Which online casinos are licensed in New Zealand?
The register records the market of New Zealand as in transition. No active licence valid there is on file, as of 2 Oct 2026. The rules for online casino games in this market are changing. Legal age: 18+.
Source: Official source · read 2 Oct 2026
Online casino licences in the process of being awarded: the auction of the 15 rights to apply opened on 29 September 2026 and is due to conclude on 14 October 2026 (SkyCity announcement of 30 September). Full applications in October; any site without an application must cease as of 1 December 2026; licensed market operational in 2027. No licensee is known yet.
- Status
- In transition
- Regulator
- Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) — Online Casino Gambling Act 2026
- Legal age
- 18+not confirmed on an official page consulted today
- Licence regime
- Online casino licence (one brand per licence, 15 at most, 3 per operator, term of 3 years, renewable for 5 years)
- Key facts
- Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 in force; Online Casino Gambling Regulations 2026 published. DIA timetable: EOI 17 July–14 August 2026 (fee NZ$19,000, min. capital NZ$7.5 million), assessment in August, ascending auction (“ascending clock auction”) opened on 29 September 2026 for up to 15 rights to apply — according to SkyCity's NZX announcement of 30 September 2026, the auction is under way and is due to conclude on 14 October 2026, lodging of full applications in October 2026 (press: before 23 October 2026), 1 December 2026: any provider that has not lodged an application must cease; regime fully operational in 2027. Online casino advertising prohibited in the meantime; no new entrant permitted, only providers already present may continue (transitional provisions). Candidates cited by the press: Entain (aiming for 3 licences; has launched BlackRush Casino and FoxySpins under its Gibraltar licence), SkyCity (SkyCity Online Casino, MGA licence), Super Group, DigiPlus, Stake, Dabble. Auction result not known as at 2 October 2026 (close scheduled for 14 October 2026). SkyCity has also launched a strategic review (possible sale of the group, UBS and Chapman Tripp); next update at the AGM on 21 October 2026.
What a player risks
The rules for online casino games in this market are changing. What is tolerated today may be prohibited, or made subject to a local licence, tomorrow; the regulator's current position is the reference and should be checked. A site that does not hold the licence the rules require at the time of play is outside local supervision: its players have no local-regulator protection or dispute resolution, and deposits, payments or winnings may be blocked or confiscated. Depending on local law at the time of play, fines or prosecution may apply. The register records for New Zealand: Until 1 December 2026: playing on an offshore casino is not penalised for the player (the regime targets operators) and operators already present may continue without advertising. After 1 December 2026, only operators that have filed an application may continue; the others become illegal (no penalty provided for the player according to the sources consulted).
Licences valid in New Zealand
No active licence valid in New Zealand is on file.
Sources the register cites
- dia.govt.nz/Online-Gambling-for-Providers
- dia.govt.nz/Online-Gambling-Regulatory-Implementation
- next.io/news/casino/entain-launches-fresh-new-zealand-brands-ahead-of-cut-off
- gambling.com/nz/news/new-zealand-online-casino-licence-auction-set-for-september
- yogonet.com/international/news/2026/07/20/125469-new-zealand-opens-expressions-of-interest-for-15-online-casino-licences
- authorisation.mga.org.mt/verification.aspx?company=9540fff1-5ca0-4290-aa92-0435534b3706&details=1