New Zealand opens EOI phase for 15 online casino licences with strict capital and probity criteria

New Zealand’s Department of Internal Affairs (DIA) has formally launched the first stage of its online casino licensing process, inviting expressions of interest (EOIs) for 15 licences under the recently enacted Online Casino Gambling Act 2026. Operators must submit their EOIs via the Government Electronic Tenders Service (GETS) portal by 14 August 2026, accompanied by a non-refundable fee of NZ$19,000 ($11,082).

The EOI phase is the first of three steps, followed by a licence auction in September and a full application window opening in October. Final licences are expected to be issued in early 2027, a timeline the DIA says is necessary to build a robust regulatory framework. A department spokesperson previously told iGB that the 2027 launch provides the necessary lead time to complete the work in a robust and considered manner.

Operator requirements and restrictions

To qualify, each applicant must demonstrate access to at least NZ$7.5 million in capital, provide detailed ownership and management structures, and submit full identification details for all key officers. Operators are capped at three licences each. Entain CEO Stella David confirmed during the company’s FY/25 results call in March that it intends to apply for three licences, leveraging its existing exclusive betting brand TAB in New Zealand to cross-sell between sports and iGaming.

Probity and compliance checks are a central focus. The DIA requires certified identification, credit reports, criminal record clearances, and documentation verifying available capital. Applicants must also disclose any prior regulatory breaches, ongoing investigations, insolvency events, or adverse advertising rulings in New Zealand or abroad.

Regulatory design and market implications

The licensing structure reflects a deliberate shift from an unregulated offshore market to a tightly controlled, licence-limited regime. “The most significant shift is the move from an unregulated offshore market to a tightly controlled, licence-limited regime under the Online Casino Gambling Act 2026,” said Jarrod True, director of True Legal. He noted that the delay appears intentional, prioritising an orderly transition and robust regulatory infrastructure over speed to market.

The DIA also clarified that TAB NZ, a statutory entity, is eligible to lodge an EOI and apply for a licence, following a reassessment of the Racing Industry Act 2020. The department now considers that “gaming” has a broad meaning encompassing online casino gambling.

Supporting regulations and transition

The Online Casino Gambling Regulations 2026 came into force on 3 July. Offshore providers that were offering services to New Zealand customers on 1 May may continue to do so until 1 December. The Act also requires the Minister for Internal Affairs to recommend regulations establishing a centralised exclusion register by 1 December 2027, with the DIA noting that high-level policy work has begun but further design and consultation decisions remain pending.