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Philippine gaming operator DigiPlus Interactive Corp. has withdrawn from the final rounds of New Zealand’s online casino licensing auction after reassessing the market and the potential value of obtaining a licence. The decision adds another obstacle to the company’s overseas expansion plans following regulatory disruption in Brazil. In a regulatory filing dated 14 October 2026, DigiPlus said that further market analysis and an assessment of market values had led it to withdr

New Zealand is set to begin auctioning the right to apply for its first regulated online casino licences on Tuesday, September 29, marking the second phase of the country’s newly established online gambling licensing framework. The Department of Internal Affairs has confirmed that operators that successfully completed the expression-of-interest process have been invited to take part in the auction. A maximum of 15 operators will be able to secure the right to proceed to the

New Zealand will begin the auction stage of its new online casino licensing process on 29 September 2026, with up to 15 licences available under the country’s newly established regulatory framework. The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) will conduct the licensing process under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, which established New Zealand’s first domestic licensing regime for online casino gambling. The Act came into force on 1 May 2026, with supporting regulations tak

The High Court of New Zealand has ordered ASB Bank Limited to pay a civil pecuniary penalty of 6,731,000 dollars after finding that the institution failed to meet key obligations under the country's anti-money laundering and countering financing of terrorism framework. The ruling, delivered by Justice O’Gorman, underscores the vital role major financial institutions play in safeguarding both domestic and international financial systems from criminal exploitation and the movem

The New Zealand government has formally released a comprehensive set of regulations to implement the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, setting the stage for a regulated online gambling market. These rules will take effect on 3 July 2026, coinciding with the expected start of a competitive licensing process for online casino operators. The regulations were issued via an Order in Council, acting on recommendations from the Minister of Internal Affairs. They outline strict op

New Zealand has begun implementing the next stage of its regulated online casino gambling system following the commencement of the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 on May 1st, introducing a tightly structured licensing framework designed to regulate offshore gambling operators while strengthening consumer protections. Authorities have set out a phased approach that combines limited licensing, competitive allocation mechanisms, and strengthened enforcement provisions intended t

New Zealand’s Parliament has formally passed the Online Casino Gambling Bill after its third and final reading, moving the legislation toward Royal assent and setting the foundation for a fully regulated online casino gambling market. The reform establishes a comprehensive legal structure designed to regulate digital casino operators, strengthen enforcement capabilities, and introduce consumer protection and harm minimisation requirements, while also ensuring taxation is coll

The Department of Internal Affairs has wrapped up a major investigation into a Hamilton-based legal practice, resulting in a total penalty of 60,000 dollars for criminal breaches of regulatory obligations. Foster and Milroy acknowledged a series of compliance failures spanning from 2022 through 2025, including deficiencies in their internal control systems and risk management processes. Among the violations were the absence of proper risk assessments and the failure to mainta

New Zealand will begin its iGaming licensing process from July, according to a new timeline issued by the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA). The proposed Online Casino Gambling Bill, which passed its first reading in July 2025, is expected to be passed into law in May following a second reading in parliament. Once it clears this stage, the bill will move to committee for a third reading before becoming enforceable. The introduction of the licensing regime represents a sign