Three stages to a licence
- Expression of interest. DIA invited submissions by public notice, and the stage ran from 17 July to 14 August 2026 on the government tenders site GETS.
- Auction. Between 29 September and 12 October 2026 bidders took part in an ascending clock auction, where the price rises in steps and bidders drop out when it passes what they will pay. It ended after 10 rounds at NZ$15 million per licence.
- Licence application. Winners were invited on 20 October 2026 to pay the auction price and file a full application with a business plan.
What an NZ online casino licence covers
- One licence covers one brand and the platforms players use to reach it.
- A licence is valid for up to three years and can be renewed for a further five.
- No entity can be granted more than three licences in this process.
- Up to 15 licences are on offer, and eleven entities won the right to apply.
What applicants had to put forward
The application asks for a business plan and for strategies on how the applicant will advertise, protect consumers, prevent and reduce harm, and follow the rules. DIA weighs these together with what the applicant supplied at the expression-of-interest stage.
The Secretary for Internal Affairs may only grant a licence when the applicant has shown it is suitable to hold one and willing and able to follow every requirement.
After a licence is granted
DIA will publish a register of licensed online casinos, and each licensed casino must show a registration icon. Regulations released in June 2026 govern harm prevention, consumer protection and record-keeping, advertising, and fees and levies. Technical Minimum Standards followed in July 2026.
Questions
Does winning the auction mean the licence is granted?
No. DIA says winning does not guarantee a licence, and every winner goes through assessment first.
When will the first licences be issued?
DIA expects to start issuing licences from early 2027, with the system fully operating during 2027.
What happens to an operator that does not apply?
From 1 December 2026 it has to stop online casino gambling in New Zealand. An applicant that DIA later declines also has to exit.
Sources
- DIA: information about licensing, page updated 10 November 2026
- Online Casino Gambling Minimum Standards 2026