New Zealand has issued regulations under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, set to take effect on 3 July 2026. These rules coincide with the start of a competitive licensing process for online casino operators. The regulations, issued through an Order in Council following guidance from the minister of internal affairs, set detailed standards for operations, advertising, player protections, and financial compliance.

Player Protections

Consumer safety is a central focus. Operators must allow players to set daily, weekly, or monthly limits on deposits, playtime, and total spending. These limits are prompted at account creation and monthly thereafter. Requests to increase or remove limits require a mandatory 24-hour waiting period to reduce impulsive changes.

Platforms are also required to include “break-in-play” features, such as a minimum five-minute pause after one hour of continuous play. Additional time-out options can range from 24 hours up to three months. Pop-up alerts showing session duration, spending, and wins are mandatory to encourage responsible play. Self-exclusion can be set for fixed durations or indefinitely, and operators must process requests within 24 hours. Suspected problem gamblers must be issued warnings, offered assistance, and may be excluded for up to two years.

Verification, Payments, and Game Rules

Operators must verify customers’ full name, date of birth, and age (minimum 18) before account activation. Checks for previous exclusions or multiple accounts are required. Credit products, including credit cards linked to land-based gambling, are prohibited. Each customer can hold only one account and use a single deposit method per platform, with a 24-hour lock on changing deposit methods. Withdrawals may use a different method.

Operators are obligated to provide accessible game rules, maintain compliance records, and retain customer data for the duration of the relationship plus seven years. Only one online slot can be played at a time, autoplay features are banned, and network progressive jackpots are limited to licensed platforms, except for poker games with only human players. Any game elements designed to encourage excessive or impulsive play are not allowed.

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Advertising and Licensing

Advertising restrictions are strict. Online casino ads cannot appear on print front pages, public transport, or during live broadcasts and the 30 minutes before or after. Sponsorships, endorsements, inducements, affiliate marketing, and personalized spending promotions are limited. Direct marketing must have explicit consent or narrowly tailored account-holder preferences, with controls on content and frequency.

The licensing process will grant up to 15 licences. Prospective operators begin with a $19,000 expression-of-interest fee, followed by a licensing auction and a detailed application. Operators must submit quarterly and annual reports on player metrics, usage, and profits, and report serious incidents within five working days. A quarterly levy of 3.5% on profits is imposed, with penalties for late payment. During Entain’s FY25 earnings call, CEO Stella David confirmed the company is aiming for three licences.

The new regulations align New Zealand with Australia, which recently introduced stricter rules for gambling advertising, including television time limits and restrictions on celebrity endorsements. The framework is designed to encourage a safe, transparent, and competitive online casino environment while providing players with clear tools to manage their gambling.

Source:

New Zealand introduces online gambling regulations ahead of licensing process, igamingbusiness.com, June 8, 2026