New Zealand rolls out detailed online casino regulations ahead of 2026 licensing launch

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 operational, consumer protection, advertising, reporting, and financial requirements that will apply to any future licensed operators.

Consumer protection and mandatory safer gambling tools

A central focus of the framework is harm minimisation and consumer protection. Online casino platforms will be required to provide users with tools to control their gambling behaviour, including the ability to set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on spending, deposits, and playtime.

Operators must prompt users to set these limits at the point of account creation and then again every month. Any request to increase or remove limits will be subject to a mandatory 24-hour waiting period before changes take effect.

Platforms must also include so-called “break-in-play” features, including enforced pauses such as a minimum five-minute break after 60 minutes of continuous gameplay. Additional tools include time-outs ranging from 24 hours up to three months, as well as mandatory pop-up notifications showing session details and temporarily pausing play.

Self-exclusion rules are also strengthened. Players will be able to exclude themselves for fixed periods or indefinitely, and operators must process these requests within 24 hours. In addition, operators are required to identify and assist individuals showing signs of problem gambling and may impose exclusions of up to two years where necessary.

Identity verification and payment restrictions

The regulations impose strict onboarding and financial safeguards. All customers must be verified for full name, date of birth, and age, with a minimum age requirement of 18 before an account can be activated. Operators must also check whether users already hold accounts or are subject to prior exclusions.

Significant payment restrictions are included. The use of credit-based products, including credit cards and certain gambling-linked payment methods such as cards tied to land-based gambling, will be prohibited. Each player may only use one registered deposit method per platform and hold a single account per operator. Changes to deposit methods will be subject to a 24-hour lock period, although withdrawals may be directed to a different method.

Operators must also retain customer records and provide transparent information about game rules and compliance throughout the customer relationship, extending for seven years after the relationship ends.

Strict controls on advertising

Advertising rules under the new regime are notably restrictive. Key limitations include:

• Advertising will be restricted in placement, including bans from front pages of print media and public transport environments.

• Broadcast advertising will be prohibited during live programming and for 30 minutes before and after such broadcasts.

• Certain advertising practices will be banned entirely, including sponsorships, endorsement-based promotions, affiliate marketing, and “inducement advertising (except under tight controls)”, as well as messaging that encourages impulsive gambling, personalised targeting aimed at increasing spend, or references to other gambling products.

• Ads must not be designed to appeal to under-18s or appear in media where more than 20% of the audience is underage.

• Direct marketing will require explicit consent or tightly defined user preferences, with controls over frequency and content delivery.

These measures place New Zealand alongside countries such as Australia, which has also been tightening gambling advertising rules. Earlier this year, the Albanese government proposed reforms including TV advertising time restrictions and bans on celebrity endorsements.

Product design and operational limits

Additional restrictions apply to how online casino products are designed and operated.

Operators will not be allowed to offer more than one online slot game at a time per user, and autoplay functionality will be banned entirely.

Networked progressive jackpots will only be permitted on licensed platforms, with the exception of poker games involving solely human participants. Game features that encourage excessive or impulsive play will also be prohibited.

Reporting duties and financial levy

Licensed operators will face ongoing compliance obligations, including the submission of quarterly and annual reports detailing player behaviour, platform usage, and profit data. Any serious incidents must be reported to the relevant authority within five working days.

In addition, operators will be required to pay a 3.5% quarterly levy on online gambling profits, with penalties applicable for late payment.

Licensing framework and market entry process

The newly established legislation permits the issuance of up to 15 online casino licences, which will be awarded through a competitive application process.

The process will begin with an expression of interest stage, which will require a $19,000 fee. This will be followed by a licensing auction and then a full formal application process for shortlisted operators.

The regulatory framework is expected to be closely examined by global gambling companies assessing whether to enter the New Zealand market under the new system.

During Entain’s FY25 earnings call, CEO Stella David indicated that the company is actively targeting participation in the market and is aiming to secure three of the available licensing positions.

By fLEXI tEAM