The NZ Casino Scene

As at 3 November 2026, the Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has completed New Zealand’s first online-casino licence auction. Eleven entities secured rights to apply for 15 licences, but none has been approved to operate.

Gambling is legal in New Zealand only where an activity is authorised by law. Land-based casinos, pub pokies, Lotto NZ products and TAB NZ betting operate under different rules. Online casinos are undergoing the biggest change: the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 took effect on 1 May 2026, but the fully licensed market is not expected to operate until 2027.

· New Zealand Offshore casinos have been part of New Zealand's online gambling market for years. A site can accept New Zealand dollars, carry familiar pokies and display an overseas gaming licence without being regulated in New Zealand.

New Zealand's online casino market has reached a turning point. The Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) announced on 13 October that 11 entities had secured the right to apply for all 15 available online casino licences. The auction attracted 32 bidders, ran for 10 rounds and ended at NZ$15 million per licence.

New Zealand has passed the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026 but has not yet opened its fully licensed online casino market. The Act took effect on 1 May 2026. Licences are expected in 2027, and winning a place in the October auction gave an operator the right to apply, not permission to start taking bets.