, and criminal record checks. This verification process extends to require disclosure of any past regulatory violations, ongoing legal investigations, and any insolvency events such as liquidation or bankruptcy. Additional attention is directed toward any negative rulings received from advertising regulators both locally and internationally.
Looking ahead, a license auction is expected in September, with successful applicants invited to submit full license applications starting in October. The final issuance of iGaming licenses is projected for early 2027, a timeline that reflects the complexity of the implementation process. A spokesperson conveyed that a 2027 launch is necessary to finalize the ongoing work in a thoughtful manner, adhering to the mandates of the Act.
While some operators anticipated a quicker process, the current state indicates more of a regulatory design rather than a delay. Industry stakeholders, including regulators and legal experts, suggest that the extended timeline is intentional, aiming to balance rigorous licensing scrutiny, consumer protection, and harm minimization with market regulations. This shift from an unregulated offshore market to a controlled, license-restricted framework under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 signifies a considerable transformation. Jarrod True, director of True Legal, commented that this delay prioritizes an orderly transition and the establishment of a robust regulatory framework over rapid market entry.
