New Zealand's Department of Internal Affairs has taken a significant step in launching its regulated online casino market by inviting applications for licenses. Operators interested in obtaining one of the fifteen available licenses must submit their proposals to the Government Electronic Tenders Service by the deadline of August 14. The application fee is set at NZD 19,000, which is approximately USD 11,082.
Applicants can request a maximum of three licenses, which necessitates demonstrating a minimum capital of NZD 7.5 million, or about USD 4.38 million. Along with their applications, operators are required to provide identity verification documents, a credit report, criminal record checks, proof of financial abilities, and information regarding any previous violations of local regulations or legal conflicts.
Entain is among the companies expected to participate in this new market, aiming to secure the maximum number of three licenses available. The licensing framework comes as part of the Online Gambling Act, which establishes the legal structure for regulating online casino operations in New Zealand for the first time.
Despite some operators advocating for an expedited launch, regulators have emphasized that the timeframe is designed to ensure thorough evaluations of operators, prioritize consumer protection, and address gambling harm prevention measures before online casino operations commence.
