New Zealanders are getting closer to playing on legal online casinos for the first time, as lawmakers continue finalizing the rules and regulations for the sector. Up to 15 licenses will be available, with a three-part application process.
The government believes that issuing 15 permits strikes a balance between giving players enough choice and ensuring regulators can properly monitor operators.
Secretary for Internal Affairs and Chief Executive of the Department of Internal Affairs, Paul James, shed some light on the new rules during a recent conference in Sydney.
won’t be able to play multiple slot games at the same time
There won’t be any gambling on credit, which means credit cards are banned, as are buy-now-pay-later services. Players also won’t be able to play multiple slot games at the same time, an attempt to curb problematic gameplay behavior.
Operators will need to follow strict guidance for anyone exhibiting signs of harmful gambling patterns. All operators will also need to conduct mandatory age-verification checks as soon as someone signs up for an account.
One of the measures getting particular attention is the ban on affiliate marketing and influencer endorsements. These are two very popular ways for iGaming brands in other jurisdictions to promote their platforms. Fines for any big corporations caught promoting illegal platforms will rise to NZ$5m (US$3m) from NZ$10,000 (US$5,906).
The grey market is significant in New Zealand. The government estimates that locals spent about NZ$1.4bn (US$830m) on offshore sites in 2025.
