Deposits with standalone casino brands rose 38 per cent year on year, driven mainly by existing customers gambling more rather than by a wave of newcomers. To gamble safely online, New Zealanders should choose licensed platforms, use secure payment methods, and follow responsible gaming practices. Look for platforms with valid security certificates, transparent policies, and regular audits. It’s also advisable to use tools like Betblocker or Gamban to manage gambling activities. Remember, while offshore gambling is legal for New Zealand residents, these platforms operate outside domestic jurisdiction, so thorough research is essential. New Zealand law targets the provision of gambling, not participation in it.
The legal online gambling scene in New Zealand keeps changing, with new regulations set to roll out in 2026. TAB NZ and Lotto NZ are the only state-authorized providers of online gambling services in the digital world 4. TAB NZ generates 90% of revenue in New Zealand’s racing industry 1. Up to 15 online casino gambling licences will be available, each valid for a period of up to three years, with the possibility to renew for a further five years. Each licence will cover a single brand, and the various platforms players may use to interact with that brand. No one can be granted more than three licences as part of this process.
Upcoming Changes in NZ Gambling Laws
The government shows its steadfast dedication to player safety through these upcoming changes. Licensed platforms need to follow strict rules about age checks, consumer protection, and responsible gaming. The new tax structure combines 15% GST with 12% gambling duty to collect revenue properly while keeping the industry viable. The auction attracted 32 bidders and concluded after 10 rounds, with the final auction price reaching $15 million (NZD) per licence.
- For the full breakdown by venue, see the casino age limit in New Zealand.
- Casino entry and gaming require individuals to be 20 years or older.
- These changes will create a safer and more controlled environment for online casino gaming.
- As of 28 June 2025, online racing and sports betting is prohibited unless it is operated by New Zealand’s domestic provider TAB NZ.
- The Secretary must not grant a licence unless the provider has demonstrated this suitability.
- The aim is a small number of well-capitalised operators that can meet harm-minimisation and anti-money-laundering standards, not the widest possible choice.
- 2 list an official website and 1 publish opening hours.
How to Gamble Legally and Safely in NZ
The only authorized domestic providers are TAB NZ and Lotto NZ. New Zealand’s online gambling scene faces a vital turning point. TAB NZ and Lotto NZ remain the only authorized domestic providers right now, but Zoccer casino review the industry will soon see major changes.
Legal Online Gambling Options for Kiwis
Class 4 pokies machines have the $2.50-per-spin cap and are embedded in regular pubs, so the 18-year age aligns with the general drinking-age framework. The full list is SkyCity Auckland, SkyCity Hamilton, SkyCity Queenstown, Christchurch Casino, and Grand Casino Dunedin. No new casino licence has been issued in New Zealand since 1996; six venue licences were granted in total, and Queenstown’s Wharf Casino surrendered its licence in March 2024, leaving five.
Licensing process
Operators who break regulations face fines up to NZD 8.53 million. This approach will guide players toward licensed platforms instead of thousands of unregulated offshore sites. New Zealand offers both domestic and international gambling platforms that operate under different regulatory frameworks.
New Zealand has five Department of Internal Affairs-licensed casinos, located in Auckland, Hamilton, Queenstown, Christchurch, and Dunedin. The country also hosts roughly 1,100 licensed pokie venues, pubs and clubs permitted to run pokies machines under the Gambling Act 2003. This directory lists every licensed casino and every pokie venue, organised by region and city, so visitors and residents can find a land-based gambling venue near them. Up to 15 online casinos will be successful at auction and gain the right to apply for an online casino licence. From 1 December 2026, only these operators will be able to provide online casino gambling to customers in New Zealand.
Providers that have not applied for a licence must cease operating in New Zealand. Providers with an application under consideration may continue to operate without advertising until a decision is made. Our engagement approach is built on transparency and fairness.
Some sites will disappear
What changes are coming to New Zealand’s online gambling laws? By early 2026, New Zealand plans to implement a new regulatory framework for online casinos. This will introduce a licensing system with 15 available licenses, allocated through auction. Licensed operators will need to meet strict criteria including consumer protection standards, harm minimization requirements, and age verification systems. All licensed operators will be held to the same regulatory standards, meaning people who choose to gamble will be better protected. These standards will ensure online casinos are fair and secure and that harm is minimised.
The details of the regulatory framework are currently still being worked through. Finalised regulations and guidance on how to comply will be published in mid-2026. This guidance provides detailed information on the auction process, principles, and requirements for auction participation. Following completion of the auction process, we can confirm that 11 entities have been successful at winning the right to apply for the 15 licenses available. All stages of the licensing process will be run through the Government Electronic Tenders (GETS) website. Successful bidders from the auction will shortly be able to submit full licence applications.
What Are Pokie Venue and How Are They Regulated?
- Providers with an application under consideration may continue to operate without advertising until a decision is made.
- Further information and guidance will be provided as each stage of implementation progresses.
- Licensed operators need approval for their advertising strategies before running them 6.
- We no longer accept player registrations, process deposits, or offer gambling services.
- The DIA will publish the licensed operators and the brands they run, and a legitimate site will match that list exactly.
Access to New Zealand market insights was one of the most requested resources by those interested in gaining a licence to conduct online casino gambling in New Zealand. This approach gives effect to the legislative framework through an implementation process that produces effective consumer protection, responsible gambling and regulatory compliance. The Gambling Act 2003 regulates those who conduct or promote gambling and creates no offence of participating in overseas online gambling. No New Zealander has been prosecuted for playing online. The operator side is now licensed under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026, which came into force on 1 May 2026. These are the operators I would hold an account with while the New Zealand licensing programme runs.
Search by your current location, or type a suburb, city, or venue name. The tool searches all 962 licensed casinos and pokie venues in NZ and returns the closest ones open near you — with directions, addresses, opening hours, operator, and machine count. New Zealand’s gambling regulations include detailed guidelines about age limits, taxation policies, and advertising standards. These rules protect vulnerable people and ensure fair gaming practices on traditional and digital platforms. While the successful auction operators are being announced, the brands that may ultimately operate under a licence are not being published at this stage. Operators may make changes throughout the application process, and approved brands will be published on a public register owned by the Department of Internal Affairs once their licence has been granted.
The government wants to establish a balanced approach through careful regulation and oversight. This protects players while recognizing online gambling’s place in today’s digital world 7. New Zealand’s online gambling world will see major changes as the government plans to roll out complete regulations by early 2026. These changes will create a safer and more controlled environment for online casino gaming. The regulations will prevent harm and reduce criminal activities.
